Ducati 749 (2002 - 2006) review

As a Sunday morning and occasional trackday plaything we would all have one in our garage
Great handling bike and it has ‘Ducati’ on the tank
Hard seat, crap steering lock and very high service costs

Although most Ducatisti wouldn't consider owning the baby 999, that's their loss, 'because this bike is sorted. The Ducati 749 is ace.

Alright, it lacks a few bhp on its bigger brother but it also weighs less, costs a lot less and looks identical. On track the 749 is brilliant, superb mid-corner and a real lean machine. Compared to the Japanese sports 600s, it turns in a bit slower but it makes up for it in mid-corner poise.

As a day-to-day bike the 749 isn’t hugely practical though. It has a crap turning circle thanks to virtually no steering lock, the mirrors show only elbows and the seat is bloody hard. But get it on a twisty road and who cares about little things like these?

Although most Ducatisti wouldn't consider owning the baby 999, that's their loss, 'because this bike is sorted. The Ducati 749 is ace.

Alright, it lacks a few bhp on its bigger brother but it also weighs less, costs a lot less and looks identical. On track the 749 is brilliant, superb mid-corner and a real lean machine. Compared to the Japanese sports 600s, it turns in a bit slower but it makes up for it in mid-corner poise.

As a day-to-day bike the 749 isn’t hugely practical though. It has a crap turning circle thanks to virtually no steering lock, the mirrors show only elbows and the seat is bloody hard. But get it on a twisty road and who cares about little things like these?

Seats0
Suspension FrontShowa 43 mm upside-down fully adjustable fork
Suspension RearProgressive linkage
Adjustability RearFully adjustable Sachs monoshock
Wheels Front3.50x17
Wheels Rear5.50x17
Wheels Made OfNew Y-shaped 5 spoke design light alloy
Tyres Front120/70 ZR 17
Tyres Rear180/55 ZR 17
Brakes Front2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, 4-piston 4-pad callipers
Brakes Rear240 mm disc, 2-piston caliper
ChassisTubular ALS450 steel trellis
Cubic Capacity (cc)748
Valves8
Max Power (bhp)103
Max Power Peak (rpm)10000
Torque (ft/lb)57
Torque Peak (rpm)8500
Bore (mm)90
Stroke (mm)58.8
Valve GearDOHC
Compression Ratio1107
Valves Per Cylinder4
CoolingLiquid cooled
Fuel DeliveryElectronic
Stroke TypeFour Stroke
DriveChain