Ducati 749S

* Ducati 749S, Price: £9,600 (749 £8,800)
* 749cc Liquid cooled, 8v, 90° V-twin :
* Claimed power 103bhp@10,000rpm :
* Wet weight (no fuel) 199kg :
* Insurance group 16 :
* Issue tested: April 2003
* Contact: Ducati UK on 08451 222996

The motor is all-new for the 749, and is the first middleweight Desmoquattro motor to get the Testastretta design overhaul. First seen on the 996R a couple of years back, the 'narrow head' motors have a variety of power-boosting and size-cutting policies. The end result is 6bhp and 2.9ft lb more than the old 748 motor.
The four-piston, four-pad Brembo front calipers supply phenomenal performance from cold and the well-proven Pirelli Evo Corsa tyres provide excellent grip and feel on road or track.
Wheelies are still a clutch-it-in-first affair though, but that's not helped by the longer wheelbase – the 749's double-sided swingarm (identical to the 999) is longer, to increase traction under power, and help keep the back tyre on the ground under braking. And while the 749 does feel slightly long on track, in the form of a teensy bit heavier turn-in, the added stability under braking and in a bend more than makes up for this.
The high-quality suspension plays its part in the 749S' composure too. The basic 749 (which we haven't ridden) has lower spec componentry – Boge rear shock, Showa forks with no gold titanium nitride finish, unadjustable steering head – but to be honest, the experience of the cheaper machine will probably be just as sublime.
The 749S finished fifth in our six bike 600s shootout.