Ducati Monster Forum

We were able to take out the three bikes and all I can say is "Wow!".  I'm hooked. The Streetfighter 848 is a great bike. The Monster was really nice. I have ridden M1100's before and loved them, but I'm sold on the SF848. The SF is just so perfect.  It has a more flexable engine that pulls for a longer time than the 1100 engine. So once you get used to the SF it is hard to go back to the Monster since it feels like it doesn't have enough RPM's and it feels like you have to short shift.  Brakes are awesome. The handling is awesome.

I didn't like the Diavel's riding position after coming off the SF848, but after a few minutes I quickly became used to the more upright riding position.  I didn't expect to fall for it since it looked so big and bulky, but it really can do everything you want it to. It handles very well.  You just have to put a little more effort into compared to the SF.  The motor has tons of pull which quickly becomes addictive.  Brakes are phenomenal. Handling is awesome.

Well done Ducati.  [clap]  If you ever have a chance to ride any of these bikes, go for it.

I own a Monster 1100 EVO, I've owned it for well over a year and I've put more than 10,000 miles on it, and I've had the good fortune to spend a couple hours on the SF848 on a couple occasions, and honestly, I agree with you.  The SF848 is a fantastic bike.  Better than the Monster 1100 in every way.  The 796 and 696 are non players as far as I'm concerned.  I would never buy either of those bikes... and I have ridden the 796.  It would make a great commuter bike but I'd never buy it for anything else.

I've also ridden the Diavel and while it is very quick it is a bike I would never consider owning.  If I were a cruiser guy I'd be all over it, but I'm not.

I agree, the SF will be my next bike.

I'm 6'2, and the ergos are absolutely perfect. Feels natural to ride and disappears under you (minus the goofy mirrors).

Travman, have you had the chance to ride the SF1098 to also add to the comparison?
 
 I rode the SF848 and loved it mainly because of the ergos, I'm 6'2" and it fits me well, but I have no experience with the 1098 engine.
 

I have test rode the 1098 SF about 2-3 years ago when the demo truck was in town. We took a 15 minute group test ride.  So i didnt have the opportunity to enjoy the bike as much as we did on the independant test ride we had yesterday.  I remember the great power. It was stronger and faster than the SF848, but that is what you would expect. It was a fine bike. At the time it won every Streetfighter comparison.  Now that the SF848 is out the act like the SF1098 handles like a dog. I can't say that I noticed any faults in the SF1098's handling.

i rode with a german dealer who was a guide on a trip through Luxembourg.
He rode an SF848. He says he does indeed handle better than the SF1098.
He would prefer the SF1098 with the SF848 geometry
but for the areas we rode, he was crazy fast on that SF848

I don't doubt that the SF1098 handles differently from the SF848. The SF848 turns in faster, but some are now acting like the SF1098 handles like a dog and is a bear to turn. That is not how I remember it at all.  The SF1098 handles well too.

I loved the SF848's handling and think it is just about perfect for me. I also like the smaller motor because I can flog it harder before running out of road. The SF1098 might be a little too fast for some of the back roads near my home. 

I rode the SF848 on a demo day ride.  The guy took us on two loops and we were going pretty good both times.  There were 3 of us total on the ride, the guy leading was on a regular 848 and the other guy was riding an MV Agusta F3.  They were both capable riders and we were having fun.  I loved the SF.  A few months later when I had my bike in for the first valve check they let me take a demo model home so I took the SF848.  I rode it home and then to work the next day and then back to the shop to pick up my bike.  Put about another 60 miles on it including a good bit of freeway riding.

Testing the 1199 and the SF848 next week. I've had Monsters for nearly a decade and put 100k on them. its time for a change. The SF Dark looks nice but there's an 1199 that is priced pretty good at the other Duc shop. The  848 is just more logical for the amount of riding I do.

True that.  If you have lots and lots of tight, twisty roads then the 848 might be the better choice. if there are more open roads and freeways around then the SF1098 might be better, esp. if you have good control over the throttle.

I too would own a SF848 over my 796...budget not withstanding.

I think the sf1098 got a bad rap from initial reviews.  I was pretty wary of it when I got mine but for me at least it was nothing like what they said.  After seeing a lot of impressions I do believe it is pretty sensitive to suspension set up and having the S version with the lighter wheels helps a lot... I've only seen people mention the heavy handling when they ride the non S version.

The only issues I've seen concerning the SF848 is that there can be headshake with some reports of some tank slappers on the ducati.ms board.  I personally havent tried one yet though... thought I think it would make sense to put on a steering damper sooner or later as Duc slapped one onto the 848evo which has the same geometry.