696 to 848

[ptam]

Waaaaaaaaaaaay too much bike for a new rider. Although the 848's a great bike, I strongly recommend sticking with the Monster for a year or more. You'll get to the bigger bikes when you're ready: and by then the used models will be more plentiful.

+1!!!!!

The 848 is entirely suited for high performance track duties. As a daily ride, in the greater urban environment, it's just not pleasant. 1st, maybe 2nd gear, pipes under your arse, cooking you while you putter along in traffic... the list goes on. Wide open track, or good roads, it's a champ!

But as DQ has stressed, and taking into account your previous incident, it is far too much bike and power for a new rider. Just as an example of it's ferocity... it makes a good 30ish HP more than my 916!
I've dialed in a few 848's, and they never cease to amaze me with their sheer power. If you know how to use it's power, and capabilities, it will be an incredible ride. If you don't, it will surely be disaster.

But again, like DQ said, stick with the monster. You'll live longer.

+11tblyn.  I think I was on my 03 620 for about a year and a half before I went to the S2R1K.  Being that you are new, I don't think upgrading this quickly would be the best move.  As it takes a while to develop good throttle and brake control, the 696 is going to be much more forgiving to mistakes with them than the 848 will.  I notice my S4RS is much touchier than my 620 ever was.

Right now the economy is soft and there is push to try and sell what inventory they've got.  The MSRP deal for an 848 will always be there later.  Although 7K does sound fair, you really are better off riding it a while first and in a year, if you want to upgrade, sell it then privately.  You've already got some sunk depreciation costs so you might as well enjoy it. 

[Zee]

As someone who is accustomed to riding a 150rwhp, Ohlins sprung SBK, riding my former flatmates 695 was, well, it was just more fun. It wasn't as fast, didn't handle as well, was too low, too soft, didn't brake as well... But... IT WAS FUN!

Don't get me wrong, I love my SBK, but a Monster just gives me more giggles on trips down the road to the movies, the cafe, or just going for a spin around the block.

Z...

[pwndrew]

I have an 848 my last bike was an S2R 800. I've tried riding the 848 to work and it is a blast on the way there when there is no traffic. On the way home though it is complete hell. The bike feels like it was designed to torture you, like it's mad at you for taking it in stop and go traffic. It abuses your wrist and back and burns the living crap out of you butt and inner thighs. I paid $11500 for my 848 used with 400 miles. There is no way I would give a  dealer $3000 more just to have a brand new bike.

[Juan]

no yet..!     

[r_ciao]

707soldier,

I have heard/read that's it's better to be a good rider on a slower/smaller bike than a bad rider on a powerful bike.  The important thing, other than staying alive, is to know what kind of riding you want to do.  The reason I bought the M696 is to ride in the East Bay hills, particularly in my area with little traffic, and wide open, smooth roads.  It's great for doing little errands around town too.

Just my two cents.

[ghostrider]

if you truly don't like the monster and are looking for something a little sportier have a look at the supersport line. the 750SS would be a good choice. SBK styling and monster power.

[Desmostro]

if you truly don't like the monster and are looking for something a little sportier have a look at the supersport line. the 750SS would be a good choice. SBK styling and monster power.

+1 That's an awesome good ride. I've ridden Desmoquarttro's SS (SuperSport) on many occasions and loved every second. It's sporty but better in traffic. Not great like a monster, but better than a SBK. Plus its a good long distance bike. I took D4's to the GP last year - no sweat. Very comfy.

One note of caution: The turning circle is mighty wide. You'd better be real good at hammering out a tight turn with a confident lean. Challenging in traffic. Otherwise a surprisingly forgiving machine.

[ROBsS4R]

Stick with the 696 for a while.

The 848 ergo's are so much different and they are more exspensive to repair if you drop them 

[ducnymph]

Hey 707,  I have a little experience in this dept so I think I can share here.

I recently sold my 748 sbk for another monster. Way less torture and lots more fun! I figured out Ducati sbk's are just pure weapons of speed and that day-to-day riding is no fun. I basically only rode during non-commute hours in the evening and to go out the twisties. Overall, having a an sbk cut into the amount of time I actually rode because it was so uncomfortable.

I had a 620 for two years, rode he hell out of it, loved it, but then decided I wanted something more. I got the 748 and it became a whole new deal. Learning how to ride it included several challenges: severe lean angle, dry clutch, hitting harder on the gas, and turning -- it freakin' hated turning unless my weight was shifted dramatically off the bars and off the bike! Not an experience for a new rider! This would have been a huge mistake for me if I didn't have several years of day-to-day riding and lots of twisties under my belt.

Now that I have the new 696, I can actually chill out, but still ride spiritedly and not feel like I'm at a racetrack everytime I go out. Ideally, I'd eventually like to get another sbk when I have the time, money, and more garage space exclusively for track and sport riding. But for now the Monster is the most versatile and fun bike out there! The bike you have is the same bike I have now, and I'm an experienced rider and having a total blast on it! You can reach your threshhold on this bike faster then you'll ever be able to reach it on the 848, and there's a total satifaction in knowing that you can ride the sh$t outta something.

The 848 has way too much room for a new rider to grow into. Learn how to ride the 696 well, then think about getting something else 

[cloudseeker]

I want to try an 848...but like the previous poster, my experience went from:

M750
748s
M1000ds

So far the last is by far my favorite.  The sbk was awesome, but truly painful in traffic, or anything longer than about 2.5 hours.  I've ridden the monster 12 hours with less suffering and more fun.

On the track the 748 was another story...not painful, lots o' fun.

Does sound fun though...what is it, guessing something like 40+% more horsepower over the 748, and lots less weight?  Yow.

[kutter]

You might want to have a look at this thread, this discussion was had before, a few people that have had or still have both commented.

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=2636.0

[Vindingo]

I with Kaveh... Turbo Busa is where it's at


I regret getting a 620... especially on the 7 hour ride through the SC mountains I did yesterday.  It probably wouldn't have been as hard to stay infront of the kid on his brand new 1kRR if I was on a TB    [moto]

Throw some spray paint on that 696 and you wont feel so bad having Ducati's new "girl" bike. 


(im just bustin' your balls! small monsters kick ass)

[sugarcrook]

The various reasons stated above are why I'm thinking about getting rid of my 848.  It was an impulse buy and I regret it. 

[sh]

I'm seriously thinking of trading up from a 696 with full Termis to a 848.

Do you want more power?  If so, buy a bigger monster.

Do you want a track bike?  If so, buy a 748 or 749.

If you want something in between, buy an SS or a bigger monster with clip ons.

Have you ridden an 848?  It is not a bike for new riders.  It has sick power and no tolerance for mistakes.

[kutter]

I'm getting a real vibe here that the 848 is not well liked. I will admit that I had to adjust my thinking some when I got it. It is somewhat more task specific than my Monster was but IMHO not to the extent that everyone here is stating here. I ride it almost daily, that is before the voltage regulator went out and it has to go in for repair. I commuted to work on it before I retired. It is something of a compromise but it is all in what you want. As I stated in the other thread I will get another Monster but for now I still love my 848.

If you cannot show some self control then I do not recommend buying one, it can be a very unforgiving scooter if you do not respect it.

As for someone saying just go ahead and buy the 1098, well $3K is a pretty big difference and I cannot make use of all the power that the 848 makes yet and I suspect that if I get to the point that I can drive it to 9/10ths I will be happy so why would I need a 1098? An 848 is faster on a short twisty track, the 1098 needs longer straights to take advantage of its power; and on the road, either one of them will carry you well over 150MPH. How fast do you need to go? This is just all my .02 so take it for what it is worth.