Used 748 Biposto - Deal/No Deal

[nkryptit]

Just looking for thoughts on the price tag and opinions on the bike in general.  My buddy is looking to pick up his first Ducati and just came across this.

http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/2002-Ducati-748-BIPOSTO-93567403




~5900 Miles
Asking $6250

Bluebook is around $7300.  Seems like a good deal to me!

[darylbowden]

Too high.  You can get that bike for 5500 all day long.  Blue book is always incredibly optimistic. 

[Duc Fever]

+1 to high.  I looked at one a few weeks ago 4200miles Mint. $5000 (with full Termi's!)

[ryandalling]

Get an 848... way more fun 

Although... riding the 749 is what made me get into SBKs

[matt922]

offer $5500. looks very clean, is red, and has termis. what is not to like about it?

[factorPlayer]

Get an 848... way more fun 

Yeah just get a bike that would cost $8000 more   

[Scottish]

Those miles.... wouldn't it be coming up on a service? If so the final price tage could be quite a bit higher. I would recommend pointing that out to the owner. Ought to knock a chunk off anyway.

[El Matador]

Those miles.... wouldn't it be coming up on a service? If so the final price tage could be quite a bit higher. I would recommend pointing that out to the owner. Ought to knock a chunk off anyway.

Yup, and probably new rocker will be needed as well. SO counting those in, the new belts, valve adjustments, rockers and collets plus the labor, your buddy is looking at about 2k to get that bike in shape.

No bueno deal. You can get much better for much less. There was a 748 with an 853 kit and about 5 k in aftermaket that sold for 6 k a few months ago.

Tell your buddy to keep on looking, and a better deal will pop up.

[nkryptit]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all the info!

[Slide Panda]

Yup, and probably new rocker will be needed as well. SO counting those in, the new belts, valve adjustments, rockers and collets plus the labor, your buddy is looking at about 2k to get that bike in shape.

Yep - if you're looking into 748 s in general, it'll be an important bit of info to know if the owners has replaced the rockers yet.  There were lots of problems with the plating flaking off the rocker arms resulting in the need for replacement.  The rockers aren't too costy for the batch of them - but it is labor intensive to get the new ones in.  To do the job you're looking at pulling out the cams, rockers etc in each side of each head.  Time adds up fast when you're pulling the heads insides, out

[Desmo Demon]

I've noticed that most '97-'00 748 bikes are going in the $4000-$5500 range  and the '01-'02 748 models are in the $5000-$6500. I've seen people asking over $6500, but I seriously doubt they are getting it. For $6500+, you are looking into 916/996/749 territory with the 998 and 999 not much higher (I passed on a 2003 base-model 999 last spring for $9000 with only 1700 miles on it).

Being an owner of a 2002 748, don't be fooled by anything that you read about the '01 and '02 748 being better than the older ones. There may be some slight improvements to items such as the electrical, but most of that is fairly negligible. The '02 is still prone to have flaking rockers, and at 5600 miles, I had to replace four of my rockers. The OEM replacements were $45 each, but are now up to $160+ each. Also, the '02 has the heads from an ST4, often refered to as testa basso heads, as the cams are located a little lower in the casting as the older desmoquattro heads. This is appearant easily in the fact that the rocker pin covers on the sides of the heads are held on by five bolts instead of four bolts. The disadvantage to these heads is that the cost of belts are aroudn $75 each and aftermarket belts are not available. The older style belts are easier to obtain at a much lower price.

Anyway.....I've got 18k miles on my '02 without any major issues other than the four rockers that I replaced. It's been a pretty good bike, but in hindsight, I would have spend the extra money when I bought mine and picked up a 998.