Which Ducati?

[danhay]

I'm feeling the urge to buy something Exotic and Italian. I'm not sure whether to trade my Blackbird in for a 916, or keep the Blackbird and get a 748 as well?

Any thoughts?

[fergus]

get a 748. more rideable and reliable. Just as fast most of the time as well. You then don't have to sell the 'bird. I reckon you can pick up a tidy 748BP for around 4.5k if you look around, or a 748SP for a nadge over 5k!

[S2rr Kitty]

Keep the Blackbird if it still serves it's purpose (touring, commuting & pillion I presume?).

The 748/9 is a fantastic bike, and even better if you can keep it as a special sunday/track bike!

Always go for the 'r' version of any Ducati if your funds allow!! you'll feel like a poor relation once the Ducatisti start poking at you otherwise!
Go for it - everyone should own a Ducati during their biking life!

Anna

[fergus]

just get a normal 748, get the suspension sorted (both ends) and thrash the knackers off it. Make sure you don't get one that has been minced around on, as they tend to coke up around the valve areas a lot. They need exercise not polishing. I know a couple of mechanics at Ducati South London who when a bike comes in 'not quite running right' they take it out for a red line thrash to clear it out and let the ECU reset itself!

[Incorrigible]

Agree with everything said so far

Mine was clearly ridden by a big girl (no offence to big girls who ride fast )

He had kindly spent a load of cash on it though, WP suspension upgrades, termis, chip etc and was polished within an inch of it's life, but I can't beleive how much better it's going after a month of hooning

And as for the exotica aspect, it feels so.... ermm... special , I take it out "for the hell of it" so much more than the Kwack

My only regret is that I didn't do it 5 years ago

[fergus]

every credit!!

PS Ben - can you do us a favour and post a pic of the Duke in your profile?

>> Edited by fergus on Friday 7th May 10:57

[Incorrigible]

I have got some pics of it now, I was hoping to wait and get ones blasting round Cadwell park rather than sitting outside the house but we know the story behind that

[a j]

In total agreement with whats been said. 748 riden well = more smiles, in my mind you'll get more from it.

I will be in a similar situation, hopefully soon and i'm thinking 749 hmmmmmm...........

Wouldn't mind one of those new laverdas MCN printed a while ago if they go into production.

[danhay]

Thanks for the replies folks. There's a 748 at Alfs which is just around the corner from work, so I may well take a look at lunchtime.

Is no-one going to stand up for the 916?

[a j]

Go on you know you want too

[Incorrigible]

danhay said:

Is no-one going to stand up for the 916?

If you can afford the 916 and keep the blackbird then it may be a goer, but I would say neither 748 or 916 are "primary mode of transport" stuff

[danhay]

a j said:

Go on you know you want too

I know!

Fortunately, I haven't got my helmet & leathers with me...otherwise I really would be in danger.

[fergus]

agreed. both ducatis put a lot of strain on your wrists and have hydraulic clutches, which when neutral is hard to find once stationary, means that at the lights you will develop the hand grip strength of Arnie!

[anjum]

Incorrigible said:

danhay said: Is no-one going to stand up for the 916? If you can afford the 916 and keep the blackbird then it may be a goer, but I would say neither 748 or 916 are "primary mode of transport" stuff

My 749R is riden every day (but that may be due to it only being 3 weeks old!).

In my experience ALL exotica preferred to be used, rather than be polished. Same for Lambos, Ferraris et al.

[Incorrigible]

anjum said:

In my experience ALL exotica preferred to be used, rather than be polished. Same for Lambos, Ferraris et al.

True, but if I had 200 motorway miles to do I'd quite like a blackbird in the garage as well as a Duke

Mine gets ridden most days too, for the same reason

[danhay]

anjum said:

In my experience ALL exotica preferred to be used, rather than be polished. Same for Lambos, Ferraris et al.

I would agree with that. And that's one of the reasons I was thinking of chopping the Blackbird in for a 916. As it is, when it's a nice day I already have a dilemna over which vehicle to take out!
I currently only really use the Blackbird for recreational purposes, and I'm worried another bike might not get enough use? Or more likely the Blackbird would fall into disuse...which would be a bit of a waste. Plus having only 1 bike would leave me with more cash to spend on cars

[cazzo]

danhay said:

Is no-one going to stand up for the 916?

OK!

I have a 916 and and have ridden a mates 748, on paper the 748 is only a bit slower but the 916 has so much more midrange that you don't need to use the gearbox so much - However if you do the gap is even wider! the 916 also sounds better IMHO having a 'deeper voice', wouldn't imagine the insurance is much different and the basic servicing costs will be the same - except a thrashed 748 will wear out quicker due to higher revving (IIRC the crankcases have a tendency to 'crack').
Don't know about the prices but wouldn't think theres much in it.

Oh and the 916 is 10 to 15 mph faster at the top end!

916.......you know it makes sense!!!

[Davel]

Multistrada?

[waynester]

916..oh Get it get it!!! I had a 916. FANTASTIC BIKE The only bike i have owned that had real soul, stunning looks, awesome noise. I px'd it for an R1..wished i hadn't
Only problem i had with mine was the sprag clutch wearing out.
Did i mention the NOISE

Get one!

[fergus]

Wayne

If you px'd for a new R1, it will absolutely cream the 916!