micky_squint
stranger
Reged: 16/07/2008
Posts: 5
Loc: newry, co.down
|
|
hey all, i know your wise old beings so im after a abit of advice. ive been looking for a new bike for next years season, ive been looking at the 600 sports class but ive came across a 2002 ducati 748s at a reasonable £3500, insurance doesn't seem any different to the bikes ive already been looking at. like many of us a duke would be my dream bike and i know i'll never own a 1098 ( well i might if the missus stopped spending more than we earned!), so what i want to know is there any truth in the horror stories about running costs,dodgy rocker arms and cam belts? any advice from anyone whos owned one or knows anything about them would be gratefully appreciated!
thanks all
|
xxrider
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/11/2006
Posts: 2266
Loc: Somewhere over the rainbow.......
|
|
Chappers! Chappers? Tell him.........
--------------------
The simplest questions are the most profound. Where were you born? Where is your home? Where are you going? What are you doing? Think about these once in a while and watch your answers change.
|
chappers
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 31/12/2006
Posts: 5368
Loc: Mind your own business
|
|
In short yes. They are labour and cash intensive. As regards the rocker arms the 916 engine up to the 998 model suffered from I think the front rockers being starved of Oil on start up causing the hard facing to wear prematurely this was sorted on the 998 same engine as the 999. cambelts need to be changed at the service interval with out fail and if it's used on track you can halve that figure. Another consumable worth pricing is the clutch plates it runs dry and wears quickly compared to jap bikes I'd also price services if I were you setting up the desmodromics isn't cheap. last thing is reliability earlier bikes suffered from dodgy reg rectifiers sorted on post 2000 bikes I belive.
If you are prepared to keep up with the servicing or have a pet Ducati mec then why not the 748 is a fine bike spesh the S model (ohlins suspension).
I had a 999 last year and it was a nightmare and i vowed never to buy another Ducati but I could be tempted by a 848 if truth be known.
Oh year if you store the bike for any length of time turn the engine over occasionally to stop the cambelt moulding itself to the static shape and have them changes when you buy the bike you will also want a fully documented service history if it ain't got one don't buy it HPI check won't hurt either.
|
micky_squint
stranger
Reged: 16/07/2008
Posts: 5
Loc: newry, co.down
|
|
cheers for that chappers mate, i appreciate the help. i was hoping you was gonna tell me that all the stories was just old fish wives tales but deep down i knew what was coming! i think maybe i should play it safe and stick with a jap bike!
|
chappers
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 31/12/2006
Posts: 5368
Loc: Mind your own business
|
|
But the 748 and 916/998 are a great bikes to ride, many owners prefer the 748. 
|
Tapoutduke
journeyman
Reged: 14/11/2006
Posts: 53
|
|
Quote:
In short yes. They are labour and cash intensive. As regards the rocker arms the 916 engine up to the 998 model suffered from I think the front rockers being starved of Oil on start up causing the hard facing to wear prematurely this was sorted on the 998 same engine as the 999. cambelts need to be changed at the service interval with out fail and if it's used on track you can halve that figure. Another consumable worth pricing is the clutch plates it runs dry and wears quickly compared to jap bikes I'd also price services if I were you setting up the desmodromics isn't cheap. last thing is reliability earlier bikes suffered from dodgy reg rectifiers sorted on post 2000 bikes I belive.
If you are prepared to keep up with the servicing or have a pet Ducati mec then why not the 748 is a fine bike spesh the S model (ohlins suspension).
I had a 999 last year and it was a nightmare and i vowed never to buy another Ducati but I could be tempted by a 848 if truth be known.
Oh year if you store the bike for any length of time turn the engine over occasionally to stop the cambelt moulding itself to the static shape and have them changes when you buy the bike you will also want a fully documented service history if it ain't got one don't buy it HPI check won't hurt either.
Yup, would agree with most of this. Clutches, well........ where do we start, I'm on my 2nd set under my 3 year tenure! I thought it was my riding, but Yamaha Thundercats have them, and they're ok. Dukes are expensive to maintain though, especially the ones with Desmo valves that need constant adjustment (once a year in my experience). So there you go, sorry, but Ducatis are ridden by the heart if you have a wallet to go with it, not your head! Just my experience, but  ........ I'd still have the 748S.
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
