I have been looking at this little sweetie for a few weeks now: as a possible second bike. Ducati 748E 2003 Only 5068 miles 2 owners Service history Termignoni pipes Asking £4995 but that’s before the sticks get banged on the curb and the real price is defined Anyone got any experience of this model, yes I know they are expensive to maintain and hurt every bone in your body when ridden but as I live with Ling I am used to that. Like Ling it’s a thing of lust. Any heads up of what to look for would be appreciated.
The things to look out for on most old ducati's is the electrics. Mainly the reg/rec, and to make sure it has had a full service history. 1 thing though, why go for the little brother? When you can have the full month for much the same price.
One of my riding buddy's has one and he uses it all year round to commute too. He's about 5 ft 7, and it's quite a long reach for him. His has generally been very reliable. Amazing sound with the termis on it, fabulous. I recall he had a major problem with the side stand (as did his mate with a 996) the bolts come loose and then strip the threads. For some reason it was a real pita to fix or source replacement bits. His had about similar mileage as that one and now has about 20k I think. I may be wrong but I'm sure I've seen 748's a few years older for less than 2k. Is that a special model that one?
Great bikes but that seems high in price and it is a base model. Personally, I would always go with a 'S' model (or an R) as you get some nice goodies as standard, like Ohlins and Brembos. 18 months ago I sold my 999 which was immaculate for only £5 k. FSH really important. I have had two Ducatis and loved both but they do hurt the wallet, but they are soooo nice.
Nice bike but very high a price. Electics were usually only a problem On the really early models (not designed for wet uk use) But newer models didnt have as many problems but still Get tagged as a problem bike.i seen a yellow 748bp on gumtree belfast For 2.5k so that shows you how cheap you can get them now.
Nice clean bike but as others have said seems very pricey, you can get an S or R version for the cash and will be much more attractive should you decide to sell later on
Thanks for the input fella's. As said by most it’s a bit on the expensive side but that's before the sticks start getting banged about. I have asked for a copy of the service records to x check that out before I do anything, If I am right it should have been serviced by a main dealer based on time rather than mileage and given the mileage its going to need cam belts at 6000 miles so it will be interesting to see when and if they have been done. Nice clean bike by the look of the pictures but have no intention of paying anywhere near that price, assuming everything checks out I might bob over and have a look see. I can always walk away if I am not happy or they won’t play ball.
From my limited experience with Ducati buying and selling, if you are selling a bike they want to see a service for every 12 months regardless of mileage otherwise they say it has not been serviced at the right intervals. If you are buying and they are selling one which has not been serviced annually, they tell you it is done on mileage and thus has a full service history.
As with all service history it is subjective, my 1098s has part history I would love to see a load of stamps but with 4 previous owners a receipt or two may have been misplaced or lost or the book not stamped, I made sure the belts had been replaced (with reciept) and it had a recent service, which it had..... but it still needed a new clutch, coolant lines and brake pads. Ducati buyers seem to think the history will mean they are getting a bike that wont break, its a Ducati FFS if you want a reliable bike buy a fireblade !!! The only thing you have to wory about really is the belt change and that should be done every two years or 6000m as long as thats been done or will be done as part of the sale all should be good.
I agree with Colin and Jamie. My time on the Ducatisti forum taught me just how many problems could be traced back to regulator/rectifier collapses and the majority of the paranoia there centred around the history of the fitted cam belts. My own long term repeat issue got traced back to carb seals perishing but I think this was more an issue with the bike having been 'barned' for so long before I bought it rather than a failing on Ducati's part. The bike looks sweet but it would need to be really charming to tempt me at that price. You could possibly find two blades like mine for that money if you tried.
I have a 2003 748 - thats way overpriced I bought it with 2.000 miles on for 3,300 2 and abit years ago. Its now got 9,500 on and has been faultless. Hasn't put a foot wrong. Don't see the big issue about servicing costs, once every 2 years belts need changing which is around £150 but hardly a massive expense. The newer one's (which that is) have no issues with electrics. Straight line speed is nothing to shout home about, it also feels like your going slower than you actually are. Corners like its on rails. I can do an hour riding then thats enough, im 5 '11, 13 stone. It has so much character and the amount of people that ask about it are unreal. Mine was my first 'big bike' and will never be sold. Thats a very brief description as on phone!
