Hi I'm considering a move from my 900SSie to a 749s. Can anyone advise whether this is a good move? There are a few extra horses, but will i miss the thumping 900 motor? What about the ride and seat height, I've heard 749's sit quite high while the 900 is a little lower and smaller. Opinions please!
The biggest difference you will notice will be in the suspension and ride quality,just make sure you get the best colour....YELLOW
unless you are cog swapping to take use of the power higher up the rev range you will miss the 900 mid range power personally I would keep the 900 or go for a 999
I`ve just done a similar move, 93 900ss to an 03 749. The 749 isn`t without it`s little niggles, it has a smaller tank range than the 900ss, 85-95 miles from full to fuel light compared with 120-140 miles for the 900. It`s not quite as comfortable as the 900 either, no padded seat and if you are stuck in traffic you can feel the heat from the exhaust on your leg. I took the 749 for a test ride and I absolutely hated it, fair enough, it was in December and it was cold and raining but still.............. I walked away from that hateful machine of torture, totally gutted because I`d set my heart on having one. After sleeping on it I thought if I can get it cheap enough I can give it another try and I can always sell it on without losing much, heart rules head everytime. So glad I did, all the bike needed for me, was a double bubble screen (the standard one had me looking down through the top of it to see the clocks) and more than a 40 mile test ride in the cold and rain for my old body to learn a new riding position. The servicing costs are dearer but if you do the basic jobs yourself you can keep the bills to a sensible size. I`ve had both bikes since December last year, the 749 is the one I`ve rode the most in that time. I`ve a trip to the Peak District with a mate soon, I`m taking my 900ss for one last blast then the old girl will be up for sale. They`re both very good bikes, I love the raw basic-ness of the 900ss but as I said, the 749 is the one I seem to pick. If only you could ride two bikes at once...............
Now that, I do like. The yellow with black wheels just looks so right. Here`s mine. It`s sacrilege I know but I`ve got to quieten those Remus pipes down a bit, even with earplugs, they`re loud.
Pssssstttttt..........someone tell these fellows that there bikes are the wrong colour as I don't have the nerve to. :Bag:
I went from a 750ss to 749. i loved my SS and really wasn't sure it was the right move...but a few decent rides on the 749 and i loved it even more... yes you do sit "on" it rather than "in" the SS and it is taller but once its rolling it's just so much...well more. I've still got my 749, bought new 10 years ago, though i have added a multi now. Don't ever see myself selling the 749.
Agree with the above. Never would have thought a plain silver with old skool transfers could look so good. Nice looking bike Kempy
It depends what makes you tick, the 749 is a clearly better driving bike with more power, better brakes, lighter wheels, better chassis and faster in every way and great on the track. I moved from a 916 trackbike to a 999 and the '9 is just better in every way. I have just done a complete engine restoration, bike-teardown and build-up of my 999 trackbike and even if I'm not impressed with the engine block cracking and bearings failing I am very impressed with the general design. They have made a bike that can be taken totally apart in a few hours and it is very easy to work on when you need to fix stuff on the track. You can access both heads in the bike, take of both engine sides etc. etc. very modular and well thought out. But - if you live in the middle of town and drive in traffic you will not like the '9, it's terribly uncomfortable at low speeds, jerky, burns your legs and tires your arms/back/shoulders. The 749 is known to have issues sometimes with cutting out at low revs too. But get it outside town and turn up the heat and it shines. I had a 900SS and considered a 748, tested it and missed a lot of low down torque on the 748, you might get the same issues with the 749 - try it! But as all bike upgrades it's all about what makes you smile looking at it and driving it. It seems that the design of the '9 is finally being appreciated after 10 years! br Jim
