Do I really want a 1098S

[Popeye the Sailor]

It sounds like it's pure lust.


If you're not buying it cash or mostly so, I would walk. Lust wears off, then all you have is an annoying payment.

[hillbillypolack]

You have to be realistic and ask yourself "how" you ride.

You gonna take it to the track?  120mph on the highway?  Or are you in a blessedly curvaceous area of the nation to liberate that bike's power?

The reason I ask is that I had a dream bike in the shape of a 748.  I ended up selling in because I couldn't take advantage of what it offered in the area I lived.  It was crampy, did not like traffic and always wanted to go faster faster faster.

Which is the blessing as well as the problem.

be realistic.  And if you can't use 75% of what that bike brings, walk.  It's better to ride a slower bike fast that a faster bike slow.

But I sure am hoping I move to a spot where I can use a Streefighter some day.

[swampduc]

No, it didn't come with a slipper. That's a nice touch. I'll bet that even with that and the termi system, you could ride out at a lower price. I personally can't see regretting a duc sbk with full ohlins, unless the regret is over money. Good luck whichever way you go.

[koko64]

Koko64:  If you read my signature, you will see I do have a M1100.  That is one reason the 1098 is screaming at me more than the S4.

Muskrat, Trouble, NuTTs:  I know the S4 is mucho more powerful than the 1100 and that the S4 is a much better "real world" bike but I much prefer the look of the air cooled Monsters, especially after all the work I've done to mine.  Again, why the 1098 is just drawing me.

Swampduc:  $14.8K doesn't take into account the full Termi exhaust and DP tuner/air cleaner.  I know that upgrades usually don't keep resale value but that is why they are pushing it at higher than KBB.

He Man:  I guarantee; if I buy, I'll fly!!

I forgot to mention, the 1098 has the open clutch cover and slipper clutch.  Did the 1098 come with a slipper?

I had Heli-Bars on my '99 TL1000S; they helped but didn't completely eliminate the problem.  I usually have the most trouble with my wrist in slower traffic such as around town.

I know I don't need a Ducati SBK.  It's kinda like sex; you can live without it but what fun is that.

The shop was closed today so I'll see what I can do on the price tomorrow.  I know it's a buyers market (in fact I pointed that out to the salesman and he agreed).  I'll bring that up to him again when he calls me tomorrow.

Sorry mate, well that explains everything.

Maybe sell the HD and Kwaka to reduce repayments. Or keep 'em all.

If you can afford it why not? As they say, can't take it with you.

Maybe look for a retired Ducati superbike racer for a track bike and keep your licence? Or a smashed 1098/1198 at the auctions to turn into a track bike.

It's great to have a bike that can be set up for the track with no compromise and no road gear on it to smash. Means you can go as fast as possible. You can relax and not worry about smashing your lovely road bike at the track.

[Grampa]

what you need is a dark 1098

[muskrat]

I too liked the air cooled only but the S4 grew on me personally and I for one like all the plumbing exposed, adds character IMO.  Whatever you choose ride it first but a bad wrist might be a bummer after some $15+k spent.  Oh, and I don't hate you because you own a Hardley - so do I.  [moto]

[Raux]

well here's the thing... when you are so old you can only sit on the porch and think about your past experiences... would you want to say...

1) I'm glad I didn't get that Superbike for reasons 1, 2, 3 etc.
2) I'm glad I got to experience the Superbike for reasons 1, 2, 3, etc.

Personally, I hope I don't make excuses when I'm there for things I never did.

[slyfox]

Just get yourself the one that screams the loudest ....... seems to me its the 1098 ......

[koko64]

well here's the thing... when you are so old you can only sit on the porch and think about your past experiences... would you want to say...

1) I'm glad I didn't get that Superbike for reasons 1, 2, 3 etc.
2) I'm glad I got to experience the Superbike for reasons 1, 2, 3, etc.

Personally, I hope I don't make excuses when I'm there for things I never did.

Well said.

[Wonked]

well here's the thing... when you are so old you can only sit on the porch and think about your past experiences... would you want to say...

1) I'm glad I didn't get that Superbike for reasons 1, 2, 3 etc.
2) I'm glad I got to experience the Superbike for reasons 1, 2, 3, etc.

Personally, I hope I don't make excuses when I'm there for things I never did.

If I got a 1098s I wouldn't be in a position to think about past experiences for very long. A very wise person once said that it's easier to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow. With the words "fast" and "slow" being obviously relative.

Not to threadjack, but I tell this story all the time, at my own expense - I went from a Suzuki GS500 to a Katana to an SV650 to a Hayabusa (I was, for a time, a Suzuki loyalist). Ultimately, I settled on a M695. It does what I want it to do, at speeds that are always manageable and occasionally ridiculous (when I want them to be), has plenty of pinache/soul, and is loud enough to summon Lucifer. The Hayabusa (say what you will about it, they are excellent machines) made me feel like I could drink a cup of coffee and read the paper on it at 100MPH. That's what cars are for.

I don't think there's anything more you could do on the 1098S than (any) Monster that would qualify as even remotely legal.

$.02

[dennisd]

well here's the thing... when you are so old you can only sit on the porch and think about your past experiences... would you want to say...

1) I'm glad I didn't get that Superbike for reasons 1, 2, 3 etc.
2) I'm glad I got to experience the Superbike for reasons 1, 2, 3, etc.

Personally, I hope I don't make excuses when I'm there for things I never did.

Well sir, that's probably one of the main reasons I'm considering the 1098.  The emotions say this is the ultimate of sexy machines (not just the 1098 but Ducati SBKs in general).  I'm now 54 years old and I am thinking I want the experience before it's too late to do so.

Hillbillypolak:  (Love that handle).  The area I live is one of the main reasons I say I won't be able to use the bike to anywhere near it's potential (besides my own limited ability).  I'm near Houston so it's pretty flat and there aren't a lot of curvy roads unless I ride a while to get to some.

Wonked:  That is the other reason I hesitate.  Even on my M1100 it's kinda like I can hear the bike saying "common, why you so slow; LETS GO!"  Again, it is coming down to emotional want more than any kind of need for more potential.

To everyone else: I have had my own business for the last 21 years and it has been what I consider successful.  I'm by no means rich but I'd say comfortable.  Have some retirement set up and if I can collect at least most of the money owed my company during the current economic bad times, I should be pretty much set by the time I retire.  Only reason I'm hesitating is because my dream is to buy around 20 to 50 acres in the country to build a retirement home on.  Every time I buy another bike I set that dream back.  I have no debts currently (all vehicles, home and weekend property paid for) and I'd pay cash if I get the 1098.

Round and round I go... I still don't know...

[Michael Moore]

Hi dennisd,

I had a similar experience to you, stopping by my local duc shop, and made the mistake of going for a test spin on the Streetfighter. Immediately realized I was in deep, deep doo-doo, and would have to buy the damn thing.

Being about the same age as you (OK, older) I find the full-on sportbike ergos really limit my fun after more than a half hour of riding. So for me the SF really fit the bill: amazing performance in a day-to-day friendly package. Of course the 1098 is a more beautiful bike than the SF, but for me I was willing to make that tradeoff.

At any rate, even though it wasn't a rational decision (who really needs 155hp on the street?) I haven't regretted the purchase for a second. I'd go for it again in a heartbeat.  That's my story, YMMV.

[Wonked]

My opinion should probably be mitigated by the fact that I couldn't afford the 1098 if I wanted to (unlike you), so perhaps I am rationalizing. That said, as I get older I am really trying to learn to be happy with less.

[DRKWNG]

well here's the thing... when you are so old you can only sit on the porch and think about your past experiences... would you want to say...

1) I'm glad I didn't get that Superbike for reasons 1, 2, 3 etc.
2) I'm glad I got to experience the Superbike for reasons 1, 2, 3, etc.

Personally, I hope I don't make excuses when I'm there for things I never did.

I completely agree with that was said here.  I saw my pops go through life afraid to spend any money, and in effect live, and do nothing but save for that proverbial rainy day.  It was funny because at the time I was the complete opposite of that.  Now as I get older I find myself turning more and more to that philosophy and it kind of worries me.  If you are in a position that you can buy the toy with cash, and not set yourself back by a significant amount than I say go for it. 

And on other front, you do have quite a few bikes in the garage.  How often do you ride them?  If you don't use one, or a few of them, all that much, let them go to offset to cost of your dream.

[dennisd]

I completely agree with that was said here.  I saw my pops go through life afraid to spend any money, and in effect live, and do nothing but save for that proverbial rainy day.  It was funny because at the time I was the complete opposite of that.  Now as I get older I find myself turning more and more to that philosophy and it kind of worries me.  If you are in a position that you can buy the toy with cash, and not set yourself back by a significant amount than I say go for it. 

And on other front, you do have quite a few bikes in the garage.  How often do you ride them?  If you don't use one, or a few of them, all that much, let them go to offset to cost of your dream.

I ride at least one just about every day (rain is the only stopper).