So, I've been riding my 2006 CBR600RR for about 11 1/2 months. I'd really like to step it up. there's just so many choices, I don't know which would be the best. I've already got a few mods on it but, I'd rather just trade it in on a new bike rather than put money I'll never get back into it. I'm really looking at either a CBR1000 or an R1. I'm starting to get really serious into track days. Most of my riding is too and from work about 35 minutes each way. Mainly on the highway. I do a lot of street riding as I don't have a car. Just a bike. I've thought about a GSXR750 a friend even recommended me a Ducati 848. I don't want a 750 as, I really want a step up. I would LOVE the 848, but, I know I'm not ready that kind of bike. Let alone affording it I'd like either an '06 or newer R1 or an '05 or newer CBR1000. Are there any bugs that typically go on with either of those? Is there something else I should look at? Thanks for the help.
Is money an issue at all? Generally the bigger the motor, the quicker you'll eat through tires. And of course the more track days you do the quicker you'll burn through them as well. My wife currently has me on a one bike diet so I'm stuck with just my RC51, but I really prefer a 600 for the track as they tend to be lighter and easier to throw around. I wouldn't discount the GSXR-750. That's pretty damn close to 1000cc engine performance, but with the weight of a 600. That 750 would be a HUGE step up from your CBR. Throttle control is going to be even more key with a bigger bike like the R1 you're looking at. Are there any particular tracks, or certain turns on certain tracks, where you're spinning up the rear wheel on your 600 now? It will get worse with a 1000. Well, unless you get a 1098R or the new BMW with traction control. Come to think of it, you could add Bazazz traction control after you bought whatever bike you get. At any rate, for track work I'd stick with a 600. Unless you're some kind of prodigy you haven't outgrown the abilities of your bike just yet. A 600 is generally easier to transition through turns due to its lighter weight. And just from my own experience...I have way more fun on a 600 than I do on liter bike. p.s. Just about every test I've seen has the '10 R1 as the slowest of the liter bikes out there. Mixed reviews on the CBR1000RR. BMW S1000RR is by far the fastest thing among most tests I've read.
I can go up to about $9500. I'm also looking at a bigger bike size wise. I'm starting to get too big the the CBR and finding it harder to ride fast. I've always had my eye on the R1. That's why I starting riding sport bikes. So I could move up and hopefully ride an R1. I am spinning up the tire just a little bit. Not a whole lot though. I wouldn't mind a 1098R lol. I can't bring up that kind of money . I've actually looked at some Ducati's. I've ridden a 998 and a 749 Dark. Are they like Duc's of old with tons of mechanical issues? I'm not looking for the all out fastest bike. I'm sure a '10 R1 is plenty fast. But, I don't want a new one. Like the looks of the '06 MUCH better. Another question, anyone have a Duc 848? I'm going out later to look at one and maybe test ride it. Any common problems you face with them?
Are you planning to track your street bike? Feeling lucky... Have you considered keeping the CBR600RR for the track and add a 848 for the street?
I've wanted to get another bike strictly for the street and have a fun bike for the track. It would be nice but, affording two bikes would be kinda hard. Especially one being a Ducati. I'll definitely have to think about that. When I tell my parents about getting another bike, I think my dad will go crazy!
With a year under your belt you aren't coming remotely close to the limits of a 600. Keep riding the 600 for a couple of years to really sharpen your skills. Size wise a litre isn't a ton bigger than the 600 class bikes. Look into adjustable rear sets and clip-ons and get the suspension set-up for your weight. I think you would find yourself with slower lap times if you got a 1000.
A new 848 is about the same MSRP as a Japanese literfour, $13k-ish. You could probably get a deal on a '09-10 leftover 848 as they have a newer version, the 848EVO, coming out. It looks the same but has a bit more hp. Ducati has great financing at the moment also on leftovers. Also could look at the 1098, a used '07 would be within your budget. It is a lot of bike, but not as ferocious as a liter four-cylinder. Honestly? An 848 is probably all the bike any amateur track guy ever really needs. For that matter, if you could ride your 600 to its potential, you'd probably get your bikes for free. The smaller bikes are fantastic and will probably teach you faster than a 170hp monster of a bike. This spring I sold my 999 after five years of ownership, no issues. If you take care of them they are no worse than a Japanese bike, but do not tolerate abuse like one. If burnouts and constant ventures into the red zone are your thing, a Ducati probably isn't for you. With the twin though you really don't need to do that and have a lot of speed. The engine will feel very lazy compared to your 600, then you look down and realize how fast you are going. I thought hard this spring about a leftover '08 CBR1000RR, they had huge incentives. The cheapest I found near me was $7199 out the door (+ taxes) with 0% financing too boot, confirmed in an email from the dealership in OK. I decided against it, and am glad I did. Even though I have ridden for 25 years, it is just too much bike for my skill set, not to mention for the street. I would have wasted it by riding too slow.
I looked at an '09 848 tonight. Got to ride it on roads I'm very familiar with so, I did push it a bit but, never went over 6500rpm's. Man, it really pulls. Never thought I'd get that many looks just riding a bike, but man, a couple bike guys would pull up to me say "Sweet ride!" or give the thumbs up. I never ride my bike hard on the streets. I'm an extremely safe rider. I'm always looking around me and I must know everything going on around me at all times. The only time I push it is on the track. Now that it's been mentioned, I think I may go with another bike. one road one track. Is an 848 good for a long cruise? It's about 25 miles to and from work everyday. I also ride up to Orlando and Jacksonville to visit family. Obviously, it's no Harley, but, no sport bike is real comfy on long rides. I usually ride up to IL once a year as well. How's the 1098 all around? That's more bike than I'll ever be able to handle. What did you think of the 999? A good friend of mine is looking at selling his and could hand it to me for a really good price.
The 999 wasn't bad on the highway, it manages the air well when it is chilly (not that you have that problem). It put out a fair amount of heat in the summer. I commuted on it (50 miles each way) without incident. If you like the looks of the 999, see if you can buy that one. The engine is similar to the Testaretta Evoluzione in the 848 & 1098/1198. They can be had for a song. I sold mine for $6300 for example.
Was it a problem with the heat it put out during summer? Was it annoying? It's pretty much summer weather 8 months out of the year here. Did you use it everyday? I would use it as a DD. I want to set up a viewing on Sunday. I really like the looks of them. One of my favorite's. Up there with the D16RR and 848.
When I worked closer to home I used it all summer. The heat never really bothered me, if it has an exhaust that removes the rear cylidner catalytic converter that also is said to help quite a bit. The seat will get warm but not unbearably so. If you commute for ten miles of stop-and-go, it probably wouldn't be the best choice. What I found is that once th seat got warm in traffic it never really cooled down that trip, even if I was then on the Interstate and the rest of the bike had cooled back down. The Testaretta engine (starting with the 998 for regular models in 2002), really is a big change and upgrade from the Desmoquattro in the 996 and earlier bikes as far as maintenance and reliability are concerned. I don't see any reason why a properly cared for Ducati Superbike made from 2002 to today wouldn't last 100,000 miles before needing an overhaul in street riding.
Damn, so this is going to be a track terrorizing commuter bike and only bike? I would stay with a 600. As mentioned before, the liters are going to chew through tires really fast on the track. Also, they are really no bigger than a 600 these days. On the track, stock 848's are not any quicker than any of the newer 600's, if anything a lot slower. They need a LOT of setup to get going right. Most of the Japanese 600's are very capable right off the showroom floor with minor changes to springs and basic setups done to them. They have a lot more torque though, which makes them better on the street, and perhaps easier to ride at moderate paces. I have to ask, where do you feel the 600 is holding you back? What is it that you are looking to improve actually? You mention ''stepping up", but I'm not sure exactly what you are getting at with that. Judging by your checking out the 848, I assume you want more torque. Done any sprocket changes on your 600 yet for more pep? Also, do you wrench your own bike? I don't personally feel that Ducati's are unreliable, but they definitely require more service and the costs can run up pretty fast if you don't do it yourself. They aren't very difficult to work on though. And don't sleep on the GSXR750, what an amazing bike that is.
I'll keep the CBR for the track. My parents approve of the idea of a second bike. So, I've started looking for a strictly street use bike. I really like pulling the 600 from down low and pulling through the gears. I've thought about getting bigger sprockets. I do most of the work. I'm sure it would be pretty close to working on the CBR. Just a bit more expensive. What's the 1098 like living with everyday?
Comfort is a personal preference thing IMHO. I'm 5'11'' and rode a Honda RVF400 for a couple years as my only bike and had no problems commuting. Not sure I would go on a long highway trip on it, but anything under an hour on the highway and I was fine. I usually just looked up routes with some curves in them to break things up. Never street rode a Ducati, so i can't tell you.
If you are going to keep the CBR then look at a Ducati Monster S4RS.(or Streetfighter) Naked bike with a superbike motor. More comfy but still has that awesome V twin sound and tons of torque. Ducs can be more to maintain than a jap bike but they will reward you in so many ways. Superb chassis, hair raising sound, and unparalleled styling. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Yeah, I've thought about a Streetfighter. Haven't really looked into an S4RS. When I was at Cavallino this year, there was a 1098R there, guy started it up, revved the crap out of it, and I instantly fell in love. I've been trying to find a Duc dealer in Palm Beach with no luck. Do oyu have any experience with the Hypermotard?
I ride with a guy that has one. Haven't gotten to ride it yet, but sat on it and thought it was to tall. But I never rode dirt bikes either. They are an air cooled motor so less maintenance costs compared to the liquid cooled superbike motor. (2 valve per cylinder instead of 4 per) I like the Monster styling better than the Streetfighter. More round and sexy than angular and sharp. Plus the Monster comes in 2 or 4 valve versions.
If you ever do, let me know what you think of it. I looked into the Monster 696. Absolutely beautiful in Pearl white. The Streetfighter's styling is so brutal. I really like it but, it's a bit pricey. I haven't really seen any used ones for sale at a decent price.
Part of the reason for selling my 1098S is that I needed something more "streetable". Didn't care for the new (at the time) Streetfighter's styling so I went back to a S4Rs, finding a mint, low mileage 2007. I can't think of anything better Image Unavailable, Please Login
Oh man, that thing is a babe! I really would like to find a Ducati dealer around me. The only one I know of was at Daytona Harley and it closed to become some boutique.
Money... Check out the Ducati maintence schedule. R1 vs. CBR. Many magazine like the CBR over the R1. Yet at 1000cc they are both faster than you. To increase your speed on either bike, you will be buying suspension and someone on a 600 will still be faster . I'd say stying (R1 over the CBR?) would be the factor. Also consider the location of your service center. Although my Yamaha mechanic experience is out dated...I never enjoyed wrenching on my 600 CBR, but I did. My understanding that the yet to be release Ninja 1000 will be the new class leader, if time is not the issue and the old Ninja I believe is the most powerful (HP) and quickest in straightlines. I also recall the Ninja goes to 100 mph in 1st gear. Tire wear will be the only increased expense over 600cc. There are so many good 1000cc choices. If I went out of retirement, I would look for a new MV Agusta (because of style - jeez even a used one) or a used R1 limited edition (yellow and black).
True a Duc will cost more to maintain than a jap bike but they are two different animals. The YamSuzKawonda's are like a Maytag washer, they do what they do very well with little or no maintenance. But they are boring. Don't get me wrong they are all very fast and very capable sportbikes. I (and you too) will never be able to come close to the potential of the bike and they don't stir any emotions. They are just a motorcycle to me. Someone on another site said "You start a motorcycle, you bring a Ducati to life!"
There's just something about that, deep growl a Duc makes. I mean, I LOVE the scream of my CBR wide open but,there's just something bout the four stroke thumper sound. The 749 I rode had a full Termi system. It put the sound of my YZ250F race bike to shame. Another thing about getting a Duc, would be riding it to school. That to me is pretty sketchy. I used to have a Honda 250 sportbike and some dick hit it with their door and it fell over. Just got in the car and left. I get kinda nervous driving the CBR to school. Hopefully this year, I'll get a parking spot ALL the way in the back where no one goes but, still.
Good choice keeping the 600 for the track. You mention parents and school. Why the need for a Ducati while you are still living at home and getting an education? Do your self a favour and buy a used Yamaha FZ1 for the street and use the left over money to start saving for a house after school. Just my 2 cents but you can buy a highly capable machine without the Ducati name/ premium and will be better off in the long run.
