To 1198S Or Not To 1198S?: That Is The Question

[corndog67]

Do like I do, buy something different every year.    Sometimes you move up, sometimes back, sometimes sideways,  but change is good.   Don't get complacent, the grass is always greener under a new set of tires. 

[AfroStar]

I'm with Grifo.  I love my S4RS.  just did 300 mile on Sat.  cleaned it on Sunday, and I mean cleaned it, near 3 hours.  
loved every minute of it,

I too like 1098 or 1198 when I see it on the road or in the showroom, but I have to hold myself back.  I tell myself, you don't need all that power, but again,  I have enough in my S4RS.  It will be a wast in the streets, unless you live in some sweet twisties, and there are no cars on that road...

pay off the S4Rs you will be a happy man.  get a cheap track bike like a 748, 749.. heck even an R6 or GXR

my thoughts...good luck on yours

[Statler]

how much more monthly and how much longer?   motorcycles are fragile things to finance.

[ducpainter]

I'd keep the Monster and buy the SBK....

[wingnut]

I had the opposite dilemma 5 weeks ago when I was trying to decide whether or not to trade off my 1098 for an 1100.  I pulled the trigger on the 1100 and haven't looked back.  

For me personally, if I had both bikes side by side in the garage, the monster would probably fade into the background as I stared at the 1098 for hours.  I also find myself knocking on the rev limiter's door every now and then and I'm not as confident in the twisties with the monster yet having been used to the superbike.  With that being said, the monster is far and away a better all around bike (IMO).  Without drifting into a rambling dissertation here's how I see the bottom line between these two bikes:

You can have a shit load of fun on the 1098 10% of the time
or
You can have a lot of fun (which is a wee bit less than a shit load) 90% of the time on the monster

Also, keep in mind that being miserable in stop and go traffic on the monster is bush league compared to the hand numbing agony of the 1098.  

Good luck with your decision, either way you're riding a duc!

[blue tiger]

I owned an s4rs and now own a 1098. I disagree that it's not as much fun as the Monster or a waste on the streets. Mine is sitting in the parking garage right now because I ride it to work. I've also pulled some long stints in the saddle. Only about 250 miles or so but I never did more than that on my Monster anyway. It is a crappy bike to ride in traffic but I don't worry to much about that. Bottom line is I wish I had bough the 1098 first. The premiums insurance wise were the same for me and this was 6 months after I had totaled the Tricolore. Listen to your gut. I know that they are all Ducati's but a Ducati Superbike....yum.

[Mr Bread]

I've had my s2r 800 for just over 2 years now, and i love it. Last spring i purchased a 999. I have been on the monster twice since i purchased the 999. The longest ride on the 999 thus far has been just over 320 miles, and it was fantastic. The extra power is not overkill on the road, at-least where i live, and the bike is a friggn animal on the track. Like everyone else is saying - figure out what you want out of your motorcycle - and get it. I know i do not regret getting the 999 at all! - I can only imagine the pure joy one would have while riding an 1198S - Goodness - Enjoy yourself!

[Major Slow]

I'd keep the Monster and buy the SBK....

+1




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[CMDRDAVE]

Also, keep in mind that being miserable in stop and go traffic on the monster is bush league compared to the hand numbing agony of the 1098.  

and a$$ roasting, can't imagine the 1098 is any better than my 748

[MadDuck]

and a$$ roasting, can't imagine the 1098 is any better than my 748

Oh, but they are better. It's still warm down under. Make no mistake about that but still better than the previous bikes. For overall traffic & road manners I'm liking my 848 far better than my 999 and, dare I say it, better than my M900.

[Triple J]

Personally I'd keep the S4Rs if I could only have 1 bike...but I think the SBKs suck on the street. They're hot, uncomfortable, and it's too much engine to use on the street (at least without risk of having your license taken away). They're great on the track...but I don't live on a track. 

[ArabicaMan]

First, thanks to everyone for their commentary and perspectives.  I was frankly quite surprised by the distribution of opinion on this question, which turned out to be pretty well 50/50.  I made my final decision last weekend and called my dealer on Monday.  So what did I decide?

Well, I decided to pass on the 1198S at this time and stick with my S4Rs.  The contributory reasons were typically numerous and varied but came down to:

• My unwillingness to stomach the first year depreciation on my current bike, and;
• The fact that my insurance with Progressive would more than double.

But really, the final decision came to me on a 130-mile ride this past Sunday.  It was a perfect (though hot) day here in the Midwest and I had the most glorious ride with a group of my sportbike buddies.  Long, open stretches of pavement; twisties over hill-and-dale; a bit of highway riding; and some riding in town.  And during that ride, I contemplated this decision, and the conclusion I came to was:  I just totally love my S4Rs Monster and I don't want to get anything else.  And that's the bottom line.

(Though in the future, when my garage space allows it, adding a Superbike is certainly appealing...)

[DRKWNG]

For overall traffic & road manners I'm liking my 848 far better than my 999 and, dare I say it, better than my M900.

HOORAY!!!!
Sorry for the enthusiasm, but I too am looking forward to riding his 848 when I get back home.  Might spell the end of my 675...

[dbran1949]

If you ever want to sell the S4RS let me know