questions for Ducati enthusiasts

To break down the different models year by year, model by model, would take more knowledge and time than I have... In general the base, S, and R will have different suspension components and engines. I could be wrong but IIRC the R isn't legal for road use in the US.

The 750 vs 1000 question varies for year too. The 7xx base will often have lower end components than the 9xx base. They pretty much have to do that to keep cost down, I'm guessing it doesn't cost significantly more to build a 1000 over the 750, but you can't easily sell them for the same price... (The 750 Ducs are typically compared to the 600cc four cylinders BTW, and the 1000 to the 750 fours, until recently anyway.)

I don't think any of the Ducs are retardedly fast... but yeah, they're all fast enough to hurt you. The smaller bikes are preferred by some because they rev quicker/higher, and handle differently. The bigger bikes are preferred by others because they are seen as more of the "real deal".

All of the 4 valve superbikes are high maintenance. As for reliable, you'll hear horror stories but I've never been stranded by a Ducati. Then again, I've only been riding them for 15 years now though. ;-)

I get the feeling you're thinking of buying one? Forget about the S or R models unless you're looking for bragging rights, the base model will be more than enough for the street.

 

I'm not exactly sure what you are looking for, but here is some stuff:

998: (436lbs) 123hp, Showa front suspension
998 S: (412lbs) 136hp, 43mm Showa front suspension (167mph)
998 R: (403lbs) 139hp, 43mm Ohlins front suspension (174mph)
All had Ohlins rear suspension, same gear set, injection, brakes, tires
Total production 916-998 racers and all: 38,403

748 Strada: (440lbs) (95-99')98hp (00-02') 97hp (149mph)
748 SP: (436lbs) 104hp (155mph)
748SPS: (427lbs) 104hp (155mph)
748R: (422lbs) 106hp (158mph)
43mm Showa front suspension all except (00-02') 748R which had 43mm Ohlins.
Length changed though in 97' from 80.7" to 79.9"..and height from 42.9" to 42.5" and width from 27" to 30.7"
Differences
748 (final drive... 2.71:1) (compression 11.5:1)
748 SP,SPS (final drive...2.64:1) (compression 11.6:1)
Total production 748 racers and all: 25,174

Chassis sizes between the 748 and 916 were the same, but the 748 had a lower profile front tire and narrower rear tire. In 2000 the 748R still used the standard Showa front, but in 01' got Ohlins...The R's also had Slipper clutches. All 9's and 7's use Dry clutches, which create a hell of a sound on their own!

The 999 continues the tradition...Base, S, R
999 (more and) (Less and) Showa
999S (more) (Less) Showa
999R (HP) (weight) Ohlins

And the whole 749 vs Japan 600cc, It all comes down to hp and torque...The 4-cylinders create such easy power from their tiny pistons smashing away, but the Ducatis Twin is a tad more lagged...good torque though and a hell of a sound! The 999 now runs against the 1000's........

Also R's can be used in the usa...
Thats my Ducati fetish of the day!

 

I'm not sure how many 998R's were made, I could tell you just about any other....In the USA(I was wrong 1st post) the 998R is NOT street legal. They haven't really published an exact number of 998R's made...I believe it to be quite low.

 

Interesting question when dealing with Ducatis...

My Monster 750 isn't even equipped with a tachometer. The L-twins Ducati uses are very different in power delivery from the peaky inline-4s of the Japanese manufacturers. Ducati's motors are very torquey, so you don't worry about wringing them out to redline, you just try to keep the front wheel on the ground as you start out, then follow the method of shifting whenever the power starts to drop in any gear.

 

That's wrong. The 998R was street legal (as is the 996R). I should know because I had one. And it was registered on the street. There was a limited number (I can't remember how many).

 

748: 11,500
998: 10,500

It may be the other way around as I can't remember now. I haven't had a Ducati street bike in 2 years.