I love my 2006 749s, I sold my 2003 999 to get it! It had 4,300 miles on it and he wanted $3,000. The best part, it sat in his bed room 99 percent of its life!
2006 749s is kind of a sweet spot bike. It has the newer swingarm, the steering stabilizer, etc, but it isn't so much power that it is out of hand. I'm curious your thoughts on the 999 vs. the 749 in terms of usability/enjoyment on the street.
A Ducati 749 dark was my first ever bike. Learned to ride on it lol. Was sketchy for a while and almost died only once so was lucky. If I did again I would start on something else
@@GoRideChannel I thought it was lower on power than my friends R6 and definitely compared to his R1 however I felt more confident on those at first because of riding position. I'm almost 6 foot but the Ducati 749 felt really stretched out in riding position compared to the Yamaha where I could more comfortably sit up-right when not riding in tuck position. I will give the Duc a serious A+ for weight and balance and I did like the narrowness of it. The Japanese bikes all felt super bulky to me after being on my 749 for a while. After learning to ride somewhat acceptably on the super bike I got a Suzuki drz 400sm and had a ball. I still feel like those super motos are great to learn on (for me). The 400 felt sluggish comparably but it was still fast enough to get you in trouble if you wanted. And the only almost dying wasn't really my fault since a guy on a cell phone came into my lane and hit me head on. In hindsight it did teach me about where to ride in turn lane approaches since he was taking the left turn in front of me situation.. .
#1 - glad you're OK. Those left turns scare me, and when I'm the only guy at a red light, I'm constantly checking my mirrors to make sure I'm not going to get whalloped by someone. Your impression of the R6 vs. the Ducati is very, very similar to my feelings. The R6's I've ridden have been a couple years newer than my Duc, but they've always felt a little bit faster (I think in 2006 they were somewhere in the neighborhood of 120 HP vs. somewhere in the neighborhood of 105 HP for the 749. I do find the riding position of the Ducati is pretty aggressive, but I've gotten used to it. My wife had a CRF230F with a plate on it and I LOOOOOVED ripping around on that thing. The problem I have with supermoto's is that they don't make it seem like too bad of an idea to just rip across your neighbors' front lawns. I would really like to get another dual sport or SM. They handle super well, too, and they're easy to "back-in". When I first started riding, the DRZ's were like the bargain basement bikes for enduro riding. Guys who couldn't stand the thought of buying $11,000 KTM's were buying $6,500 DRZ's, keeping up, and having more money left over for bar-b-que and beer!
@@GoRideChannel the 749 isn't fast but it has a special emotional feel and the torque is great and easy to handle. I miss my duc so it was cool to come across the video. I wish you good luck with it and the channel!
My first bike was a 749s, iv never been on a bike ever just dirt bikes. It was hard to learn on and very reactive, but it didnt kill me, other than the values every 7k miles. Its not a good first bike, maybe second bike. but i would never tell you not to get one as your first bike. Just be careful.
..i know the Japanese machines are spot-on quality control reliability..& I've been spoiled by this w/ a history of Lexus..& I'm part Japanese, BUT i have to admit, the Italian & German rides, have refined, interesting engineering that's highly intriguing, never boring & I always thought my 1st bike would be a Ninja, but
There are some - but it's a case of they're expensive when you need them. You can get some stuff from places like Gotham Cycles or other dismantlers, but they still tend to be expensive. A lot of sellers are, however, receptive to offers.
lol I've looked at those same posts on Craigslist. I guess we must live in the same area of the world. yeah, my ducky is a gold digging - high maintenance %!+¢#. definitely not a starter bike unless you can afford to buy a new bike everytime you hurt your bike, plus Ducky is so high maintenance, she hurts her damn self, all the damn time, for no reason except that she likes the attention. once in a while track bike: yes. fun daily ride: no. get a Japanese bike for something you can hop on and ride all time. I'd recommend a vfr or sv. those girls will take care of you more than you will have to take care of them.
Go Ride Channel yeah the sv is like a cheap ducati that is more reliable, with cheaper parts, but way uglier haha the vfr feels just like the 749, but not as much horsepower, way more reliable, and longer lasting, but somehow better low rpm pickup to acceleration, even though they weigh close to the same, with the same cc size, and both v style engines. I think it's because there's 4 cylinders, instead of just 2 like the duck. if the vfr had more hp, and suspension, I'd actually be better than a duck. so, if someone were to buy a vfr, and upgrade it, it might actually be better than ducks of the same year. obviously that's one of the reasons ducati now makes v4 engines. too bad ducks will never be as reliable as Japanese machines. that's why I own both lol
Yeah, the video that drops on Thursday is gonna be the fairing reinstallation. The bike had cheap fiberglass race fairings when I got it. I did a repair video back in like May of 2017 but I just got around to putting them back on.
The lack of my willingness to replace the fairing outright speaks to my sensitivity about how much that stuff costs...and also my own lack of confidence in my riding ability. The fairing on the bike is a cheapie fiberglass race fairing which I had off to address a crack where the tie-straps rub on it.
All a matter of context. If you're not mechanical or lacking in the manual dexterity department...definitely not. But then again, if you fail to meet those two conditions, motorcycling may not be the right hobby for you!
Like the super sport or the Monster? In either case, don't necessarily disagree - they're air cooled so they have a little bit more simplicity, you still have some issues with parts availability and pricing but generally on models that aren't the superbike, they have more "subassemblies" with individual part numbers that can bring costs down in the event something breaks. I also wanna say they're about 80 hp and they're fairly tractable, which isn't too bad either. The Monsters are naked, too, which means fewer fairings to replace in the event of a tip over. Not ideal, but not too bad.
I love my 2006 749s, I sold my 2003 999 to get it! It had 4,300 miles on it and he wanted $3,000. The best part, it sat in his bed room 99 percent of its life!
2006 749s is kind of a sweet spot bike. It has the newer swingarm, the steering stabilizer, etc, but it isn't so much power that it is out of hand.
I'm curious your thoughts on the 999 vs. the 749 in terms of usability/enjoyment on the street.
I’ve got the 749 dark . 2004. Fantastic bike . Very important to find a reliable mechanic. Great fun .
First bike was a Ducati 749 dark. 2nd bike is a Ducati 999s. I respected the power of the bike and never took anything for granted.
One of the most useful motorcycle reviews i've seen here. Thank you
Thanks!
Thanks for another smart video keep up the great work 👍🏻
A Ducati 749 dark was my first ever bike. Learned to ride on it lol. Was sketchy for a while and almost died only once so was lucky. If I did again I would start on something else
"Almost Died Only Once"
You're doing way, way better than I am...and I had experience before getting on the 749...
@@GoRideChannel I thought it was lower on power than my friends R6 and definitely compared to his R1 however I felt more confident on those at first because of riding position. I'm almost 6 foot but the Ducati 749 felt really stretched out in riding position compared to the Yamaha where I could more comfortably sit up-right when not riding in tuck position. I will give the Duc a serious A+ for weight and balance and I did like the narrowness of it. The Japanese bikes all felt super bulky to me after being on my 749 for a while.
After learning to ride somewhat acceptably on the super bike I got a Suzuki drz 400sm and had a ball. I still feel like those super motos are great to learn on (for me). The 400 felt sluggish comparably but it was still fast enough to get you in trouble if you wanted.
And the only almost dying wasn't really my fault since a guy on a cell phone came into my lane and hit me head on. In hindsight it did teach me about where to ride in turn lane approaches since he was taking the left turn in front of me situation..
.
#1 - glad you're OK. Those left turns scare me, and when I'm the only guy at a red light, I'm constantly checking my mirrors to make sure I'm not going to get whalloped by someone.
Your impression of the R6 vs. the Ducati is very, very similar to my feelings. The R6's I've ridden have been a couple years newer than my Duc, but they've always felt a little bit faster (I think in 2006 they were somewhere in the neighborhood of 120 HP vs. somewhere in the neighborhood of 105 HP for the 749. I do find the riding position of the Ducati is pretty aggressive, but I've gotten used to it.
My wife had a CRF230F with a plate on it and I LOOOOOVED ripping around on that thing. The problem I have with supermoto's is that they don't make it seem like too bad of an idea to just rip across your neighbors' front lawns. I would really like to get another dual sport or SM. They handle super well, too, and they're easy to "back-in".
When I first started riding, the DRZ's were like the bargain basement bikes for enduro riding. Guys who couldn't stand the thought of buying $11,000 KTM's were buying $6,500 DRZ's, keeping up, and having more money left over for bar-b-que and beer!
@@GoRideChannel the 749 isn't fast but it has a special emotional feel and the torque is great and easy to handle. I miss my duc so it was cool to come across the video. I wish you good luck with it and the channel!
Great content mate. Ride safe!
My first bike was a 749s, iv never been on a bike ever just dirt bikes. It was hard to learn on and very reactive, but it didnt kill me, other than the values every 7k miles. Its not a good first bike, maybe second bike. but i would never tell you not to get one as your first bike. Just be careful.
..i know the Japanese machines are spot-on quality control reliability..& I've been spoiled by this w/ a history of Lexus..& I'm part Japanese, BUT i have to admit,
the Italian & German rides, have refined, interesting engineering that's highly intriguing, never boring
& I always thought my 1st bike would be a Ninja, but
But...? Was it a Duc?
turbo hayabusa is definitely the best starter bike
Definitely. Stretched is preferred.
In Europe it's not possible to have this for the 1st bike. You have to drive a 40 HP Bike for two Years without crash.
CR500 is a good first starter bike.
For sure. Especially if you can get a plated one with some decent street tires that hook when it hits the power band.
Learner riders should most definitely try and clutch it upon day one in my opinion
What about good used parts on Ebay? Would think there are tons available.
There are some - but it's a case of they're expensive when you need them. You can get some stuff from places like Gotham Cycles or other dismantlers, but they still tend to be expensive. A lot of sellers are, however, receptive to offers.
Thx for the input.
a good first bike for a selfmurder, yes.
Haha.
lol I've looked at those same posts on Craigslist. I guess we must live in the same area of the world. yeah, my ducky is a gold digging - high maintenance %!+¢#. definitely not a starter bike unless you can afford to buy a new bike everytime you hurt your bike, plus Ducky is so high maintenance, she hurts her damn self, all the damn time, for no reason except that she likes the attention. once in a while track bike: yes. fun daily ride: no. get a Japanese bike for something you can hop on and ride all time. I'd recommend a vfr or sv. those girls will take care of you more than you will have to take care of them.
SV650 is definitely a good contender - I don't have any personal experience with the VFR though :).
Go Ride Channel yeah the sv is like a cheap ducati that is more reliable, with cheaper parts, but way uglier haha the vfr feels just like the 749, but not as much horsepower, way more reliable, and longer lasting, but somehow better low rpm pickup to acceleration, even though they weigh close to the same, with the same cc size, and both v style engines. I think it's because there's 4 cylinders, instead of just 2 like the duck. if the vfr had more hp, and suspension, I'd actually be better than a duck. so, if someone were to buy a vfr, and upgrade it, it might actually be better than ducks of the same year. obviously that's one of the reasons ducati now makes v4 engines. too bad ducks will never be as reliable as Japanese machines. that's why I own both lol
My first bike is a 749D lol
Will you replace the front fairing?
Yeah, the video that drops on Thursday is gonna be the fairing reinstallation. The bike had cheap fiberglass race fairings when I got it. I did a repair video back in like May of 2017 but I just got around to putting them back on.
you ride a bike without front fairing and talk about price of parts :)
The lack of my willingness to replace the fairing outright speaks to my sensitivity about how much that stuff costs...and also my own lack of confidence in my riding ability. The fairing on the bike is a cheapie fiberglass race fairing which I had off to address a crack where the tie-straps rub on it.
slow i think
haven't watched the video but no. it's not.
All a matter of context. If you're not mechanical or lacking in the manual dexterity department...definitely not. But then again, if you fail to meet those two conditions, motorcycling may not be the right hobby for you!
Nah a Ducati 900 is good
Like the super sport or the Monster? In either case, don't necessarily disagree - they're air cooled so they have a little bit more simplicity, you still have some issues with parts availability and pricing but generally on models that aren't the superbike, they have more "subassemblies" with individual part numbers that can bring costs down in the event something breaks. I also wanna say they're about 80 hp and they're fairly tractable, which isn't too bad either. The Monsters are naked, too, which means fewer fairings to replace in the event of a tip over. Not ideal, but not too bad.