Ducati 749R

Where do I begin? Everything about the Ducati 749R is tops. The handling is sublime, the motor is flexible, revs, torque, and the slipper clutch works perfectly. I've ridden a 2005 999R and I much prefer the 749R, the only area in which the 999R beats the 749R is in outright acceleration. But in terms of corner entry speed, flickability, feel etc...Plus all the cool bits including the slipper clutch and the extra large race tank. Buy one.

Most people overlook smaller bikes because they look at only the horsepower rating and go for the bigger bike. In the case of the 749R less is way more, it's even great on the road. This bike is your friend out there on any ride, always works with you and never against you. The fact that it's rare and so good is just gravy. I love it and would buy another if were stolen in a heartbeat.

If you're looking for a real race bike with no excuses buy the 749R. Fantastic performance, great looking, no reliability issues at all thus far, exclusive. It's power is much more accessible on the street than it's bigger brother(999R). It has the best balance of power and handling then any bike I have ever ridden or owned. For me this bike is a keeper. I'm sure there will be faster bikes come out of the factory in the future, one of them as I write this review (Desmo Seidici) is already being reviewed as the next best thing since sliced bread. The 749R is the first Ducati race bike first for the road. I'm sure it will hold it's value as well.

I owned a 999S at the same time and I sold the 999S because the 749R is a much nicer bike to ride. It just feels like a real race bike because it is a real race bike for the road. I have installed the full Termignoni and the bike just came alive. The balance of the 749R's performance is just amazing. The engine revs like it has no internals at all because of all the titanium parts in the engine. There will always be faster bikes to come along but very few will be as special as the 749R. Buy one you will not regret it. Bottom line is that if I were in the superbike market today I would still buy a 749R. Even the reliability has been great, nothing has gone wrong at all.