Source Bike Magazine of 1999
All that is best from the old country doesn't compare to the work of art
that is the Ducati 748 Biposto (meaning two seater).
People look at you very differently when you ride a 748. You could be a
film star (Trainspotting's Ewan McGregor has one) or a pop star or
just someone with more money than sense, but the secret is, you haven't
spent more than the cost of a modern Japanese bike.
The 748 we had last year covered 8500 miles without a problem. No
electrical grief. No desmodromic histrionics. No bother at all.
We're not saying that it's into the 'kick the tyres and fire it up'
league of Japanese bikes, but maybe Ducati's reliability gremlin isn't as
active as it used to be. Certainly we had no problems with our 748 last
year, and the experiences of other owners seems to back this up.
Riding the 748 shows that it is harder work than any other four cylinder
machine, but that also means it's much more rewarding to get it right. The
riding position of holding the front wheel spindle in your hands, while
offering your bum up to the sun god means that your wrists, back, arse and
knees endure varying degrees of pain (depending on your size).
Suffice to say it's no fun around town - what with all that pain and
slightly snatchy motor at low revs - but that's not what it's built for.
And remember, these things aren't really for two, even if you've bought
the Biposto. But if you go out and find some sweeping A-roads, you'll be
hard pressed to find anything finer, especially for £8000-£8500. Many rate
the 748 as the better buy over the 916/996, purely because the engine is a
little rewier, therefore making the transition to the beautiful world of
V-twins that much easier.
If you can choose the colour, remember that everyone loves red 916s, but
if you can get hold of a yellow 748, you will feel extra special.
A set of pipes and you'll have the beautiful, unstifled sound to go with
those looks. Careful when buying pipes, though, as any choice other than the
very Italian Termignoni will see Don Giovanni and his rock hard nephews
turning up on your doorstep. You have been warned.
