Ducati 748 S 2000 — Specifications

Who has never stopped to admire the taut flanks of a Ducati 748 S parked on a sidewalk? This Italian from the 2000 model year represents the subtle link between the base 748, already alluring, and the radical R reserved for hardcore track riders. Its principle is simple: keep the 748 cc Desmoquattro V-twin and its 97 horsepower at 11,000 rpm, but sharpen everything related to the chassis to transform a beautiful sportbike into a more precise riding tool.

Beneath the bodywork, the V-twin remains identical to the standard 748's. Fuel-injected, with a compression ratio of 11.5:1 and an oversquare bore/stroke of 88 x 61.5 mm, it delivers 74 Nm of torque at 9,000 rpm. It's not a brute-force powerhouse, especially compared to the Japanese inline-fours of the era that pumped out 20 to 30 more horsepower for a similar price. But reducing the Ducati 748 S to its spec sheet would mean missing the point entirely. The character of this twin, the way it pushes with conviction through the midrange, its throaty growl when you crack the throttle open — that's what justifies the Italian choice.

The real difference from the standard version lies in the rolling chassis. Showa supplies a 43 mm inverted fork with TIN-coated tubes, which noticeably reduces friction and improves sensitivity on corner entry. The rear monoshock, also by Showa, offers 130 mm of travel and revised damping to better handle hard loading phases. Marchesini five-spoke wheels replace the stock rims with a welcome weight saving, reducing unsprung mass and making the bike livelier on lean. Add a dedicated clutch master cylinder, and you get a coherent package, designed for the rider who pushes hard and wants to feel the road talking back. It all sits on a steel tubular trellis frame, a Ducati signature, with a 1,410 mm wheelbase that guarantees both stability and agility. At 210 kg wet, the 748 S remains contained for a sportbike of that era.

Then there's the matter of price. At 13,500 euros in 2000, the Ducati 748 S was positioned against Japanese hypersports — a Honda CBR 900 RR or a Yamaha YZF-R1 that offered far more horsepower for a comparable bill. The choice was therefore never a rational one. You bought the 748 S for its temperament, for the nobility of its chassis, for the pleasure of riding a machine that rewards finesse over brute force. It's a connoisseur's motorcycle, not an accountant's. Today, the Ducati 748 S on the used market attracts collectors and character-sportbike enthusiasts. The rarer Senna editions drive auction prices up, but even a classic 748 S from the 1997 or 1998 model years holds a solid value, proof that the market recognizes its worth.

It won't suit the beginner, with its seat perched at 790 mm and its sporty ergonomics that fold the torso forward. Nor will it suit the rider looking for a straight-line missile capable of humiliating everyone at the traffic light — its 245 km/h top speed remains modest against the Japanese competition. But for the rider seeking a living, expressive sportbike, one capable of turning a string of corners into a moment of grace, the Ducati 748 S remains a compelling choice. Twenty-five years on, it still has that rare power to make your heart race before you even turn the key.