Where to begin.  I wake up and ride to work today just like any other day.  I sit at my desk and begin to go through my daily grind.  The phone rings and it is a client of mine wanting me to check out "a bike" his son bought.  So I go over to his office expecting to see "a bike".  He says it is in his warehouse locked up.  So now I start thinking it is more than "a bike".  This warehouse is huge!  So we walk for a while and turn the corner .....    the "Bike" is a  red 2005 Ducati 749 Testastretta with 380 miles on it     Here is where it gets good.  He hands me the key and asks if I want to try it out.         So I said no .......... are you kidding me, I had all my gear.  He goes on to explain to me that his son bought it without permission and that he wants to sell it.  It is free and clear.  So i take it for a test ride and all I can say is WOW     I don't know how to describe it.  I'm sure I will be able to put it into words as soon as I can stop grinning.  To be continued ....

You suck.

QuoteHe goes on to explain to me that his son bought it without permission and that he wants to sell it.

Will he take a buck fiddy and a big hug?

I know  :mrgreen:

The insurance quote is as follows:  Full coverage w/ $250 Deductible = $406.62, $500 Deductible = $368.53, and $1000 Deductible = $331.58.  This is for 6 months.  

The first 600 miles service is = $200 to $250.

Not bad.

Maintenance can get epensive. If you thought the GS was bad about having the valves adjusted, own a Duc.

Update:

I have been asked to keep the bike and to help sell it.  Anyone interested?  I have a couple of questions regarding the bikes ergonomics.  Do you ever get used to the seating position?  My back is sore within 20 minutes.  Pantablo ..... anyone?

It's a race-bred bike.  The prison search position is never going to be comfortable; you're supposed to be riding that with your butt out of the seat and your knee on the ground more often than not.

OK.  Buck fiddy, hug and smooch.

Roadstergal how is the seating position on your sv compare?  Was it difficult to get used to?  How about Heli Bars or Convertibars?  Any experience with those?

From my one time getting my butt on a 749, it's more aggressive.  My SV is actually reasonably comfy; since I'm short, I can just rest my chest on the tank and stretch out for distances.  But my butt was noticeably higher on the 749.  However, I have not had the dubious luck to road-trip on one.

When I saw you were in Nogales AZ, I got excited because you were just down the road from where I live... Tucson.  But when I saw this:

2005 Ducati 749

Water Cooled 748cc 4-Valve Testastretta Desmodromic L-Twin
Marelli Electronic Fuel Injection
Reshaped, More Aerodynamic Fairing
New Aluminum Swingarm for '05
Available in Racing Yellow or Ducati Red

MSRP $13,495                 <<<

I deflated pretty quick... must be nice riding one of those

How's it going jjr_vw?  You should take a ride down to Nogales.  It is nice riding the 749 if you can get used to the riding position.  My 36 year old back doesn't care for the ergonomics much.  This day has been surreal.  If you know anyone interested let me know.  I know he will give a discounted price compared to new.  

My GS is a little jealous at the moment.  It should'nt be though.  I will be riding it to work tomorrow   .

I'll pass the word at work.... I'm the only one still riding a small bike when all the others have moved to liter bikes... at work we all got the "bike bug" 2-3 years ago...

But I won't expect much, because we recently lost a coworker (passed away) on a ride to Kitt Peak observatory... only a few people still ride

Sorry to hear that.  Thanks anyways.

Quote from: jag69Roadstergal how is the seating position on your sv compare?  Was it difficult to get used to?

Get a big tankbag and rest your chest on that. This'll relieve your abs, back and legs from having to support your upper body, and take pressure off your wrists as well, which in turn will allow you turn the bike easier. The tank is kind of odd-shaped (like a heart), so magnetic-base tank bags fit awkwardly on them. Believe it or not, the 2005s have more comfortable ergonomics than previous 749 models!

More comfortable ... yikes  

I can see how the ergos would work well on the track.

Quote from: Lee from TorontoBelieve it or not, the 2005s have more comfortable ergonomics than previous 749 models!

I believe it.  I sat on a 2004 biposto, and was expecting to be sodomized any second.

Quote from: Roadstergal

Quote from: Lee from TorontoBelieve it or not, the 2005s have more comfortable ergonomics than previous 749 models!

I believe it.  I sat on a 2004 biposto, and was expecting to be sodomized any second.

There are so many infantile jokes just screaming to be made here  

Hey..where you guys when I lived in Tucson?  :x

Oh my someone who admits they are from NOGO!

NOGO isn't that bad.  Ride all year, and when it is between 110 to 115 degrees in Tucson and Phoenix, it is between 98 to 103 in Nogales.