Considering upgrading to a 1100 EVO

[philsu]

Dear Friends,

I currently own a 2011 Ducati 796 ABS.  At the time when I went into the dealership to buy a Duc, I had my eyes on the 1100S; however, the deal on the 796 was too good to pass up.  It came with Termi slip ons (airbox and ecu), 14T and CRG levers.  Oh yeah, they also threw in two years of extended warranty.  The difference in the price of entry for the 796 and 1100 was close to 4k, so I bought the 796, thinking the difference in performance would be negligible given rider skill.  I love the handling and the look of the monster, but coming from a Japanese Supersport, the Monster's power was found wanting.  This deficiency wasn't that big of a deal on weekend mountain road rides, but it is devastating on the track.  I constantly find myself pinning the throttle open, wishing the mill would churn out more, and the stock suspension always makes me wonder if I would be able to corner faster and harder had I had something adjustable.  I've been researching the 1100EVO and that bike sounds amazing.  Sure, it doesn't have Ohlins, but with almost 20 more horse powers, adjustable Marzocchi, Traction control, it might be a logical upgrade.  I'm guessing with the trade in, I might need to dump in another 4k or so to get the EVO.  My alternative will be to buy/build a dedicated track bike.  What do you guys think?  Any EVO owners out there?  Thank you for reading.

[thought]

If your only main issue is at the track you can pick up a trackbike pretty easy for 4k... and they tend to come fully set up for the track already.

Take a look here:

http://weraclassifieds.com/ad-category/motorcycles/

So unless you're dead set on riding a monster on the track, I'd get a trackbike.  And even then I would get a used SF over getting a 1100evo.

[kopfjäger]

The Monster is not a race bike.

[Scoober1103]

The Monster is not a race bike.

I agree with this after coming from super sports myself onto the Monster 1100 I would get a dedicated track bike and ride the monster everywhere else! I absolutely adore my bike for weekend twisties and mountain rides and the darn this is just so purdy but a track bike it aint! You would have to at least change rearsets as there pretty low and lowering the bars would be of benefit as well!

If you want to keep one bike then possibly an S4R or S4Rs that someone has already thrown some mods at would be better on the track but not sure what they sell for there as here a good one with low k's would be a few grand less then an evo!

Cheers,

Scott

[philsu]

I know the monster is not a race bike and I have no intention of racing that bike.

Thought:  I feel the power deficiency even on the streets, but I don't push my bike as hard on the streets as I do on the track, so it is not as apparent.  I try not to do too much aggressive riding on public roads, but when I WOT, I wished the bike had more power.  I used to have a track bike, but I sold it because I really wasn't riding it all that much.  Furthermore, I like to track what I ride because I believe it will make me a better rider.  I don't want to hone all of my skills on a japanese 4 and then try to apply track skills on an Italian twin on the road.  I'd rather track the monster so I know where the bike's limits are.  With that said, I have also looked into the SF; however, research shows that the rake on the SF and SFS doesn't allow the bike to track very well.  My instructor, who rides a Panigale advised against the Streetfigher as well for the same reason.  That's why I decided to stick with the monster.  Believe me, I would LOVE to have a SF848 (in yellow, sorry).  My back doesn't agree with sports bike's riding position anymore, so the monster is a good compromise for sportier riding and comfort.  If the 1100Evo really isn't going to be that much of an improvement, I'll just have to suck it up, deal with it and love it unconditionally.

Thanks for your responses.

[philsu]

Scott:  I agree, the bike is not a dedicated track bike.  I find myself scraping the pegs all the time and it's a bit hard on the nerves when you are riding something so pretty and you hear the "hhhaaaaarrqqqqq" when you hit the apex.  Have I reached the limit of what the 796 could offer? Probably not, but I think I can do so much more with the EVO with its beyond marginal improvements.  The SF848 has been on my list before it was even launched.  The reports of people lowsiding due to not enough weight on the front tyres is what's holding me back.  It's nice to go really straight really fast, but I think the fun comes when you're taking a corner hard.  Which 1100 do you have, if you don't mind me asking?

[thought]

Np man, but also... if you're looking at a sf848, the geometry is the exact same as the 848sbk.  No changes there so if that's a worry then you shouldnt worry about it... and I've tracked my sfs and I didnt run into any problems either.  In fact I'd say that the SF likes the track way more than it likes the street.  It was a very easy bike to ride around the track.

Its your call but I'd say that the SF is a pretty solid balance btwn a sbk and a monster right now and prob a better choice if you're looking to combine a trackbike with a streetbike.

Here's a vid of me on the sf... my 2nd trackday ever so please excuse any obvious flaws in my technique

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dVtVSBaYDA&feature=plcp

[The ModFather]

Scott:  I agree, the bike is not a dedicated track bike.  I find myself scraping the pegs all the time and it's a bit hard on the nerves when you are riding something so pretty and you hear the "hhhaaaaarrqqqqq" when you hit the apex.  Have I reached the limit of what the 796 could offer? Probably not, but I think I can do so much more with the EVO with its beyond marginal improvements.  The SF848 has been on my list before it was even launched.  The reports of people lowsiding due to not enough weight on the front tyres is what's holding me back.  It's nice to go really straight really fast, but I think the fun comes when you're taking a corner hard.  Which 1100 do you have, if you don't mind me asking?

Can you elaborate on these reports of people lowsiding due to not enough weight on the front tires? I'm looking at picking up a SF and hadnt heard this so I'd like to be fully informed here.

[The ModFather]

Np man, but also... if you're looking at a sf848, the geometry is the exact same as the 848sbk.  No changes there so if that's a worry then you shouldnt worry about it... and I've tracked my sfs and I didnt run into any problems either.  In fact I'd say that the SF likes the track way more than it likes the street.  I can post a vid if you want, it was a very easy bike to ride around the track.

Its your call but I'd say that the SF is a pretty solid balance btwn a sbk and a monster right now and prob a better choice if you're looking to combine a trackbike with a streetbike.

what he said... 

[thought]

Can you elaborate on these reports of people lowsiding due to not enough weight on the front tires? I'm looking at picking up a SF and hadnt heard this so I'd like to be fully informed here.

I've heard those stories too and I can say that you do get a lot less feedback compared to the 1199.  I rode that and was amazed at how much the suspension was telling me.  I did make a point of keeping my weight on the front as much as possible... but I'd say that any probs that the SF has in terms of weight on the front end the monster will have too.  It's just what you get when you have bars vs clipons.

[philsu]

Good Call, Thought.  I thought the SF848 has the same geometry as the SFS, hence I cut it from the roster.  I'll swing by the shop this week and test ride the SF848.  The SF has a more aggressive riding position than the Monster, so hopefully my back can handle it.  If I do end up getting a SF848, I will dedicate my first SF knee drag in your honor 

[Raux]

we went on a ride through Luxembourg led by a German from the Ducati dealer. He was on a SF848 and was killing us. even the fast riders were working hard, and he said he was taking it easy.
He loves the SF848 for the hills he said.

[Scoober1103]

Scott: Which 1100 do you have, if you don't mind me asking?

No worries at all, I've got a 2009 M1100 with SC Project slip-ons, DP ECU and K&N filter but have not dyno'd it yet so no idea of any significant gains over stock however it feels stronger and rides a hell of a lot smoother!

Mate I'm with you, one of the reasons for moving up to the monster is riding position as it suits my decrepit state and doesn't put pressure on my various past broken bones and inherited dodgy back! I may however wear out boot sliders on a frequent basis as I don't want to mess with the peg height! I personally found the SF riding position to not suit me even though I love the look of them!

I am interested in an S4Rs in white if one ever comes up in the right condition with the right k's and history but my wife tells me to keep dreaming and to be honest I prefer the look of my 1100 but you know................!

Cheers,

Scott

[mickyvee]

  I love my Evo, but I can touch down on the road, and I'm not a particularly aggresive rider, so track days would, I think, be a problem re: ground clearance. As has been said, the Evo is a terrific road bike, and there are much better, and cheaper, track bikes.

[JohnEE]

I would find one of these.....

And track the hell out of it....4k-5k for a superbike aint too shabby. I think you could carry over most of the skills you learn from the track. But that's just me and this is want i to do this eventually......