Triumphrat

petiemac03 · 09-14-2009, 02:08 PM

Hey all. I'm jumping forums here looking for 675 owners insights on a question. I am a proud 2008 S3 owner, but I've had the itch recently to look into track days with a few street rides on a sport bike.

A local dealer has a 2006 Ducati 749 and a few 675's for sale at reasonable prices. Now from what I hear the 675 is the track bike of choice for most, but I was wondering if anyone has actually ridden both and has any input on ride experience, etc?

I'm not too concerned with track records, and the thought of having a bike that is marketedly different (Twin, Italian) seems pretty neat.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the comparison? Thanks

Agkistrodon · 09-14-2009, 05:07 PM

The 748/9 were considered THE trackbike to have before the 675 came out. the 675 has much more power, but that is not important if you are just geting into track riding. The torque of the twin is good and bad for a beginner. It is easy to ride and somewhat forgiving on gear choice. But it lets you park it in the corner and still get a good drive wich will lead to lazyness and bad form. I instruct with a guy(he is also an instructor) that has a 999 an he cant keep up so the 749 would definitly have a hard time. the 675 handles better, meaning it feels lighter on turn in and mid corner. the 749 is very stable mid corner(because of its weight) but heavy on turn in. realy they are both very good bikes but the ducati is going to be more maintence intencive. I would go with the 675, well I DID go with the 675 so that makes me kinda biased. I have two of them. If you do not intend to race and are just out to hone your skills I would recomend the aprilia rs 125(the street version). this bike is light and nimble and teaches corner speed and smoothness.

TripleThreat · 09-14-2009, 09:13 PM

The 675 will cost you less money over the life due to maintenance costs and I haven't met anyone who can keep up with the 675 on the track with a stock 749.

I have two 675's and if I was going to consider a Ducati for a track bike it would only be a 999r...

Brooksie · 09-15-2009, 06:16 PM

I agree with triplethreat on which bike I would have. The 999's produce pretty good power figures and should be available in the low teens price wise. The 675 is the best deal bike wise and price wise. A lot depends on your level of commitment to track riding. You can say "casual interest" but once you try it, you'll be hooked. Ducati bikes take a lot of care just to keep them on the street. What ever bike you get, make sure it has been taken care of properly. Both have had sporadic "issues" when driven hard. Good to see another NW Indiana guy here. Hope you get a Daytona. Go see Marty at So. Suburban. Very close and good serice department.

petiemac03 · 09-16-2009, 06:05 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I'll ride both and have to see what my butt tells me.

Brooksie, NWI guy indeed. Bought the S3 from Marty. I'll look for you on the street. (White S3)

jklnhd · 09-16-2009, 07:00 PM

An RS125 is track only in the U.S as of 2009. I've been told you can find used ones for road use, but they're few and far between. On top of that, a new one will cost you more than my '07 675 cost me, which btw, would have been a perfect candidate for a track bike, everything that was damaged would have been replaced with race bodywork anyway.

Agkistrodon · 09-17-2009, 01:44 AM

as per the 125, By "street" I meant the $5K bike not the $50K bike. I know they are not street legal in the states. I assumed he was loking for the bike for a track only bike. try www.rpmcycletx.com they have a bunch of rs 125's tell them Ryan sent you. or buy a used 675 from your local dealer. I think you will have more fun one the 125. it takes a real rider to ride a 125 fast and geting it right is more rewarding. I ride an 80cc honda that teaches me more than either of my 675's or my sxv 550s. there is nothing like drifting a 150lbs 24hp bike around the outside of a gsxr 750 like he is tied to a stump.

Brooksie · 09-17-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petiemac03

Thanks for the feedback. I'll ride both and have to see what my butt tells me.

Brooksie, NWI guy indeed. Bought the S3 from Marty. I'll look for you on the street. (White S3)

Should be easy enough to spot. Not many around! I'm in Munster. My bikes look like this:

The Ducati will be red by next spring! Too bad Jimmy isn't at SST any more. He's the only guy that could work on the Duc around here. If you are doing track days, I would get what ever is cheapest available and thrash it to pieces (600cc, 2002-2206) and then move into the class end of it. Ducati's are a pian in the ass to service and they need it constantly when raced. Good luck!

Agkistrodon · 09-18-2009, 03:17 AM

I believe the saying goes something like "you have to be stupid or rich to race a ducati, it helps to be both"

jklnhd · 09-18-2009, 07:47 PM

If your going for track only, maybe look into an RS250. I actually demo'd a Ninja 250R before I got my 675. Its a fun bike as long as no one else is around, you can spend about 90% of the time at w.o.t legally, but you'll get smoked by a new Altima 3.5.

This is a legit question, not trying to start a fight, and it may even be relevant to this topic. RS125 vs Gixxer 750: what happens when you get to that long straight?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agkistrodon

as per the 125, By "street" I meant the $5K bike not the $50K bike. I know they are not street legal in the states.

Thats what I figured you meant, but it still cost more than my 675...

There are ways, in some states, to get a used RS125 on the street. However rule changes in '09 make it (supposedly) impossible to do the same with a new one. Forget about reg any year 2-stroke in Cali, yeah, tree huggin celeb's make lousy politicians, welcome to the image state.