UTMC

Since I sold my '97 748 it has been assumed that eventually another needy Italian lass would one day occupy my shop as a sunny day rider. Now is the time to decide what that will eventually be. I LUV the body of my (former) 748, which is that of the original 916 -

(yes that is a pic of mine)

So the contenders are a -

996


900SS/CR


I'm not afraid of maintenance on either one of these although it would obviously be easier on the two-valve. The main role of this scoot would be a fair weather commuter/occasional track bike/ heirloom so ease of maintenance is not a requisite. I just want another one in the garage eventually. This is not going to be an immediate purchase but more of a "How many pennies I need to save" kind of question. I don't thing I'll be satisfied with anything less than the 996, but I have never gotten to play with a 900 two valve, so I really don't know.
There is also a euro company that I cannot find the link to now who claim the 748 in close to the perfect tune to the heads on that series and have custom tuning available, so it could be worthwhile to piece together an eccentric 748.
All thoughts welcome...

I'd go with this:



To hell with parking! You can just pick it up and take it inside with you.

996 monoposto

Great performance (so I hear anyway)...and IMHO the best looking motorcycle since Ducati put out the 900ss

Well I am biased to the 900SS/CR 'cause there's one in my carhold, but if you want something to perform at or above the 748 you should consider a 999. I know the initial reaction is "Ugly" but if you get up close and personal with one you'd be impressed. Plus with the advent of the 1098/848 bikes the triple 9's have come down in resale value.
Just a thought.

BSH- they are all dropping value around here. I have not found a 900ss/cr to scam a ride on yet, any idea how much les contorted they are to hang onto? At 6'2" my knees were nearly above my hands on the 748, that didn't make for a fund SE Kansas day riding two hours in a straight line to get to the curvy road. In the turn it was brilliant well beyond my ability to comprehend, but then it was still two straight hours home.

What ducati should I get? All, all ducati.

Bo_9 wrote:BSH- they are all dropping value around here. I have not found a 900ss/cr to scam a ride on yet, any idea how much les contorted they are to hang onto? At 6'2" my knees were nearly above my hands on the 748, that didn't make for a fund SE Kansas day riding two hours in a straight line to get to the curvy road. In the turn it was brilliant well beyond my ability to comprehend, but then it was still two straight hours home.

A buddy of mine of approximate height to you used to use his 900SS to take medium range (less than 500 miles) trips on and loved it. He also has several four valve superbikes, and a multistrada for long trips, so that says something. As for me, I am much shorter than you and find the SS very comfortable, if that helps at all.
And yes, compared to servicing my ST3, the supersport is a breeze to work on.

the 996R - rare! Tasty! 998 Testretta engine! Pankl conrods! Unobtanium everything!!!! Yes! Yes! yes!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001-Duc ... otohosting

goose wrote:the 996R - rare! Tasty! 998 Testretta engine! Pankl conrods! Unobtanium everything!!!! Yes! Yes! yes!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001-Duc ... otohosting

Thanks to the synergistic union with the new propulsor

Now that's salesmanship!! OK sounds like the guy copy/pasted the sales brochure, but whatever, a 996R would be nice. I didn't think any were sold in the US, however, so I wonder how good that Montana title is?

999 dark

After reading <a href="http://www.sigmaperformance.com/748-853.html" target="_blank" class="postlink">THIS</a>, perhaps I should just find a clean 748 and get the bigger bits and have the head work done. A "sleeper" 748 could be a lot of fun, and I'm kinda stuck on the "not smooth" side panels of the pre-2002 bikes.
Seems around here early 748's and 900ss/cr's are all in the $5k range so the price difference all depends on what was done to them after.

Bo_9 wrote:After reading <a href="http://www.sigmaperformance.com/748-853.html" target="_blank" class="postlink">THIS</a>, perhaps I should just find a clean 748 and get the bigger bits and have the head work done. A "sleeper" 748 could be a lot of fun, and I'm kinda stuck on the "not smooth" side panels of the pre-2002 bikes.
Seems around here early 748's and 900ss/cr's are all in the $5k range so the price difference all depends on what was done to them after.

HOLY SHITE!!! I bought my SS/CR for $2500usd, and see them all the time for under $3500, keep looking. I can believe that about the four valve bikes, though, them's some fancy birds.

Bigshankhank wrote:[HOLY SHITE!!! I bought my SS/CR for $2500usd, and see them all the time for under $3500, keep looking. I can believe that about the four valve bikes, though, them's some fancy birds.

Most of the ones around here seem to be very low miles (original tires) garage queens, owned by formerly middle aged bankers that think theirs is the last Duc on the planet.

SpecialK wrote:What ducati should I get? All, all ducati.

+1 (or +999, or +1098)

Bo_9 wrote:

Bigshankhank wrote:[HOLY SHITE!!! I bought my SS/CR for $2500usd, and see them all the time for under $3500, keep looking. I can believe that about the four valve bikes, though, them's some fancy birds.

Most of the ones around here seem to be very low miles (original tires) garage queens, owned by formerly middle aged bankers that think theirs is the last Duc on the planet.

Which means that the valves are not bedded in and will need to be adjusted, and the belts are likely way past their expiration date necesitating replacement. Add to that flushing out old fluids, filters (the in-tank filters are the worst!) and obviously replacing fifteen year old tires (but be sure to suck out and keep the original Italian air in them, THAT can add serious value) and you've probably knocked at least $2000 off the asking price. Be shrewd, like the Old Man in A Christmas Story.
Good luck.