Thinking about buying this ducati on cl but...

[jwm2k3]

Its a good thing you dont wanna buy this bike, eh kurlon?

[Cheese]

Now see, it's rumors like this that make people think Ducs are expensive to own. If you're paying $1000 for a valve service, you're paying WAAAAAAY too much. Like two to four times too much. Especially on a 748 which is one of the easiest to work on Duc 4v machines you can find.

For this model year, the service interval is 6k, that's a valve check. Belts every other (12k apart) or two years. Unless you thrash the ever loving shit out of it generally speaking you check the valves at 6k, MAYBE make an actual adjustment at 12k, and then they just don't move.

That said, at $4k this bike is priced too high. Recent service or no, it's a 12 year old bike that isn't in crazy demand. That's a big part of why it hasn't moved I'll wager.

Sorry, I was estimating (on the high side) based on current 848 ownership and my experience with local dealers service rates. If there are no service records because the seller wrenched his own bike, that's not always a good selling point even though he saved some cash. The sellers that I was referring to usually state something like, "Serviced by an authorized Ducati service department" so they probably paid full price for the servicing. Care to share which service department will do a 14K Ducati maintenance service for $250?

[PhilB]

In good condition, and with evidence of maintenance, that's a fair price. With no records and nothing more than "runs good", no. Especially since it's now been sitting a while; that's no good for any bike.

PhilB

[Kurlon]

Sorry, I was estimating (on the high side) based on current 848 ownership and my experience with local dealers service rates. If there are no service records because the seller wrenched his own bike, that's not always a good selling point even though he saved some cash. The sellers that I was referring to usually state something like, "Serviced by an authorized Ducati service department" so they probably paid full price for the servicing. Care to share which service department will do a 14K Ducati maintenance service for $250?

Given you're in NH, try Moto Milano in Windham ME to see what they'll quote. My numbers were just a valve check, not belts or oil and filter FYI.

[boosten lebaron]

So the duc dream is dead. After going back and forth with myself about the price and maintence stuff i decided to drive down and just low ball my way into it. On my way down to it i saw a lonely 94 cbr f2 on the side of the road for sale. I figured what the hell i got cash so i turned around and went back to check it out. Turns out it was absolutely mint. Im talking almost perfect. It has a tiny scuff mark on the tail about the size of a dime but it can only be seen if your really looking for it. It only had 1300 miles on the clock too. i called the owner and asked about it. Said he's only ridden about 200 miles in the last few years but still kept up on the timed maintence stuff like oil every few months and stuff like that. He added a V&H exhaust when he bought it and that was it. I asked how much and he said 1500 and i just handed him the money. I didnt even try to talk him down. He then pulls out all these aftermarket extras like windshields and saddlebags plus a corbin seat and a bunch of nice bike covers and all the factory manuals.
I was so happy to get it. I know its not the fastest or best looking bike but the thing is so sweet. Its got some decent pep and is like a lazy boy compared to my 1000. i know i can sell some of the extras and get the price dropped abit. I feel this was probably a better purchase than the mystery duc. Since it really is just a back up loaner I know this one wont leave me guessing on its history or life span.

[gumby]

Heck, a 94 F2 and a Ducati 748 are nearly identical anyway.
No, your ducdream may not be dead.
If tradition continues, you'll blow up the Honda... and with any luck, this 748 will still be on CL!

[boosten lebaron]

Honda's last with me. Im not sure what im going to do with this bike. Its so clean and nice it would be a shame for me to beat it.

And is it really that close to the duc? I know 748's were slowish but i thought they could keep up with 600 from there time, never mind ones from nearly a decade prior.

[LuvDog]

If you change your mind on the Duc dream. I have a friend who is getting ready to sell his 2001 Yellow 748.

I'm also thinking about selling my 1995 916.

[gumby]

Honda's last with me. Im not sure what im going to do with this bike. Its so clean and nice it would be a shame for me to beat it.

And is it really that close to the duc? I know 748's were slowish but i thought they could keep up with 600 from there time, never mind ones from nearly a decade prior.

I was only kidding... completely different animals.