Need opinions on a 2001 Ducati SS750 w/ full-fairing

Hi all, a lurker here.

I might be buying a 2k1 SS750 (1700 miles) soon to replace my 2K3 EX500 (4000 miles). Nothing wrong with the EX, but it's just not me. I searched the forum and the Net, but didn't find much about the 750, aside from the well-known oil leak problem. What do you all think of it? The salesman is a very good friend of mine, so I trust what he says about the bike. It's selling for about $6000 or so. It originally sold for about $9200 if I'm not mistaken, so it seems to be a good deal. I was originally considering getting a 2k5 Monster 620 Dark and modding it with clip-ons, screen, etc....(about $7000 with the mods). As far as initial bike cost + insurance, the SS750 will cost about $500 less after 5 years than the Monster...the hp and torque of the 2 bikes sound similar on paper, with the SS750 being 4 years older.

Which would you get? Are there any other issues I should be aware of with either Ducati? My rides are usually: 1-3 hours, 1/2 twisties and 1/2 freeways (thus the need for a screen), 50-85mph (gotta love I-495 in MD), mostly solo rides but the wife will occasionally ride pillion. I've been riding for about 3 years, and been a road-cyclist for about 18. I'm 5'8", 160 lbs, male, athletic, MSF grad, like the sport-bike position, etc. Haven't had the pleasure of riding a Ducati before.

Thanks for your opinions.

Tarrant

the price seems high to me, but the price is what the market will bear. i bought an '02 900ss with 2400miles for $5500. there is a lot more wind protection on the ss than a monster with the fly screen. you will be happier with the 750 over the 620, the 750 can be modified without changing the displacement. with the 620, the first thing you will do is make it bigger.

Yes the price is high you can get a new 800 for a couple grand more and it will smoke the 750.

I bought a 99 900 with Al swingarm and all adjustable suspension, 850 miles for $5300.

Scott

While I love my 750ss (now a highly modded 785) and will never part with it I still kick myself for not getting a 900ss. 750 is a great bike don't get me wrong but you will soon be wanting more power then you will either be trading up or as in my case putting lots of $$ into the motor.

My baby.... how could I ever part with this beauty

I'd go for the 750SS, but... The bike in the pic has had some damage repaired. The faring has been repainted and does not have the original graphics. You can't just pull the original stickers off, as they are under the clear coat. I'd definitely want to know the bikes history as far as crashes or tip overs go. Maybe the original owner just wanted to change the bike and it wasn't damaged. In any case, yes, the price seems high. You could probably find the same year 900 for less money if you looked around. I think the 620 would be too small. Especially it you plan to ride with a passenger.

I knew that the fairings didn't look quite right. I'll check into the bike's history with the dealer. Thanks for catching that.

Very nice 785!

Tarrant

I just picked up an '02 750 sport and love it. But I'm not a typical sport bike rider. I really am not concerned about raw HP; I got the bike for it's handling plus I've always wanted a Ducati and all the coolness that goes with it. This was the bike I could afford.

Having said that, I think it's really a great all around bike. Of course, it's fun in the twisties, but it's also great on the freeway. This bike reallly likes to run, especially with that tall gearing. It's quite comfortable doing 80+ and can get you there quick enough. The riding positing is indeed somewhat extreme but on the freeway, it's fine. Oddly, you feel more uncomfortable in the back roads where you're "working" the bike more. But If you're as fit as you say you are, you should have no problems finding a comfort zone. Also, a lot has been said about how the supersports are not great in town. I haven't felt it to be a problem at all. You just have to use a little more body stearing to get it around tight turns, and take care to position your hands so they don't hit the tank! Haven't found the gearing to be a problem around town either.

... just my 2c

BTW, as a point of reference, my other bike is a Suzuki SV650 naked. Another great bike that's just a bit different.

George

My opinion is that 6k for a 750 that has obviously been repainted is to much $$$ . As soon as I pay off my '01 900SS in a few weeks, and get my hands on the title, I will only be looking for about $6500. And thats with Arrow exhaust, ZG screen, a couple other little aftermarket goodies, and absolutly no damage whatsoever!
Good luck, what ever you chose to do. But do a little more research. NADA price guide has low retail as $4300 and average retail as $5500. Hope this helps in your decision.

There is another odd thing about that picture... The bike looks like it has a gray seat and tank pad. If I"m not mistaken, only the Sport model comes with a gray seat. Check the rear swing are to make sure it's aluminum. Also check the forks to see if they are Showas. The Sport, a cheaper model, has a steel swing arm and Marzocchi forks.

-g

As mentioned, you can get an 02 900 for the same price and with some goodies on it too (pipe etc...)

Definitely find out why the panels are different......

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gomura &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There is another odd thing about that picture... The bike looks like it has a gray seat and tank pad. If I"m not mistaken, only the Sport model comes with a gray seat. </TD></TR></TABLE>

My 01 900 had a gray seat and pad. I've since painted the tank pad black to match the Sargent seat, but it did come in gray. In 2001, I don't remember there being a sport model. They came in two sizes, 750, and 900. You could get half or full faring in red or yellow. One other thing I noticed in that pic was it appears the faring is yellow on the inside. Look near the rear wheel.

Thanks everyone for the knowledgeable replies. The more I think about this, the more I think that I might wait... and get a new 800 or maybe a very well cared for 900 instead. But I'll ask the dealer about the bike's history. I think that the price will be negotiable.

I agree with Gomura's opinion about sport bikes...it's more about the sophistication and handling of the bike for me than about sheer horsepower.

Tarrant

What do you all think of this bike? It's a 2k2 900 Sport selling for $8000. It has about 560 miles on it.

Tarrant

I think that one is a better bike, but it still seems pricey. I like the 1/2 fairings. My buddy has a 2004 800 SS with about 2,000 mi. that he's asking $6,000 for with Cyclecat bars; a very worthwhile investment on post-1998 Supersports, especially if you're 5' 8" tall (stock bars are very low and a pretty long stretch for me and I'm 5' 10"). Good luck; but pay heed to Bruntr; You'll want more power soon.
Joe

Beautiful in black .... But I have to agree that it seems too pricy, especially for the Sport. I've bee watching eBay and the '99+ 900ss consistantly sell in the $6000 range with some selling as low as $4000. I actually bid on a red 900ss with 800 miles. It eventually sold for 5300. Had a few scratches shown in his pictures but was in good condition.

Here on the west coast, we have Craigslist.org and you can find them selling in the 6000 to 7000 range. The 750s sell in the 4000 to 5000 range. I looked at a 900ss in excellent condition that had 3000 miles on it selling for a little over $6000. And of course, you can check Kelly Blue Book and NADA for Ducati prices.
-g

Hi, lurker here as well. The bike in the first pic definately has had it's fairing replaced (& repainted). The 900 Sport, while very nice, is a little overpriced. Here's what less than $4k bought me last December (12k on the clock). Sorry for the crappy pic.


97 900 SS/SP

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gomura &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I actually bid on a red 900ss with 800 miles. It eventually sold for 5300. Had a few scratches shown in his pictures but was in good condition.


</TD></TR></TABLE>
I bought that bike here in Seattle, condition was as you quoted. Being a SSie with AL swingarm and adjustable suspension, I decided to waste cash. New ten coat paint job done right inside and out (Guzzi green), cycle cat risers, sargent seat, PCIII, mirrors, carbon fiber, Strai pipes, ceramic coating, tires, etc, etc.

Point is I am under $8700 for a unique bike (some hate it )

Hang tight for a great deal, at $5300, this bike only needed fresh tires and a $60 set of belts to be a safe ride, otherwise it was perfect less the scratched up grab rail.

Scott

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mouser830 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Point is I am under $8700 for a unique bike (some hate it )</TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't know how anyone could hate that bike. It is very unique and not over done (which seems hard to pull off sometimes). I really like them in red, but that's nice bike you've put together!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I bought that bike here in Seattle, condition was as you quoted. ...</TD></TR></TABLE>
I suspected yours was the bike on ebay. Love what you did to it ... and I'm kicking myself for not making a bigger effort to get it. I was just unsure of bidding on a bike I couldn't actually see first hand. That, and I had to factor in shipping.

-g

NADA bluebook for a 2002 is:
High 7100
Low 5200

So use that as a guide. 8K is too much, regardless of the miles. No more than 7K.

Tell the dealer that NADA is 7K for the top end of a 2002 and you'll give him 7K out the door. He probably will say no, but you won't overpay. Hell you can find a great 99-02 on eBay for 5-6K