Monster vs SBKs ergonomics - what will it be like if I switch?

[stopintime]

Most of the complaints come from people either resting too much weight on their wrists or trying to keep themselves upright. For the more rotund amongst us, like me, you can even relax the back and stomach muscles and using your gut on the tank as a prop!

A valid reason to keep the extra weight then 

I think I'll be fine when riding it as it's supposed to, but I suspect I'll be trying to straighten my arms/sitting up when in city traffic.

[ellingly]

A valid reason to keep the extra weight then 

I think I'll be fine when riding it as it's supposed to, but I suspect I'll be trying to straighten my arms/sitting up when in city traffic.

Yeah, the secret is just keeping as much weight off your arms as possible. I find that if I do try to straighten my arms and sit upright a bit more then I tend to put more weight on my wrists. If you're capable of holding your torso up with your back and stomach muscles then you're fine . Although I sold my last sportsbike to get the Monster cause I wanted to be more comfortable on the commute, that was more a case of uncomfortable seat, more unforgiving suspension and generally a motor that required the absolute nuts rung out of it to go anywhere (not a Ducati, hence needing this!). None of it was the ergos of feet right up, body over and holding myself up.

Ignoring rider preference... far more girls want to go for a ride on the Monster than any sportsbike I've owned. I think that's really the key to what bike one should have!

[ArguZ]

Well..sounds like a perfect reason to wait for the Fighter .
Monsterlike capabilities with SBK power and handling.
Thats the reason I am looking forward to it to.

[stopintime]

So the Fighter will have it all, including the pull on the girls? 

[Desmostro]

One note on the SBK ergo's.

Much depends on your body ratios. I'm 6'2" but I'm not all legs. I can imagine someone with really long legs might want to get lowered rear sets. They're pretty high so you can lean the bike at pretty extreme angles. Other wise, its comfy if you're in the correct riding position.

Who knows what the fighter will be like. We'll wait and see.

PS -
I just met a friend who works for APPLE. He was hired out to DUCATI to work on some software. DNA is almost across the street from the APPLE campus in Cupertino. He said they'd done a bunch of work on the SBK interface, and was working on the new 2009 bikes. That's pretty sweet.  They do tight work those guys.

[LA]

The 848/1098 isn't built for comfort by any stretch.

Just for grins take a ride on a 999S if you can. I find em a little more comfortable than the 1098. I'm only 6'2".

There's a Termi kitted 1121cc stroker 14:1  999R built by a genius at our local shop with very low miles for $24,000.   Probably be a great commuter.

On thing some of us like about the RS monster is that you sorta get both in the same bike.

LA

[Statler]

ergos are soooo personal.   I'm 5'10 with a 29 inch inseam.   what works for me doesn't work for a lot of folks.

[DoubleEagle]

I'm 6'5"....35" inseam, 35" sleeve length. 235 lbs.

On my S4Rs I find that I am very comfortable in a slightly athletic postion on the street/ backroads.

On the 1098 R it is more like a I am getting intimate w, my bike. I use a foam back pad out of a Textile riding jacket for a little extra padding for the derrier.

I try to grip the the lower part of the gastank w, my knees and keep my grip light on the handgrips .

It seems easier to move the bike in the corners by using as much of my lower body by let's say going into a left hand corner I push against the lower rightside of the gas tank as I lean to the left and the bike seems to be much more compliant w, the light touch on the bars.

If you put too much of your weight on your wrists it makes the SBK more difficult to handle , it makes your wrists hurt. and it takes the large lower muscles out of the steering process and by making the bike more difficult to handle you will tire out your upper body as well.

Learn to ride w, a very light touch on the hand grips and use your legs , your hips and legs to push against the lower part of the gastank to help turn the bike.

Practice 'til it feels natural .It won't take that long. Try it on your Monster in the meantime.   Dolph

[DRKWNG]

I liken them a bit to a road bicycle verses a mountain bike.

+1.  I also like to compare them to my cars.  The monster I used to own was closely related to my highly modified VR6 driven GTI, and my sportbike (it's a Daytona which seems a little more extreme in the ergos than the 848) is like my Honda S2000. 

I have to travel about 19 miles to work each way, which can sometimes take up to an hour + depending on what time I get out the door in the mornings.  I used to commute on my old S2R800, but have been doing the same trip on the Daytona since I sold the monster.  The Daytona took a while to get used to as a commuter, but I love it now that I have gotten used to it. 

I don't think you would have that hard of a time with the 848 as a daily rider after your body got used to the position.  It would make a MUCH better commuter than a 1098 just in the fact that you aren't constantly pulling on that dry clutch's lever all the time when you get stuck in traffic. 

[stopintime]

Thanks guys, this has been helpful.

I just had the urge, maybe even stronger than when I got my Monster.

I'm sure I will get one at some point, just one of those things I need to have done. For the next year or two I will concentrate on my own and the Monster's capabilities - improving suspension and brakes, working on the set up, ergonomics, riding position AND my skills.

If the time comes when I "must" have a SBK to improve my lap times, then I'll get one.

[mattyvas]

I am seriously considering the swap from my 620 to an 848.
Been doing a few track days lately and I feel like I am pushing the 620 a little too much.
I have to go for another test ride, I have had the pleasure of a 1098s for a few days but it was very early in my re-education in riding.
Meaning I couldn't really appreciate it to it's full extent.

I'd love to have both bikes but here in Oz that is an investment of $30-$35k.
I have the same sort of feeling, if you are planning on or do ride an SBK as an everyday traffic machine you may struggle.
A Monster would likely be better suited to this sort of work but get the SBK out where it really belongs and it will out pace the Monster no doubt.

[El Matador]

I am seriously considering the swap from my 620 to an 848.
Been doing a few track days lately and I feel like I am pushing the 620 a little too much.
I have to go for another test ride, I have had the pleasure of a 1098s for a few days but it was very early in my re-education in riding.
Meaning I couldn't really appreciate it to it's full extent.

I'd love to have both bikes but here in Oz that is an investment of $30-$35k.
I have the same sort of feeling, if you are planning on or do ride an SBK as an everyday traffic machine you may struggle.
A Monster would likely be better suited to this sort of work but get the SBK out where it really belongs and it will out pace the Monster no doubt.

Dont consider, do!

[mattyvas]

It's just the $$$ to make it happen.
But I'm trying.

[MadDuck]

Thanks guys, this has been helpful.

I just had the urge, maybe even stronger than when I got my Monster.

I'm sure I will get one at some point, just one of those things I need to have done. For the next year or two I will concentrate on my own and the Monster's capabilities - improving suspension and brakes, working on the set up, ergonomics, riding position AND my skills.

If the time comes when I "must" have a SBK to improve my lap times, then I'll get one.

You know I did just that. I've been working on my skills for over 30 years.     I have done just about all that can be done to my Monster to make it handle better & better. There is still room for improvement and it's only a question of throwing more time & money at it. For almost 2 years I had a 999 concurent with the Monster. I'd jump back & forth between the two and it always took a little time to adjust to the differences but the 999 was just flat out better. My bottom line is that if you want superbike handling you simply have to have the superbike. It handles far better and you will never get the Monster to that point. You can make it better, sure, and you can make yourself better. That's all good. You won't ever be as good on the Monster as you will on the superbike. Take two years if you want, no harm in that. If you have the bug, and it sounds like you do, then just get the superbike. It'll be better in the long run.

[jesse370]

ergos are soooo personal.   I'm 5'10 with a 29 inch inseam.   what works for me doesn't work for a lot of folks.

holy crap one of the flounders is my long lost twin   

Just finding riding gear or jeans is a pain in the ass.....let alone trying to ride a taller bike