took a ride on a Ducati 748

[mr.niftie]

Went out yesterday to enjoy a nice, and somewhat chilly, Fall day.
Me on my 250 and my buddy on his 748.
Half way through the ride, he shocks me with a "let's swap bikes".
This is not a stock bike and it's dyno'd at just over 110HP so not only was I intimidated but sure did not want to smash up this banana yellow beauty either!
I have sat on this bike and lusted it after it for years. Hoping to one day "step up". Now, I'm not so sure.
The bike is telepathic. Your lower half is as one with this bike. You can steer and lean just by moving your hips.
But it is a hard bike to drive slow. And my neck from that drving position . . . It still aches today!
My buddy actaully gave the Ninja a good review. He said it was a very stable, fun, and comfortable drive. But at 80kmh, he was hunting for the next gear and there were no more.
So to sum it up . . . It was a fun ride and that bike pulled like a freight train . . . but perhaps my future lust has changed just a little!

[Flashmonkey]

Sometimes a brief taste of what you lust after can really help put things into perspective. I know a lot of people get swept up in the excitement over the bigger supersports, but sometimes these things are just a huge PITA...literally if you're a taller rider.

In any case, you wouldn't happen to have any pics of this ducati would you?

[mr.niftie]

Well, I'm over 6' so I don't know if that qualifies as tall or not.
I've attached a picture and his bike looks just like it.

[addy126]

An acquaintance of mine hates her 2009 Ducati 696. The ergos are hard on her back and puts too much pressure on her wrists over long distances. She's wanting the Kawi N-650 but the trade they are offering is poor on the Duc. I'm thinkin she bought the Duc for the esthetics and the "I ride a Ducati" image. Did not take into consideration its ergos and performance. Not to mention it seems like its always being repaired.

[sharky nrk]

Ducati bikes are known to be ergonomic torture racks sacrificed in the name of performance, even more so than the big 4's supersports and superbikes

[mr.niftie]

Who knew? Not me.
They are sure sexy too look at and sit on but it sure didn't fit me to ride.
I'd be seeing my chiropractor daily.

[kkim]

Aren't you glad you didn't marry that supermodel?

[Flashmonkey]

Originally Posted by mr.niftie

Well, I'm over 6' so I don't know if that qualifies as tall or not.
I've attached a picture and his bike looks just like it.

Ohhh yea that's the babe....wonderful looking bike. I love the sound they make as well.

But as many have alluded to already, its a tough bike to live with. Especially when compared to the sheer simplicity and easy going nature of the little 250.

[backinthesaddleagain]

yellow 748 here just sold for 6450 with 2500 miles and dealer replaced belts before sale. it is a beautiful bike. agree sometimes you lust for somehting then ride or drive it and say ok, been there done that.

[CC Cowboy]

I've never had a bike that didn't fit, just a few that took time to get used to.

[mr.niftie]

For me, this bike absolutely did no fit.
When in position, I had to stretch my neck so far back to look ahead it was just plain uncomfortable for me.
My buddy is shorter than me and he says his body aches after a long ride.

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I've never had a bike that didn't fit, just a few that took time to get used to.

[tc3jg]

yeah there is a Duc like that on craigslist locally....its actually a 1998 who would have known......locally the person is selling it for 4000 with I think like 9,xxx miles

[LuxMundi]

Originally Posted by mr.niftie

My buddy actaully gave the Ninja a good review. He said it was a very stable, fun, and comfortable drive. But at 80kmh, he was hunting for the next gear and there were no more.

I'm pretty new, so it's probably not wise to question someone with more experience; however...

I think if you have it in 6th gear at 80kmh, might need to wind it out a little. There should be 2 more. Maybe 3 more???


As for DUCs, I have wanted one since Trinity tore it up in the Matrix, on that 996. I lusted over a 600TT at a consignment place while I was bike shopping, but I am SO glad I passed it over for my ninjette. I have benefited so much from learning on the 250, but that dream is still there!

[Greg_E]

Pick up a cheap Buell XB12R or 1125R, even an old used XB9R. Only had mine up to about 90mph so far, but it will do that in 3rd, 4th, or 5th and have lots of room to spare in all three gears. Will go 70 in second up at red, and the torque is pretty massive. Goes from nothing to the end of first faster than I can handle, and the end of second is only a second or so away from that. I can slalom the dotted lines at 60 (remember I've been out of riding for about 10 years and only on my third real trip on the 9R). Extremely happy and currently way cheaper than a Duc, especially with the fire sales. The Ducs may look like sex on wheels, but I don't think I would ever buy one. We'll see what KTM brings to market for similar performance machines.

Now if we can only get HD to allow someone to buy the Buell brand and sell that Barracuda (full faired version of the 1125, fits right in with conventional sport bike styling for mass appeal and hooligan performance).

[ScraitT]

I will say my friend had a Duc 900 SS as his first bike and never had a single problem with it....used. I rode it for 5 mins one day and accidentally did a wheeley down the street with it...then thing had LOADs of torque. As for actual speed, my friends 04 CBR 600 was faster to 60, but then Duc was SO much more fun to 60 with the torque curve.

[andrewexd]

I don't know about the 748 specifically but Duc's are known to have agressive positions even compared to other super sports. The first time I rode my GSXR I thought it would be too much (the riding position) but after a while I got used to it. I feel fine on 100 mile trips but have yet to do longer trips. The thing that annoys me the most is the neck pain, which isn't helped by my heavy helmet (scorpion exo700)

[SF-Dug]

Originally Posted by addy126

An acquaintance of mine hates her 2009 Ducati 696. The ergos are hard on her back and puts too much pressure on her wrists over long distances. She's wanting the Kawi N-650 but the trade they are offering is poor on the Duc. I'm thinkin she bought the Duc for the esthetics and the "I ride a Ducati" image. Did not take into consideration its ergos and performance. Not to mention it seems like its always being repaired.

Interesting post.

I thought the Monster 696 would have better/standard ergonomics which would make it better for long rides compared to their super sport bikes ergo wise. Is the N-650 actually the ER-6N...aka naked version of the 650r ?? Are the ergonomics really that much better then the Duc Monster 696 for your friend?

[Snake]

This is a great post. Good info. I would have thought the Ducati would have better ergos than it does.

[addy126]

Originally Posted by SF-Dug

Interesting post.

I thought the Monster 696 would have better/standard ergonomics which would make it better for long rides compared to their super sport bikes ergo wise. Is the N-650 actually the ER-6N...aka naked version of the 650r ?? Are the ergonomics really that much better then the Duc Monster 696 for your friend?

Yes Doug for her the ergos of the K-650 is far better than the pitch on the Duc 696. She can't do over 2 hours or any long distance runs without feelin it. Ohhh and this week its been in the shop for repair again. There seems to be a huge power drain that sucks the battery dry overnite. Battery tender and all doesnt help. Will get it out for a run and that next morning dead. Further there was a recall on this model for "electronic harness problems".. that has all been replaced and took over a week here in Dallas. The service on the Duc in this area I hear is terrible. She now far prefers as she says the "Jap" bikes...... and regrets the day she signed on for the Duc. They indicated that if they can't get this whole thing straightened out, performance wise, they may look at finding a replacement..... I'm thinkin is any one better than her current model of Duc. They should just have her opt out of the loan and go elsewhere... but hey its a new week coming we'll see if its in the shop again, she's getting it today... I'm banking on the fact its back in the shop next weekend! You wanna buy her Duc dug?

[Apex]

I want that nice Ducati V-Twin sound, but on a less aggressive frame setup.

[Greg_E]

Tell her to get a Buell, what could be more rare. The XB9R and XB12R are a bit compact but so far nothing that I can't adjust to. If she wants a streetfighter style the S models might be just the thing, and if they can find any the new price is outrageously low right now. Or an 1125 which has even lower prices, and is water cooled.

[backinthesaddleagain]

That 696 does pitch you into the tank - especially noticed by us males. I have heard of some problems on the 696 recently.

[Sailariel]

The Duc is a super bike that is not designed to be ridden any great distance. The Duc is happy on a track. A friend has a red one and it is sort of a "Collector thing" He rides it for an hour on ocassion, and that`s about it. He has two other motorcycles and a dozen bicycles. I see the Duc as a formula car---really not made for the street, but a very important machine from the historical standpoint---definitely a collectible.

[addy126]

Originally Posted by Greg_E

Tell her to get a Buell, what could be more rare. .

Greg... I've noticed you are having a terrible time with this Buell thing....

[addy126]

Originally Posted by Sailariel

The Duc is a super bike that is not designed to be ridden any great distance. The Duc is happy on a track. A friend has a red one and it is sort of a "Collector thing" He rides it for an hour on ocassion, and that`s about it. He has two other motorcycles and a dozen bicycles. I see the Duc as a formula car---really not made for the street, but a very important machine from the historical standpoint---definitely a collectible.

I quite agree with you.....

[Greg_E]

Motorcycles are meant to be ridden, not admired in a collection.