Great ride report!  Thanks for your time to post that.

Tommy - sounds like you're looking for a sport-tourer.  Statler's list was a good one.  I'd add a Suzuki Bandit to the mix, though.     
Dressed for commuting:

Dressed for touring:

3 x 42 liter Krauser bags, and for this short trip, I left off the cruiser pegs (yes, I'm serious).  The Bandit is comfy, fast, lotsa aftermarket parts, 45 mpg highway, and not-so-common.  Yes, its an in-line 4, but it makes nearly 75 ft•lbs torque at 3400 rpm.   The '07 models and later are re-designed and water-cooled/FI, but have similar powerbands: lotsa torque down low.  Mine is an '04 I bought new in 04/05 and now has nearly 44,000 miles...no maintenance 'cept tires and oil.   [moto]  Oh yeah, you can pick up a used one for well under $4000.

Quote from: Odeccut on June 14, 2008, 01:16:21 PM
Ok, so I just brought the new ride home.  Donnie at DucPond Motorsports is looking for a good home for my 620, and I am proud owner of a shiny, yellow, oh soooo sexy 996.  The ride home was about ah hour mostly highway, with a little traffic here and there. 

First impressions:

* The bike is less uncomfortable than I expected from reading people post about it.

* Handles like it is on a rail.  Requires a bit more effort than 620 to put into a corner (fatter rear tire, 50lb more weight, or more like 80 more, since I removed a bunch of heavy plastic from the Monster).  Once you're leaned over and cornering, it is super stable.

* Fast!!  (relative to a 620, of course)

* Hot!  I mean the temperature.  My legs got really hot.  This is something I will need to do something about, like wrapping the pipes, or getting some CF heat sheildging

* Sounds great!  Even with the stock aluminum termi pipes, the bike sings.  The idle note is just slooow music, kind of like a bit of really, really slow drum and base...

* My wrists were fine.  Even in traffic, although they did start to get tired.  The clutch is quite heave so clutching could have been more fun, but I'm sure I will get used to that quickly.

What an awesome bike!    Sorry if I went off on a tangent a bit... 

I would have to agree with everything that says.  When i went from the monster to the 1098 i found it surprisingly comfy.  And the wrist strain is easily counteracted as long as you grip the tank with your legs .

It is tougher to throw over due to the fatter tire and the heavier weight and in traffic i do burn up.  Its not uncommon for the bike to reach 200degrees while sitting in traffic.  And the heat from this is much more intense than the monster ever was.  Especially from the exhaust.

I also have no problems commuting on the bike thanks to the tailbag i rigged up to my passenger seat. 

On the freeway its a welcome change to the monster without a doubt.  With the 695 i always felt it was straining up at highway speeds but when i switched to the 1098 it felt so much more comfortable up there.

Just respect that throttle when switching it will come right out from under you if aren't used to it yet.

The only downside for me was the lack of any notification that i leaned the bike TOO far over   On the monster i liked to refer to the exhaust as "sissy bars" that told me when i reached maximum lean angle.

O and tommy i know you had asked me about insurance before, my new agent should hopefully be calling me today i will let you know.

Much like Odeccut I was psyched to pick up my 998 this past November.  I rode it home about 100 miles on the highway and just felt like a superhero on my new ride.  I'ev very proud of the bike, but not really sold on it being a permanent part of my stable.  Commuting around town with the superbike has become a chore and I'm very glad I didn't sell my M750.  I'd like to keep it long enough to do at least one track day.  I'm definitely in lust with the 998, but it's not love.  I want to break laws with it and show it off to my friends, but I don't necessarily see this as a long term relationship.  Who knows.

An ST3S would be great.

But don't totally discount a Monster until you get a ride on a well prepped S4RS. There's even an article on riding one in the NYC area a couple of months ago. They are comfy and will hang with any sport bike I've come across so far.

LA

Quote from: Statler on June 13, 2008, 03:44:27 PM
some ST3s still around at Duc dealers.

That's the direction I'd go if highway trips were on the agenda.   Still quick and still just fine in the twisties.  We have a local with an ST and if anyone is leaving him behind it's because they went off the road into the woods.

If I had to drop down to only one bike, I always say I'll keep the ST2. I like it so much, I bought one for the wife, also. It does everything really well. I did a SaddleSore 1000 on it last June and I can often be caught dragging a knee on select roads in the local area (even with bags on!). The STx bikes are VERY capable machines. Here's a buddy of mine on his ST3 in Shady Valley....

Quote from: Odeccut on June 14, 2008, 01:16:21 PM
* The bike is less uncomfortable than I expected from reading people post about it.

* Hot!  I mean the temperature.  My legs got really hot.  This is something I will need to do something about, like wrapping the pipes, or getting some CF heat sheildging

* My wrists were fine.  Even in traffic, although they did start to get tired.  The clutch is quite heave so clutching could have been more fun, but I'm sure I will get used to that quickly.

1) Compared do most other Ducatis, the ergos are not the most pleasant, but it doesn't take long to get used to them.
2) You don't notice the heat if you are wearing leathers. I normally never notice the heat when I'm riding my 748, but this morning I decided to ride it into work, and I definitely felt the heat on my right calf while wearing dress slacks.
3) Your wrists will eventually get sore. I logged over 300 miles on Saturday and over 350 miles on Sunday with my 748 in the mountain twisties. By the end of the ride on Sunday, my wrists, knees, and bottoms of my feet were sore.

Quote from: GLantern695 on June 16, 2008, 09:11:25 AM
I would have to agree with everything that says.  When i went from the monster to the 1098 i found it surprisingly comfy.  And the wrist strain is easily counteracted as long as you grip the tank with your legs .

The 748/916/996/998 bikes are reportedly the least comfortable bikes that Ducati ever manufacturered.....I think my '99 Supersport was just as bad, though. With the 749/999 bikes, Ducati changed the ergos to be less demanding.


Here's another picture of an ST4s. I have no idea who the rider is...

Funny... most of my friends want to ditch their sport bikes and buy a naked. There is a difference... but noting you can't get use to fast. especially if you have been riding for 3 years. worse comes to worse... you can always switch back.

Wow - lots of great thoughts on this thread!!  Thanks all.

As my friends over in the NYMMC forum know I'm going to sell the Monster and one of my cars this summer, then I get the delightful joy of trying to find a new bike.

Great opinions, all, I have lots more to think about!

Quote from: tommys67 on June 13, 2008, 02:55:09 PM
As much as I love my Monster, the amount of time and money I've spent on it, the miles of smiles it's given me, it's just not the bike I expected it to be. 

How much of an adjustment is it to go from a Monster to a Sportbike of some sort?  Aside from a swtich in ergos, and a likely big difference in power and speed, how long did it take to get used to the difference in the riding experience?

Just asking because I'm toying with the idea of replacing the Monster to keep the ability to ride the twisties, ride around the city (which sucks on ANY motorbike) but not get beat up on the highway.  Maybe do 1 trackday a year, FWIW.

Oh yeah, my 695 is my first bike . 


This is my answer to the "getting a superbike question" a gixxer '07 750, not a bad ride at all. It doesn't take me but maybe 10 minutes to get used to whatever bike I'm riding. Good luck.

So I have my riding buddies telling me to get a used Honda or Aprilia or other I-4...

I went down to my local dealership and took a seat in the Duc 848, the new 696, the Speed Triple, the Daytona 675, the Triumph Tiger and Sprint ST.  I've sat on the 1098 and 848 a few times before, but not to really assess the ergos for a long-term purchase.

I will need to get to the sportbike crouch.  That I'm sure of.  The 848 and 675 were just about the same, but for some reason I like the heavier action of the Duc's clutch and throttle better.

The Speed Triple would be on the short list EASILY if I were looking at another naked bike.

The Tiger is just WAY too tall.

The Sprint ST had IDEAL ergos from the waist down, but from the waist up I'm sitting almost upright.  NOT the position I'm looking for.

The new 696?  two things - 1) I felt like the seat was wedging me into the tank and 2) when on the bars, there's almost nothing in front of you - it's like the bike just ENDS at the tank.  It is MUCH better looking in person than in pictures, but mods are gonna be a biotch to pull off.

Looks like I need to do some test rides. [moto]

How about the new Honda CBR1000RR.  I've only seen pictures, but I think it looks sweet.  If you're considering the 1098...

Also, the BMW R1200S.  These also look nice, are very sporty, and also have the ability to carry panniers...which is a BIG plus in my book.  I believe they have about the same power as an 848.  A bit spendy, but then so is a new 848 or 1098. 

Quote from: Triple J on June 17, 2008, 04:32:28 PM
How about the new Honda CBR1000RR.  I've only seen pictures, but I think it looks sweet.  If you're considering the 1098...

Also, the BMW R1200S.  These also look nice, are very sporty, and also have the ability to carry panniers...which is a BIG plus in my book.  I believe they have about the same power as an 848.  A bit spendy, but then so is a new 848 or 1098. 

The 848 is the top end of my performance and $$ budget .  (Maybe even over it...)   

I'm lining up some demo rides once I get back from vacation next week, and while the white 848 is sooooo sexy, it is spendy, so a bunch of I-4 600's and the 675 are also on the short list.  The R1200 or the 1098?  Out of my range both performance and budget.

Quote from: Triple J on June 17, 2008, 04:32:28 PM
Also, the BMW R1200S.  These also look nice, are very sporty, and also have the ability to carry panniers...which is a BIG plus in my book.  I believe they have about the same power as an 848.  A bit spendy, but then so is a new 848 or 1098. 

Before you go to a UJM take a look at the BMW R1100/1200S bikes.  The BMW crowd is insanely loyal, the R motor is reliable, ~90 yrs of production will do that, and you can largely modify the ergo fitment to your needs.  Check these guys out. 

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/forumdisplay.php?s=2b23b16f42090b20917d54f753601036&f=24


I'm 6'4" and I'm sure that if I actually ever have to commute (walking to my desk in my robe is not commuting) I'll end up with a Tiger, I want one really bad but with 4 scoots in the stable now I can't justify it even to myself.

If I could afford 2 bikes I woulda kept my 749 Dark. I really miss the handling and how it just FEELS quicker. Cornering was super stable and the wind protection was good. What I don't miss is riding in traffic due to heat from the exhaust and the S&M ergos. I also couldn't ride it for more than a couple hours without it bothering my sciatic nerves. And the mirrors were pointless. So I went and Got the S4rs, love the power. Handling isn't wonderful, not as stable through the corner but I recently raised the rear end and it's better, it turns in quicker now too.

On the other hand my friend bought the same 749 and he loves it. A group of us went on a 5 day trip down into Idaho and he didn't complain once (except about the heat when we had to stop). We even asked him about it and he said he felt fine. He has some strong legs from a lot of horseback riding too. So maybe that's the difference for him.

I ditched my 695 for a 07 Ninja ZX6R a few months back and I've been quite happy with the change so far.

Surprisingly easier to deal with in traffic... to a point. The clutch is easier to modulate compared to the rather abbreviated friction zone on the Duc. The throttle is much smoother along with the engine itself down low. Sit in traffic long enough though and the bike starts roasting your ass and legs and the extreme riding position starts taking it's toll.

As expected the ZX6 falls into turns way easier, still not used to it yet so I find myself correcting my lines more than I'd like. Feels more stable to boot, but as I understand you have the suspension decked out on the Duc, so ymmv. The Duc was still easier to manhandle because of the wider bars though.

The fairing makes a run on the slab so much bearable, so does the extra legroom, I felt so freakin cramped on the Duc. On the flip side the low bars and engine buzz can take it out of ya.

Hope that helps, good luck with the decision process.