Realistically speaking

[twolanefun]

Cannot go wrong with a track day or two. I'd also recommend time out there in the hills,there are some nice roads out there with very little traffic and they require you use all riding skills. As for the 848 vs your current Monster or other models. I really don't think horsepower has as much to do with it as what you plan to do with the bike, I'll stick my neck out and say that the only place you'll be using the horespower of an 848 is on the track cause on the public roads that 696 of your might actually be a better bike. If you are thinking about buying it because it looks great, cause it does, well then okay. But pound for pound, dollar for dollar a M1100 EVO, which has both DTC and ABS, might be a better ride and more fun than an 848. Just MHO and I'm still learning how to ride going on ..... a bunch of years.   - Gene

[Slide Panda]

Well said.

Horsepower is fun - but it's not everything. Coming off this weekends track day(s) on my massively powerful 56hp single motard I was passing up various sport bikes including an 848, 1098 and older SBK. It's sure that it wasn't my powerful engine - but it was lines, timing and (body) position.  There was a fellow on a 400cc single and a 250cc two-stroke a group up from me that were laying down fast times in the tight stuff. 

I and they would get buzzed in the straight where it's all about HP and not skills. Turns are the great equalizer.

There's some chatter starting about a Track day in late October. You've got time to save up! Join us - it's tons of fun really.

[duccarlos]

More +++ for the trackday. I did a few trackdays on my 800. After those I knew I could handle something with slightly more grunt, in my case a Street Triple, which is not far from an 848.

[Meerkat]

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. 

Do NOT let this man near your wife or guns!

[DRKWNG]

Whatever. 

Ass

[Meerkat]

Whatever. 

Ass