I've had a chance to think about that 1st test drive and have even managed to snag some extra time on the 848. Initially I was somewhat put off by the low end power, or should I say the lack of low end power. I also thought it was a bit sluggish in the handling dept.
Well, I take it all back. Sure, it doesn't have the same real low end yank the 1098/1198 has but it is not slow by any means. It won't have the top end that the big bikes have but come'on. How many times is there a race from 120 mph to 150 mph? On the street anyway. Not often. I talked to Brandon, who bought the red 848 that was used in the movie. He's almost finished breaking his in and he's also ridden the 1198 so he's qualified to compare the two also. He has the same opinion. The big bikes have big giggle power but they definitely need to be ridden with a more "heads up" approach. There's lots of talk of the rear end breaking loose in turns or the front wheel coming up in turns with the 1198. The 848 is more civilized so you get to use more of it more of the time.
The 848 has a lot in common with the 916 series design wise. The layout of the instruments & lights in the nose fairing is similar. The top triples are similar. The way the tank sits on the frame and how the seat blends into the tank harks back to the earlier bikes. With that setup also comes the leaned forward riding position. The Suzuki seemed to give the rider a few positions. You could sit back and cruise or you could scoot forward and over to get yourself in an aggressive ride/turn position. The Ducati just comes right out and puts you in that position. You might as well not argue with it and after a while you get used to it.
I brought up the riding position because after the first test ride I felt the bike was just a tad slower to turn than the Gixxer. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Once I got used to the riding position I found myself realizing the bike is like a knife. It slices amazingly well. Better than the Suzuki for sure but that just might be my Ducati bias showing itself. If we had good enough roads or a track I know I'd have a knee down no sweat. It just felt better in a corner at speed. The 848 also works a lot better and easier on Tantalus too. In fact, it's easier to pilot the 848 up there than the Monster. The bike definitely needs some rear suspension work as the back end is way too stiff & bouncy. I'm trying to get Anne to bring her bike down to the shop so we can measure/adjust sag and work on the damping. If I feel the back end bouncing around it must be hopping all around with her aboard.
I am real impressed with this ride.
so what's the plan, stan?
Me thinks a tasty new Italian red head will be in Rick's hands before long...
Quote from: DRKWNG on May 25, 2009, 10:08:23 PM
Me thinks a tasty new Italian red head will be in Rick's hands before long...
as well it should...
Quote from: teddy037.2 on May 25, 2009, 07:33:23 PM
so what's the plan, stan?
This could be sort of a last hurrah but I think I'm going to make the bank happy once more. It's not logical but it seldom is anyway. 8)
HOORAY!
Logic is for suckers! Let us live vicariously through your logical but impulsive ways!
So yours is white eh? Did you go to the bank already?
mac buys 848
lets teddy test ride
teddy sells soul to the devil for another bike and makes space in his living room to park one.
seems logical to me
Quote from: DRKWNG on May 27, 2009, 05:52:07 AM
So yours is white eh? Did you go to the bank already?
Yep.
Quote from: teddy037.2 on May 27, 2009, 09:10:46 AM
mac buys 848
lets teddy test ride
teddy sells soul to the devil for another bike and makes space in his living room to park one.
seems logical to me
I could see something like that happening. That's how I got to where I am.
Quote from: mac900 on May 27, 2009, 09:51:07 AM
I could see something like that happening. That's how I got to where I am.
ah, the downward spiral begins... [drink]
Quote from: mac900 on May 27, 2009, 09:46:47 AM
Yep.
HOORAY!!!!!
So did you make south seas happy? If so, mind pm'ing me how it ran you out the door?
Quote from: DRKWNG on May 27, 2009, 08:20:43 PM
HOORAY!!!!!
So did you make south seas happy? If so, mind pm'ing me how it ran you out the door?
$31.50 plus tax and beer.
Quote from: teddy037.2 on May 27, 2009, 02:15:52 PM
ah, the downward spiral begins... [drink]
Don't say you weren't warned. If I can't be a good example then let me serve as a horrible warning. [laugh]
Quote from: DRKWNG on May 27, 2009, 08:20:43 PM
HOORAY!!!!!
So did you make south seas happy? If so, mind pm'ing me how it ran you out the door?
I'll make Service and Parts happy a little bit at a time. I ended up buying a used one with 600 miles on it and I stole it. A veritable garage queen as it had 2 & 1/2" chicken strips on it. I swear it was never turned. Of course those strips are a lot smaller now. [moto] Most of the mods that were already done to the bike are being undone or redone. The guy did have Termi slip ons on it but he took them off and ebayed them off separately (which I missed only because I had a non-matching password problem [bang]).
so aside from new cans, what's being done/redone as we speak, er, type?
Quote from: teddy037.2 on May 28, 2009, 09:03:08 AM
so aside from new cans, what's being done/redone as we speak, er, type?
New cans will come later as I need to sell off a few old 999 & Monster parts first. The stock cans aren't bad at all actually however some Termi's are still in the plan. I'll also sell the shorty Pazzo levers that came off the 848. (I can't stand the shortys). I'll sell the rear sets that came with it as well as the dark tinted screen. There is a medium tint double bubble screen from Zero Gravity on it's way. It's getting a replacement carbon front fender. The one that the guy put on the bike is super cheesie and I'll try to off that cheap. It'll get a carbon rear hugger this weekend and some of those seat vent scoops. That should just about do it, eh?
Shazam!!! And so it begins. ;D
So, I almost think that red one that you sent me the link to was Rich's bike. Looked like his helmet and all...
Also, check out the Leo Vince cans for that bike. From what I can tell on youtube they sound right wicked!
Quote from: mac900 on May 28, 2009, 09:35:24 AM
New cans will come later as I need to sell off a few old 999 & Monster parts first.
Oh yea, let me know how much you wanted for the 999 discs. And I am still waiting on you to tell me if you want those Oakleys that I was telling you about. I won't be able to get them shipped directly to you, they have to go to my address either here or at home, but I will be back there in less than a month now.
Quote from: DRKWNG on May 28, 2009, 10:39:09 AM
Shazam!!! And so it begins. ;D
So, I almost think that red one that you sent me the link to was Rich's bike. Looked like his helmet and all...
Also, check out the Leo Vince cans for that bike. From what I can tell on youtube they sound right wicked!
Rich's bike? Now that would be interesting...... I don't think it's his though. In an earlier ad posting for the same bike the guy mentioned having new expenses now that he had a baby boy, or at least that's what I think he said.
The Leo's would be a second choice. They also require some sort of ECU modification and tuning so by the time I was done I'd be at the same expense level as the Termi's. With the Termi's you get a warranty so that's the deal maker for me.
Quote from: mac900 on May 28, 2009, 11:52:37 PM
Rich's bike? Now that would be interesting...... I don't think it's his though. In an earlier ad posting for the same bike the guy mentioned having new expenses now that he had a baby boy, or at least that's what I think he said.
Then again that is the type of paint / decal job he was describing to us. The ad lists a phone #. Is it his?
Quote from: mac900 on May 29, 2009, 12:00:38 AM
The ad lists a phone #. Is it his?
No idea. All of my phone contacts were wiped when I came out here. I won't get them back until I get back home.