[Ducati] Re: Demo Ride experience of 848 (1098?)

[2vtwin at comcast.net]

Finally a breath of common sense, I predict the M696 with an experinced 160 lbs rider on board will cause havoc on a back mountain road and all the HP junkies will be scratching their heads. - Gene

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Jim Calandro" <capo at carolina.rr.com> 

> I am with WJ here go for the 848. Easier to turn in and less weight to 
> carry around. Don't let the people who say you need more power sway you. 
> First of all anything more than about 50 hp is wasted in the tight mountain 
> roads that you ride where you live. Too many unknowns to use much more. 
> When we instruct we often get asked what is the best track bike and usually 
> they want me to pick between the R1 and a GSXR 1000. When I tell them an SV 
> 650 or an older 900 SS they look at me as if I just stepped off a flying 
> saucer. The best race bike I ever had was an old Yamaha SR 500 single. It 
> taught me more about going fast than any bike I have had since including my 
> 999. Very few people can use the power of the 1098 either on the track or 
> the street and especially the latter. 
> 
> Jim 
> 
> Jim Calandro 
> il Capo 
> US DESMO 
> www.usdesmo.com 
> 704-843-0429 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Wyeth Jackson" 
> To: 
> Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 11:39 AM 
> Subject: [Ducati] Re: Demo Ride experience of 848 (1098?) 
> 
> 
> > Willie, here's an 848 demo opinion... get the 848. :) 
> > 
> > I demo'd an 848 and am picking up my bike next month, to be my street 
> > bike/track day bike. My last racebike was a 748R (back in the day) and I 
> > loved riding it--it made me a better rider, expanded my skills. I also 
> > raced some excellent inline4 600's, but the chasis and front end feedback 
> > was nothing like the 748R. The Duc felt easier to ride and was more 
> > fun--I 
> > hope the 848 approaches the experience. The 1098 is the pinacle of 
> > bikes! But I agree with what the salesman told you, I don't enjoy riding 
> > big bikes at the track as much--harder under braking, harder to flick/turn 
> > quickly, more effort in the fun sections. Go for the lighter more 
> > flickable 
> > 848, you'll love it. 
> > 
> > BTW, my 848 demo experience was excellent (although it was 34 degrees in 
> > Denver). What stood out the most to me was the transmission and clutch, 
> > both fabulous. The clutchless upshifts were effortless, even into 2nd, 
> > and 
> > the downshifts were so smooth I thought it was a slipper. Gearing was 
> > very 
> > too tall, but the wet clutch was so forgiving it was a non-issue pulling 
> > away from lights. I know the dry clutch is essential to the enthusiast 
> > and 
> > I will probably be criticized for saying so--IMHO they are inconsistent, 
> > grabby and they suck to launch. Just my personal experience from racing 
> > one, and I'm fine with the 848 wet clutch. The bike felt fast on the 
> > highway portion of my demo, and the brakes had excellent bite and feel. 
> > I'm 
> > hearing new owners complain about the 848 brakes and I don't know why, I 
> > like them. Don't worry about throttle slop, that's minor to tighten up on 
> > most bikes--or go aftermarket if it's that distracting. 
> > 
> > Best of luck on your decision, your options are both excellent. 
> > 
> > WJ 
> > 
> > "Message: 12 
> > Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2008 17:15:18 -0500 
> > From: Rardin & Carroll Architects 
> > Subject: [Ducati] Demo Ride experience of 848 (1098?) 
> > To: 
> > Message-ID: <200824171518.668868 at Guest> 
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" 
> > The sales man felt that the 848 would be a better fit for a track day bike 
> > than the 1098. He explained that in the corners the 848 would be a better 
> > and enjoyable track day bike than the all powerful 1098. He felt the 1098 
> > may get some people in trouble. Any opinions anyone? 
> > The one down fall I notice between my 1999 748 and the 2008 848 was the 
> > sensitivity in the throttle. My bike in the neutral position, if I twist 
> > the throttle there is instant engine response. On the 848 I started to 
> > twist nothing a little more nothing then finally the bike comes alive with 
> > a 
> > response. I wonder is this the same with the 1098 model? Can the 
> > sensitivity in the throttle position response be adjusted? 
> > But for all those out there who have not had the opportunity to throw a 
> > leg 
> > over the 848, everything the magazines say about the bike is true. Now 
> > that I have said that will they come out with one in a S model or R. 
> > Larry 
> > Pegram has a great platform to start out with for the 2008 season. Maybe 
> > we 
> > may see Ducati contend for a title in Formula Extreme. Its got me second 
> > guessing my future purchase of a 1098. I am by no means a AMA or MotoGP 
> > racer, (in my mind and dreams maybe) so I am sure riding the bike at it 
> > true 
> > limits is beyond me. But I am still willing to learn but not risk it all 
> > at 
> > a track day. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. 
> > Willie F. Spight Jr." 
> > ***** 
> > 
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> 
> 
> ***** 
> 
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