Ducati 748 S 2001 — Specifications

When Ducati launched the base 748, it was already an emotion machine. A Desmo V-twin in a steel trellis frame, Tamburini-penned curves, the raw bark of the four-valve-per-cylinder twin. So why on earth seek out the Ducati 748 S? Because some riders are never satisfied with what they have. And Bologna knows them well.

On paper, the engine doesn't change one bit. The 748 cc V-twin puts out 97 horsepower at 11,000 rpm and 74 Nm of torque at 9,000 rpm, with an 11.5:1 compression ratio and nearly square bore-and-stroke dimensions of 88 x 61.5 mm. Nothing new under the fairing, and those craving more raw power will need to look toward the 748 R. No, the whole point of this S version lies elsewhere. The 43 mm Showa inverted fork gets a TIN coating on its inner tubes, reducing friction and sharpening sensitivity on corner entry. The rear monoshock, also by Showa, benefits from the same treatment. Add five-spoke Marchesini wheels that shave precious grams off unsprung mass, and you get a bike that changes direction with noticeably more agility than the standard 748. On track, the difference is felt from the very first hard braking zone.

On the styling front, the 2001 model year adopts redesigned fairing panels to bring the silhouette closer to that of the 996 R. A minor detail, some will say. Except that in the Ducati universe, visual lineage with the racing Superbikes matters almost as much as the spec sheet. The Ducati 748 S specs show 196 kg dry and 210 kg wet with a 17-liter tank, a seat height of 790 mm, and a 1,410 mm wheelbase. The proportions remain compact, even demanding, built for riders who know where to put their knees. This is clearly not a touring bike, let alone a beginner's machine. The sporty ergonomics and the sharp character of the V-twin require a minimum of experience to extract the very best from it.

The real sore point is the price. At 13,500 euros in 2001, the 748 S was playing in the same league as the Japanese hypersports of the era. A ZX-7R or an R6 offered as much, if not more outright performance for an equivalent or lower budget. But comparing these bikes purely on numbers means missing the point entirely. You don't buy a Ducati to shave tenths off lap times. You buy one for the texture of the midrange torque, for the unmistakable sound of the Desmodromic valvetrain, for that unique way the V-twin talks to you through linked corners. The Senna edition, in its dedicated color scheme, has proven that the Ducati 748 S Senna could become a true collector's item.

Today, finding a used Ducati 748 S in good condition is something of a treasure hunt. Well-maintained examples with documented service history are slowly appreciating in value. The 1997, 1998, and 2000 model years of the Ducati 748 S each have their own quirks, but the 2001 model represents the pinnacle of the series with its chassis upgrades and revised bodywork. For an enthusiast looking for a characterful Italian sportbike, one capable of shining on a track day as much as turning heads in a parking lot, the 748 S remains a heart-over-head choice. Not the most rational, never the safest bet. But when you want safe, you buy something else.