Ducati Monster Forum

been thinking about getting an SBK. My friend wants to sell his 749s and get a CBR1000. But the only thing i dont like about the 749 is how unflickable it is. It steers like a brick. Is the 848 any different? I know the 748 is the same way as well.

If they total my bike out, i could afford an 749 easily. but an 848 would require me to dig deep. And DEFINTELY buying a cheap ass bike for my daily chores... my insurance would sky rocket to $1000 for liability only though. :(

you really need a dark 1098 8)




 [cheeky]

I vote 749, bonus points if it's red or black with white number plates and/or has the boxed swingarm.  I don't know how the model designations worked in terms of outfitting, did the 749S have the forged wheels?

Also, if a beater bike is in the works why not just keep the s2r? seems like this would save some dough ;D

keeping the S2R = buying it back evne though i own the bike outright, thats if they total it.

if they pay for it to be fixed, like hell. ill just spend like $700 on a new master and to get the frame  straightened and im saving the rest for a rainy day.

would htat 1098 come with bobspapa delivery service too?  :)

Im also thinking about a Daytona 675

 [thumbsup]

A 749s that's "unflickable?" Really?
Probably needs some adjustment to the ride height/suspension. I have one and she is easy to point and hold in the direction you want it to go. Not saying it's better than an 848, but I think you underestimate the 749's potential.

To answer your question, yes the 848 is a lot more flickable. You are absolutely right, the 749 does corner like a brick, and the 748/916 generation was much, much worse.
I am very impressed with the 848 handling. Out of all the Duc superbikes I've ridden on both street and track, the 848 wins easily in the handling department. It almost, (I stress almost) feels Japanese. It's very close to a middleweight as far as handling. Ducati nailed it with this chassis.

Now, having said all that, I still want a 749r. I've seen at least four sell this year for $10k, give or take a little bit. A race prepped 749r is still very cool to me and I'm one of the few that really likes the design. I would not get a 749 unless it was the R.
 [beer]

I like the 675 much better and it will probably be my next bike.  I couldn't get the 848 to tip in worth a damn but I attributed it to poor setup.  The 675 was so smooth it made the duc feel like a tractor.

haha, i like these responses. its nice to see the varying views of these bikes.

There are no 749Rs in my area that ive ever seen and the price is right on a 749s. I LOVE the 999/749 design. i think it looks awesome. but again, if you dont muscle the shit out of it, she wont want to go anywhere. Its no where near as flickable as my monster.


Not trying to knock on the bike. i like it, it holds a great line and feels solid, but im not looking for an arm sore. The bike i rode had the rear jacked up another inch on the ride height. It was worst at stock height. you had to consciously snap the handle bars to get the bike to drop into a corner, but damn once it was there it felt solid!

A friend has an 09 675 that i dont think he would mind leting me take it out for a spin. THat just leaves an 848... theres a few 848s popping up for 9k. 749S for 6k and ive seen online sales of  09 daytona 675s for 7.5k OTD... theres a demo bike for 6k OTD too.

If you ride a 675, I'm afraid you will have your mind made up very quickly. Sorry to say this in front of all the Duc Fanboys around here but the 675 is simply amazing and is soooo much better than the 848.  [beer]

wow I didnt know the 749 / 999 were that bad. guess its time to cross over to the Kawukiaha.

Matter of individual taste. For example, I've seen all the comments about the 916/996/998 series turning like trucks, but I've never seen that to be the case. Maybe I'm just not good enough to feel held back by these incredible bikes. Or maybe some just like more of a feeling of stability from their bikes and don't mind a more "physical" riding style. If you're one of those, a Duc sbk might be the way to go.

He Man,

I hate to point out the obvious, but I don't think you should pick up a SBK with your current string of luck without full coverage insurance on it. Yes, its going to be fricking expensive, but since it sounds like your bike is left outside in the open a lot, your bike will vanish PDQ in NYC if you swap it out for a SBK.

Reconsider.

BC.

BC brings up a good point HeMan.  What you are thinking about doing i was actually going to mention to you but when putting it into perspective it might not be the best idea.  My advice would be to buy back the monster put the small amount into it to fix it and finish up school.  Put all the extra money aside until you can get out of the city and then when you leave NYC start looking for a SBK.

O and between the 749 and the 848 i would rather save a little bit longer and go for the 848.  Everyone states what an amazing handling bike it is and i almost wish i had one sometimes.  And don't forget longer service intervals and from what i hear that engine is much easier to work on yourself compared to the previous generations.  Correct me if i am wrong.

I agree, that's why I bought one.  ;D

Here's a deal on a 749S

http://boise.craigslist.org/mcy/1488329440.html (http://boise.craigslist.org/mcy/1488329440.html)

 [cheeky]

what are you talking about... you're part way there ;)

NIGERAN 749S!!!!


I get where you guys are comming from. I take my bike everywhere, and if i do go with an SBK or 675, i will 100% be getting a beater city bike. theres a lot of older style 250r that can be had for $1000 right now. and insurance would be stupid cheap on it (i hope).

I am also considering buying back my Monster IF they decide to total it. and if they do, how much will they offer for it? and how much will they offer to sell the bike to me for?

What price do you think i should considering the  monster as a buy back option? do note, i can pick up my friends 749s for cheaper than the price of a M695...

Hey, I admitted that I have a serious soft spot for the 749r. [cheeky] It gives me a warm IZ_ feeling, even though that chassis does not handle as well as it should.

Having ridden all of the above mentioned bikes as well as middleweights and even ex AMA pro superbikes, My best score for performance would have to go to the Daytona 675. It's just the best "out of the box" option of all and is a real thrill both on and off the track.
But the one that makes me really feel good  [evil] is the 749r. It's not the fastest and does not corner as good as most of the other options mentioned but it just gets me excited. [beer] It's also the sexiest bike of all in race trim.....well, out of the ones that we've talked about so far. [beer]

Ive been looking at a 1980 CB750K as a B bike.

something like this

(http://old.nabble.com/file/p19353560/CB750_4.jpg)

http://old.nabble.com/My-first-bike:-1980-cb-750F-supersport---free-from-father-in-law...-td19353560.html (http://old.nabble.com/My-first-bike:-1980-cb-750F-supersport---free-from-father-in-law...-td19353560.html)

I'd just be cautious about buying anything at an age where you might have lots of unforeseen maintenance arising, especially if you're commuting on the bike.

I'd be cautious buying a bike older than he man... ;D

  [laugh]

those honda CBs are suppose to be bullet proof...Theres a lot of 30+ year old hondas and kawis in the city... is there any other reason i should be worried about buying something like this?

From my recent experience with my Yamaha Radian, there are lots of little problems that you wouldn't have woried about that are a PITA to fix likeintake boots, electrical problems etc.

I learned on a Honda CB900 Custom, beat the hell out of that bike.  Not an issue at all.

This was my experience when I first started riding, it gets to be reaaaaalllly make the beast with two backsing annoying ;D.

This is my first ridable bike as well. Fortunately I have mechanical experience, so I can fix it myself. If I had to pay someone to fix the problems I'm having I'd be SOL.

Before I bought my 848, I test rode the 675 a lot as well.  I was able to ride the 675 faster for sure.  It was such a good handling bike.  I ended up buying the 848 because I loved the way it looked and sounded. 

It ended up being a bad decision.  I never really liked the bike that much.  The engine is a twin that kind of acts like an inline four.  You really need to ride it in the upper rpm range to get any power.  The bike also produces way too much heat.  Around town, I couldn't stand it.  I had the full Termi system on mine and it still roasted my legs and butt.  Out on a clear highway though, it was amazing to ride.

My friend ended up crashing it and somehow I ended up with a Hypermotard S.  I like the bike but I'm trading it for a Monster 1100S soon.

I've had my 848 for just about 2 years now... I still love it and I have no issues with it in the city (Dallas) or on the track.  I don't ride it much on the street as much since the drivers in the city are retarded and the track is where all the real fun is at on a SBK. 

As always, YMMV

*edit*

I have yet to ride a 675, for the main reason that I know I'll want one as soon as I do.

well if you compare an 848 to a 2v S2R1k, how does that story go?

If you say you really have to dig deep to get power from it, what are you comparing it to a 600 I4? 675? It helps to know what you mean, because comming from a S2R1k 2v motor, it could be either a dissapointment or a huge +

I believe he's saying that the 848 motor isn't happy, or making much power down low like your 1K motor is.

I've heard the same, and if you look at the dyno chart posted in another thread you can see just that....

I don't feel like any 4v motor is happy in the lower rpms really.  Under 4k hell most duc's aren't my 1098 doesn't really start to pull until after 6k....but i'm being picky here it still pulls like superman just punched me from behind even at 4k!  I'm sure the 848 isn't that much slower.....and most people won't even use the 848 to it's limits.  I would go 848 still it is newer, less frequent service intervals, lighter, more power, very nice handling.....what is there not to like?

And yeah it doesn't have a dry clutch but you can get a conversion for it if you have to have it. 

We are nitpicking on power here.....they are both fast as hell

I've had my 848 for about 1.5 years, I have been very happy with the way the bike handles and the power it makes.  It does need a regear as it is a little soft off the line with the factory gearing, but it is very hard to match its midrange torque.  I looked at the 675 hard before desiding on the 848, I found after riding both that I prefered the handling and power delivery of the duc.  I do have to ride the bike differently than my monster, the 848 is happier the harder you ride it.  The 848 also needs more lower body input to ride hard than the monster.

You should ride a 996...

they make power while idling. [laugh]

Yep. The 848 makes plenty of power down low for the street. The track is only where you notice the "lack" of power in the low revs. I had no problem blowing past 100 mph on the freeway on-ramp on my 848...before hitting the 8k rev power surge where it really took off!

Well, I can answer that one, as I have owned both.
In fact, I sold the S2R1k to my friend in order to buy the 848.

From a standing start, the two bikes are perfectly even, until the S2R1k needs to shift, which it will need to do first, since it runs out of steam the higher up you get in the powerband. The 848 is actually building up power when it hits 8k rpms, and nails the rev limiter about 11k rpms.

At higher speeds, the S2R1k loses steam around 130 mph, where as the 848 is just shifting into 4th gear, and still pouring it on. I have hit the rev limiter in 4th gear, and its 145 mph. I haven't had a change to hit the limiter in 5th gear yet.

The 848 has more foot room on the footpegs if you have large feet.
I wear a size 12, and this is really important to my being able to comfortably ride the bike.

The seating position is extremely aggressive on the 848, and you really can't compare the two bikes at all in that department. My hips were always splayed out riding the S2R1k, whereas the 848 puts my legs in the perfect riding position, and I'm able to corner and hang off the bike much more comfortably. I'm 6'1", and have a 34" inseam, so that makes a world of difference to me.

As for power impressions between the two bikes, I would say that the S2R1k pulls like a freight train, while the 848 feels like you're on the space shuttle during liftoff.

One last tidbit:

A 4 valve engine is just about always going to make more power in the high rpms when compared to a 2 valve engine.
Better breathing characteristics.

BC.

I'd love to one day but until then the 1098 will have to do, man i know it is rough but i will make it don't worry!  Really everytime i fire up the 1098 i feel like it wants to break the speed of sound..........such a raw feeling of power in the duc SBKs. 

Maybe next fall at the fishtail days at NJMP

We can swap. :P

If you do this, please post your reaction. It is such a night and day difference between the two. I've owned the 996, and ridden both the 848 and 1098. You are talking about a whole different world here. ;)

I have no doubt Gabe.

The 996 is a dinosaur in comparison to those bikes.

It fits me quite well. ;)

 [laugh]

I've only riden two Ducati SBKs in my life, one, made me convert to Ducati and the other, just makes me lust for one. One is a 999R from a buddy in Florida and the other a 749 Dark with full CF fairings and forged Marchesini wheels, full exhaust and blacked out tail lamp....

Maybe we can!  :P