A truly awesome bike. Having had to wait a good ten years to get my own Ducati I wasn't going to be disappointed. Doing the usual getting the 125, 400 it was time to step up. Ducati Manchester was the place I found a Second hand 748. Insurance was the main reason for the 748 not the 916ect I wanted a stretch as it was. Being used to biking on a budget previously a Honda VFR400 in less than perfect condition, the mint 748 was amazing. The increased power was obvious on that first ride home and the grunt I read about was wot I had hoped.
It isn't all smooth sailing with a Ducati tho as I found out. Within a week after couple of stalls and bump starts then rear wheel lock up I found mine had a faulty alternator. This was an easy fixed problem under the warranty. I never bought this bike as a second bike or a toy this was to be my main transport to work 5 days a week and to play on at weekends. Given the reliability questions over Ducati's a risky buy perhaps? As it turned out it wasn't. Putting 10,000 miles on it without another problem. The bike did the commute to work everyday through town rain or shine fine. The under-seat exhausts kept me warm in the winter too, maybe to much in the summer traffic. The brakes are another strong point not just when your out playing, but in traffic I was saved more than once from a driver door at 30mph by the sharp front end. The back it must be said is not the best. As for the handling this is wasted if confined to towns. Out in the country side clean and twisty flowing roads are were it belongs.
When my major servicing was carried out this was the only real issue I had. The comfort wasn't that bad, the reliability with mine wasn't to bad ether. But the service costs can mount up one costing over £1200 with parts.
Unfortunately last year when it was hit by an uninsured driver I decided I was going for a Jap bike. I went for a 2005 Yamaha R6 and as fun and dare I say practical with all is mod cons as it was. It wasn't my Ducati when you open the garage door in the morning, see it gleeming in the sun or rev at the lights you don't get that buzz. It was faster and cheaper to run but you don't get the looks or that feeling with your average Jap bike. Since someone decide they wanted my R6 without paying for it I am without a bike again and now its time to go for a litre bike I think I'll get that 916-996 I wanted before.
They mite be slower on the straight, cost more to run and be less reliable. but for the price you couldn't get a better looking, better sounding or better handling bike in my opinion.
Now for the next one