Is an 848 in my future? Switching from S2R800?

[Crazy Canadian]

Okay.  I went on a demo ride last Saturday and tried the new 848.  I have to say that once I was done the hour ride, my back and neck were sore for hours.  I had a compression fracture in my spine and cracked tow vertebrae in my neck 25 years ago and since then have had many more injuries and the riding position is a killer for me.  I just LOVE my monster S2R800.  I can ride it forever and it fits me like a glove.  STILL......  I can't get over how good I look on this bike.  For pure chick appeal, i almost have to buy one and suffer the pain.  All I get now looking at my bike are guys!!  Either that or I need to buy some red leathers, or try and trade out my tank fenders and cowl for red.  Argh!     My bike is a gloss black 2007 and the dealer is suggesting I wait until next year since he figures they will be coming out with an 848s version for a couple of thousand more.  Not sure what to do.  I'll probably kill myself on it by driving stupid.  I can use almost everything my S2R800 has and stay alive, while the 848 might get me into trouble.....especially if more chicks are digging it!   

[gnostic203]

The 848 is a sharp looking bike for sure.  But... if it hurts to ride it won't do you any good sitting in your garage.  My 2cents says keep the practical bike and wash it or something.  Chicks love the Monster!

[bryant8]

The 848 is a great bike,  I love mine through the first 2800miles I've put on it.  Comfort-wise, it's not a Monster.

I think you've made your case for keeping the S2R,

Okay.  I went on a demo ride last Saturday and tried the new 848.  I have to say that once I was done the hour ride, my back and neck were sore for hours.  I had a compression fracture in my spine and cracked tow vertebrae in my neck 25 years ago and since then have had many more injuries and the riding position is a killer for me.  I just LOVE my monster S2R800.  I can ride it forever and it fits me like a glove.  STILL......  I can't get over how good I look on this bike.  For pure chick appeal, i almost have to buy one and suffer the pain.  All I get now looking at my bike are guys!!  Either that or I need to buy some red leathers, or try and trade out my tank fenders and cowl for red.  Argh!     My bike is a gloss black 2007 and the dealer is suggesting I wait until next year since he figures they will be coming out with an 848s version for a couple of thousand more.  Not sure what to do.  I'll probably kill myself on it by driving stupid.  I can use almost everything my S2R800 has and stay alive, while the 848 might get me into trouble.....especially if more chicks are digging it!   

The 848 makes a great trackday bike, mine will end up a full time trackbike once I locate another Monster  

[ODrides]

Don't get a bike you'll be miserable on!  Also, instead of getting a chick by buying yourself a bike, try buying her some flowers.  It's much cheaper too!

[raulduke]

If she doesn't dig your Monster maybe it's not big enough....the chicks love mine 

848 is cool but if it's not comfortable take a pass.

[DucDodgers]

Get an S4Rs, you get the excitement of a superbike and get to keep the comfort of the Monster. Chicks dig the Monster more anyway, most can't tell the difference bwt a red 848 and a red CBR. And the one's that can will probably dig the monster more. If you really want to get the chicks you should be riding around in just your boots and helmet. That's how I met my wife, au'natural

[Pancake81]

You know what the right thing to do is. As for the S4RS comment; probably a good idea. It also sounds like the monster would be the better choice for your self preservation 

[monsterduc]

Okay.  I went on a demo ride last Saturday and tried the new 848.  I have to say that once I was done the hour ride, my back and neck were sore for hours.  I had a compression fracture in my spine and cracked tow vertebrae in my neck 25 years ago and since then have had many more injuries and the riding position is a killer for me.  I just LOVE my monster S2R800.  I can ride it forever and it fits me like a glove.  STILL......  I can't get over how good I look on this bike.  For pure chick appeal, i almost have to buy one and suffer the pain.  All I get now looking at my bike are guys!!  Either that or I need to buy some red leathers, or try and trade out my tank fenders and cowl for red.  Argh!     My bike is a gloss black 2007 and the dealer is suggesting I wait until next year since he figures they will be coming out with an 848s version for a couple of thousand more.  Not sure what to do.  I'll probably kill myself on it by driving stupid.  I can use almost everything my S2R800 has and stay alive, while the 848 might get me into trouble.....especially if more chicks are digging it!   

So, you are uncomfortable on it and you think you'll get into a variety of trouble....

The getting into trouble part is enough for me, I have no throttle discipline so I now have a rule:  No street motorcycles with over 100 hp.

This rule has been in effect for over 3 years and the results are one speeding ticket on the local mountain road.  Prior to the rule, when my TL1000R was street legal, I averaged a speeding ticket per year and one reckless driving ticket.

Besides it's fun to ride a slower bike closer to its, my and the legal limits than to always have to restrain yourself.   [moto]

[ryandalling]

I had an S2R800.... sold it to get my 848. I do miss the 848 at times. But the 848 is so much fun... and gets so many looks. Well... she is worth it.    I do not notice much soreness after riding... but I just have 1200 miles on her... maybe I need to wait and see after putting many many more down on her. 

[uclabiker06]

Honestly I don't think your 848 will get more attention from chicks.  I mean most girls don't even know the difference between a ninja 250 and a 1098.

[silentbob]

Women definitely like the SBK over the Monster.  I can't believe how many women want rides on the 1098 over the S4R.  The only people who stared at the Monster were guys.  It makes sense though.  Look at how many guys will go to a strip club vs women and how many women will go to a fashion show vs men.  Men like naked women.  Women think clothes make the man.  Very simple.

Now as far as the comfort thing.  I have two fractured cervical vertebrae too and I don't have a problem on the 1098 or the 848.  You need to spend a week on the bike and then it will be more comfortable than the Monster.  You should have less neck and wrist strain on the SBK if you are riding it properly.  When you get on one after riding a standard for a while, you will try to ride it like a standard and that will be uncomfortable.  You can also add rearsets, a Sargent seat, and Helibars to change the ergos.

[mihama01]

I say keep practical, ride what you are comfortable with. If you want to buy now then look at a S4R(s) or (Sorry) Triumph SpeedTriple. I think an 848 engined monster is at least two years away.

I assume they will launch an 1098 engined bike first

Ducati always seem to release the high performance (i.e. high profit margin) model first. 1098 then 848, S4Rs then plain S4R.

I think the 696 was different because it was a high risk venture, they couldn't afford to launch a high end monster that wouldn't be popular so they tested the concept with a 696 first.

But an aircooled S2R 1100S would be so cool in the interim!

[silentbob]

But an aircooled S2R 1100S would be so cool in the interim!

So far the 1100 is not very impressive.  100 more cc's and 5 less HP. 

[Dockstrada]

The 848 would be a sweet ride id go for it 
But keep the monster if you can you will  miss it 

[somegirl]

Honestly I don't think your 848 will get more attention from chicks.  I mean most non-riders girls don't even know the difference between a ninja 250 and a 1098.

Fixed for you.
Oh and, http://ducatimonsterworldwide.org/index.php?topic=2613.0

Women definitely like the SBK over the Monster.  I can't believe how many women want rides on the 1098 over the S4R.  The only people who stared at the Monster were guys.  It makes sense though.  Look at how many guys will go to a strip club vs women and how many women will go to a fashion show vs men.  Men like naked women.  Women think clothes make the man.  Very simple.

Women also prefer guys that can still move once they are off the bike, and haven't crippled themselves riding it.