When the Ducati 748 was released, it was very nearly anticlimactic. Hot on the heels – and definitely in the shadows – of the bigger 916, the 748 was the answer to a question nobody was really asking at the time. Essentially a 916 with a smaller motor, did the world really want a kindler, gentler superbike? Regardless of the answer, the 748 has gone on to prove itself as an iconic sportbike, successful in the showroom as well as on the world’s racetracks.
1997 was the final year for this striking yellow/white livery. The following model was available in solid yellow or red, with new logos; Ducati had been sold to the Texas-Pacific investment group and the times were changing. Sporting hollow 3-spoke light alloy wheels, Showa suspension components and Brembos all around, the 748 was a high-spec, high-end offering for this time. The underseat exhaust and single-sided swingarm were exotic then, although far more common today. The desmoquattro L-twin engine is capable of 95 HP in stock form, and revs to 11,500 RPM.
From the seller:
WHAT CAN I SAY THIS IS A NEW 1997 DUCATI 748. it has been in a collectors hands since coming home from the dealer. These are remarkable pieces of Italian art. First time offered.
The 916/748 lineup revolutionized sportbike handling. Offering a razor-like response to control inputs, these bikes demand commitment from the rider. They also require you to accept the chiropractic repercussions of a forward-canted riding style (those bars are a good reach away), and not to mind some warming of the nether regions when the bike warms up. Put up with those nits, and this can be a fearful weapon when you take the fight into the canyons.
This “new” 748 sports only 6 miles on the clock. It purportedly comes out of a private collection, which accounts for the condition and low miles. Tires and belts will surely need to be changed before riding in anger, but the rest of the package looks good. These were $13k+ machines when new; what is one worth today? Click the link to jump over to the auction and let’s see where this one ends up. Good Luck!
MI
