I couldn't believe it went for so little and would have bid if I didn't have too many already. Reading the spec the seller was totally genuine and he even chucked some spares in!
I haven't ridden it yet. To be fair there is no way I am going to get a feel about it on damp cold roads. Ask me at Easter. Geoff
My 600ss is a reasonablee performer but my judgement may be coming from a different prospective than yours. I am a bit of a ventran (70 years old) and much of my formative learing curve came from an earlier age. Any Ducati ( apart from my 906 Paso which was a pig) seems like heaven next to the Vintage and Classic racers that I am used to. I have taken my 600ss to the Island on a couple of occaisions and it is good enough to keep up with most bikes other than hyper sports such as Fireblades etc. You just have to keep the revs up. As to roadholding and general handling, it's performance envelope is higher than mine. Geoff
748's are good bikes and practical to live with, I find the higher spec ones have just that bit extra performance that makes them worthwhile. I do find the stock 748 could do with a bit of extra power. They don't really compare to a modern 600 in terms of top end performance though.
I agree with Red, they are lovely bikes, the thing I notice getting on my mates is the weight but well set up and with the correct gearing they are mint. You do have to work them really hard though. My mate says he is between 9-10500rpm a LOT when he rides with us yet I am in the 6-8k range on the 848 Evo.
^^ It is true you do have to ride them a bit harder but I quite like that coming from a strong two stroke background. I found I overevved my 998 a lot at first when I got it as I found it hard to use the torque, when you get used to it though it is quite effortless. The 748 seems more forgiving and suits my style better. I do find modern 600's too revvy though and having ridden a couple they just seem to use insane revs just to ride at a half decent pace. As usual it comes down to choice and taste, for me the Ducati is unique and very much how I prefer it, I tested an Aprilia RSV before buying my 998 and it was totally soulless and I could not get on with it.
I agree with that, MASSIVE fan of 2-strokes and the 748 can be ridden much more like that than things like the 1199 (that's my only comparison). I never rode a 749 but I hear they are free-er revving (maybe more so than an 848?) so must be an absolute hoot! I'm knee deep trying to fix the charging on a 748 at the mo so it's never far away!
this is my first v twin and i love the totally different ride to the 4 cyl jap stuff i used to have. engine braking and the torque out of bends is just so different, and it handles so well. ok its not lairy fast but its enough for me for now, it likes to wag its head out of bends and just feels balanced into them
