696 to 848

[707soldier]

I need everyone's input,
I'm seriously thinking of trading up from a 696 with full Termis to a 848.

Dealer giving me $7,000 for my 696 trade in.
Selling me 848 for msrp $13,454.
Kindly discuss the trade in value I should I get for my 696.
Go or No-go?

Thank you in advance

[desmoquattro]

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.

[707soldier]

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.

I understand, how about the trade in value?
Is that reasonable and fair?

[desmoquattro]

I understand, what do you about the value?

With Termis? 7k is a bit low. As a general rule of thumb, you can get more for the bike and nice bits in a private party sale. Might take a bit longer and involve some hassle, but people generally say to remove the shiny bits, sell them separately (eBay, etc), and sell as stock a bike as you can put back together.

But I can't emphasize the "848 is too much bike" thing too much. That Monster is a fine bike, and will keep you out of trouble 

[707soldier]

With Termis? 7k is a bit low. As a general rule of thumb, you can get more for the bike and nice bits in a private party sale. Might take a bit longer and involve some hassle, but people generally say to remove the shiny bits, sell them separately (eBay, etc), and sell as stock a bike as you can put back together.

But I can't emphasize the "848 is too much bike" thing too much. That Monster is a fine bike, and will keep you out of trouble 

You are 100% right, I'll follow your advice.
That's why I love DMF, you can get reasonable advice anytime.
Thanks Desmo,
BTW are you going to the next Marin meet.

[desmoquattro]

You are 100% right, I'll follow your advice.
That's why I love DMF, you can get reasonable advice anytime.
Thanks Desmo,
BTW are you going to the next Marin meet.

I'm hoping to be there. Not sure about DMF night (at Zeitgeist in SF) next week though.

[TCK!]

Hayabusa.

In all seriousness, SBK's are better fit for the track. I found that unless I was riding the street like it was a track I wasn't comfortable and the bike didn't feel right. I was even more uncomfortable on the 848 then the 748.

[707soldier]

I'm hoping to be there. Not sure about DMF night (at Zeitgeist in SF) next week though.

Cool, I'll see you there. I'll bring 20's this time  

[707soldier]

Hayabusa.

In all seriousness, SBK's are better fit for the track. I found that unless I was riding the street like it was a track I wasn't comfortable and the bike didn't feel right. I was even more uncomfortable on the 848 then the 748.

I hear you, my 696 rides really good on the street.
Many people tells me that the 848 does not ride good on city streets.

[Kaveh]

I got things i want to throw in here:

1)  The 696 is so now, that you might not get that much more than 7k in a private sale.  If someone wants a 696, they might as well spend a bit more and get a fresh on from a dealer.  7k sounds fair for a no hassle trade in.

2)  The 848 is waaay different than a 696, not talking power wise, just how/why you ride it.  Obviously the 848 is a whole lot more powerful, but as TCK already said, it was meant for a whole different type of riding environment.  Are you sure you want to get a sbk?  If the issue was that you weren't fully satisfied with the power of the 696, I suggest going with a bigger monster and/or mods to make it lighter.  Either that or a turbo Busa  [moto] 

I rode a 1098 for a day and afterwards I thought to myself that I would only want a bike like that for the track.  It's the ergos, power delivery and the ease of whipping a monster side to side that makes me want to have a monster over a sbk for the street.  Long sweepers and track like conditions is where I would want to push the sbk to my limits.

[Kaveh]

I forgot to add, if I was to get a ducati sbk, get the 1098.  It's a bit more and totally worth it for the extra motor. 

[duckwrench13]

But I can't emphasize the "848 is too much bike" thing too much. That Monster is a fine bike, and will keep you out of trouble 

+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.

[707soldier]

+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.

For sure, thats why I ask the pro before doing anything, Thanks!

[Desmostro]

Having ridden a monster for a couple of years and now an 848 for a few months I think I can speak to this question as well.

My commute is 3 miles in traffic. When I get there on the 848, my engine is 210F degrees and my ass in on fire  . Never had that issue with the monster. In fact I liked riding the monster in traffic as I felt I could dominate everyone, head up, higher than cars, able to see far, loose, agile, torchy as hell. Always able to out-zip everything else on the road. Easy to make radical maneuvers around everyone.

The 848 is a dream out in Marin in the mountains. It however is quite delicate in traffic, more vulnerable. The riding position is head down, very low unable to see over the cars.  The controls are made for the tiny movements one makes at 110MPH, NOT the big movements one makes in traffic. Its made without apology to change lanes with the flick of an eyebrow at 80. It really detests 35MPH. You have to really bend your wrists too much to do that kind of ridding.  Its staunch race stance makes it incredibly touchy in gravely bumpy corners in the city. Its very easy to loose the front end out from under you. The breaks you use with one finger, very gently, or you're going to go over the front end on your nose. Much more touchy than the monster.

For second you'd be throwing a lot of money away on the value of the monster which is brand new. Someone will always want to sell you something my friend. They will sell you an 848 this weekend and then sell you a Triumph the next weekend. They don't know what you want or what you need. A new bike wont take away the disappointments that come from learning. You have to get back on that horse and ride man. Tame it. Learn what kind of rider you are before you go spend a lot more $.  You have one of the best bikes made. A Monster is NOT a beginner bike in my opinion. That would be a Ninja 250. What you've got is a balls out street-fighter of the highest caliber. It's one of the most versatile Ducatis which is why its so popular. 

Find out what kind of rider you are.


Monster: Good for everything


848 : Very specialized

[Michael Moore]

Nice graphics to illustrate the point! 


It's not the same bike, but for the same reasons my R6 pretty much sits in the garage unless I'm going to the track. It's way more pleasant to get to work and stuff on the monster or vespa.