WTB 748s or RC51 and Decision
 

I am about to embark on another quest. After a couple of years on the VTR, I want to venture into something new. I have a good line on an RC51 or a 748s.

Spec is as follows:

2000 RC51 (Sp1) $6000
38,000 kms
Power commander
Full Hindle exhaust
Everything else is stock and in mint condition

2002 748s $8900
7800 kms
wave rotors
Everything else stock and in mint condition

Guy called and offered better deal and I said yes..arrange to pick it up on the 22nd

There are alot of better deals in the US but the thought of getting it through customs is daunting. example;

2004 RC51 SP2 ($6000)
N Hayden Edition
8000 Miles
Micron Exhaust, PCIII
Riding Gear, etc
located in Detroit ..... ARGHGHGHHG

Anyway, what do you guys think I should pick up and Does anyone here have an RC or Duc for sale in Canada?

Not sure if I can really contribute but I have an acquaintance who has a 748 and the ergos are hell for anything but track riding (mind you the RC is likely very close in that dept). Also, the Duc's maintenance costs (can you say Desmo?) are significant.

The cost of maintaning the DUC would make the RC an easy decision for me. Even though I LOVE and LUST after ducati's.

Also compared to the VTR the 748 is down on power, plus the "committed riding position" that the duc forces you into isnt comfy for long distance trips ie: trips over 100 miles.

The 748 is down on power? I guess they must have made some big changes to the 749 then, because after seeing my 'hawk (see mods list) and my friends 749 Dark (stock) on a dyno, it still had about 5 hp over mine and about another 10-15 lbs/ft...

If you're a wrench and have time to do the maintenance then a 749 would rock, but if you want to be practical the RC51 wins hands down...as for a 748 it would be hard for me to go down on my torque from the Superchicken cuz that's were the fun is bro!

As pretty much everybody has said, if you can live with the ergos and don't mind the higher running costs then the 748 is a great little bike, but it will need meticulous servicing. Ducatis, when properly looked ater, are really not as unreliable as the reputation would suggest. Usually just minor electrical niggles (no worse than Honda reg/recs).

The RC51 is a lovely bike, but I'm told by owners that they are better as track bikes and need suspension work to be truly great on the road. Also, ridden hard they drink an absurd amount of fuel.

At risk of sounding like a shameless publicist, I would suggest you maybe take a look at the Aprilia RSV/R. It's a fantastic bike. I've owned 3 Aprilia 1000 twins and never had the slightest trouble in over 50,000 miles on them. Italian character but Japanese levels of reliability. You even get fantastic build and durability. Spare parts supply used to be a major hassle with Aprilia, but that situation is rapidly improving.

+1 here and for $8900 you can get 749 or 999 (04-05) and the downside about Ducati parts could take weeks to get after order+ too many complains about their services (Techs know too little about Duc) and a lot of Duc member thought when they rode Italian beast as better person and racer talk down about RICE motorcycle (which i did wrote a topic about WHO NOT RAISE ON RICE MOTORCYCLE) and there re less mechanical wrench help I M NOT BIAS.
Over all Ducati is excellent motorcycle but just need more TLC -imho i do not think Duc is less reliable than Hond-Suz-Kaw all depend on how you take care of it and from reading to compare of 916, 996,998,999 final Pierre Terbalanche is the one w/less electrical dismal and have it own character (he did design SSA but go for GP type at last) Good luck and ride safe.

Prill's suggestion on the Aprilla was a good one cuz that bike is sweeeeet at 140+ HP and weighing in at around 400 lbs or 189 Kilos! Here's an example of a new 2007 on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-...em120232698441

You know, I getting the same feel about the recomendations but so much want to love the Duc. It's like that hot blonde in the club that you pick up but damn the amount of maintenance. What? Lobster?...You're having meat and it will feel food. Practically, she ain't cooking dinner and you can't leave her alone for one second but you still want it. Just not all the time...But I do want to love it so much......

I know my way around the pit and have most of the tools but really dispise working on anything. I have my other VTR sitting here with parts all over awaiting complete SSS and frontend transplant....My head is with the RC but my heart...Lets check out that Brunette Aprilla

Thanks guys

Don't want or know how to deal with US importation .... Free Health Care up here is nice but importing?...

I generally agree with the sentiments about the RC being easier to live with over the long haul, but I think the SP-1 had a very harsh fuel injection system, which was rectified on the SP-2. Don't know if anyone here knows firsthand? -or if the Power Commander would take care of that?

If it weren't for the import issues, I'd jump on the SP-2...

Motorcycle USA's 749S (more powerful than the 748) produced 107 HP and 55 lbs./ft. torque in a 2006 test. While that's about 5 more than a stock Hawk, it's quite a bit less torque, which is more a function of displacement than anything else. The RC51 is much more powerful than the 748 and the subjective feel would be significant. Frankly, I think the 748 would feel anemic compared to an RC51.
I vote for the SP2.

NEWSBREAK...
 

NEWSBREAK...
The guy with the 748s called me....I said Yes....I hope we'll be happy ever after....

Sweet looking bike, I hope you get along well with it. Are you keeping the Storm too?

Using the powers of the internet I see that the 748 has

Max Power
71 KW @ 11000 rpm
Max Torque
73 Nm @ 9000 rpm

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...ucati_748S.htm

The superhawk on the other hand has

Max Power
80.2 kW @ 9000 rpm (rear tyre 103.1 hp @ 8700 rpm)
Max Torque
97Nm @ 7000 rpm

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...000f_%2005.htm

That puts the 748 10NM short of the superhawk in HP and 24NM short in the torque department.

Can any of our european friends convert these figures to non metric measurements for us? Buler, Buler


You had me wondering there MarineHawk, so I had to check it out.

As one member stated the Prillas are nice bikes too. I had a test ride a couple of years ago on the RSV Mille Factory. I was very impressed.

Edit: Best of luck with the new DUC! She is a beauty.

I am keeping the Streetfighter one that will have SSS and Frontend...If I get around to complete it. The other bird will be sold.

Ducati dealers charge about $600 to adjust the valves on a 748. The Duc 748 calls for valve adjustment every 6000 miles.

ouch! I'm in the wrong business:(

I guess it all depends on the dyno readings, I can't find two websites that show the same numbers for any model year around :P THat, and the 749 -was- a much different bike than the 748.

Bastard!!!!....argh...I better start learning the trade....Sounds like a hot blonde with a nasty habit for salons

I don't know. The Duc's valves will cost you about ten cents per mile. A High maintenence/low mileage blonde considerably more.

If you are keeping a hawk for the street, I think you made a good decision. That 748 will be a fun bike. I bet it handles awesome on the track. Good Luck.

Sounds like you'll be Calabogie-bound :)

I know that I anticipate reading a review of the 748 compared to the shawk :)

Slight hint there

I've thought about doing the same. I love the v-twins, and it always comes down to either the RC or the 998 for me. I personally would lean towards the ducati. On one hand it is expensive, but on the other it's a ducati. I would love to own one, and will soon, lol. My 2 cents.


-Miles