Ducati 748 as a first bike?

What's up people, Has anyone here ever baught a ducati 748 for a first time bike? I jumped on my buddies Ducati 748 for the first time about 5 months ago (first time riding) and automatically fell in love! But is it a good idea to get one as a first bike? I can drive it good, only thing is I have only about 200 miles under my belt. I have a license. I'm about 5'10 and 180. I've been thinking about buying one, if not, going with a 600cc or 750cc. Any opinions?? Thanks, cd

how old r u? how much experience? and still i would not get one as a first bike, way way way toooo expensive to fix when you do drop it. lol sorry but it happens to everyone. KNOCK ON WOOD. Plus IMO you can get alot better bike for alot less money. unless your getting the 748R but thats just way too much money.

I am going to agree. A duc for a first bike is not a good thing to do unless you have the money to fix it when it goes down. As zx636r said...it happens to everyone and normally within the first year of riding.

for the record im 5'10" 215 and i fit on a 636 fine, so if you ever hear ppl say there too big for a 600 they are full of it. lol i will be 200 by the summer. lol

Any modern 600 sportbike is too much for most new riders. I'd recommend something like an SV650 or EX500 for your first bike.

hell get the 999r :wink: :lol:

what is up with you dam mods changing the smilies order!!!! it screwss me up all the time

hell get the 999r :wink: :lol: One of my shop's customers actually bought a 999R as his first bike and sunk another $14,000 into it within 2 weeks of getting it. He's actually done very well with it and takes it to the track regularly.

One of my shop's customers actually bought a 999R as his first bike and sunk another $14,000 into it within 2 weeks of getting it. He's actually done very well with it and takes it to the track regularly. SAV!!!!!!

As a Duc owner, I wouldn't recommend a new 749 as a first bike! It is way to mush $$$$$ for a newbie.:2cents: Have you considered a Monster in stead if you just have to have a Duc? Or maybe a used 748?

hey jeeps since you got a duc...my uncle has a 916 is that a nice bike as far as performance and i heard that it is a uncomfy bike like all other ducs i would ask him but i dont talk much to him

As a Duc owner, I wouldn't recommend a new 749 as a first bike! It is way to mush $$$$$ for a newbie.:2cents: Have you considered a Monster in stead if you just have to have a Duc? Or maybe a used 748? Yeah a monster would be good... not too big... not a lot top end... that would be a good recomendation!

my uncle has a 916 is that a nice bike as far as performance and i heard that it is a uncomfy bike like all other ducs ... Ducs aren't uncomfortable...other sportbikes are just too comfortable. Do you want a sportbike or a couch??? :lol:

Ducs aren't uncomfortable...other sportbikes are just too comfortable. Do you want a sportbike or a couch??? :lol: :withstupi Ducati built a race bike, then made it in to a street bike. Not all are uncomfortable. They make other models.

First of all i am 5 10' -- 145lbs -- i bought 2000 748 last summer and i dropped the bike the very first day i went out riding, but that was my very first time on a supersports bike - i had no experience on any sports bike - i put about 3000 miles last summer after that accident on the first day i did not drop my bike and personally i would not recommend anyone buying ducati as their first bike -- it s just too hard to corner at slow speeds. Stick to a Jap a cherry popper and then when you have enough experience then go cop yourself a ducati-- :luck:

i would not recommend anyone buying ducati as their first bike -- it s just too hard to corner at slow speeds. Are you talking about parking lot speed? :scratch:

The only good thing about being expensive is that they hold their value. my buddies 01 is worth around 13k still (blue book). I definately would not want to drop it though. Don't buy a beat up used bike...I should say don't finance one, because you'll be use to it in like 2-3 months. by "use to it" I don't mean dragging a knee and all that, but it won't seem AS fast anymore. I bought a new 04 R6 and it doesn't seem as fast any more cuz I'm use to it. At least it looks good still. Just take it REAL easy when you get it. You'll be happy you got it, as long as you don't kill yourself (finacially speaking).

Are you talking about parking lot speed? :scratch:''''' By slow speeds - i mean like turning in traffic and stuff like that because i live in NY there is always a lot of traffic before i could get on the highways --

''''' By slow speeds - i mean like turning in traffic and stuff like that because i live in NY there is always a lot of traffic before i could get on the highways -- I've noticed a short distance between stop to stop on the steering. Only an issue when walking the bike. Not moving fast enough to have my feet on the pegs. I also make a point of setting up my turns at intersections to decrees the turn angle on any bike. Why make a 90 degree turn when you can do it in 45?

FWIW I recently bought a 749S as my first sportbike/roadbike. I've been riding dirtbikes for the last 25 years, and dual sport (trail bikes) on the road before that. I've now got about 800miles on her, and haven't done any damage yet. I guess theres a chance that I will do something stupid and damage her, or more likely some stupid motorist will, however I'm very pleased with my decision to buy the Duc, and think I would have been disapointed with anything less. :2cents:

Kiwi... :welcome: :whore: it up!!

Thanks Gas Man :)

:welcome: kiwi749 :twfrox: Always glad to have more Duc quacking around here! :dthumb:

thanks Jeeps, this is my first Duc, so don't think I'l be doing much quacking but more listening!

I have to agree that a Monster would be a great first bike as far as Ducatis go. And when your ready to move up to something a little bigger, I think you will definatly be happy with the resale on it. just my :2cents: later, costlyducati

I have to agree that a Monster would be a great first bike as far as Ducatis go. And when your ready to move up to something a little bigger, I think you will definatly be happy with the resale on it. just my :2cents: later, costlyducati :iagree: :welcome: :twfrox:

Just picked up a 99 748 as my first bike and I had less than 10 miles of motorcycle experience. All you have to do is respect it and know your limits. If you plan on racing the bike and taking every turn at 80mph then get an older Jap bike because you'll be replacing plastic. If you Don't plan on racing then get what you want. I've already racked up 1500 miles since February and have loved every second and dont have any regrets. I say go for it! :luck:

:welcome: paraord45 :twfrox: Enjoy the 748. :dthumb:

Yeah :welcome: Paraord!!!

Thanks guys for the welcome. Any of you going to be in Myrtle for bike week in a couple weeks? I'll most likely be making the trip down from Pa. Havent decided if i'll be riding or driving..(if i can find a truck) Also, duc question. I have white smoke coming from one of the pipes...goes away after she's warm. And occasionaly there's smoke from the other. Oil light was coming on from time to time so I just changed it and the oil looked fine...no water/antifreeze. Is it normal for these bikes to burn oil? Throttle response seems to be as usual as well. thanks Derek

It's a Duc... you will have all kinds of things wrong with it!! :D :sorry: Jeeps... couldn't resist! :lol:

If you are still interested in a 748 i have a '98 that's modded for sale for $7000 obo

my friend is starting/started out riding a 750SS. i am not too experienced in this field, but that bike is probably the best combo of power and stance/riding position to start out on if you must ride a ducati for your first bike. my plan is different; i am planning on getting a cheap Katana 600 for a first bike to learn how to ride pretty good, then sell it and get the 748s is moneys allow.

Just picked up a 99 748 as my first bike and I had less than 10 miles of motorcycle experience. All you have to do is respect it and know your limits. If you plan on racing the bike and taking every turn at 80mph then get an older Jap bike because you'll be replacing plastic. If you Don't plan on racing then get what you want. I've already racked up 1500 miles since February and have loved every second and dont have any regrets. I say go for it! :luck: Good for you! You can be the exception to prove the rule...I rode with a fellow who bought a 955 for his first bike and within 3 weeks he TA'd it into a tree...

:welcome: RvolvoR stick around :twfrox: !

hell yeah man, im gonna be sticking around!!! :twfrox:

hell yeah man, im gonna be sticking around!!! :twfrox: Yeah :welcome:

i dont know what the big deal with getting a duc 748 is....aside from the cost factor....its not too much power for a sort of beginner...its a slow ass bike compared to 600s/750s. hell...the 996-999 only make around 125-140hp.....what does the 748 make? maybe 100?? a current 600 supersport is more to handle than a 748. i doubt it would be a "handful" of a bike to a newbie as long as they respect it.

Yeah but the Duc is WAY more sexy than its Jap counterparts! I mean just the lattace frame alone gives me a stiffy!

:withstupi Ducati built a race bike, then made it in to a street bike. Not all are uncomfortable. They make other models. Serious. Though I have little experience with other sport bikes, my girlfriend has been on many other models and was surprised that the ST4 was more comfortable than any of them.

i dont know what the big deal with getting a duc 748 is....aside from the cost factor....its not too much power for a sort of beginner...its a slow ass bike compared to 600s/750s. hell...the 996-999 only make around 125-140hp.....what does the 748 make? maybe 100?? a current 600 supersport is more to handle than a 748. i doubt it would be a "handful" of a bike to a newbie as long as they respect it. :tt: :disapp: :disapp: :nonod: :nonod: :skep:

Hey guys, (I'm a newbie) My first bike IS a 748. Still have it (since '04). yeah, on paper the duc isn't as fast as the new crop of 600s or 750s. But, that solely depends on rider skill anyway. Just be prepared for high maintenance costs, or get a good service manual. 12k mile service is $1200. yeah.. ask me how I know.