Remember Ducati’s 749 baby boomer? Yeah, the funny looking one. Read all about it...
It may be lacking the track success of its bigger sibling, but don’t let that put you off the fabulous Ducati 749S.
It’s funny how fashions change in the motorcycle world. A few years ago, Pierre Terblanche’s unpopular 749 and 999 models were the absolute bargains of the twowheeled world. You could pick up a 999S for under £4,000 and the stunning, and £24,000 when new, 999R was in the £10,000 area. Then the fashion tide turned and the 999 shot up in value, causing a ripple effect on the 749’s prices – although thankfully to a far less drastic level.
Blowing your budget
If the truth be told, the 999 is now over-priced and bordering on not worth what dealers are asking for it. However the 749 is still just about teetering on the line between justifying its price tag and getting your leg lifted. The stock model, whose prices start at a touch over £3,000, is actually pretty good value when you consider what you are getting, but if you can push your budget up a few quid more then 749S is an absolute pearl of a machine and worth the extra investment. As long as you get the right generation…
Like so many Ducati models, the 749S’s life is just a little complicated. Initially launched in 2003, it carried the same claimed 108bhp engine as the stock 749 and that was its biggest failing. Against the new breed of supersport bikes with their (optimistically) claimed 120-plus bhp the 749S did little to justify its huge £9,600 (£2,600 more than the new Kawasaki ZX-6R) price tag – especially as it lacked the Öhlins bling that S-models
traditionally carried. Add to this the fact its controversial look tainted its sales and it all added up to a bike that was hard for dealers to shift. But Ducati responded quickly.
In 2004 the S gained a new motor with higher compression and revised cams upping the power to a slightly healthier claimed 116bhp while 2005 saw the bike’s fairing redesigned to give it a less quirky face as well as greater rider wind protection. If you can afford it, this is the best of the 749S models, however the 2004 is just as good in terms of performance, and the older styling with its four frontal vents does have a certain odd appeal. But do you really want a 749S?
Worth the compromise
There is an awful lot to love about the 749S, especially if most of your riding is either done on track or on relatively smooth roads that are well away from city streets. Like nearly every Ducati sportsbike the 749S is a nightmare in town with a horribly heavy clutch and an uncomfortable riding position – but that’s almost to be taken for granted. Get it away from congested city streets and the bike’s true charm shines through.
Blessed with a virtually identical chassis to the 999, the 749 is absolutely brilliant through fast and flowing corners. Its chassis is fabulous when lent over and although a bit sluggish on initial turn-in if you are used to Japanese inline-fours, it’s not that bad at all and certainly sharper than the 748 that came before it. Mid-corner there are few bikes better planted to the road and if you are lucky enough to get one out on track it is an absolute lesson in poise and precision. The Brembo brakes, which are old-school conventional in their location, bite hard and stop the 749S with real vigour while suspension is also excellent. It may not have the famous Swedish logo on it, but Showa are no mugs and both the front and back are fullyadjustable and very easy to dial into your own settings. Do this and a well set-up 749S delivers a master class in cornering prowess that is all backed up by a soulful engine.
Packed full of punch
Yes, the 749S only makes a genuine 112bhp, but it also delivers a thumping 80.1Nm of torque and it is this grunt that makes it such a joy. The lazy
drone of Ducati’s V-twin lulls you into a false impression that this is a slow motorcycle – until you look down at the speedo! A 749S is far from slow, but it is deceptive and doesn’t quite give you that thrill you get when thrashing an inline-four supersport. But for many riders this is all part of its charm as while battering the hell out of a redline is briefly fun, it can get tit resome and on the road a wide sps pread of torque makes life so muchm easier…
While there are definite do ownsides to Ducati ownership,
amely servicing costs and initial pu urchase price, the 749S does en nough to justify its inflated va alue in the used market. The way used prices are heading sh hould ensure you won’t lose out whenw it comes to selling the bike on n again. Owners seldom sell th heirh bikes though, as once ex xperiencedx the 749S is a hard machinem to give up…