Little can be said about the Ducati 916-996-998 generation of superbikes that has not already been said. We all know that they are among the most beautiful motorcycles ever created. Clearly an instant classic and cemented their place in history. They are a dream bike of many. Even in standard for there is undeniable appeal. This also holds true for the many special high performance versions sold over the years. In order to qualify for some racing classes, manufactures are required to produce a specific number of road going motorcycles. In the case of Ducati these homologation specials are badged as R models.
When talking Ducati and racing, one can be excused for thinking it all revolves around the World Superbike Championship and forget that the smaller displacement classes offered up some amazing motorcycles. Take the Ducati 748, as a whole it should have a broad appeal. An adequate amount of power for road use by mere mortals, and the stunning looks of the larger bother. And yet the 748 seems shunned with prices lagging well behind a comparable larger engine bike. This trend also extends to the 748R.
Built in much lower numbers than the 996 and 998 R variants, the 748R featured a plethora of upgrades over the stander offerings. Ti valves and rods, carbon airbox and a bespoke shower fuel injection system round out the engine. Ohlins forks and shock mean handling to match the looks. These even have the amazing story of not really being sold for road use, even though many found ways to don plates.
From the Seller’s eBay Listing:
- 2001 Ducati 748R – 700 Original Miles – Street Legal
- Extremely rare superbike with only 100 imported into the USA. Most “R” bikes were never titled and street legal and a lot were since crashed and no longer in existence.
- Fully street legal with current Rhode Island registration. Rhode Island titled noting 770 actual miles and “748R” as shown in photo.
- A true collectors “R” bike with full Ohlins suspension, Formula One style overhead shower injectors in larger Ducati factory carbon fiber airbox. Titanium valves and connecting rods. Marchesini magnesium wheel set. Numbered triple tree.
- Last started 2 years ago and ran perfect. Engine was fogged and fuel drained. Bike has since been stored in my house on display.
- 16,950 FIRM, NO OFFERS OR TRADES ACCEPTED. Local pickup preferred but will ship if buyer sets up logistics.
- I reserve the right to end the auction early for any reason as it is also advertised in other locations.
- Payment via CASH or BANK WIRE only.
The $16,950 Buy It Now price has yet to be hit. That might be a large sum of money for a 748, it is peanuts compared to a 996R these days. The seller clearly thinks the world of the bike as it is seen in what appears to be his living room. Too bad the seller could only find a potato to take the pictures with, surely potential buyers will want to see the bike in better light. With a claimed 700 miles this is sure to be one of the better examples to be available at any time.
This example does seem to be well preserved but without better pictures under better lighting it’s speculation. And when asking top dollar, better pictures go a long way to getting that price. I don’t think those are the original mirrors. 2001 R models came with black mirrors if I remember correctly. 2002 R models came with matching paint mirrors.
Did they actually come with mirrors and blinkers installed? I was under the impression if you were putting the bike on the street you had to buy them from the Ducati parts counter.
In what year (if ever) did Ducati remedy the hard chrome playing of the rocker arms, from peeling off?
My 2000 748S had the issue which has tainted my opinion of Ducati ever since
Edit: plating
From my understanding the flaking rockers are an issue 1996-2001. At this point it I would assume any rockers that would fail, have failed and been replaced.
It did not look like the fix was all that hard/expensive and Ducati appeared to do a decent job covering the work in period.