The Great Debate.......at least at my house right now.

[calscrazy]

so my wife and i have been discussing an upgrade to the monster next year. she says to get a bigger one and sell the one i have. however i say to keep my monster because i can use it for my commuting and the occasional fun stuff. both people i know (lisa & b) say that when they got rid of their monster they really missed it and i don't want that to happen. if i keep it i would like to get a used 748 (any color but yellow sry lyd) , 749dark or an 848( not white sry b). the bike would mainly be for trips like muenster, h/c or ok. of the three i am not sure which is the best. i really like the 749 dark. i know the 848 is prob the cheapest to maintain but i do everything except my own valves (which will prob be changing in the future). if anyone has ridden all three please let me know the differences in ergos (please remember i am 5'6" with a 32" inseam) , power app., etc. your opinions are not without merit. they will all help me make a decision for my future purchase.

[El Matador]

so my wife and i have been discussing an upgrade to the monster next year. she says to get a bigger one and sell the one i have. however i say to keep my monster because i can use it for my commuting and the occasional fun stuff. both people i know (lisa & b) say that when they got rid of their monster they really missed it and i don't want that to happen. if i keep it i would like to get a used 748 (any color but yellow sry lyd) , 749dark or an 848( not white sry b). the bike would mainly be for trips like muenster, h/c or ok. of the three i am not sure which is the best. i really like the 749 dark. i know the 848 is prob the cheapest to maintain but i do everything except my own valves (which will prob be changing in the future). if anyone has ridden all three please let me know the differences in ergos (please remember i am 5'6" with a 32" inseam) , power app., etc. your opinions are not without merit. they will all help me make a decision for my future purchase.

It is my belief that everyone should own a Monster and a SBK.

Your best best is prob a 749. 748-s have terrible flaking rocker problems and its kinda hard to find one with all the issues addressed for cheap...

[Slag]

It is hard to beat a bike with a warranty.

[Duc L'Smart]

It is hard to beat a bike with a warranty.

+1   848 all the way

BTW, I don't miss not having a Monster (let the flaming begin)

[never2loud]

+1 for El Matador.  Verbatim   

I tend to like the last gen superbike because of their adjustability; seat/tank assembly moves forward or back on the frame, and the foot pegs have multiple adjustability... plus you can adjust the steering rake.

Of course now if I only knew how all of this could benefit me at a track day   

[ducnut]

I miss my Monster but like the 848/Multistrada arrangement that I have.  The Strada is an excellent around town bike and awesome in the twisties.   it is a good sport tourer but not the greatest long distance/high speed highway bike(poor wind protection). My 848 is going to be limited to the track and rides in the country less than 200 miles or so round trip.  I am not too comfortable on the 848 for long periods of time.  I know Bryant can go all day on his 848 so it just may be an issue with an old fart like me.  I love the 848 at the track.

[bryant8]

Any of those SBKs would be great to have in the stable with a Monster.  

Since I've only ridden the 848 out of the bunch I can't really comment on the other options.  

But the 848 does have a 32.3" seat and you'll have to buy an adjustable linkage to change that.  
It doesn't come with a steering damper, if that's something you think you may want (I'm saving for these parts, triple and damper kit)
Ergo-wise, I'm pretty comfy of the bike.  It took a few weeks to get used to the "crotch rocket" stance.

Ask David about his 748 if you want some really good detailed info on it.  He has ridden my 848 and his 748 back to back so he might have some good comparos for you

Good luck on the hunt for a SBK!

*edit*
I reread my post and it read like it was negative on the 848.  It's not, the bike is amazing, but those are some issues that I have(had) to address or get used to.  The power on the 848 is great and you'll love it

[fastwin]

As an owner of two Tamburinis and one Terblanche I would say avoid the 748s for reasons that can be discussed over beers at a get together. Looking for a nice 749 is not bad thinking at all. Better ergos than the 748 but only to a degree. Parts are no problem and neither is reliability. Also, I believe the 749 carries over the adjustability of the 999 line... I think. Good AMS question. Ask Kevin about long range 848 riding. He put a lot of miles on his on the AR ride in September. Not sure how many B8 has on his at one setting. Also not sure about the difference between the 848 and 1098 comfort-wise. I bet there is not a lot of difference. Ask Tommy, RichD and Zach about 1098 long range comfort.

On any of the three bikes putting on a set of Ferracci or Heli-bars would certainly help with wrist and neck comfort (don't ask me how I know ) and they subtract absolutely zero from the sportiness of the bikes. If you are thinking of doing this next year I bet you could find a nice, gently used 848 for a good deal. 748s are around but they are not getting any younger. You know the 999s aren't any bigger or taller than the 749 and there are more of them. Just a thought. If you are worried about too much power on the 999 the throttle works both ways and you aren't talking 170hp in line four superbike here. If you catch me on mine sometime you can take it for a spin and see. [moto]

[cdc]

It is hard to beat a bike with a warranty.

True.

It is my belief that everyone should own a Monster and a SBK.

Your best best is prob a 749. 748-s have terrible flaking rocker problems and its kinda hard to find one with all the issues addressed for cheap...

True also.

i would like to get a used 748 (any color but yellow sry lyd) Sacrilege', 749dark or an 848( not white sry b) (White is the bomb man!!!).  

i really like the 749 dark.

i know the 848 is prob the cheapest to maintain but i do everything except my own valves (which will prob be changing in the future).

Many people didn't like the 749/999 because of the style.  It was different and they didn't want different.  Ride a Ducati and not want different, hmm go figure.  As I drooled over the Bimota DB7 and DB5 today at Eurosports, I realized that the styling had a lot of clues from the 749/999 bikes.  They say, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.  I happen to like the 999 style and have been tempted to my wits end to buy a cherry '05 999R that is tucked away somewhere waiting for someone to buy it.

Since you like the 749 style, you are blessed and cursed.  They didn't sell a lot of those bikes so they can be hard to come by and may be more expensive because of that.  On the other hand, many people didn't understand them so they may not sell well and can be had for less than expected.  That is also something to consider when it is time to sell it.  The DARK would have less expensive suspension components.  It is unfortunate that people don't spend more on upgrading their suspension.  What ever money you save, should go to freshning up you suspension.  But even the DARK has the Testastreta motor a big improvement over what came before it.

The 748/916/996 has the iconic style that shocked the world during its time.  It is however, relative to the 749, actually relative to all other sportbikes, a crude motor.  There I said it.  It does not have the finess of the 749 and the power and even more finess of the 848.  

It is the most uncomfortable of the three ergonomically.  Remember what they say about price of an object of desire... "if you have to ask, you can't afford it".  In the case of the 748/9**, ergonomically speaking, "if you have to ask, you can't stand it".  In stock configuration, I know how the 916 is to ride, I've ridden the 1098 and it is only slightly better and I am told the 999 is more comfortable.  But with these bikes sad to say, you have to be, ...how shall I say this delicately, ... small of girth... or have long arms or both to have any chance at comfort.  That said, who said riding an SBK had to be like a day in the spa huh?  Maybe a day in the spa after the ride.  

Oh and wear leathers because all three with their underseat exhaust will burn your legs and some say their bums too.  

So knowing all of the above, if you want to have a bike that you don't mind tinker around with, the 748 is not a bad bike to own.  Classic style, good power especially coming from a 695.  The flacking rockers can be replaced.  Check out Megacycle for their rockers.  I am guessing it is cheaper to buy and old enough to where you can justify having the forks rebuilt and the shocks upgraded.  If the bike's clutch needs to be replaced, you can upgrade to a slipper clutch.  A lightened flywheel and light weight wheels would be the ticket over time of course.

Eventually, you would have to do the same with a 749 DARK mods wise, but you would have paid more upfront.  You get more power though from a more efficient motor (powerwise not fuel economy wise).  How much power do you really need is a question you have to answer.  One major downside of the Terblanche bikes is no storage for anything ask Lisa.

The 848, newer style, warranty and more power still.  Better brakes.  

Finally, I don't know what the range of the 848 is between fill ups but I'm told the 1098 range is not too much above 100 miles.  Maybe the 848 is better.  I also don't know what the 999 and 749's range is but my 916 can go to 165 miles per tank which is not bad so I suspect the 748 can do better.  

Just my 2 cents.  Happy Hunting.

cdc

[LYD]

Chris, its okay, not everyone can look as good as me on a yellow bike!!!   

[fastwin]

20 points for Alan's team!

Charles is dead on right about all three SBKs having BBQ pits for seats. Underseat exhausts suck. Period. For sure Patrick will point, laugh and make fun but I don't even ride my 999 during the summer. I like my ass and thighs just the way they are, not well done! Lisa will agree (999 wise) and every 848/1098 rider will also concur. Let's just face facts, it's obvious that a vegan diet is like coating your body with asbestos. The heat retardant factors of a vegetarian diet is the best kept government secret. Damn! Now they'll have to kill me!

I think you should fit on damn near everything. I'm 5'9'' or so and have a 30" inseam and I have no problems. My torso might be a little longer though. That reach to the bars may be more of a pain than the reach to the ground. Add really low bars and that could double that pain. Seriously, sit on or ride my 999 and see. It's got Ferracci bars and the "comfort" DP seat. Heck, do the same with one of my Tamburinis. They both have Ferraccis too. 

Fun dilemma!

[cdc]

Or do what Brian does,

OWN THEM ALL!

How many people do you guys know who are as generous as Brian and as importantly own the bikes that everyone wants to own?

Need to know a bout a 'busa?  Here ride mine and if you still have questions, pull up a chair and I'll get the beer.   

A Ducati you say?  Well hell boy, which one?

How about a Gixer, two flavors don't you know ...or an Eddie Lawson rep Kawi hmm? 

Oh you heard about the Honda that beat the WSBK Ducati juggernaut?  Yup, I have one of those too!

It would be great to be Brian but since we can't I'm just thankful we have him as friend. 

Three cheers for Brian!!!       

I know he said sit but he did say ride too didn't he?  Where does the line start Brian? 

cdc


(Oh, those are just the ones I know.  I bet if he ever brought them all out, we'd be like little kids at a Macy's New Year's Day parade.)

[RED]

CDC and I both have ST's ! Cool, power, handling, touring too, what more can you ask for?

[never2loud]

Yeah, that's very true about summer heat and SBKs which is why having an air cooled bike to fall back on is so great.  Also as others have noted, the SBK around town is huge overkill and also a lot more work than you probably want to spend recreationally; long trips out in the country or certainly at the track is where this bike shines.

Just another argument for "collecting the set"  

Also, if you'd would like to ride my 999 sometime, you're more than welcome.  It has the DP "Comfort" seat (which actually is more comfortable) but still has the stock bars.  I'll have it at Hard 8 tomorrow.

Happy hunting!

[calscrazy]

so basically it's case of the 748 has rocker issues    but good ergos and classic styling. the 749 dark (personal fav)    will be harder to find which naturally will cost more but dont all duc's. it has ok ergos but not great and good power delivery. the 848 has the 1098 pure sex body  however when i sit on them i find myself really up on my wrist. the motor is great and i am starting to see alot of used ones for decent prices (most due first service or close too). having only sat on one of the three (848) i know that a big thing for me is i don't want to tetter-totter at stops and the 848 with it's 32" seat height really has me up on my tip-toes. i read where the 749 has only a 30" seat height in stock form and if it is a more level bike i wouldn't be up on my wrist so hard. i guess i could always say screw it and go ride some japanese bikes also. and just find something super comfy brand be damned it prob wont be until this time next year but i just want to get a good idea in my head of what i want vs. what is comfortable (if it ain't i won't ride it and i don't need no garage queen) vs. what is good power for me. this could take awile