Thinking to get a 05 749...any input?

nj82tj · 10-22-2005, 02:37 PM

I'm just looking for some input on a 05 Ducati 749 (not a S or R or Dark). My previous bike, a 2004 Buell xb12r was stolen and I am needing something to fill the gap now. I don't really want a jap bike because everyone has one (even though they are more reasonably priced) and I really like the way the Red 749 looks/feels (have not been able to test ride though). The dealer told me he would give me 1K off because he only has 2 05 models left. It would ring in a $13,190 + TTL. Anyone have any input for me? Also, I found a new sprocket gear kit for it. That's probably the only mod I would do to it, just to get some more off the line quickness out of it. Thanks.

nj82tj · 10-23-2005, 08:22 PM

no one has any input for me? i'm just trying to decide if i want to get one.

Blackduc · 10-24-2005, 11:06 AM

I too had a Buell XB9R and loved it.....until it was ran over by a drunken driver but, that is another story. I then went on to a 749s with Dark Fairings, Remus exhaust, etc etc. I think it is a great bike to go to from the Buell. I say go for it.

firefighter81 · 10-24-2005, 11:14 AM

The newest Ducs are really becoming more "rider friendly" while still maintaining the Ducati feel. They are more comfortable, reliable, cheaper to maintain, and overall better bikes than the previous generation. It comes down to if you can appreciate the new styling. I've ridden both a 749 Dark and a regular 749, they both felt fantastic, with quicker turn in than my 996 (however still slow compared to many other bikes). I say go for it, spend the $1500 to get a nice Termignoni exhaust system, the stock exhaust on those bikes is VERY tame, and it takes a nice aftermarket system to really bring out that Ducati sound.

Flyboy27 · 10-25-2005, 02:00 PM

I just took delivery of a 2006 999, after trading in my Monster. The bike is awesome. Aside from not having the same grunt, I'm sure the 749 is just as nice. The handleing of this bike is fantastic. Just be careful. The perception of speed gets lost because these bikes give you so much confidence so fast. Good luck!

firefighter81 · 10-25-2005, 02:39 PM

does the 06 still suffer from slow turn-in? Well I guess it's not suffering, it just always feels that I have to wrestle those bikes into the corners, compared to other bikes.

Flyboy27 · 10-26-2005, 05:17 PM

Well, the 999 certainly turns in better than my Monster (600) did. I'm still rev limited, but if the early going is any indication, this is a great, nimble, very flickable machine. How about the F4. I really struggled for months deciding on the 999, or the F4. IN the end it came down to felling more comfortable with the riding position of the 999, and really loving the way a twin feels. I wish I could have bought both of them...

firefighter81 · 10-26-2005, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyboy27

Well, the 999 certainly turns in better than my Monster (600) did. I'm still rev limited, but if the early going is any indication, this is a great, nimble, very flickable machine. How about the F4. I really struggled for months deciding on the 999, or the F4. IN the end it came down to felling more comfortable with the riding position of the 999, and really loving the way a twin feels. I wish I could have bought both of them...

I don't take delivery of the bike until February. Although I have spent a fair amount of time on an 05 F4S, as well as a 750SPR. Going from my 996 to the MV was a night and day difference, although the riding position is a little more agressive on the MV and it's a little less comfortable, I like it better. The 749 felt like a Lay-Z-Boy couch in comparison

The MV dips into corners alot quicker with less effort than the 996 or the 749. It's tough to get used to at first, but after about 5-10 miles of corners, I felt alot more confident on both MV's.

nj82tj · 10-27-2005, 08:11 PM

Thanks for the replies. I wish I had the $$ to buy a 999...but I don't. I'm trying to decide between the 749 and a CBR1000RR right now. I like the Duc more because it is slimmer and feels better but the CBR is so much "bang for my buck" it's hard to say no to. I'm just not sure what to do...ha

cookhj · 10-27-2005, 09:18 PM

do like i did and get an aprilia

OFFICER737 · 10-27-2005, 09:30 PM

The 749 Dark is NICE!! But then again it is a Ducati. I tried the MV and the Duc out on a recent trip to Chicago, needless to say I have already started saving for a second bike to add to my stall to go with the Daytona

Between guns and bikes I know where most of my paycheck goes (other than regular bills )

KRG · 10-28-2005, 05:52 PM

What sort of information are you looking for in regards to purchasing the 749?

I have an 04 749 Dark and can relate the following information for you.

Mods:

First mod I would do is a 41 Tooth sprocket in the rear and leave the front as is. This will make the bike more manageable on the street and give you more low end grunt for the track.

Second mod I would do is the Termi 1/2 or full system. As mentioned above, the stock exhausts while nice are quiet and do not convey that Ducati "growl" exhaust note that everyone associates Ducati with. The Termi system will also shave about 10lbs off the bike which is nice too.

3rd Mod I would get is a Steering Damper IF you plan to ride on the track. If not, you can skip this for the most part. The stock Ducati damper is crap so get an Ohlins if your budget allows.

Riding:

I commute to work daily on mine, I have done several day long and weekend trips with mine (0ver 1,000km in a day) on it. While the seat is basically a waffleboard, when riding, you are ergonomically correct and there is very little pressure on your wrists and you can ride a lot of miles (Kms in my case) at whatever pace you (and your local law enforcement) are comfortable with doing.

You will find that the mirrors are useless until you are in a full tuck, then magically they are positioned absolutely correct (not sure which Ducati genius figured we would be riding full tuck on the streets but whatever).

I also did about 12 track days this year and plan to do more next year. The mirrors and tail light assembly come off in about 5 minutes and you are ready to go. Most 749's are coming with Pirelli Corsa's or Pilot Powers which are perfect for the track and some street riding as well.

Cost:

Beyond the cost of the bike most people will tell you that Ducati's are expensive to maintain. In short, yes they are. The service intervals are certainly longer than the old 996/748 models but are closer together than the japanese bikes. That being said, here are the costs for the last year for my bike in CANADIAN $$.

First Service - 1,000Km $568

Major Service - 10,000Km $1023 (included cost of new rear sprocket $160)

Major Service - 20,000Km $928

Oil Changes - Every 3,000Km (Manual says 5K, I do them sooner as I am on the track) $70 in parts per oil change as I do them myself so $490 in Oil change parts.

Keep in mind that I RIDE my Ducati and put a lot of Kms on it. I go everywhere on it, and go riding on weekends weather permitting. I ride through the winter as long as the roads are clear (I live in Calgary) and I hit every track day available to me. Your costs could be higher or lower depending on how you ride but that gives you a ballpark to look at.

General Impressions:

I LOVE this bike. It handles like a dream. A lot of times what I lose on straightine speed I easily make up in cornering ability and more importantly stability. Suspension set-up is key as the bikes come from the factory dialed in for a rider weighing ~165lbs so make sure you get your suspension set up. Being a twin you will have gobs and gobs of USEABLE power everytime you twist the throttle. Redline is ~11,000RPM depending on gearing and mods and peak horespower rolls on ~8,000RPM.

To date I have good seat time on the following bikes: 2005 Honda CBR600RR, 2005 Honda CBR1000RR, 2005 GSXR1000 (K5), 2005 Aprilia Factory, 2005 Ducati 999, and 2005 Ducati 999S (and of course my own). The Ducati "FOR ME" is the easiest to ride and I am most comfortable on it.

I hope this helps in your decision. Make sure you get some actual seat time on the Ducati. Most people need to actually sit on the bike (feet up or go for a ride) before they appreciate how comfortable the bike really is.

If you have any other questions or I can help out in some other way give me a shout. krgmisfits@hotmail.com

Cheers!

cookhj · 10-28-2005, 08:04 PM

good write-up KRG. i really love the ducati 74x/9xx series superbikes. the main reason i went with the aprilia instead is cost considerations. the bike was as cheap/cheaper than a 749 but with more power and less service required. the mechanic told me that he has been working on aprilias for a few years now and has never had any problems with them, and has not had to adjust valves or anything. one guy came in with around 40,000 miles on his bike and his valves were still ok (ie, not needing any adjustment). i was really considering the 749 because it has less power than a 999 (i'm upgrading from an F4i) and would probably be more manageable. if i had a little bit more money, i would probably buy a duc, but for the performance and price, the RSV is a hard bike to beat.

nj82tj · 10-28-2005, 09:10 PM

Thanks for the post KRG!! Lot's of good info there that I was looking for. Upkeep on a Duc seems to be pretty expensive. That is kind of making me lean more to the CBR. I have sat on the Duc too and yes, it is very comfortable for me. I like how it is more narrow than the Honda too, but that isn't so major for me. Well, thanks again for the input. I'll post on here with my decision, if I am ever able to make one...

dj dunzie · 10-28-2005, 11:36 PM

While I haven't had the opportunity to get my hands on a 749 test ride yet, I did ride a 748 and I loved it. Torquey and smooth, and if you haven't ridden a hardcore twin yet it's addictive. They aren't the most forgiving in terms of long-range comfort, but I mean, what's sexier than a Ducati?

I was told if you do the maintenance and regular adjustments by the book though, they're far more expensive to upkeep than the Jap sports. Obviously KRG can lend better light to this, but the cost was enough for a buddy of mine to give his up within one year and return to an inline 4 Jap bike.