Should you buy a cheap Ducati? Part 1

Should you buy a cheap Ducati? Logic says probably not, but when was buying a motorbike a logical decision?
In this series Dave Hewson buys a Ducati 748 for less than £3000. But was it a good buy or will it turn out to be a lemon.
Watch Dave as he strips and rebuilds the bike and finds out exactly what's good and what's not

[johnny-S]

Nice video, just need to rotate your phone to horizontal Dave so that the output matches a TV screen.

[BikesNThings]

I've tossed around the idea of getting a cheap 748 for years. I think I would just park it next to the TV, and let it live there. Beautiful bike man.

[Heavywall]

The only thing more expensive than a new Ducati
Is a used Ducati

[ieanmcmillan]

I just watched this series and found it extremely educational. I own a Ducati 996 sps foggy special. I have a complete workshop manual but I’m afraid to touch the valve settings and timing due to aweful stories of failed attempts. But you’ve inspired at last. Thank you

[FuttBuckerByMutt]

I bought a 02 Ducati Monster 620 with 12k miles. Picked it up for 950$. My goal was keep it under 1000$ in repairs. 2 months and LOTS of research later I got her running for under $260. She likes to misfire on the horizontal cylinder, but it is still rideable. Just took her for 100 mile ride yesterday to really test her out and it runs good enough

[UmustBkddng]

I’ve been down this road. I have 3 Ducati’s. In 2016 I bought a “cheap” 2001 ST2. $12, 000 later, I have a beautiful sport touring bike that people often mistake for brand new. I did all of my own work except for paint. And the bike is now worth maybe $3500! But I enjoy working on it. It becomes an obsession.

[pog]

Looking forward to seeing what gems you uncover whilst pulling it apart, I found that rubber whilst clearing my garage 🙄 sorry about rear wheel I was trying to get a match to wheel but forgot to clean off wrong paint🤪

[PurityVendetta]

Really interesting video as I'm seriously thinking of buying a 'cheap' 748. I'm not too worried about aesthetics and as my day job is running my workshop making parts for classic British bikes I'm a reasonable mechanic and engineer. Looking forward to watching part 2.

[PMD]

That is a beautiful bike mate. Regardless of miles and condition. You will have it looking right soon enough. Great price. Congratulations.

[vertski]

Looking forward to the next installment

[motorcyclegarage]

My Ducati and Aprilia are in the garage well polished! Great content and learning a lot . Thanks

[seebarry]

If you can do the work yourself, or want to learn, and if it's working, then sure. The next time i buy one, it'll be with this in mind.

[toddposton]

Correct on the taillight spacer. It is just a split wedge style that slips over the edge of the light assembly.

[photojoebill]

"Stevie Wonder's finest work" 😂🤣☠💀
Awesome bike man!

[robertheinrichvonseyfenste]

In 1974 I bought a cheap Ducati: a 1968 250 Desmo.. for (about 80 Euros). Borani rims, full race body, no speedometer, just a RPM, no airfilter... gear shift on the right side (!!!), brake on the left (!!!)

[JasonSmith-ytzj]

Nice bike. I bought a 01 996 in 2016. 748 frame with 996 built by a well known Ducati race bike builder. When I purchased it she had 4k on engine and 6k on frame. Paid 5800. After commuting for 35000 she let go (bearing) I had it completely gone through. All maintenance and rebuild by a professional local shop. In total from purchase to now I have close to 20k wrapped in her. People always ask if I'll sell her, no because I would want too much.

[grezallen]

Great video Dave - informative and light hearted !

[antonyhughes]

Had a second hand 900SL slabby years ago, wonderful thing, started on the button as long as the batter y was fully charged, only had to think about cornering and it had done it, only grief I can recall was bleeding the clutch slave cylinder but a zip tie round the lever overnight sorted that one out. Thoroughly enjoyed it for a couple of years and sold it for more than I paid for it, winner winner chicken dinner

[speedyakakevin]

Looking forward to seeing this duke put back to its former glory 👍👍

[ATProductions]

18 months ago I paid ~$3, 600 US for a 2005 Monster 620ie Dark 2-Disc with just over 10, 000 miles on it. It hadn't been ridden much by the prior owner so it was due for belts and valve check. Got that check done at the end of that winter, put new tires on her, replaced the front rim (because I didn't like something I saw on it), all told my investment was just under $5, 000 US. I would do it again in a heart beat! I love this thing, but am kicking around the idea of getting my hands on a newer vintage Multistrada now.

Yeah, I've been a Ducati fan since I was a kid back in 1995 when I first saw a 916.