Ducati 748

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script> (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-47423994-1', 'fortunecity.ws'); ga('send', 'pageview'); </script> <center> <br> <div> <script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.broadcaststation.net/ads/show_ad.php?width=728&height=90"></script> </div> </center> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=168 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="128a11c3.gif"> <div> back to  <A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sports Bikes"><U><B>Sports Bikes</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#99CC00" FACE="Arial" ><B>Motorbikesforall.Com</B></FONT>     <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#CCCC66" FACE="Arial" >|   <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Motorbikesforall.Com"><U><B>home</B></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id55.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="R1 GSX750"><U>R1 & GSX750</U></A>   |   <B>Ducati 748</B>   |   <A HREF="id57.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Aprilia Falco"><U>Aprilia Falco</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id58.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Kawasaki ZX9R"><U>Kawasaki ZX9R</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Triumph Sprint RS"><U>Triumph Sprint RS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id81.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Triumph TT600 "><U>Triumph TT600 </U></A>   |   <A HREF="id77.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Triumph Daytona"><U>Triumph Daytona</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id76.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Speed Triple"><U>Speed Triple</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id75.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Triumph Trophy"><U>Triumph Trophy</U></A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="127f4010.gif" border=0 width="500" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Ducati 748</div> <bR> <div>   </div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="753" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 212 WIDTH="371"><div> If you're going to buy a 748 make sure you NEVER sling your leg over a 916 or 996 first. I let a friend of mine, Johnny, have a go on the 748 and he came back with tales of handling this and power that. He normally rides a 600 Kawasaki or a Yamaha R1 and it was his very first time on one of Italy's finest.</div> <bR> <div> As I listened to the ravings I cast my mind back to the first time I rode a 916 and the feelings it stirred in me then. I could understand completely his attitude but I also knew that the 748R was unlikely to light the same fire in me, I was already tainted by the bigger bike.</div> <bR> <bR> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><bR> <div> <IMG SRC="27afaa70.jpg" border=0 width="250" height="167" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 351 ><NOBR><bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="27bfaa70.jpg" border=0 width="250" height="167" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="371"><div> Jumping on the 748 it feels just the same as the 996. Small slim tank, high and firm seat and handlebars that throw your weight forward on to your wrists. Straight away you know that you're on something special, designed for one thing and one thing only - going fast. If it's comfort you want then look to the Kawasaki ZX-6R or Honda CBR600. If it's style, focus and an ability to stand out from the rest, just pop to your local Ducati dealer and put your money down on a yellow one.</div> <div> Fire up the bike and you're rewarded with the typical slow thud, thud, thud of a V twin. It's not as deep as the 996 but there is no mistaking the note, it's Italian.</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="177" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="173"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="173" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> Pull the clutch in, tap the lever into first and off you'll chug until you get used to the higher revs needed to get a V twin going. It's one of the things that puts people off and if you're one of them, then you really should get out on the open road more often. A Ducati, not even a Monster, is not very good in town and that's a bit of a shame as you really want to be seen on the bike of your dreams, and the only place there's a crowd is in town…</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 367 WIDTH="371"><div> Jumping on the 748 it feels just the same as the 996. Small slim tank, high and firm seat and handlebars that throw your weight forward on to your wrists. Straight away you know that you're on something special, designed for one thing and one thing only - going fast. If it's comfort you want then look to the Kawasaki ZX-6R or Honda CBR600. If it's style, focus and an ability to stand out from the rest, just pop to your local Ducati dealer and put your money down on a yellow one.</div> <div> Fire up the bike and you're rewarded with the typical slow thud, thud, thud of a V twin. It's not as deep as the 996 but there is no mistaking the note, it's Italian.</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="177" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="173"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="173" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> Pull the clutch in, tap the lever into first and off you'll chug until you get used to the higher revs needed to get a V twin going. It's one of the things that puts people off and if you're one of them, then you really should get out on the open road more often. A Ducati, not even a Monster, is not very good in town and that's a bit of a shame as you really want to be seen on the bike of your dreams, and the only place there's a crowd is in town…</div> <bR> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="371"><bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="27cafb00.jpg" border=0 width="175" height="176" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 301 ><NOBR><bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="27dfaa70.jpg" border=0 width="250" height="167" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="371"><div> Still, your biggest smiles are to be had in the country and on the less populated roads of these fair isles. There aren't too many left that have a descent set of corners, little traffic and no Police to 'protect us from ourselves.' But find one and you will be in for one of the biggest treats of your motorcycling life. </div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="48" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="44"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="44" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> Whilst the engine isn't the most refined, neither is it the torque monster you might think, yet it does have that unique ability to make you want to go fast. Ask too much of the engine at 3,000 to 4,000rpm and it will load up, splutter and cough before clearing its throat and start the business of forward progress. This could be down to the fact that when you buy a 748R it's highly likely you will ditch the stock end cans and put some louder, freer flowing pipes on instead.</div> <bR> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 449 WIDTH="371"><div> As such the settings on the fuel injection could well be spot on - but not with the stockers fitted. The real power is to be had from 7,000 and right upto 10,500, which, for a twin particularly, gives you an engine that needs to be revved to get the very best from it. Mind you, the noise at the upper end of the scale is enough to make you want to rev it anyway! Heck, the rev-limiter isn't until a staggering 11,750 so running to a mere ten five isn't giving the motor too much of a hard time.</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="48" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="44"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="44" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> Luckily, the local cops you have just alerted thanks to the high revving nature of the engine are going to be in for a big shock when they level their speed gun at you. It may well show 100mph on the dial in front of you but the reality is a lot different. 100mph on the clock equals to 85mph in real time and motion. This is unusual for a Duke as they normally have the most accurate speedos in the business. Ah well, there always has to be one exception to the rule.</div> <div> Talking of exceptional, the handling is the best in the class and it's the one area where the smaller bike has the advantage over the 996. The fact is that a 748 can turn and still be stable. Look at the spec and you will see that there are so little differences between the two bikes. Smaller rear tyre and a different profile on the front hoop. That's your lot - officially anyway.</div> <bR> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><bR> <div> <IMG SRC="27efa330.jpg" border=0 width="250" height="307" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 229 ><NOBR><bR> <div> <IMG SRC="27ffaa70.jpg" border=0 width="250" height="167" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="371"><div> Ah, getting the 748 into a corner is one of life's small delights. A quick push on the inside bar and bang, the bike is over and in. Once in place the bike stays there unless you need to tighten up or drift a little, when all you need is some more input and it will go wherever you point it. Stability and quick turning, how much better does it get?</div> <div> Once in the corner the Showa suspension soaks up just about everything the road can throw at it. It's a little on the firm side if you are under 11 stone in weight, but this can soon be dialled out by adjusting the sag on the front and rear Showa units. The Pirelli Dragon Corsas complement the set up.</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>   </div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="771" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 319 WIDTH="502"><div> There is never an issue with the amount of grip you have under control of your right wrist. Neither is there a control issue with stopping. Apart from a full on race bike, these brakes are a real 'one finger only' set of stoppers. Use two digits on the right hand silver lever and you will be over braking and screw up your entry speed big time.</div> <div> It takes a little while to get used to but keep trying, it's so damned easy once mastered, as are most things in life</div> <div> Ducati ownership is about making compromises and the 748R is no exception. The single seat means no pillion, but a better look. The windblast off the screen is uncomfortable over 85mph (on the clock). The body position you are forced into becomes a pain in the wrist after 60 miles of motorway.</div> <div> But, and it's a big one, how many bikes can set off an emotion? Very, very few…. Just ask Johnny.</div> <bR> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><bR> <div> <IMG SRC="280c82c0.jpg" border=0 width="200" height="300" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  </div> <bR> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="117" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 14 ><NOBR><div> <B>Ducati 748R </B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <B>Engine:</B> Liquid-cooled, DOHC, twin-cylinder</div> <div> <B>Bore x stroke:</B> 88 x 61.5mm</div> <div> <B>Displacement: </B>748cc </div> <div> <B>Compression ratio:</B> 11.6:1</div> <div> <B>Fuel Delivery:</B> Fuel injection</div> <div> <B>Max power:</B> 95bhp @ 11,000 rpm</div> <div> <B>Max torque: </B>56ft-lb @ 9,000 rpm </div> <div> <B>Final Drive:</B> O ring chain </div> <div> <B>Gear Box:</B> 6 speed</div> <div> <B>Wheelbase: </B>1410mm </div> <div> <B>Seat height:</B> 790mm </div> <div> <B>Rake/Trail:</B> 23-24¤/91-97mm</div> <div> <B>Frame:</B> Steel trellis </div> <div> <B>Fuel capacity:</B> 17 litres (3.7 gal UK) </div> <div> <B>Tyres:</B></div> <div> <B>Front</B> - 120/60 x 17 </div> <div> <B>Rear</B> - 180/55 R 17 </div> <div> <B>Suspension:</B></div> <div> <B>Front</B> - Showa 43mm cartridge forks with adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping </div> <div> <B>Rear </B>- Showa Monoshock with adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping</div> <div> <B>Brakes:</B> </div> <div> <B>Front</B> - Single 320mm discs, 4 piston Brembo callipers</div> <div> <B>Rear</B> - Single 220mm disc, single piston calliper </div> <div> <B>Dry weight:</B> 192kg (422lb) </div> <div> <B>Colours:</B> Yellow </div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>