Ducati 848 / 1098 - opinions wanted!

steveh · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Karma :

Im looking for some riders opinions on the 848 and the 1098, I'm getting tired of not getting my jolly's out of my Zx10r on the road, I only seem to get my kicks when I'm ringing its neck at prison speeds, and riding like an absolute peenus, I have a track bike for that, but I still very much enjoy road riding.

I want something with hoonability, with plenty of wheelie grunt and something that can take my 6"1 chassis without feeling to cramped.
I understand Ducati's are fairly tight, ive ridden a few of the older models (748/996) but I just want to know what they are like, power wise, handling, any known issues to look out for and what are they like to live with.

Steve.
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Current : 06 Zx10r, 07 Wr450f SM, 74 850 norton commando, 63 bsa b40, 1962 Triton 650, 67 Triumph Tr6r, 1955 Triton 750, 1978 TY250E.

Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

Typically Italian really. I know of one bike that spat a fuel line all over the exhaust. Fortunately it didn't explode.

I would say RC8/RSV1000 over the 1098.

However if you want more fun rather than outright speed, look at the supernakeds.

Superduke/Tuono/S1000R etc.
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arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

I was going to say superduke -more hooligan than you can shake a stick at.

kgm · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2015 Karma :

I was also going to suggest a supernaked. The older Tuono twin is a blast, haven't tried the V4. Superduke is likely even better and would fit you well.

Sorry I can't help with the Ducati's. Lovely looking machines but I still think they're more sportbike the hoonbike.

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

If you'd just pay more than tree fiddy for a bike, Paddy.... Laughing

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

MaybeGuy · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Karma :

Why not 1198? Pretty much the final and best model of that range.

I'm not biased...

Points of weakness:
Reg/rec
Sprag clutch

That's pretty much it.

Power wise I'm 6'2, 100kg and it'll power wheelie off the throttle in 3rd gear.
Basically power wise think of a ktm 450sx that doesn't top out at 80.
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!! Mr. Green

Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

1198 · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Karma :

My 1198 was a bit of an animal. 75% of the time the GSXR750 which I replaced with it was the better bike - more comfortable, reliable, smoother, and 'real world quick'. It wouldn't pull top gear unless you were doing motorway speeds (ahem!), although it loosened up noticeably after a few thousand miles. It didn't like starting when warm, in fact refused to start after two weeks of ownership to get on the IoM ferry. It loosened a oil pipe twice, shitting oil onto the rear tyre and brake disc / pad and needing recovering not once but twice. The fuel range could be as low as 75 miles (on the road, not necessarily on track). It boiled my arse regularly in anything approaching town traffic.

For the other 25% of the time though, it more than made up for it. Quick shifting up the Mountain course, Cadwell, Castle Combe, any fast flowing A road, absolutely amazing. The noise, mid range power, handling (after a suspension set up for my use) and sheer ability of the thing repaid all the nuisances easily. It rewarded my three hours sat by the A5 in a pool of oil, amid sniggers by Japanese 4 riders, waiting for my friends in the AA.
It wasn't particularly a 'fun' bike to ride. It was demanding, and its limits far higher and unapproachable on the road than I'd ever know. Yes, it'd wheelie, but not with the grin factor that you'd get from a decent, high bhp naked, however, on the right roads, it was unbelievable, and full of character in a way that in my mind a Japanese 4 isn't.

If anybody has waded through my wall of text and reached this, they may notice I refer to the bike in the past tense. This is because I've now traded it in, and bearing in mind the knowledge of the frustrations, rewards, cost and tears with the 1198, replaced it with a 1299S. I just don't learn - but then again, a Ducati just isn't bought with the head...

steveh · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Karma :

Thanks for the advice guys, just need to find one to sit on and possibly try wangle a test ride on one!

Steve.
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Current : 06 Zx10r, 07 Wr450f SM, 74 850 norton commando, 63 bsa b40, 1962 Triton 650, 67 Triumph Tr6r, 1955 Triton 750, 1978 TY250E.