Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

you almost forget it's an exotic Italian superbike. I am very impressed with the 749's manners; I think that Ducati has made a huge step in redefining its sportbikes. Gone are the days of having to endure a fair amount of torture just to go on a ride. The 749 is still a serious sportbike, but it's one you can live with on a day-to-day basis. The riding position and ergonomics are a lot roomier and more comfort· able, yet they allow you to get into an aggressive posture on the track. It should be a nice all-around bike. The 749 is available as a monoposto (single seat) and biposto (two seat), in both Red and Yellow, with a $] 3,495 MSRP. The 749S is only available as a monoposto, in both Red and Yellow, and carries a $]4,795 MSRP. eN (Below) The projector beam headlights are stacked one on top of the other with the high beam sitting in the lower position. Note the air diffuser on the side of the fairing. This helps control the slipstream around the rider for better aerodynamics. 749 will hold a tighter line under power, but the chassis doesn't seem as sensitive to throttle input as the 748 did (which in this case is a good thing). In addition, it isn't as prone to standing up on the brakes as the old bike was. One of the trade-offs on bikes with qUick steering tends to be a bit of instability under braking, but the 749 was really stable in the heavy braking zones on the track. However, the 749's steering was achieved through mass centralization, not by making the rake steeper and jack..ing up the rear end. Speaking of the brakes, they just plain work. They feature new fourpiston calipers that have four individual pads. This helps eliminate uneven The 7495 has a 5howa rear shock, while the standard version has a B0ge unit. Both are fully adjustable. pad wear and promotes better padto-rotor contact. Their feel and power are exceptional. They are some of the best stock brakes I've ever sampled. I never messed with the suspension throughout the day - I didn't need to because the track was fairly smooth, and the suspension seemed perfect for the conditions (a little on the soft side for the wet track). All in all, th.e suspension felt a lot plusher than the 748's stiff ride. So what about the motor? Well, Vtwins are funny because they tend to make power in a way that tricks you into thinking that there isn't a whole lot going on. They just don't hit as hard as a four-cylinder motor does. It's really hard to compare the 749 to its direct competition (the 600s) without riding them back-to-back - the two different motor configurations are just so different. I can say that the 749 feels more powerful than the 748, especially in the top of the revrange, but like any good V-tw'in it gets off the corner far easier and with less fanfare than a four cylinder. The new Testastretta motor has less stroke than the 748, which has allowed the redline to be increased to squeeze out that extra top-end power. The motor is smooth and linear, so much so, in fact, that you don't always realize how much steam you've built up before a corner - not a bad problem to have. The transmission, like the 999's, shifts very smoothly. You still need to be precise with it, but if you are, it rewards you with effortlessly smooth gear changes. We didn't have the opportunity to ride the bike on the street, but if it's anything like its big brother, the 999, it'll be a pleasure. On the street the 999 is so much more civilized that UST PRICE _ DISPLACEMENT ENGINE TYPE BORE x STROKE COMPRESSION RATlO CARBURETION EXHAUST SYSTEM CLUTCH IGHITION TRANSMISSION FRONT SPROCKET REAR SPROCKET STARTING SySTEM FUEL CAPACITY WHEELBASE _~ RAKE/TRAIL SEAT HEIGHT FRONT RlM _ FRONT TIRE REAR RIM REAR TIRE FRONT SUSPENSION FRONT·WHEEL TRAVEL REAR SUSPENSION REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL FRONT BRAKE REAR BRAKE FINAL DRiVE CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT $13,495/$]4,795 _ 748cc Liquid·cooled, L·twin four-stroke 90 x 58.8mm 1J.7:1 EFT w/54mm throttle bodies SingJe steel muffler with catalytic converte,r Dry multiplate with hydraulic master cylinder Electronic Six-speed _ __ 14 tooth 39 tooth Electric .4.J gal. 55.9 in. 24.5°/23.5-24.5° 30.7 in. Five spoke aluminum alloy, 3.5 x 17 in. 120/70ZRl7 Five spoke aluminum alloy, 5.0 x J7 in. 180/55ZR 17 Fully adjustable 43mm Showa/ Fully adjustable 43mm Showa w/TiN coating .4.9 in. Fully adjustable Boge shock/fully adjustable Showa shock .5.0 in. Oual 320mm discs w/Brembo four-piston calipers .single 230mm disc w/twin-piston caliper Chain _ 435 Ibs./439 Ibs. eye I e n e _ S • JANUARY 8. 2003 25

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