Motorcycle specifications Ducati749 2005 Pure technologie

evolution is merciless. The reign of the dream-inspiring 748/916 tandem is coming to an end. Objects of desire and fantasy for the average person, or demanding sportswomen with a temperament for pro drivers like leeks, the divas are disappearing in favor of their descendants. A change of aesthetic and other upheavals for the 749/999 duo. The 748 was a clone of the 916, while the 749 continues the tradition, adopting the chassis and refinements of its big sister, the 999. Only the engine has changed, but it benefits from the famous Testatretta cylinder head and new engine dimensions. To the eye, apart from the sticker on the fairing and the 1 cm narrower tire, it's impossible to tell the difference between a 749 and a 999. All in all, it's looking good. Let's take a closer look at the beast: The same tubular trellis frame as the 999, inverted fork, Sachs rear shock absorber, Brembo gold-series brakes, adjustable steering column angle... The S version takes refinement to the extreme, with adjustable footrests and seat-tank assembly. Just reading the specification sheet is enough to make you think you're Bayliss. And, like the 999 compared to the 998, the 749 changes the face of Ducati's ultra-sports bikes: the old one required a lot of grip to turn, the new one is easier to ride, still combining rigor, stability and precision, but the machine feels much lighter to place than the previous generation. The twin makes the most of this incisive behavior. You can put the sauce back on without fear when exiting a bend, as the 749 stays on course, guided to perfection by its highly precise front end. The 748 's engine was known to be particularly temperamental: hollow before 7,000 rpm, then brutal above that. The newcomer is appreciated in a different way: supple and willing from 5,000 rpm, it pushes forward very gradually, with power and rage, until 10,000 rpm - the shifter cuts out at 11,000 rpm, but you'll have already shifted into the next gear. Although it performs exceptionally well on the racetrack, the Italian diva still lacks the watts of its 4-cylinder rivals - although the twin is much more pleasant.

as usual, the price hurts, and is higher than the Japanese 1000. No matter: the 749 is a pleasure to drive - so Latin and so exhilarating - even more so than the 999, which is less demanding. The chassis is highly commendable, and the equipment helps digest the muscular price tag. Today, as in the past, a Ducati remains marginal and must be earned - although riding the machines from Bologna is becoming more "accessible", the pleasure remains intact. To give it more taste and potential, Ducati took advantage of 2005 to increase engine power by 5hp. The twin now produces 108 hp. Torque has also been increased, to a maximum of 8.2 mkg. Like the 999, the 749 also gets a new look for its forkhead, which gets rid of its upper air vents for a more streamlined appearance. The machine itself undergoes a draconian diet, losing 9 kg.

a Dark version has been available since 2004. The finish is less polished, but reduces the price by €1,340. The appearance is a little less flattering, but the essentials are preserved.

M.B
(inspired by Moto-journal - manufacturer's photos)