Considering upgrading to a 1100 EVO

[SDRider]

I own an 1100 EVO and I've ridden the SF848 a couple times and I really liked the SF848.  So much so that I probably would have bought it instead of my 1100 EVO if it had been available at that time.  I have 8600 miles on my 1100 EVO and it does a lot of things well but it really isn't that much more powerful than your 796.  If you're wanting more than the 796 has you will probably be a bit underwhelmed by the 1100.  But hey, don't let me talk you out of one.  Go ride one and post up your impressions.

I love my bike and it is great fun in the canyons but I'm kind of hoping Ducati fixes the SF1098 so I can buy one of those.

[thought]

I love my bike and it is great fun in the canyons but I'm kind of hoping Ducati fixes the SF1098 so I can buy one of those.

What's there to fix? I think the SF1098 gets a bad rap because of the initial reviews... I was pretty hesitant to test it out at first because of them but now that I have one... I really have no idea why everyone says what they said about it.

In terms of front end feel I would say it's better than the monsters due to the better suspension, it doesnt wheelie like everyone says it does... though I agree that it doesnt turn in like the new monsters but those are really light compared to most bikes.  And if you do test one, I highly suggest the SFS not the base model.  I think a lot of people test the base and I think the forged rims do a lot more than people realize in terms of handling.

In fact I've recently heard a lot worse about the SF848 than the SF1098.  It seems that there can be more than a bit of headshake on the bike when pushed due to less weight on the front end and no steering damper.  Its why they put on a damper on the 848evo but they left it out on the SF848 due to price prob.

[philsu]

Scott:  That's a fine machine!  Me thinketh is hath dry clutch?  My back hasn't been the same since I got side swiped in my S2000 by a semi-truck who lost traction in the snow.  The monster is comfortable, but I'm thirsting for more performance.  However, comfort first, then performance.  Sucks being old.

SDRider:  thank you for your input.  I will take what you say into heart and make a clearer assessment when I go test ride one today.  I have a client meeting within two miles from the dealership, so I'll swing by for a test ride before I go back to the office.  I shall report back.

Thought:  I can't afford the SFS.  Let me stop lying.  I can afford it, but it's hard to hide the disappearance of 10K from the wife.  Wife owns guns and is a damn fine shot.  What you said in the last post about the SF848 is a bit disheartening.  I thought the new SF848 "fixed" the problems people were having with the "light front end."  Anyway, I'm going to go test ride and report back. 

Thanks everyone. 

[thought]

I was actually in your exact situation... had a 796 and I was going to trade it in for a sf848 but then had a '10 sfs come up around me that made it actually cheaper to get the sfs than the sf848.  If I were you, I'd ride both and then check to see if there is anything around used that looks good.

But yeah... I think with any of the choices listed in this thread you cant go wrong

[SDRider]

What's there to fix? I think the SF1098 gets a bad rap because of the initial reviews... I was pretty hesitant to test it out at first because of them but now that I have one... I really have no idea why everyone says what they said about it.

In terms of front end feel I would say it's better than the monsters due to the better suspension, it doesnt wheelie like everyone says it does... though I agree that it doesnt turn in like the new monsters but those are really light compared to most bikes.  And if you do test one, I highly suggest the SFS not the base model.  I think a lot of people test the base and I think the forged rims do a lot more than people realize in terms of handling.

In fact I've recently heard a lot worse about the SF848 than the SF1098.  It seems that there can be more than a bit of headshake on the bike when pushed due to less weight on the front end and no steering damper.  Its why they put on a damper on the 848evo but they left it out on the SF848 due to price prob.

True, I haven't actually ridden the SF so I'm just going by what I've read.

I have ridden the SF848 though and pushed it a bit and really liked the way it felt.  I certainly wouldn't discount it just because it doesn't have a steering damper.  You could always buy one of those for it later on.

[SDRider]

Well, I have ridden the 796 now and I have to admit... I was underwhelmed by it.  The clutch is a lot lighter and it is easy to toss around in traffic but the power is lacking especially on the freeway.

The reason I rode a 796 is that as I left work tonight I was riding along for a couple minutes when I made a turn and the bike just wouldn't go.  I'd give it throttle and the rev limiter lights would flash and it felt like it was going to stall.  No power at all.  Then it stalled.  So I started it back up and all this is happening while I'm coasting along in the bike lane, slightly downhill so I was picking up a little bit of speed.  As I'm coasting along I decide to turn it off completely for a few seconds so I do that, turn the ignition back on and it starts up and runs fine.  I gas up and head toward home.  

Fortunately, the Ducati dealer I bought my bike from is right off the freeway and I go by it every day so I swung in there to log my problem.  They plug the diagnostic into my bike and no fault codes but he noticed that the battery is not charging while the bike is running and it's down to 11.6 volts.  They are going to keep it overnight and call me tomorrow.  In the meantime, they gave me their 796 demo to putt around on.

So, I take back my statement that you will be underwhelmed by the power of the 1100 EVO.  It feels a lot more powerful than this bike.  I want my bike back.  The 796 would make a fine commuter but there's no way I'd ever have this as my only bike.

[philsu]

so, I went to the dealership and ended up not even test riding anything. I first asked them what they would give me for my bike. They were only willing to offer 7000 for my bike, which has 2300 miles on it, Termi slip on, DP edu and filter and 14T, and CRG levers.  With that, I would have to pay an entry fee of 6K for the 1100EVO and 8k for SF848 and over 10K for the SFS.  If the dealer had offered me more, I would have test ridden the EVO, but given that it doesn't make financial sense to do that, its time to shop for a damn track bike.  Make the beast with two backs! I'm going to find me a used 749.. Please be gentle with all the "I told you so."

side note... Dealer has a demo 796 with upgraded suspensions. I think they messed with the internals. I wasn't paying attention because I was pissed about the trade in price. Sounds like it costs about 1500 to do and it really firms up the bike.. I'm going to learn some more about it.  Sounds like it can make my soon to be just commuter bike ride better.

SDRider, sorry to hear about your EVO.  I hope they fix her up for you soon.

[thought]

They offered me the same for my 796 but I had 5800 miles on mine.  I sold it privately instead, it's really not worth it to trade in a newish bike.  The only time I traded in was my SV for the 796... the difference btwn private sale or trade in for that bike was around 500 and it was worth it to me to not have to deal with the hassle of selling it.

[SDRider]

They offered me the same for my 796 but I had 5800 miles on mine.  I sold it privately instead, it's really not worth it to trade in a newish bike.  The only time I traded in was my SV for the 796... the difference btwn private sale or trade in for that bike was around 500 and it was worth it to me to not have to deal with the hassle of selling it.

I had an '08 SV650 N with almost 17,000 miles on it and the dealer said they would give me $3000 for it.  I sold it myself for just under $4000.  It sold almost immediately and they had cash.

The SV is an easy bike to sell.

[El-Twin]

I'd give it throttle and the rev limiter lights would flash and it felt like it was going to stall.  No power at all.  Then it stalled. 

/Threadjack (sorry)

Side stand sensor? This might be worth it's own thread....

Inquiring EVO owners want to know.

/End threadjack

[SDRider]

/Threadjack (sorry)

Side stand sensor? This might be worth it's own thread....

Inquiring EVO owners want to know.

/End threadjack

Done.  Thread has been moved here:  http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=59364.0

By the way, I'm kind of enjoying the 796.  It feels lighter and easier to ride than the 1100 and it feels a bit softer sprung.  It's a great bike for commuting.  I was whipping through traffic this morning with ease.  I don't think I'd change a thing with this bike if I owned it.  Not even the front sprocket.  It is geared perfectly.  Feels a tad underpowered but it makes up for it in ease of riding.  The clutch is a lot lighter than my bike and it is much smoother.