What do you'all think of S4Rs and the 848? I'm looking to do a track school/days acouple times a year and several medium range road trips each season (aboot 100 to 200 miles per day). Any advise or help would be appreciated.
Have you taken either of them out? I think both are cool, I haven't been on either though so I don't really have much advise, except having just finished a little road trip this morning. I have learned that naked bikes are not the "be all, end all" I thought. I'd have loved to have a fairing this morning and last night. We had a huge thunderstorm come in and got dumped on, then this morning I had to ride in forty degree temps for almost 2hrs and froze my nuts off! So if you're thinking touring the 848 would get consideration from me. .02
Quote from: WannaDucBad on June 30, 2008, 06:38:00 PM
Have you taken either of them out? I think both are cool, I haven't been on either though so I don't really have much advise, except having just finished a little road trip this morning. I have learned that naked bikes are not the "be all, end all" I thought. I'd have loved to have a fairing this morning and last night. We had a huge thunderstorm come in and got dumped on, then this morning I had to ride in forty degree temps for almost 2hrs and froze my nuts off! So if you're thinking touring the 848 would get consideration from me. .02
Sounds like you should consider a car not an 848. I love how we'll us any excuse to talk ourselves into making something we really want into something we really need. I went from a 91 VW GTI to a G35 Coupe 6sp because of the airbags!
but I don't want a 848, truely I don't..... I kinda have to get one though. I case it ever rains and gets cold again ya' know? ;D Seriously now if I could get the wife to buy that! ;)
Wow, that's a loaded question...
I really think this one would come down to personal preference.
Take a close look at the specs. The S4RS has Ohlins front, back, & I think steering damper. The 848 is cheaper, & might have an edge on the track as far as ergonomics & clearance.
Which are you more comfortable on? I've done several 350 mile days on a Monster. The DP gel seat & fly screen with extra-tall windshield is a must. However you might be quite comfortable on the 848 for 100 - 200 miles.
I think if you test ride them both, one or the other will call out to you, & that's the one you'll enjoy the most [thumbsup]
The Rs doesn't have a dampner, it helps to have one though.....
I have yet to play on a 848, all the guys I DO know that have one or have taken one out all rave about them. BUT with that being said, what is more important to you? Around a track or pushing the limits anywhere you can probably get more out of the 848. But the Rs is like a evo or a sti, its pretty freaking good at alot of things, and can get you in plenty of trouble. The Rs is a riot and if the bike fits you, it will be more comfortable to be on one of them then a bike with clip-ons.
Quote from: Rogue on June 30, 2008, 04:53:01 PM
What do you'all think of S4Rs and the 848? I'm looking to do a track school/days acouple times a year and several medium range road trips each season (aboot 100 to 200 miles per day). Any advise or help would be appreciated.
What are you riding now? What do you dis/like about it? Is it gonna be a second bike or your only bike? What is your budget? Either one you can go wrong!
The 848 is much easier to ride on the track or in the twisties. Even though the S4Rs has Ohlins it still does not handle as well as a stock 848. The fully faired 848 is also much less tiring on the highway. Just make sure to wear earplugs as any fully faired bike will create wind roar.
Quote from: WannaDucBad on June 30, 2008, 07:04:09 PM
but I don't want a 848, truely I don't..... I kinda have to get one though. I case it ever rains and gets cold again ya' know? ;D Seriously now if I could get the wife to buy that! ;)
Ride wearing only a tshirt next time its cold and rainy. Catch pneumonia. Tell you're wife "not to worry... if you'd had an 848, it probably wouldn't have happened... [cough][cough]."
Watch her carefully with your crocodile eyes. If she seems doubtful, pass in and out of consciousness a bit.
[thumbsup]
Quote from: Rogue on June 30, 2008, 04:53:01 PM
What do you'all think of S4Rs and the 848? I'm looking to do a track school/days acouple times a year and several medium range road trips each season (aboot 100 to 200 miles per day). Any advise or help would be appreciated.
Work out whether you want faired or unfaired.
I've not tried an 848 but likely it will do everything easier.
Question is whether easy is what you want.
The S4Rs is a spectacular ride. Mine has 10,000km and I love it and I haven't even started to mod it.
I'm sure silentbob is right about the handling. However, an S4Rs isn't exactly a dog in the handling department. Get the ride height and the Ohlins set up to suit your weight and steering preferences and I suspect you'll be very happy indeed.
For a couple of track days a year and several 200 mile per day road trips either would be fabulous.
S4Rs likely will feel more raw and make you work a bit harder. That might make your rides more more memorable, or it might not.
As this is a Monster forum, get the 848 [thumbsup]
;D
Quote from: big bear on July 01, 2008, 04:10:53 AM
As this is a Monster forum, get the 848 [thumbsup]
Ha!
Both of these bikes will pull like hell -- they have plenty of power. The Monster has a more comfortable seating position. If you're only doing track days and 100-200 mile rides it's totally a toss up. 300 mile days on the Monster are fine for me, in fact, probably more comfortable than a superbike because of riding position despite the lack of the wind-slicing fairing. My advice? But a used M and SBK.
I'm trying to figure out how a faired bike is going to keep you dry and warm in the rain...
For what its worth if you are looking at getting a new bike:
The S4RS is probably due to a facelift (especially with the new Brutale). The 848 probably won't change much in the near future.
Ooooh great thread, although I am not looking for a bike for the track I am *looking.* Just got back from the local Duc dealership and checked out the 848. It's nice, but geez $13k to play is a lot of coin. The dealership also carries Hondas, so took a closer look at the CBR600RR as well...anyone have comments on that bike? The 848 is way sexy and fits me well in terms of ergo, but at almost 3k over the cost of a CBR, I am just not sure I can justify the added expense.
(I currently ride a M620).
Quote from: northerncalguy on July 01, 2008, 04:09:18 PM
Ooooh great thread, although I am not looking for a bike for the track I am *looking.* Just got back from the local Duc dealership and checked out the 848. It's nice, but geez $13k to play is a lot of coin. The dealership also carries Hondas, so took a closer look at the CBR600RR as well...anyone have comments on that bike? The 848 is way sexy and fits me well in terms of ergo, but at almost 3k over the cost of a CBR, I am just not sure I can justify the added expense.
(I currently ride a M620).
Insurance on the CBR is gonna be more than the duc, that should chip away at some of the 3k. Then you're left with how much is worth to you to pull up to an 848 at a light and looking down at what you're riding and not regret your choice or trying to smoke the 848 off the green light to prove something to yourself.
Plus I'm sure I read a review somewhere that the CBR600RR is horrible at keeping rain and cold off of you while riding in nasty weather ;D
Thanks for the replies and advice. Guess I'll have to wrangle a couple of test rides. ;D
I'm in the exact same position as you.
Most of the rides I take are all day marathons of 300-500 miles. The record being 20 hours and 540 miles [bang] [bang].
I ride a Monster 695 and I'm not thrilled with it for the same reason you are - it's not the do-it-all machine I hoped it was.
I made some adjustments to my riding style yesterday - I really tucked down into the tank, and that helped a TON, but I put my arms in a really cramped position as my helmet was almost over the triple.
I HATE the bike on the highway - I just do not feel comfortable at 75 and over. It was the 20 hour marathon ride that made me insanely desirous of a fully faired sportbike. I need to have my arms extended in the twisties, and I want the wind protection on the highway.
The S4Rs and the Speed Triple are great bikes, but the fairing would be soooooo much more enjoyable for the riding I do.
BTW - I'll never give up on the DMF 8) [thumbsup]
I went from a 620 to an S4RS and I dont think you can use a 620 to gauge how a RS feels thet dont even feel like the same type of bike. 120 mile trips on the 620 were horrible but on the RS I look for excuses to make the trip. the wind issue even feels diffrent to me i think it is because the RS is at 5k in 6th at 80 and not even working hard. and the suspension is like a dream for my 6' 207 ass but i havent ridden a 848 or even a 1098 so i cant comment on them. i ride a friens GSXR 600 from time to time and it feels like a toy compared to the RS plus ou have to work the shifter like crazy to get anything out of the motor.
my 2cents
Quote from: cshadow2 on July 04, 2008, 12:27:24 PM
I went from a 620 to an S4RS and I dont think you can use a 620 to gauge how a RS feels thet dont even feel like the same type of bike. 120 mile trips on the 620 were horrible but on the RS I look for excuses to make the trip. the wind issue even feels diffrent to me i think it is because the RS is at 5k in 6th at 80 and not even working hard. and the suspension is like a dream for my 6' 207 ass but i havent ridden a 848 or even a 1098 so i cant comment on them. i ride a friens GSXR 600 from time to time and it feels like a toy compared to the RS plus ou have to work the shifter like crazy to get anything out of the motor.
my 2cents
The S*R series feel better on the highway over the other Monsters because the bars are lower. The SBK is still much better though.