Ducati superbike engines (748/996): ticking timebombs?

HardDrive · 10-20-2009, 04:16 PM

Man, I have been on the hunt for another Ducati for a while now. Passed up all sorts of Monsters and Supersports because I had it in my head to get a 748. But dear lord are there some horror stories out there. Even folks that seem to be fans portray them as money pits.

Am I just hearing from the angry few, or are these bikes as bad as they sound? Ducati Seattle has a really clean 748S at the moment, but its got 25,000 miles......

....and while I am bashing my loved Ducs, have you guys heard of the expanding plastic gas tank issues on the SR series Monsters? The things slowly blow up like a balloon to the point that they won't fit in the frame! Evidently Duc NA is replacing them, but is it just going to happen again?

*Sigh*, if only Ducati would design them, but have the Germans build them.

Schumi · 10-20-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

*Sigh*, if only Ducati would would have the Germans design them, and have the Germans build them.

fixed it.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

748 is beautiful but a torture rack. And I wouldn't get one of the superbike engines unless I had a warranty.

What are you looking for in the ride? Do you want speed, are you looking for the Italian v-twin vibe, or will something else float your boat? There are a number of compelling bikes out there...

I'm liking this one

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/ducati/2010-ducati-hypermotard-796-review-88817.html

Chocaholic · 05:38 PM

I've been lurking on the Ducati.ms site looking for something interesting as well. There are some great deals on 748/9s and 916's, including a stunner only about 70 miles from me. But I'm hearing the same money-pit stories. I've heard there's a costly rocker problem on bikes up to 2004 (not sure of the starting date), where the plating on the rockers flakes off and causes all kinds of bad ju-ju.

I own a relatively comfortable sport bike for this 50 year old frame (08 BMW K1200S) and an 09 Harley Superglide Custom for those slow-poke days. Want something either more sporty than the beemer (not speed, but light-weight mountain carving finesse)or something on the other end of the spectrum that is more comfy than the HD and provides good long-distance wind protection and durability (like a BMW R1200GS Adv).

Due to all the Duc horror stories, I'm leaning toward the GSA. But time, and money, will tell. Good luck with your search. Subscribed.

greglepore · 10-20-2009, 05:36 PM

How much are you looking to spend? The market is pretty soft. Not everyone likes the later **9 styling, but the bikes are much more comfy (by orders of magnitude, I can tour on my 749, but the earlier supes left me in severe agony after 45 minutes of anything but pure twisties)and composed than the 748. However, if you are in love with the singlesided swingarm, then, well, your stuck.

The flaking rocker issues are for real, but were licked by the later **9.

Yes, the Sport Classic tanks have an issue. Not sure if its actually Ducati's fault, it may be mostly related to the crap in our fuel.

How are you going to use the bike? If its only 3-6k a year, then no biggie, if you're going to rail on it as your only bike, then, well, I'd look elsewhere. These are not cheap bikes. If you are hardcore diy, then ok, but my comments in the Titanium 748 thread were not really tongue in cheek, if you defer stuff or let the dealer do things like brake pads and fluids, then 2k annually is not out of the question. I figure about 500 annually at the dealer for me (I don't do 4v valves or some other stuff) and maybe another 300 in parts for stuff I do myself (consumables, belts, fluids etc.)

Personally, I'd buy a $3500 900ss before a 748, not as pretty but fun to ride. I just couldn't get the ergos to work for me like the **9's, and I actually like the later bikes style.

javadog · 10-20-2009, 06:09 PM

I've had a couple 916's with zero problems. I am currently selling my last one, a '98 916 SPS. It didn't get ridden much, as I put more miles on the other one. It's a wee bit expensive, though.

JR

holtjv · 10-20-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

748 is beautiful but a torture rack. And I wouldn't get one of the superbike engines unless I had a warranty.

What are you looking for in the ride? Do you want speed, are you looking for the Italian v-twin vibe, or will something else float your boat? There are a number of compelling bikes out there...

I'm liking this one

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796 Review - Motorcycle.com

I rode the 1100 Hymo and don't think I would buy it, especially at the price point. It felt heavy and not nearly flickable enough for a sumo--just wasn't fun like my WR450. And sumos seem to be 2d or 3d bikes for those who can afford $10k+. But they only want to spend $5k+.

So the 796 at $10k is a bit better, but don't think it will sell that well.

Kind of like VW trying to sell the V12 Phaeton--wrong market position.

holtjv · 10-20-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by javadog

I've had a couple 916's with zero problems. I am currently selling my last one, a '98 916 SPS. It didn't get ridden much, as I put more miles on the other one. It's a wee bit expensive, though.

JR

How can Ducati make something so understated look like a piece of art?

javadog · 10-20-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holtjv

How can Ducati make something so understated look like a piece of art?

Well, they didn't get them all right. Some are too ugly for anybody to like.

Still, the 916 is a classic. It really put them on the map...

JR

Nostril Cheese · 06:35 PM

It's Italian. nuff said.

buy a BMW, ride it round the world.

HardDrive · 10-20-2009, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greglepore

How much are you looking to spend?

I was thinking $6+-

There are few pre-98 900 Supersports floating around, but I like FI bikes.

Or I could get another monster.....*head asplodes*

HardDrive · 10-20-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

buy a BMW, ride it round the world.

....on a machine that looks like it was built by the Borg.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

I only have 12k miles on my 97 748 but the common issues were:

1. Voltage regulators - not enough output, burn out regularly. Mine has been sitting forevah because I have not had the motivation to fix.
2. Clutch slave seal - they leak. Easy fix to backdate the oring.

Never heard of engine nightmares though. Just keep up on the valve adjusts.

Shuie · 10-20-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by javadog

They should have stopped there. The 888 was sex on two wheels, but that is the pinnacle. JMO.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

....on a machine that looks like it was built by the Borg.

I'm ready to be assimilated

fugly perhaps, but a beast

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

That's not fugly... Its all business.

Schumi · 10-20-2009, 07:43 PM

I had a life changing experience on a barrowed 748 once. First time on a motorcycle, it was a 748. Barrowed from a friend of the family to take down the highway and back. I did not let on that I have never ridden before.

30 seconds onto the highway later and I was doing over 130. Again, first time on a bike. No regrets there.

I still don't own one and probably don't for that reason. I proved to myself in those 30 seconds that I could do it.... and that I wasn't responsible enough to continue to do it. So that's where it ended.

BlueSkyJaunte · 10-20-2009, 09:25 PM

BMW makes some of the ugliest, most retina-torturing bikes known to man. They should have stopped with the R90s. I put about 50 miles on an R1150s and came away with the certainty that all of BMW's test riders must be hunchback victims of Chinese foot-binding.

Ducati has had some missteps in the style department (the "new" 900ss was a horror) but I don't think any other mfgr makes bikes as consistently beautiful as they do.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I think the look pretty cool, are a blast to ride and are super DIY friendly.

I put about 1000 per month on my S and spent well under $100 to DIY my 12k mile service.

Nader · 10-20-2009, 09:43 PM

I have a 748S that had flaking rockers at about 8K miles. I had a used bike warranty cover that. These are expensive bikes to maintain and uncomfortable around town, but do great in front of Starbucks or the entire backside of PRI.

Gotta say, the 749/999 style that I previously disliked is really growing on me. I think they were just ahead of their time. As I understand it, the newer Ducs have an extended service interval and fewer inborn errors of metallurgy.