Ducati 748S Advice

[andy_bm]

Hi All,

I have been riding now for just one year on a SV650S and I am already comfortable with it having clocked up around 5000 miles this year. I want to move up a bit and fancy a Ducati 748, based on it being a nice looking bike and one I have always dreamed of owning (sore tinted spec R us)!

Now I have found a 748S at the right price with only 3000 miles on the clock and a pretty good servicing price too, I am almost at the point of taking the plunge - but having read all the great posts around this forum I thought I would post and see if you guys can help.

My SV has, unusually I believe, had a lot of problems, such as O ring blowing in piston (£300), 5 spark plug changes due to problems with front spark plug failing everytime it gets a bit wet, new radiator when stone flew up and took it out at roadwork area (£400). Ducatis have a lot of talk about maintenance and reliability and my question here is if the dealer says they will service and replace the cams on this 748S, give me 3 month warranty and charge about £260 for each 6000 mile service, am I onto a winner (its a bike with 2700 miles and only 3 years old), or am I going down the same road as the SV, constantly getting it fixed?

Lastly and most importantly, after sitting on this bike (748S), my SV feels like its got a matress underneath it! That doesn't bother me so much, but how different will riding one of these by to my SV? I am slightly worried that I might spill the thing on the ride home - are there any quircks or handling advice I should know about? Better still is the bike too much of a handful for a rider of just one year? (I have heard its awesome).

Sorry its long, but would be grateful for any advice..

[VermilionX]

Lastly and most importantly, after sitting on this bike (748S), my SV feels like its got a matress underneath it! That doesn't bother me so much, but how different will riding one of these by to my SV? I am slightly worried that I might spill the thing on the ride home - are there any quircks or handling advice I should know about? Better still is the bike too much of a handful for a rider of just one year? (I have heard its awesome).

Sorry its long, but would be grateful for any advice..

you'll get used to it i believe. but then of course, RR bikes aren't made for touring. they're made for running hard at the tracks were you barely sit on the thing anyway except for the straights.


and about dumping it on the ride home... trailer it or have it delivered. we dunno your skills but it looks like you still have doubts.

and congrats in advance... i personally like the 749 bettter but the 748 is cool too nonetheless.

[andy_bm]

Thanks for the reply.

I do have doubts thats for sure about the handling. On my SV I am a very confident rider (except worrying about next break-down) and very at ease with it on the road, what I am concerned about is if I get on the 748 and ride it like my SV I might get an umpleasant shock.

For example, I know from talking with people that the SV is very forgiving (thats why its a great first bike), this I guess is not so for a superbike like a 748 and my concern is that I have been forgiven mistakes on my SV without realising it and the 748 will not forgive me and land me in a ditch -- If that makes sense.

[VermilionX]

Thanks for the reply.

this I guess is not so for a superbike like a 748

im just nitpicking here...

the 748 belongs to the supersport class, 600cc RR bikes. superbike class is the 1000cc.

even though it has more cc. the power it produces is in the range of 600cc RR bikes like the gixxer600.




back to topic... why not drive it around in the parking lot for a couple of minutes. then just take it easy on the way home.

also, will it already be insured after you buy it?

when i got my bikes i had it delivered. 1st time bec i dunno how to ride. 2nd time, i don't have insurance on it yet.

[andy_bm]

Sorry about the superbike confusion , thats why I'm posting in the new riders section..

Anyway, yes I will have insurance - got that already sorted all I have to do is buy the bike now and it will start from the day I ride it away.

As for test riding, the ride home would be a road I know very well and for the first bit its kind of straight so the more I think about it since starting this thread, the more I think it will be OK as long as I take it very easy. Not sure about a test ride though, I'll have to ask the dealer.

[andy_bm]

Sorry about the superbike confusion , thats why I'm posting in the new riders section..

Anyway, yes I will have insurance - got that already sorted all I have to do is buy the bike now and it will start from the day I ride it away.

As for test riding, the ride home would be a road I know very well and for the first bit its kind of straight so the more I think about it since starting this thread, the more I think it will be OK as long as I take it very easy. Not sure about a test ride though, I'll have to ask the dealer.

[Lion_Lady]

Hi All,

I have been riding now for just one year on a SV650S and I am already comfortable with it having clocked up around 5000 miles this year. I want to move up a bit and fancy a Ducati 748, based on it being a nice looking bike and one I have always dreamed of owning (sore tinted spec R us)!

Now I have found a 748S at the right price with only 3000 miles on the clock and a pretty good servicing price too, I am almost at the point of taking the plunge - but having read all the great posts around this forum I thought I would post and see if you guys can help.

My SV has, unusually I believe, had a lot of problems, such as O ring blowing in piston (£300), 5 spark plug changes due to problems with front spark plug failing everytime it gets a bit wet, new radiator when stone flew up and took it out at roadwork area (£400). . . or am I going down the same road as the SV, constantly getting it fixed?

There is a drain line that gets plugged on the SV. It causes "the SV325 problem" - running on one cylinder when you've ridden in the rain. No need to replace the spark plug, just open up the tube with a pipe cleaner so water can get out. (Hubby used to ride an SV650, made him crazy until he learned of the easy fix).

Have you visited any SV650 forums? I'm sure this would be discussed in FAQs on one of them.

P

[DivideOverflow]

Ducati's shouldn't break down if they are properly maintenanced.

It shouldn't be too hard to ride either, just not nearly as comfortable as your SV. Be prepared for some "around town" pains. They are much more at home above 45mph, where the wind will hold you up.

I don't think it is too much for a rider of one year as long as you actually rode during that year. 5000 miles isn't too bad. Just remember that it does have a dry clutch, and your initial clutch-release from a stop will feel different than with a wet clutch. You can't ride the clutch like on other bikes, and it will make rubbing noises if you are doing something it doesn't like. Once you get used to it, it isn't an issue.

The Ducati will handle a lot better than your SV, so just be careful of your speed as you go into corners, because it won't feel like you are going as fast as you are.

They are wonderful bikes, and as long as you can afford it, and afford to keep it serviced, I would go for it. I am a bit biased though...

[VermilionX]

Ducati's shouldn't break down if they are properly maintenanced.

They are wonderful bikes, and as long as you can afford it, and afford to keep it serviced, I would go for it. I am a bit biased though...

shouldn't you be updating your avatar now?

[Kal]

im just nitpicking here...

the 748 belongs to the supersport class, 600cc RR bikes. superbike class is the 1000cc.

It's a Supersports, RR whatever other label you want to throw at it Verm, good call on the insurance though.

Hi Andy

If someone offered me a good 748 at a price I could afford I'd wet myself - its one of the most beautiful sportsbikes ever produced...