1999 Ducati 748 Review

[@Perry_Wolf]

Here we are, almost 20 years from when the bike was originally released and it STILL holds it's own when parked beside bikes of a newer vintage. I bought my 748 in 2012, it was a no brainer for me being a dream bike of mine since they came out. There is something embodied within the Ducati marque that is unequalled by most other manufacturers, something unexplainable that makes this bike attractive beyond it's years, both to ride and to look at! This bike attracts the attention of both riders and non-riders alike. Not long ago I was parked at a Starbucks and as I watched out the window an elderly fellow walked a full circle around the bike admiring it. Then just as I was walking up to my 748 to leave the coffee shop a couple of ladies well into their elder years stepped out of their minivan, stopped, admired the bike and asked if it was Italian, saying it was beautiful. That's such a cool feeling being able to share these rolling pieces of art with the public! And I can't even count how many head turns, grins, and thumbs-up I receive while riding this thing through the towns. On the highways people wave you by so they can hear you roar by! What I also find fascinating is how other riders view the bike, they tend to hold it up on a pedestal to some degree. I paid $5900CAD for mine which, in my opinion, puts it into the reach of most riders, yet they still treat it like some unattainable golden nugget, pretty dang cool! If you have a chance to snap one of these up, I say go for it! No regrets here!

[@peterjennings8258]

Just bought a 748s.... beautiful... cant stop looking at it!

[@josvandeursen8274]

Amen.

[@Spartansrule118]

how tall are you? is it uncomfortable

[@peterjennings8258]

​@@Spartansrule118I'm 6ft, and while it's a committed position, and over long distance it probably would be agony, but for an hour or so ride, it's fine.

[@davidellis5964]

purchased one about 3 years ago, great looking should be in an art gallery, but !! it was the most uncomfortable bike i have every ridden, after about a 1/2 hour my wrists and back ached. it is a sports bike built for the track. i own a ducati st2 now. its something about ducati's and that L twin engine great bikes with a soul!!

[@DesmoDreams]

+David Ellis Try riding the original MV Agusta F4. Makes a 748 and it's bigger brothers seem like arm chairs. Seriously!

[@Eiliff1]

Just bought one with a 853 bb kit, and it's just fantastic! So much soul!

[@NYGiantsDiEhArD]

I owned this bike as my first and I can tell you the power felt like quite a handful for a beginner. I was fearful of it for about a week until I became used to it. But the biggest quirk was its discomfort. I eventually moved on to a newer R6 and THAT bike is notorious for being extremely committed, yet it felt like a naked bike or something getting on it for the first time after my 748 phase. I've never felt a bike more un-cozy to ride as the Ducati 748. The worst I felt it was in my hips and legs. I remember riding it daily for a good week one summer and it cramped up my right calf so bad that I lost upward flexion in my foot and was walking with a limp, and it worked my hips so bad that I had to start pacing myself with the amount of rides because of the soreness! Loved that bike though. The power was perhaps a little above the proper range for a beginner but it is a discrete step below modern 600s (high 90s compared to the 120s of my '13 R6). Strong possibility I would have messed up with the power of my R6 had I jumped straight to that as my first bike.

[@207Richy]

The bike that made me want to ride bikes.

[@spotty_cat26]

Probably the most beautiful bike ever made. But then i'm biased as i have one , in black. :))))

[@mrcocky3493]

I have one awesome bike

[@GentlemanBikerVlog]

God that thing is stunning.

[@sunshowerpainting1]

I am in love with my 748. It's like no other motorcycle I've ever had. TONS of personality and rides like it's on a rail. I'm looking forward to fitting it with a pair of aluminum wheels.... Oh my.....

[@duck748r]

Great bike for what it is! Timeless classic!

[@DonnieDesmo]

Awesome bike

[@1compaqedr8]

Yeah it looks great, not a big fan of that style wheels but a classic for sure to have.

[@megasheddiaries]

Filmed in 1999. Hence prices quoted then

[@DeathAngelHRA]

Thank you.... I was about to piss myself thinking of how much mine had appreciated.

[@henrygordon5939]

Yo! You're Special. detect scene What's your opinion about this, guys !!!

[@michaelparker2449]

I was given a crash damaged 748 years ago but just haven't had the time to get it going.

[@sunshowerpainting1]

Michael Parker Do it...it will pay you back many times over.

[@MrMpvincent69]

Got a 748sp which is gorgeous😆😆😆😕

[@ricardomontanari2124]

I bought one 6 years ago. Mine says desmoquattro. Does that mean it's better or worse in any way?

[@Trickshot72]

Means four desmodromic valves per cylinder.

[@Designer_Opine]

Ducati changed the livery on production models over the years. Your bike‘s engine is the same as any other 748. Colin is correct with the Italian translation.

[@josvandeursen8274]

😍 better. Means you have a ducati. And probably wothout knowing, desmo is why you fell in love with it.

[@blkcoupequattro]

Just picked up one locally here for $4000.00 US has the 853 kit, she moves out when you kick her....!

[@victortellez4987]

gave you any problems?

[@tomthompson7400]

of course you cant tell the difference ,, they are the same , few ccs aside , everything else is the same , ive owned a few of both

[@coverts448]

Is this a good beginner bike??

[@7rslender]

IMHO I think it is not. I own a 998S which is pretty much the same bike beside the engine and some minor bits and parts. Would I have started on the 998 as a beginner, it would have probably killed me in an instant. I started in 2000 on a 1998 Aprilia RS 125. Then in 2004 got to a 1998 Kawasaki ZX-7R. My riding style had to change massively. And the 998 was a totally different beast again. Way more torque, stronger engine break etc. The riding position compared to another superbike is pretty similar if you are used to it. If you are used to naked bikes with upright riding position ... well you wil adapt ;-) The dry clutch is a bi*** at low speeds in traffic. The turning radius is terrible. The engine needs airflow otherwise it gets pretty hot, pretty fast ... and you will feel that first hand :-) If anything breaks or you "trow her away" which may happen as a beginner, it's everything else than cheap to fix her. maintenance costs are higher than on Japanese bikes. Just keep that in mind. But when you get "her" finally up to speed out of the traffic ... there is NOTHING that compares! If I could not convince you to get something else than a "Tamburini" for starts, I do understand. Good luck, enjoy and ride safe!

[@Pstaines439]

Could you squeeze anymore cliches in? Also, forgetting to turn off your indicator is a rookie move.

[@NisseOhlsen]

Grislingen !