How much total seat time should one have before getting something like an 848?  Assuming you're riding 5+ days a week.  No, I'm not bored with my 696, just planning ahead.  Thanks.

Depends on how many miles you're riding, how long you've been riding, and the conditions under which you have been riding and plan on riding.  You can have 10k of freeway commuting to work and not know much about riding.  Riding through the twisties or in stop and go traffic is different.  It's pretty hard to judge the level of one's skill set just by seat time.

I don't think there is a magic formula for this. Individual rider's riding ability doesn't depend on just seat time a lone. I wouldn't recommend 848s for beginners but you should be fine with the 848 if you are comfortable with the 696.  To me, it is all about getting used to the new bike and taking it easy in the first few months. On a different note, 848s are good but its bigger brothers are SO better (1098, 1198, 1199).

Riding or driving in Northern Virginia is rarely done without lots of stops.  After I get the 696 back from its 600 mile service, it's back to riding two wheels every day.  And when school starts again, it's back to stop and go traffic on I-95, so I'll be taking the back roads again. 

As for getting a 1+ liter bike, I don't know if my insurance company would appreciate that.  Or maybe they would, by jacking up my rates. 

Totally independent of seat time - case my case basis.

Some folks are 'naturals' some are not. Some folks might not have a lot of miles, but what they have are 'high quality' supplemented with lots of instruction or track time.

One can do quite a bit on a 696... and it's pretty damn fun riding a 'slow' bike fast. Can't say I didn't grin madly at the last track day while passing an 1198 and (older) gsxr 1000 on my sub 60 HP dirt bike on 17" wheels.

We're hitting Summit point again next weekend (18-20 or some mix there of) - there's discounts on. You should join the party.
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=58237.0
- The B(eginner) group doesn't allow passing in the turns and Roger Lyle provides a lot of control riders that will help educate by allowing you to follow and watch lines or you can ask one to follow you for post session feedback from them.

I think Spidey hit it on the head.  I grew up on dirt bikes as a kid but started riding street less than 2 years ago at age 36 (hadn't been on any bike in nearly 20 years).  In that time I have logged 17K miles on my 620 with more than half of those miles in the twisties and canyons of Southern Oregon and Northern California.  I have only recently been noticing that I won't be content with 620 much longer and will probably be stepping up to an 800 or liter bike by next summer.  Don't get me wrong, there is only so much horsepower you need in the twisties and the 620 is in no way boring, but I am ready for some more straight line grunt.  I think everybody gains skill and confidence at a different rate and maybe I am one of the slower ones.  Personally, I say ride the crap out of that 696, learn every time out, and you'll know when you're ready for the next level.  Not sure if that helps but there ya go  

Slide Panda, I won't be able to make any of these until the wife gets a job. 

Dark_duc, I'm 44 and just started riding a motorcycle.  I don't know how well it translates, but I've ridden mountain bikes and touring bikes for years, so I'm used to counter-steering and other two wheeled fun.  I do love the 696, it's a great all around motorcycle and works very well as a commuter bike here.  Once it's past the break-in, I'll get a better feel for the capabilities, but I don't think 84 hp compares to something in the 100+ category, hence the question about the 848.

Quote from: jrswanson1 on August 10, 2012, 04:53:17 PM
Slide Panda, I won't be able to make any of these until the wife gets a job. 

Dark_duc, I'm 44 and just started riding a motorcycle.  I don't know how well it translates, but I've ridden mountain bikes and touring bikes for years, so I'm used to counter-steering and other two wheeled fun.  I do love the 696, it's a great all around motorcycle and works very well as a commuter bike here.  Once it's past the break-in, I'll get a better feel for the capabilities, but I don't think 84 hp compares to something in the 100+ category, hence the question about the 848.

It's your right hand.

Your brain controls it.

If you're the type to push until something goes wrong, 100+ hp probably is a bad idea with your experience.

If, on the other hand, you respect the power available you'll probably do fine.

Take a class on the monster.... then do a couple of track days on it as well. Then decide for yourself.

Once the wife gets a real job, it's going to be class time.  It would be nice if Summit Point had a track day on a weekend where Peacemaker is having it's 3-Gun class to save myself a trip. 

Quote from: ducpainter on August 10, 2012, 04:57:54 PM
It's your right hand.

Your brain controls it.

That's not a universal truth you know.
   

Quote from: jrswanson1 on August 10, 2012, 04:53:17 PM
Slide Panda, I won't be able to make any of these until the wife gets a job. 

There's other classes. Get sammich fixin's and do some cheap lunches until October and join for the Oct 6th Total Control class (in Woodbridge)
http://www.totalcontroltraining.net/HTML/Schedule.html

I have not registered for it yet, but it's on my 'master plan'. You've got two months. Chop $5 (if you can) from your lunch costs per day and that's $200 right there between now and then (20 work days per month x 2 months x $5 per work day).

Raid your crap and hit ebay I recently cashed out on gear and parts that hadn't been put to use in a while.

Jim, one of the other locals who's done a number of schools and track days swears that Total Control was the best overall bang for the buck.

I took the TC ARC and it's def worth it before a trackday.  Since it's all low speed drills it really lets you focus on getting what they teach you correctly vs having to worry about your form at 80+ mph.

Quote from: jrswanson1 on August 13, 2012, 06:20:48 AM
Once the wife gets a real job, it's going to be class time.  It would be nice if Summit Point had a track day on a weekend where Peacemaker is having it's 3-Gun class to save myself a trip. 

You're local.  You ride.  You shoot.  We need to talk. 

Quote from: jrswanson1 on August 10, 2012, 11:05:07 AM

...As for getting a 1+ liter bike, I don't know if my insurance company would appreciate that.  Or maybe they would, by jacking up my rates. 

Check with your provider first. I thought my S4Rs was going to be more than my 696 but it was actually $15 cheaper a yr. of course it is just under the 1000cc mark so maybe that really does make a difference.