Which Model Year is which?

[Two_stroke_convert]

Hi all - thinking of buying my very first Ducati! (wrong time of year I know) Looking at second hand 749 / S.

Can you help me clear up some confusion I have over the model years. I'm looking at 05 registered bike, but it has the silver frame / red pillion seat. My dealer recons that due to it having a silver frame it will be 04MY, and steer clear because they are difficult to get running right due to the revised cam profiles that where introduced etc. The guy who's selling it says it runs very sweet though. So I'm thinking that if it was a late MY04, they (Ducati) may have sorted the running out.

Cheers

[998gsb]

Caveat Emptor my friend - the guy selling it is hardly going to admit to you that it runs like a nail is he......!! If you get the frame number/engine number - if you email Ducati they will tell you what it is and what year it is....

[Two_stroke_convert]

Good point lol. I'll see if I can get the infro from him and check it out. (2 owners from new, just over 2K miles, FSH, less then £5K - what do recon?)

[Gilps]

I prefer the look of the late 04 model onwards bike. I think the red frame looks better and the single vent either side of the lights improves the front end too. I've seen the later bikes go for under 5k.

[Lucazade 749s]

I have a 04 749s what problems with running? Can you tell in more details? Is your dealer a good Ducati one if not he might be telling you this based on popular stories (like that ducatis constantly brake down new or old)? I know 03 had coil failing problem and less power.

[moto748]

My understanding is only the 03 model year 749S had the cam timing issue.

Anyway, t_s_c, all you need is the tenth digit of the VIN number. If it's a 4, it's 04 model year. And so on.

[Lucazade 749s]

Originally Posted by moto748

My understanding is only the 03 model year 749S had the cam timing issue.

Anyway, t_s_c, all you need is the tenth digit of the VIN number. If it's a 4, it's 04 model year. And so on.

Cam timing were sorted in 2004 as part of engine redesign. That is partially why 04 s model has more BHP. Apparently 04 model engine is the same as any later one. I am 100% certain that difference between BHP in 04 and 05 models is because from 2005 Ducati started giving their stats like all other bike manufacturers. Before 05 BHP was measured on rear wheel in 05 inertia thingy on the engine was used.

This is 05 click "New for 2005" part and you will se no engine mentioned:
click here

This is 04 click on the yellow circle near engine:
click here

Make certain your dealer is not mistaking a late register 2003 model with actual 2004 model. All 2004 models had automatic head lamp so no on/off lamp switch on right side handlebar (between ignition and kill switch).

[Two_stroke_convert]

Originally Posted by Lucazade 749s

I have a 04 749s what problems with running? Can you tell in more details? Is your dealer a good Ducati one if not he might be telling you this based on popular stories (like that ducatis constantly brake down new or old)? I know 03 had coil failing problem and less power.

Hi there - from what I understand, they are a very well established dealer in Lincolnshire. Seemed well clued up and all that. The point he was making was although the 04MY bikes had more bhp, it was more top end and lost a bit of mid range grunt. He said when they first came out, they had real problems setting them up to run right, and in fact, some had to be sent back to Ducati. This was mainly due to the revised cam timing. He said this was sorted for the 05MY bikes (which also had the red frames).

[Two_stroke_convert]

Anyway guys - I think the best I can do is test the bike I'm interested in and see how it rides. Also check what MY it is (although from what I’m hearing the 04s are just fine). Also have a good luck for a nice 05er. So just to say thanks and that I’m well impressed by the level of knowledge in here. Thanks again,

[Lucazade 749s]

All 2004 749s had to be sent for 2 year maintenance minimum one time in their life by now. IF there was a problem with timing which Ducati knew it would be already sorted. All new bikes have child age problems. Look at 1098/848. Look at recols on Vosa page you will see how many jap bikes were recalled as well.

[stevemuzicman]

Originally Posted by Lucazade 749s

All 2004 749s had to be sent for 2 year maintenance minimum one time in their life by now.

Had is a strong word luca..........supposed is probably more appropriate.

[Lucazade 749s]

Originally Posted by stevemuzicman

Had is a strong word luca..........supposed is probably more appropriate.

When I think about it saddly I do need to agree
Poor bikes