So I picked up a used 848 with 600 miles on it this weekend.  It a nice bike looking bike. A couple things I've noticed, first is the ride position. The 848 puts your ass way up in the air this puts a lot of pressure on your wrists and if your not used to it you need to develop those muscles or you're going to be uncomfortable. My S2R has clip-ons above the triple and they do not even compare. The 848  has a very aggressive seating position and if you're not ready for it and feel like taking a 200 mile ride you are going to be hurting. The 848 does not come with a adjustable ride height link like the S2R so the seat is set kind of high, personally I like the height so this is not a negative for me. The exhaust is routed directly under the seat  with the catalytic converters directly under your ass. This makes a lot of heat, combine that with the heat coming off the radiator that seems to be directed toward you inner thighs and your boys get rather hot. Really hot. The good news is that is where my pregnant dog fest ends.

The brakes on the 848 are so much better than the S2R. It reminds me of when I sold my 76 CB750 and upgraded to the S2R and how I thought the S2R brakes where so awesome well they're not. The 848 brakes have really good bite without being scary I really like them. The shocks on the other hand while better than the S2R are not the greatest. The rear is over sprung unless you weight like 200 plus, I'm a mere 150 so I need to do something about that.

I thought the power of the 848 would be something scary but it really isn't. The power band feels so much different between the 2 bikes and the 848 is definitely a lot faster but at low rpms the 848 is a pussy cat and easy to ride around town aside from the burnt ass you will get from sitting in traffic. While the 848 is a great bike and lends itself well to city riding when compared to other superbikes, it doesn't even come close to the comfort the S2R offers.

Nice man!  Grats on the 848, she is a beaut.

Good real world write up as well.

I think I saw your s2r for sale in the "marketplace" a couple of months ago?  Are you glad you decided to hang on to it?  Anyway, congrats on the new 848...I love the red! 

Great bikes.

The best of both worlds really.
I am looking for an 848 next year, not to replace my 620 but to compliment.
And if the 848 is not in the budget then I'm shopping for a 749R.

Enjoy that new ride.

Visit the www.helibars.com site, they make one for the 1098/848 bikes, I put one on my gixxer and it makes a big difference. Nice bike that 848, I look and test rode one and I like it a lot but it was just too expensive for me...................so I went ahead and bought a '07 gixxer.

Later.

Quote from: mattyvas on July 23, 2008, 05:20:23 AM
The best of both worlds really.
I am looking for an 848 next year, not to replace my 620 but to compliment.
And if the 848 is not in the budget then I'm shopping for a 749R.

Enjoy that new ride.

Be very aware that the "R" engines are vastly more expensive to maintain. That extra scoot comes at a disproportionate cost.