MadDuck
The anti-
Hero Member
 Offline
Posts: 6589
All the Ducati's made the 1290SDR possible!
|
 |
« on: May 25, 2009, 01:38:13 PM » |
|
I've had a chance to think about that 1st test drive and have even managed to snag some extra time on the 848. Initially I was somewhat put off by the low end power, or should I say the lack of low end power. I also thought it was a bit sluggish in the handling dept.
Well, I take it all back. Sure, it doesn't have the same real low end yank the 1098/1198 has but it is not slow by any means. It won't have the top end that the big bikes have but come'on. How many times is there a race from 120 mph to 150 mph? On the street anyway. Not often. I talked to Brandon, who bought the red 848 that was used in the movie. He's almost finished breaking his in and he's also ridden the 1198 so he's qualified to compare the two also. He has the same opinion. The big bikes have big giggle power but they definitely need to be ridden with a more "heads up" approach. There's lots of talk of the rear end breaking loose in turns or the front wheel coming up in turns with the 1198. The 848 is more civilized so you get to use more of it more of the time.
The 848 has a lot in common with the 916 series design wise. The layout of the instruments & lights in the nose fairing is similar. The top triples are similar. The way the tank sits on the frame and how the seat blends into the tank harks back to the earlier bikes. With that setup also comes the leaned forward riding position. The Suzuki seemed to give the rider a few positions. You could sit back and cruise or you could scoot forward and over to get yourself in an aggressive ride/turn position. The Ducati just comes right out and puts you in that position. You might as well not argue with it and after a while you get used to it.
I brought up the riding position because after the first test ride I felt the bike was just a tad slower to turn than the Gixxer. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Once I got used to the riding position I found myself realizing the bike is like a knife. It slices amazingly well. Better than the Suzuki for sure but that just might be my Ducati bias showing itself. If we had good enough roads or a track I know I'd have a knee down no sweat. It just felt better in a corner at speed. The 848 also works a lot better and easier on Tantalus too. In fact, it's easier to pilot the 848 up there than the Monster. The bike definitely needs some rear suspension work as the back end is way too stiff & bouncy. I'm trying to get Anne to bring her bike down to the shop so we can measure/adjust sag and work on the damping. If I feel the back end bouncing around it must be hopping all around with her aboard.
I am real impressed with this ride.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
No modification goes unpunished. Memento mori. Good people drink good beer. Things happen pretty fast at high speeds.
It's all up to your will level, your thrill level and your skill level. Everything else is just fluff.
|
|
|
|
teddy037.2
Guest
|
|
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2009, 06:33:23 PM » |
|
so what's the plan, stan?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
DRKWNG
Guest
|
|
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2009, 09:08:23 PM » |
|
Me thinks a tasty new Italian red head will be in Rick's hands before long...
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
teddy037.2
Guest
|
|
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2009, 09:38:15 PM » |
|
Me thinks a tasty new Italian red head will be in Rick's hands before long...
as well it should... |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
MadDuck
The anti-
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 6589
All the Ducati's made the 1290SDR possible!
|
|
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2009, 10:09:44 PM » |
|
so what's the plan, stan?
This could be sort of a last hurrah but I think I'm going to make the bank happy once more. It's not logical but it seldom is anyway.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
No modification goes unpunished. Memento mori. Good people drink good beer. Things happen pretty fast at high speeds.
It's all up to your will level, your thrill level and your skill level. Everything else is just fluff.
|
|
|
|
DRKWNG
Guest
|
|
« Reply #5 on: May 26, 2009, 07:20:20 AM » |
|
HOORAY!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
eltristo
Go Go Gadget
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 2607
Humble servant of MBG
|
|
« Reply #6 on: May 26, 2009, 08:20:23 PM » |
|
Logic is for suckers! Let us live vicariously through your logical but impulsive ways!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"Health! The open sesame to the sucker's purse."
|
|
|
|
DRKWNG
Guest
|
|
« Reply #7 on: May 27, 2009, 04:52:07 AM » |
|
So yours is white eh? Did you go to the bank already?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
teddy037.2
Guest
|
|
« Reply #8 on: May 27, 2009, 08:10:46 AM » |
|
mac buys 848
lets teddy test ride
teddy sells soul to the devil for another bike and makes space in his living room to park one.
seems logical to me
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
MadDuck
The anti-
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 6589
All the Ducati's made the 1290SDR possible!
|
|
« Reply #9 on: May 27, 2009, 08:46:47 AM » |
|
So yours is white eh? Did you go to the bank already?
Yep. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
No modification goes unpunished. Memento mori. Good people drink good beer. Things happen pretty fast at high speeds.
It's all up to your will level, your thrill level and your skill level. Everything else is just fluff.
|
|
|
MadDuck
The anti-
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 6589
All the Ducati's made the 1290SDR possible!
|
|
« Reply #10 on: May 27, 2009, 08:51:07 AM » |
|
mac buys 848
lets teddy test ride
teddy sells soul to the devil for another bike and makes space in his living room to park one.
seems logical to me
I could see something like that happening. That's how I got to where I am. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
No modification goes unpunished. Memento mori. Good people drink good beer. Things happen pretty fast at high speeds.
It's all up to your will level, your thrill level and your skill level. Everything else is just fluff.
|
|
|
|
teddy037.2
Guest
|
|
« Reply #11 on: May 27, 2009, 01:15:52 PM » |
|
I could see something like that happening. That's how I got to where I am.
ah, the downward spiral begins...  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
DRKWNG
Guest
|
|
« Reply #12 on: May 27, 2009, 07:20:43 PM » |
|
Yep.
So did you make south seas happy? If so, mind pm'ing me how it ran you out the door? |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
eltristo
Go Go Gadget
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 2607
Humble servant of MBG
|
|
« Reply #13 on: May 27, 2009, 07:22:47 PM » |
|
So did you make south seas happy? If so, mind pm'ing me how it ran you out the door?
$31.50 plus tax and beer. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"Health! The open sesame to the sucker's purse."
|
|
|
MadDuck
The anti-
Hero Member
Offline
Posts: 6589
All the Ducati's made the 1290SDR possible!
|
|
« Reply #14 on: May 27, 2009, 10:16:26 PM » |
|
ah, the downward spiral begins... Don't say you weren't warned. If I can't be a good example then let me serve as a horrible warning.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
No modification goes unpunished. Memento mori. Good people drink good beer. Things happen pretty fast at high speeds.
It's all up to your will level, your thrill level and your skill level. Everything else is just fluff.
|
|
|
|
