Ducati 748 vs 916 vs 996 vs 998? Not for me!

[Tim in Belgium]

Ok, Mum's husband (into Landies and Mustangs) is thinking about getting an older Ducati.

He wants something collectable and to use half a dozen times a year when it's sunny. He has ridden bikes before, having club raced EXUP Yamaha 1000s when they first came out and some old GSXR750s (probably sling**** era). However he probably won't be caning it on the road.

So which of the models/variants is the best compromise between appreciating asset and useable road machine?

[TheRamJam]

Has to be the 916 SP IMO ;-)

[Icanopit]

This is one LOVERLY bike, if I hadnt just bought the Triumph ohhhhhh


http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?t=43760

[TheRamJam]

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c177/cmcfa2/ducati-916-sp-05.jpg

[NTECUK]

You can't ride a 916 or a 748 without full commitment.

[hardhat_harry]

I think at the moment the 999 is a bargain

I know its stereotyping but reliability is suspect I have seen it first hand.

My mate has a number of Ducati's 851, 888, 916SPS, and 996 (think thats an SPS or R too)

The 888 lasted a whole trackday, the 916 kept over heating and lasted 5 sessions, the 996 lasted 4 sessions before sounding very grumbly and needed some engine bits. He is a quick rider but has now bought a K1 GSXR 600 for the track and its always been reliable.

I blagged a go of his 888 and it was strange.........

Another mate bought a 748 about a year ago and the handlebar snapped clean off :( also suffered some electrical woes. He is taking that to Spain so going to blag a go then.

If you want one get one but go into it with our eyes wide open

[Tim in Belgium]

As this is for collecting and local jaunts I think my mum's husband will be ok with the Ducatil character/idiosyncracies/design short comings!

I agree that the 999 is great value, but given his age I think the 748/916/996/998 range rings more sentimental bells. He's over 6' too...

[Biker Biggles]

BB junior has a 748S.Its got the lighter mag wheels but standard tune engine.The 750 engine is a peach in standard tune and fairly reliable.The rest of the bike has been good too,but it does have to be regularly optimated because of the alarm.Do you want me to ask if he wants to sell it?

[Tim in Belgium]

Cheers BB, I'll mention it to him, where is Junior based?

[Biker Biggles]

Cheers BB, I'll mention it to him, where is Junior based?

North London.
From Memory------2003 registered.Two owners.28000ish miles.He has owned it about four years and I know he has been looking at a couple of Fazer 1000s recently so he might be up for a change.

[NTECUK]

The 748 and the 999 are the only Duke's that "Steve the post " ever got to work any were near livable.
Even then he keep 2 batterys for the 748.

[Biker Biggles]

The 748 and the 999 are the only Duke's that "Steve the post " ever got to work any were near livable.
Even then he keep 2 batterys for the 748.

The 748 has been pretty good including a tour round South of France.As long as it lives in a garage and gets its battery charged up every couple of weeks the electrics have been ok as well.I think he put a new clutch in it last year,but nothing can make a din like a Ducati clutch and last forever.:mad:
Underseat exhausts make it hot to ride in town in summer,but it wasnt really designed for commuting(not to mention the tall first gear):D
Ive ridden it a few times,and after a "normal"bike it feels like a class act.The chassis,brakes and suspension are a bit special.

[Mr Speirs]

Something collectible then the choice has got to be the 916.

The 998 would be the choice for something (arguably) more reliable due to having the updated testastretta engine.

[fizzwheel]

916 if you want Iconic, If you want an appreciating classic that you dont see many of 999R, IMHO.

Liz has a 749. I'm 6ft tall with long legs, never had a problem with not fitting on it.

[ogden]

The 916 is the only truly collectable one.

[rictus01]

the 748 sps is arguably the best ride with it's adjustable swingarm and headstock, it turns in better than the 916 and if I was so inclined the one I'd have.

Cheers Mark.

[Doinitmyway]

A friend of mine has a 748R sitting in his garage he bought 5 years ago and seems to be worth more now than what he paid for it, cant say that about many bikes. After touring Germany on it last year he's decided to get an ST4S for an easier time.

Luck b*stard got this shot of it while riding around the Eifel, whats the chance eh!?!......

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/9240/picture021nb.jpg

[NTECUK]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mvhjidbvdzc/SM07m8lFlLI/AAAAAAAAHzI/QGujFZ-xdc4/s400/senna+1.jpg
If you could get one of theses its would make ££££

[alfa.rbt]

Has to be the 916 SP IMO ;-)

+1

[Bluefish]

A friend of mine has a 748R sitting in his garage he bought 5 years ago and seems to be worth more now than what he paid for it, cant say that about many bikes. After touring Germany on it last year he's decided to get an ST4S for an easier time.

Luck b*stard got this shot of it while riding around the Eifel, whats the chance eh!?!......

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/9240/picture021nb.jpg
Nice pic, but the car spoils it.

[millemille]

Having ridden over 100k miles on the road and on track on various 748/916/955/996/998 machines the idea of having one parked up the majority of the time and riding it half a dozen times a year fills me with dread......

The worst thing you can do a Ducati is NOT ride it.

In every day, regular use they are reliable - I had 2 breakdowns in the 100k miles (one of which was in biblically torrential rain on an autoroute in northern France and I challenge any bike not to have started misfiring...) and I know of several people who've done similar mileage with no problems.

However, I know plenty of people who treat their Ducati as an objet d'art and as result when they actually come to use it the belts have taken a set and the seals have dried out and electrical contacts are dirty etc etc and they die......a lot...

If the OP's relative is dead set on getting a Ducati and money is no object a 998R would be nivarna, or a 748R with an 853cc big bore kit.

Whichever one he gets, he will have sublime handling and aesthetics and design effort that all Japanese bikes can only dream of..

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/371/cornerentry1kf8.jpg

[alfa.rbt]

...Whichever one he gets, he will have sublime handling and aesthetics and design effort that all Japanese bikes can only dream of..

d.mn right :)