Ducati Monster Forum

As the title says, I am considering the purchase of an '04 749.  One came up locally for a good price and I have always been a fan of the XX9 series bikes for some reason.
This would be mostly for the track (3-4 times a year) and the occasional scoot around town.  I would still keep the Monster.
The bike is in good shape, clear title, set up for the track with street plastics as well.
Not knowing much about these or 4 valvers in general, I am looking for advice and experience.  Good points, bad points, etc.
Thanks! [thumbsup]

The '03-'04 swingarms are a touch weak and racers usually swap them for the later & larger units when pushing the bike hard.

'03-'04 749 'S' models had camshafts which would sometimes not idle well. Fix was replacement intake cams.

Testastretta rocker arms still get flaky but it's SUPER rare, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Steel fuel tanks!!!

The DP equal length headers are a nice upgrade over the stock un-equal length exhaust system.

749 motors are MUCH better than 748's.  They're not super powerful, but there is a 924cc 'kit' should you want to upgrade later.

Some people have an inflated value of the 749/999 bikes. I would expect a clean example of an '04 standard 749 to be $4,500-$5,500 depending on your locale & condition.

Hope that helps...

Thanks Duck-Stew for the information. [thumbsup]
The price seems in line with what you had listed below.  It does have a Termi system, but I am not sure if it is full or not. 
I was curious about the testastretta engine and rockers.  This one is a non "S" version, so it would be down on power for the 749 line and compared to my previous GSXR600 track bike no doubt. 

Anymore thoughts are appreciated! :)

If you are getting it at the right price then have fun with it.  The only thing my 999 did to really piss me off was to have the immobilizer fail which required a new instrument cluster to fix which led to needing a new ECU because the previous owner removed the chip from the red key to sell it with the original exhaust & ECU off the the bike.

Moral of the story --- make sure you have a good working red key or a Nemesis / Microtec ECU replacement lined up it you need it.

Compared to your old Gixxer, the 749 is going to be a lot more physical to ride. Whether that's good or bad is up to you...some like it, some don't.

im trying to move a 1098 and would be willing to work the price down if you are ever interested in one.....

Love my 749s.  It's way more at home at the track - sorta uncompromising on the road.  Sounds like a good option for your stated needs.  Plus, they look real purdy with the plastics off.  Mine is below.

BK

(http://i42.tinypic.com/29zy2ds.jpg)

You call that purdy?  I have a nice 2014 Monster for ya top look at  ;D

I like it  [evil]