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Hey there,

I wanted to ask some opinions on the Ducati 749.

I'm really having a hard time losing this "Ducati bug" that I still seem to have... I was originally considering an S2R or S2R 1000 due to the aircooled 2V setup.... but I saw and sat on a 749 for the first time last week I'm so torn! That, and I still don't know if I should get rid of the VFR for a duke.. but it is so tempting.

TechTMW especially, I would like your opinion on the 4V motor in the 749, if you don't mind. Is it that much harder to work on? Should that even be a deciding factor for me? Any word on the reliability of those bikes? I've heard people have had issues with the clutches burning up.

Anyone have any experience with either bike (or both? )

DivideOverflow wrote: TechTMW especially, I would like your opinion on the 4V motor in the 749, if you don't mind. Is it that much harder to work on? Should that even be a deciding factor for me? Any word on the reliability of those bikes? I've heard people have had issues with the clutches burning up.

Anyone have any experience with either bike (or both? )

I haven't had the opportunity to mess w/ the s2r bikes, but a 2v duc engine is a 2v duc engine. The biggest difference is that the smaller cc bikes (Like the 620 and the 800cc s2r both have a conventional wet clutch setup. The bigger 2v bikes (Like the s2r 1000 ) have a normal Ducati dry clutch setup.

The dry clutch is just like a wet clutch on a normal bike - drive plates between driven plates. But of course, it's dry.

Normal maintenance on a 2v bike is pretty easy. The toughest part is stripping the bike of the bits that get in the way. This isn't so tough on the monster, because many of the big bits are designed with a valve adjustment in mind. For example, the fuel tank unlatches near the seat and hinges up with a prop, like a car hood, to keep it out of your way while you work.

The 749 has the small version of Ducati's Testastretta engine. It's a big improvement over the old desmoquattro 4v (like the 748) The testastretta makes valve adjustments Very Easy because the size of the valve access plate has been changed to accomodate the mechanic. Basically on the newer engine, you have full access to the valves, whereas on the old engine, space was limited. What's going to kill you on the 749, however is prepping the bike to DO the valve job. There's alot of crap you have to pull off to get to those valves (as it is on any fully-faired and water cooled bike)

All testastretta engines use a dry-clutch. I prefer the dry clutch for the obvious ease of maintenance. A dry clutch will fail before a wet clutch if abused. (Massive clutch drops, etc) Consider, however that cars all use dry clutches on standard vehicles. They are reliable and long-lived under normal conditions. Plus, they sound great!

Ducatis use a Cam Belt instead of a chain, also like most modern automobiles. Not a big issue, but something that does require you to look at it every other valve adjustment, just to make sure that the tension is proper and there aren't any cracks, etc. This is easy, because on both the testastretta and the 2v, the belts have simple coverings that only require a few bolts to remove.

In other words, there are a few things about Ducs that set them apart from Japanese (and other Italian!) contemporaries. Nothing to worry about. A desmo valve system is no more difficult to check than any other bike out there.

I think your only real problem with these bikes will be deciding which one to get...

I suggest the multistrada 1000ds lol.

sorry I to would love to have a ducati and still have the bug for one. However the incentive (mostly from my wife) to pay cash for any bike I buy is keeping me from a ducati till 2 or 3 years from now =[. Good luck in your decision .

TechTMW wrote:Plus, they sound great!

You think?
If nothing else they are a real head turner. One fires up and everyone looks to see which bike has left their transmission in the parking lot.

Yeah, I guess it all is in the eye (or ear) of the beholder ... I'm a believer of the "Loud Clutches Save Lives" theory

I especially like the sound of them when they have the Open clutch covers installed and they aren't muffled by the normal aluminum clutch cover... "Are they supposed to sound like that!?

That is the exact question I asked a mate who rolled up on his ST2 for the first time.

Try ducti.ms

It is an all Ducati forum that has lots of information and is friendly. Only caution I would offer is the high maintenance costs. If you're handy with a wrench no problem. If everything you touch seems to catch fire and burn later on, then a good dealer will have to do the maintenance especially the valve adjustments. I paid about $300 for my first service at 600 miles; subsequent service visits (every 6000 miles) typically run about $700 to $1000 depending on where you go. Good luck with the decision.

I currently ride a 749 Dark. It's been an experience alright! Handling's superb. I guess where maintenance is concerned as long as you take good care of it, the cost should be ok.

And another thing, ducati.ms would be an excellent place to start and/or post questions on Ducatis

TechBMW knows what he speaks of. As a Duck owner and a non-fan of silverware-in-the-washing-machine dry clutches however I much prefer the feel and the LACK of sound of the wet clutch. The one Testretta that does have a wet clutch is the new 848. My GT 1000 uses the DS engine and it also comes with a wet-clutch, as well as our 800 Monster as mentioned above. It's no show-stopper about which bike to get IMO but given the option I would take the wet clutch.

As for maintenance, they may be easy to work on but you wouldn't know it if you take it to the dealer. They are far more expensive to maintain than a typical Japaneese bike if this is the case. I love our S2R and I'm still getting to know the GT but they are great bikes that you won't regret owning.

Cheers,

High_Side