[Benjiface]

I found a 748 bike for sale its a 1998 with 18K on the clock. There is also a 2000 748 for sale with 28k on the clock. Is there any major changes between the years? Should i take one over the other or are they basically the same? I know in an old bike taking care of it is huge.:rlwhore:

Things i should look for? Services i should make sure where done. Any help would be very helpful. I hope to get this bike and become a regular.

 

[white_duc89]

I don't believe there were any major changes during those years. Biggest thing to look for is a maintenance record, specifically the belts/valves and that they were changed according to factory specs. Best of luck with your potential new purchase!

 

[tye1138]

Yep, I agree. The base 748 didn't change from 98-2000.

I'd be careful about mileage. These motors have a nasty habit of literally chewing up rocker arms. Any bike which hasn't had its rocker arms updated, will need to have that done and it can get expensive.

Unfortunately, the 748 is one of Ducati's least reliable machines as a consequence.

 

[garylkendall]

rockers on the 748-996 are all subject to eventual failures. problem seems to be the company they were outsourced to, heard the 998 and newer dont have the rocker problem

 

[tye1138]

rockers on the 748-996 are all subject to eventual failures. problem seems to be the company they were outsourced to, heard the 998 and newer dont have the rocker problem

Its actually year, mid 2001 production of ANY bike, the rocker arm's are fixed. Unfortunately, that doesn't include the 2001 model year, as most of those were built at the end of 2000. So the first batch of 998's have rocker wear.

The 748 is MORE notorious simply because most people rev them higher then the bigger bore motors.

 

[Benjiface]

Thanks for the feed back guys. So currently I'm looking at a white 2000 748 with 28k and a yellow 1998 with 18K. The white one is currently a daily driver and the yellow one has been sitting at a stealership for about 6 months. I believe the white one is a 748s the guy wants 4k and the yellow is base two seater that looks mint and has the termignoni. Idk about the service of the yellow one because i haven't seen it in person. but the white one looks to have extensive records.

My other question, Is it too soon to get a ducati? I've been riding for about 4 months now.

 

[tye1138]

My other question, Is it too soon to get a ducati? I've been riding for about 4 months now.

I got my first Ducati after riding for about 4 months. My first Ducati was also a 2001 748S, so I get the appeal of starting small and its smart. I wanted to be a racer though, that was the whole part of me riding in the first place. So I wanted to get a "superbike" early on and learn what its like to ride one. It was a huge learning curve and honestly, I felt much slower on the Superbike then I did on other bikes I had owned/ridden prior. Part of that is simply because I didn't want to damage or crash it, which had the side effect of slowing me down.

I think if your only intentions are to have fun and ride around on public roads, the whole superbike thing is over-rated. There are far better, easier to ride AND more comfortable Ducati's available then the 916 generation superbikes. They're neat bikes for someone who wants to experience what a "classic" superbike is like. But outside of that, for street riding, give me a Monster S4 or S4R any day of the week.

 

[blablac]

Mmmm S4rs so sexy

 

[garylkendall]

the only real difference between a ducati and other bikes is the maintenance required and the cost there of.

 

[tye1138]

Mmmm S4rs so sexy

Its on my short, short, short, short list as my next bike. The list only contains one bike… its the one! LOL

 

[Benjiface]

Well i believe i can perform all the maintenance myself but may still go to a dealer for valve adjustment.

 

[Benjiface]

Does anyone on here live in the boston area and would be willing to meet up and show me there 748?

 

[NOVADUC]

I would not buy one with that high mileage. Even if the maint. was followed, more than likely big money pit. Save a lot of cash & headache, buy a nice used late model 2V Monster. The rocker problem would be a nightmare rebuild cost (~1200 or more😳). Then you have other assorted gremlins....relays....trust me I bought a cherry low mileage '01 748....it has left me stranded quite a few times...not cool.

It is an amazing ride when everything works, so it's like great sex...you keep going back for more even though back of your mind it's not permanent...😏

 

[Benjiface]

Alright thanks Nova, that is probably the most helpful post i've gotten. I live in Boston so its kind of late in the season. I'm gonna look for a nice 848 next year. 748-998 vs 848 ?
IMO the 2005-2007 race bikes are a little ugly.
opinions?

 

[selbitz748]

I picked up a 200 748 with only 4k on the clock about 2 years ago. You will love the 748, although you will want more power quickly. Its probably better you don't have more power so that you can really learn the proper way to ride.

If you can't find records proving maintenance then i would just replace the belts yourself and replace the air filters (assuming they are stock). My air filters were falling apart so bad that when i touched them pieces of foam were falling off.

I do all of my bike maintenance myself and for the most part its really simple. I would only bring it to the dealer/shop for internal engine "stuff"

 

[Benjiface]

I guess i really don't know what i want. Because i know i am more than capable of rebuilding an engine. and i was leaning to the 748 because i'm looking for more power from my 250cc. Slow steps. Maybe ill take some time put some money away and just wait for the right 748 that i can rebuild.

 

[garylkendall]

get some money and sit on , look everyday, never know when a really good deal will show up. will have jump on it if they show up. i got a good deal on my first 748, $1700. had a bad motor and needed some bolt on stuff to get running. got a 853 motor for $800 shipped. put about another $500 in parts and was going strong. just bought a second 2001 748 for $3200, coming with ohlins suspension from and rear, carbon rims, new tire brand new 853 kit, perfect fairings, quick change sprocket, lots of carbon bits, full 50mm termi exhaust, and more. cane part this bike out for 8k or more if i wanted too. was very surprised that it lasted almost a week with no offer before i talked the guy. had to pay for it right away before some one else got it. got to be prepared for immediate purchase, had 996 for sale here, saw it online 3 days after posted, was gone the first day. yellow is my first and the red is the new project. last photo is bike before motor went but damn it looks nice. red one needs motor rebuild which i am going to do myself and get it back on the road. my suggestion is to check Craigslist and ducati.ms daily for deals, the deals on ducati's don't last more than a few days at best, when you find something jump on it. i beat the by 30 minute to get the yellow one, had to drop what i was doing and get over there immediately.

 

[garylkendall]

maintenance is a little bit difficult on ducati's, special tools are required no matter what and arent cheap even on ebay. valve adjustment is the most difficult and can cost upwards of $600 alone by a shop, rockers are another problem, are known to flake and have to be changed. check your oil screen every oil change, when buying a ducati 748 916 996 ask to check the oil screen when buying. maintenance is a must for ducati's or you will pay the price literally in the future. my suggestion is if money is an issue, especially when maintenance is concerned, and reliability is needed and you want a good riding bike that needs little maintenance, i suggest a cbr 600 f2 or f3, parts are cheap, and easy to find and the bike is easy to work on and very reliable even with high mileage, is also very forgiving when riding. if you specifically want a ducati then go for it. i recommend an f2 or f3 for people looking for a good bike and that are new to riding or not ready for a liter bike.
if you get a ducati, make sure you see maintenance records for service work, avoid bikes with high mileage 15,000 or greater, 20,000 mile service is about $1500 or more. no records, price drops dramatically, have to assume service needs to be done and immediately needs doing dont take his work for service work. 748 base models go $4000 - $4500 in great shape, can find some for 3k now and then, dont be afraid to low ball the guy selling, all he can say is no and make a counter offer, some times he may go for it almost always pay less than asking price. see 996 models for 5k-6k all the time some times even less.

 

[Cbcanada]

I think 99 and 00 the rocker arms are the worse.

 

[Benjiface]

Yeah there is this one yellow bike that mechanically "runs rough" as the guy described. If you were going to buy a bike with Temi 748E that needed an engine rebuild. What would you offer?

http://worcester.craigslist.org/mcd/4627201378.html