Differences Between the 749 and 999

[Monsterlover]

Yeah there are. I don't have roads like you do. Not too many around here I could put a knee on.

To be perfectly honest I rode the 999 yesterday and was thinking about my old 675. Its almost too much for the street. I only need four gears and even then i keep the tach between 4 and 6k. There's just not enough room here to exploit this bike even a little.

that being said, its pretty fun. It sounds like a rolling earth quake and everyone looks.

Its easy to go fast on and its engine is pretty smooth for a twin.

I finally found a good spot for the rear sets so that made it a lot more comfy.  And speaking of...the OEM seat doesn't bother me at all.

I do have somewhat of an issue sticking to the tank in the turns so I may order those tank grippy type pads.

So to sum it up...great bike but in not sold yet. Only put 100 miles on so far though...

[The Bacon Junkie]

I was the same way... At first.   I took her to one of my favorite spots, a twisty pass road that parallels the freeway for a couple miles between two exits.  I was faster on the 60hp Monster than I was on the 140hp beast! 

Now, after almost 5,000 miles in 4.5 months, I'm not as slow. 

I have no problems with the stock seat either.    in the twisties, I'm not sitting on it long enough between turns to notice, but riding it up to Santa Barbara pretty much every weekend on the slab hasn't caused me any undue angst either.

I don't seem to have any problems with the tank in corners.   Usually, my outside elbow is touching the tank, as well as my outside knee.  My torso is off to one side, so the outside of my ribs feel like they're on the inside of the tank. (hope I'm conveying this right)
 
For the first several hundred miles I was having second thoughts.  It was like I had to learn how to ride all over again.  I was a little frustrated, to say the least.  Now, after several thousand, I'm much more relaxed.  I'm trusting the bike, the suspension, the amazing level of grip from that big-ass 190 out back.  I'm able to twist it a little harder without freaking out so much.  I'm still not WOT hardly ever, just an occasional freeway on-ramp.    There's just no need to.

But in the twisties... Oh, those magical twisties!  Now I find myself going through turns a lot faster, with less effort.  The bike is so smooth and easy to control.  If I need to change lines mid-turn, I just have a thought and the bike does it.  If I come in a little hot and have to trail the front brake to the apex, she's so stable and unflappable.

This bike has much more capability than I do.  I can't wait to get to know her better and better as the miles and time goes by!  She's amazing.
Trust me.  Just wait and see!  [moto] You'll fall in love... I did.   
It took a little time, but I did. 

[Monsterlover]

That makes me feel a little better

[The Bacon Junkie]

That makes me feel a little better

Glad to help! 

[He Man]

It had a salvage title in New Mexico.   It's near perfect, though.  I had it inspected here in Cali and they gave me a clean title.   

Oh, and I didn't drop 5 grand on it.   I dropped $2500 on it. 

WHAT THE...I DUB THEE DEAL KING!!!! id rip out quaters and nickles to buy a 999 salvage for $2500.

[The Bacon Junkie]

The seller wanted $5000 for it.

After selling my Monster,  out of pocket for me, including driving out to Albuquerque and back, meals, gas, and the CA DMV was roughly $2500...

Since I ended up with a new bike, the money from the monster was free (sorta) so I only count what I had to beg, borrow, steal, and scrape up to buy it outright. 

Hence, I figure I picked it up for only $2500...

Now, since it has a clean title, I could make the argument that I didn't pay anything at all, since I could probably sell it for 8+ grand... 

[He Man]

5k is still a steal for that thing. I wont be able to afford it, but id by it.

ive been looking at salvage auctions. Id love to be able to pick up something someone thinks is trash for the track....like a 999. id be happy with a 749 too.

[Mac_48]

thanks for all of this feedback about the bike guys, this really is good info 

[The Bacon Junkie]

Well, I think I'm going to have to got for a long ride through the twisties tomorrow.  You know, strictly for information gathering and research purposes only. 

Then I can provide Mac_48 and monsterlover with more good intel..

I'm only riding for the common good... 

[Monsterlover]

Thanks for takin one for the team.

[psycledelic]

If I am forced to choose between a 749 or neither I would deffinately go for the 749    But hopefully there will be a 999 in my near future.  I just wish that it didn't cost 4k for new ohlins I will probably just be on the lookout for 999r takeoffs 

Look for a 999 S model.  They are equiped with ohlins and the used prices are close to the base models.  Or at least they seemed to be when I was looking around for mine.

Even though I am a little late to the advice party, but I have an S2R800 and a 999s. The triple9 makes my S2R feel like a scooter.  You will not be disappointed with the 999.  Your freshly roasted nuts might be, but you won't! 

[fastwin]

Good point Josh. The "S" models are definitly worth the extra money you might spend due to all the Ohlins magic that goes with them. It's easier to find a '03-'04 S model than an '05-'06. The only 999 in 2007 was the Parts Unlimited bike (150 made) and they were all S models. Folks seem to be holding tight to the '05-'06 999S bikes. For a good reason. [moto]

[Monsterlover]

I'm anti S because of the ti rods.

The 05 I just bought came with full ohlins.

So its a lot like the S

[swampduc]

I'm anti S because of the ti rods.

The 05 I just bought came with full ohlins.

So its a lot like the S

Yeah, you got the best of both worlds with that one. The solid base motor with some high level ohlins. Very nice bike, but setup is key with the r/t forks. They're amazing on decent pavement, but "boingy" on rough stuff 
I ended up with a good deal on a 1098s so I'm pretty happy myself.

[fastwin]

Yep, you got one sweet 999 for sure. Wish I could afford the Ohlins fork swap and mine would be very much like yours. Already have the damper and shock. Should have done it a few years ago when I had the coin to do it. I was just ready to pull the trigger and decided to wait. Instead my Ohlins funds went for food and mortgage. I was going to do forks and radial brake set up just like the S. Now, if I do anything, it may be just an Ohlins re-valve... or if I rob a 7-11 maybe a cartridge kit. Still, I'm real happy with my trip9. [moto]