which bike....to buy.....2008 1098s or 2009 1198....opinions and reasons?

[jftoha]

!098s for sure. How many here can really use the difference in horsepower? My guess is that not many. Now, i think everyone will be able to notice the difference with the Ohlins and at least tap their potential.

i guess it looks like i may have to bag the bike and get boobies instead!  oh well - good thing i enjoy boobies.

[LA]

When in doubt, get the "S" model.

I'm a power junkie and I even defer to suspension in this case.

If you like your current bike though, a Street Fighter might be a better bike.  Can't you get an S model SF for what a base 1198 cost?

LA

[silentbob]

When in doubt, get the "S" model.

I'm a power junkie and I even defer to suspension in this case.

Who you kiddin Larry?  You would take a rocket powered tricycle over a Bimota DB7.   

[DRKWNG]

I'm glad that I found this thread, as I am in a similar boat.  I am planning on replacing my Daytona with something a bit larger and more Italian when I get out of Afghanistan, and these are the two bikes that I am looking at.  Sad thing is, I feel that the 1098S is the better purchase, but I can't get over how good the white 1198 looks.  Think I need beer...

[GLantern]

1098s hands down, you get all that Ohlins for the same price.  And REALLY think about it are you actually ever going to use that extra 10HP on the 1198?  Not unless you are a pro racer......The only reason to go with an 1198 is if you get the 1198S with the Ohlins and DTC!

[il d00d]

i guess it was a question of which will hold value and which one will make it harder to kill myself. (ie - easier to ride)

let me rephrase....maybe i should ask which will be an easier transition from my current bike...kind of a moot point though

Lemme ask you this.  What answers will help you rationalize choosing the one you already know you want 

I like the 1098S for all the reasons already stated, but I voted boobies

[vampire]

r u tracking it? then get the 1098s. ohlins won't make any difference in public roads
if not, i'd go with the 1198, a completely new engine, newer and more power W00t

[silentbob]

r u tracking it? then get the 1098s. ohlins won't make any difference in public roads
if not, i'd go with the 1198, a completely new engine, newer and more power W00t

Actually the difference in the Ohlins is very noticable on the street.  They give a much smoother ride while being more taut at the same time.

As for the completely new engine, not really.  Same exact design as the 1098.  No new technology here.  It is slightly larger in displacement and uses the same cases as the 848 to offset the weight of the larger crank, bringing the total weight of the engine the same as the 1098.

[jftoha]

I have riden a couple of bikes with both regular and Ohlins suspensions and believe me, you notice it even when getting on  driveway from the street. How they behave when turning and going over bumps is night and day. Ebventhough I would love to have more power on my S2R 1000, the thing that would like the most is a complete Ohlins suspension. Most scary moments I have had come from bumps while leaning. Good suspensions make a huge difference in those conditions.

r u tracking it? then get the 1098s. ohlins won't make any difference in public roads
if not, i'd go with the 1198, a completely new engine, newer and more power W00t

[Statler]

r u tracking it? then get the 1098s. ohlins won't make any difference in public roads
if not, i'd go with the 1198, a completely new engine, newer and more power W00t

I found the difference between the s4rt and s4rs to be pretty easy to feel on any road.   I found the base 1098 somewhat crude compared to the RS in terms of handling sharp bumps too when I got a 1098 for a day.   admitedly I have my bike set to how I like it and the other rides were on bikes not set to me so some fiddling may have helped a lot.    And I know the ohlins on stock Ducs versus the aftermarket ohlins may not be the be all and end all of high end suspension....but to me at least there is a clear difference and I'll plump for the better legs every time.   Oddly, it's on the road more than the track that I feel a difference.

[superjohn]

I'd go for the better suspension bits over the extra 10HP.

[s2r800]

thanks for all the input!  decided on the 1098s...( considered a tricolore as well - but looks like red is the choice!)

[Scottish]

thanks for all the input!  decided on the 1098s...( considered a tricolore as well - but looks like red is the choice!)

Good choice.... the Tri's are  IMO.... it would be like H-D's running red, white an blue special editions.... sure the Japanese market would love them but distasteful to the average US citizen.

[supakpow2]

i guess it looks like i may have to bag the bike and get boobies instead!  oh well - good thing i enjoy boobies.

Well since your gettin' boobies then I suggest that you get the bigger ones. They say that most people who get boobies wish they had gone bigger to begin with.   That being said the 1098S you decided on sounds like the best choice!  Post up some pics when you get them....er..uh..the bike....

[sally101]

S! Especially if it is Black on Red frame.. Best looking 1098/1198 IMO.