my new 749

**sam749** · 19 Aug 08, 04:43 PM

hello, i have just joined and have a quick question about the 749. i want to get one, i have always wanted one, but what drawbacks/issues do they tend to have? i know that most dukes are terribly uncomfortable, and your wrists tend to throb after only a few miles, and italians seem to have problems with electrics, but is this true to the 749? i plan to get an 's' model, with the gold forks and the uprated rear shock, what should i keep an eye on when purchasing? its good to have some info from long term owners before i commit, i dont want to buy one and find that i have to sell it for a K8 gixxer 600 because of an issue with a timing belt, or trying to start it on a cold morning and it refusing.

thanks very much!!!

**Lucazade 749s** · 19 Aug 08, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam749

hello, i have just joined and have a quick question about the 749. i want to get one, i have always wanted one, but what drawbacks/issues do they tend to have? i know that most dukes are terribly uncomfortable, and your wrists tend to throb after only a few miles, and italians seem to have problems with electrics, but is this true to the 749? i plan to get an 's' model, with the gold forks and the uprated rear shock, what should i keep an eye on when purchasing? its good to have some info from long term owners before i commit, i dont want to buy one and find that i have to sell it for a K8 gixxer 600 because of an issue with a timing belt, or trying to start it on a cold morning and it refusing.

thanks very much!!!

All baby issues were resolved from 2004 (timing, bigger electric problems). 2003 had a coil failing problem and s model had the timing issue. All resolved. Now find me a bike which does not have minor electric problems. Also find me a bike which was fine from 1 ever model sold, there are always baby problems. People talk rubbish about Ducati and it start to annoy me. Had a monster for a year (2001 carb one which was prone to all those problems) and guess what -8 started always first time and no problems (do not even have an optimate but need to get one for 749 as battery smaller in it then in monster). Now have 749s 04y since March no problems at all (knock on wood). Done 3500 miles by now. Only problems I had were because I wanted to see how that works

. For cold days get optimate as batteries are small-ish on Ducati sport bikes to save weight.
Wrist problem, got used to it after around 2 months, uncomfortable well there are people here who toured on 749/999 doing 500 a day. Taller screen is a cheap first upgrade and comfort seat is a second if you want to.

Most important test ride, test ride and test ride.

BTW I asked similar questions but only to avoid a lemon 749 as I was always going to get another Ducati.
See here:
What to look for when buying 749?

**hhhjesus** · 19 Aug 08, 07:24 PM

and the search function on the site works really well - this has been discussed plenty of times loads of info on here.

**1_POB** · 19 Aug 08, 07:54 PM

Sam,

To give you some indication. I bought my 749 a year ago and its had no problems as such, just some idiosyncrasies such as:

-Mine turns over ALOT before starting in all temps/conditions but ALWAYS starts if I leave it to it.

-Mine stalls occasionally when idling at junctions.

-My clutch needs bleeding every few months.

Apart from that I've had no worries at all. The bikes has been ridden in all weathers and recently I've been commuting on it through 12 miles of rubbish central London traffic. All I can say is that its no less comfortable than the other super sports bikes I've ridden.

In comparison I've owned my Honda VFR 800 VTEC for 9 months and whilst it has done more miles than the 749 it has broken down twice due to electrical problems (Reg/Rec failure then O2 sensor failure which left me commuting in the rain on the 749 which of course ran like a dream). In fact I'm just in the process of chopping in the VFR for an Aprilia RSV1000R as a daily run about!

Will this be a bike that is used just for pleasure or will it be used for work/commuting etc?

EDIT- Sorry I forgot to mention..When I first started riding the 749 this summer after it was off the road for a few months for some improvements I couldn't believe a bike could be this uncomfortable. However as mentioned I'm now riding it in traffic for 2 hours a day and I did a 450 mile trip last Friday with no problems at all. Its all about getting used to the bike and developing the right muscles (assuming you have a healthy pair of arms and an OK back!). A test ride will never prove this to be true however

Cheers,

Ed

**skidoff** · 19 Aug 08, 08:48 PM

I own a 749S mono, O5 red frame. Its nearly done 8000 miles. full service history.

I have the oil and filter changed every 2000 miles. 2 trackdays, sunday blasts. and some long trips. I have had no trouble at all. 100% reliable.

It does stall when the weathers cold, sometimes.

It is uncomfotable, my wrists and back ache after 150 mile run. And I get bad cramp in my left leg. Its because I broken the leg a few years ago.

Its a race rep not a long distance bike. I love the looks of the 749. and the engine has loads of character, with good-handling. I would recommend to anybody.

**andyrh** · 19 Aug 08, 10:13 PM

I'm 6ft 1in and I reckon the 749 ain't to bad in the comfort stakes, it is certainly a lot easier on the wrist than a 748/996/998.

I completed 500 miles in the day riding back from the NW200 back in May and I was even able to walk the following day

Make sure you buy a bike with a full service history ideally from a top dealer and remember the timing belts must be changed every two years.

The S model will give you more power, better suspension and adjustable foot pegs.

Good luck.

**scuba45** · 19 Aug 08, 10:18 PM

Hi Sam
I bought my 749 the dreaded '2003' model just about 6 weeks ago now.

I actually found this forum, looked at loads of threads of 749 problems went back to the shop and said heres the list, these are the common 749 problems and I'll have the bike as long as all these are checked and fixed if need be. If I can remember I asked them to check:
Coil leads. which they put the later style ones on. The mechanic said they worked but there was corrosion there so they changed them both.
Oil cooler - there was a tiny leak so they changed that.
Battery - fine
Belts changed - fine
and studied the bikes service history. There may have been a few other things but can't remember at the moment.

As for the ride, a sports bike is a sports bike as simple as that!

Since having the bike I've ridden a GSXR K7 1000 and a GSXR K8 750. I would say the K7 1000 was more comfortable than my bike and the 750. The 750 feeling very similar to mine. The 1000 felt different due to higher handle bars which the owner agreed with me on.
Both GSXR's where and are amazing bikes (my last bike was GXSR by the way!) very refined and amazing track tools and so easy to ride....very easy to ride!
I'm still trying to understand why after riding those bikes I couldn't wait to jump back on my cement mixer (as my mates call it!) It's got something the japs haven't got......I think you will only understand that once you own one!

I've now done nearly 1000miles on it and it has never missed a beat. Anyway theres my 2pence for you I hope it helps

**BaggaZee** · 20 Aug 08, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1_POB

...

-Mine turns over ALOT before starting in all temps/conditions but ALWAYS starts if I leave it to it.

-Mine stalls occasionally when idling at junctions.

-My clutch needs bleeding every few months.

...

Ed, it sounds like yours needs a bit of attention, the stalling shouldn't happen (mine did it too until I found a decent dealer) and the clutch bleeding sounds like a right pain in the nads!

The only problem I've ever had was with a loosely fitted sidestand and with the stalling problem until MotoRapido set it up properly. I love the 749 but a recent track visit confirmed that it's made for the track, not much has been compromised for the road and as a result it can be pretty uncomfortable. You get used to it and learn to avoid long periods of slow traffic.

I've never MOT'd a bike before but I will this one, there's nothing I want more than this.

**1_POB** · 20 Aug 08, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaggaZee

Ed, it sounds like yours needs a bit of attention, the stalling shouldn't happen (mine did it too until I found a decent dealer) and the clutch bleeding sounds like a right pain in the nads!

The only problem I've ever had was with a loosely fitted sidestand and with the stalling problem until MotoRapido set it up properly. I love the 749 but a recent track visit confirmed that it's made for the track, not much has been compromised for the road and as a result it can be pretty uncomfortable. You get used to it and learn to avoid long periods of slow traffic.

I've never MOT'd a bike before but I will this one, there's nothing I want more than this.

BZ,
Agreed

I've spoken to several dealers who said they can fix the stalling but it happens so infrequently I decide not to spend the money to fix it. Having said that I think I was only quoted £200 or so to have this resolved which is peanuts compared to Honda's prices to fix the VFR

Cheers,

Ed

**BaggaZee** · 20 Aug 08, 02:33 PM

Ah, sorry Ed, I assumed you'd bought it new & that it was therefore still in warranty.
£200 is a fair bit for an infrequent minor irritation!

**stevemuzicman** · 21 Aug 08, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1_POB

-My clutch needs bleeding every few months.

Mine needs the same.........very bizarre, as there is no leak so not sure how the air gets in............even put a new reservoir (the bleed screw snapped as I'd been doing it so often) on and it still does it.

Having said that it's no biggy and would recommend to anybody.............chicks dig em more than jap bikes to.

**Lucazade 749s** · 21 Aug 08, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevemuzicman

Mine needs the same.........very bizarre, as there is no leak so not sure how the air gets in............even put a new reservoir (the bleed screw snapped as I'd been doing it so often) on and it still does it.

Having said that it's no biggy and would recommend to anybody.............chicks dig em more than jap bikes to.

I hate bleeding the clutch and I need to do it this weekend. It feels soft and spongy. Still works but not for long. It is bizarre as I also have no leaks. My monster did not have any and still needed bleeding every 4 -5 months.

**BaggaZee** · 22 Aug 08, 10:18 AM

From memory, the likely culprit is the seals behind the slave cylinder.
It can't do the fluid much good being opened up to the air on a regular basis either.

**Carbon749** · 22 Aug 08, 11:53 AM

Sam, do not listen to the old tales of Ducati's being unreliable and having major electrical problems. In 1997 Ducati changed to Jap electric's and on the whole most bikes are fine. OK, someone will have a horror story, but, so will some Jap bike owners.

As for reliabillity, I am on my 6th Ducati sports bike. I've owned 748BP, 2 x 996s, 749s (only new bike I've owned), 999r and now my current 749r.

OK, I'm a sunday and nice weather rider that does 1 or 2 trackdays per year. In all my bikes the only thing I've ever had go wrong was a snapped throttle cable on my 748. It snapped while I was on the drive at home

My advice would be, buy the newer bike with the Ally black swing arm. Ignore year of registration as many dealers were still selling the 2003 model in 2005 as a new bike.

Stick to the service schedule.

Follow the above and I really can not see you having many problems at all.

When your mates laugh and joke about carrying your AA / RAC card etc etc just wait until you go to a bike meet. They will pull up on a Jap plastic fantastic that looks just like the other 30 odd bikes of the same model / year / colour etc etc. Then sit back and watch the people point out the shiny Ducati which will be one of only a hand full of Dukes there.

**scuba45** · 23 Aug 08, 10:34 AM

Quote:

When your mates laugh and joke about carrying your AA / RAC card etc etc just wait until you go to a bike meet. They will pull up on a Jap plastic fantastic that looks just like the other 30 odd bikes of the same model / year / colour etc etc. Then sit back and watch the people point out the shiny Ducati which will be one of only a hand full of Dukes there.

This happens all the time! The looks the bike gets and attention it draws I find funny! I'm actually quite amazed by it all and to be quite frank didn't expect it. After all I remember when this model first came out everybody hated it! so why the change?

Anyway, After a long time off bikes, when I saw this 749 in the showroom I knew I had to have it, but all everyone could say was don't get it get a jap bike they're faster and don't break down etc..etc...(just like SAM749)

Here's a little incident for you:

A mate and I went to the Gower, South Wales for a ride the other day (recommended). My mate was on his super shiney, never seen the rain, carbon exhausts, 164.5bhp @RW, K7 1000 GSXR and me on my 749. As we were parked up I toke out my camera and started taking photos of the bikes with the sea as the background, when some strangers just walked past and said

"hey, you taking some photos of the Duke just in case it doesn't get you back, is it?"

After laughing along and a quick fire sarky comment back, they where gone with not even an appreciation of the gleaming, big power, Suzuki animal parked next to my bike! Actually my mate was kind of gutted and felt left out! This situation of people reconising and enjoying the 749 for what it is, seems to me happens all the time. It doesn't matter if you're at a meet, a ride out or just down the beach like above. I still find it all a bit bemusing because it's not the fastest, best handling I could go on.....but I enjoy it!

What I'm baffled about is why with all the attention the 749 draws why are there not more out there???

Anyway, the moral of this little incident has to go to my mate, as I've now heard second hand that he's now had his big power 1000. He's been there, done that, he's now after something different!

Guess what he want's next..........................