amz Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 Just got back from doing all the paperwork on my wife's new 2009 Ducati Monster 696. While she was working out the details, I was looking around, and they "offered" me a great deal on a new 1098 S. And I am quite interested Somebody, please, tell me I'm crazy, or that Ducatis are POSs, or something...
ShovelStrokeEd Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 You are SOL my friend. The 1098 us a great bike. All you have to do is find some nearby roads that suit it.
russell_bynum Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 Ducati's SUCK!!! Unless you like bikes with drop-dead gorgeous styling, top-notch suspension, gobs and gobs and gobs of torque, and more soul than James Brown.
upflying Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 It's not insanity. You have been seduced and your emotions have taken control of your conscious mind.
EffBee Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 To be in their element, Ducatis require twisty roads. Especially one of such single a focus as the 1098S. Look around. You're in Iowa. Last I visited there's a turn here and there, but nothing that would make this an attractive bike for the region. And they're no fun on the freeways. I have no doubt that your dealer offered you a super deal. The above is partly serious, partly in good-natured jest. However, the serious part is real. If you don't have roads that do the bike justice, all you're buying is the name and a few quick bursts on the straights. And that gets old WAAAY before the payment book runs out of coupons.
amz Posted July 17, 2008 Author Posted July 17, 2008 Ah... Voice of reason. Yep, I'm in Iowa, Western Iowa (~40 miles N of Omaha, NE), and while we do have some sweeping roads here, definitely no 'twisties.' Just got off the phone with the guy (he's one of the owners of the dealership & the General Manager), and he has 3500 miles on his 1098; he has had it for over a year; about 3000 of his miles are from the track... Guess that settles that.
keithb Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 "Somebody, please, tell me I'm crazy, or that Ducatis are POSs, or something..." Ok you're crazy. I agree with EffBee. If you notice my signature line I use to own a 748 for 5 yrs./9K miles. This bike ABSOLUTELY requires twisties. Let me also say the 748/916/996 are the sexiest models in the motorcycle world and I was totally seduced by this bike. I also have twisties 30-50 miles from my house and A LOT of them. Unfortunately the riding position just sucked on this bike. The 1098 is much better for riding comfort. This is a pure sport bike made for turning and if you don't have that many turns it will get old fast. If you gotta have one, which I did, go the pre-owned route, which I did. There are a lot of them out there for sale and most will have less than 6K miles on them. The depreciation on Ducs is steep and rapid. I don't think you want to take a 30%-40% hit in the first couple of years.
Firefight911 Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 Look into the sinning wheel, you're getting sleepy, sleepy, sleepier . . . Ducati, Ducati, Ducati . . . You want one, you want one, you want one . . . Give on your inner youth, give in your inner youth, give in your inner youth . . . Now, relax . . . . . Make buzzing sounds with lips that simulates throttle and gear changes of Ducati while riding . . . . Do it, do it . . . There! That should help a bit. Oh, and the Lamborghini stops faster vs the base 1098 so, really, what's the point?????? I'm looking at this as my foray into a retro styled Duc.
blkvelvt Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 The 1098 is a superb second bike. As a primary ride, your trips will be much shorter before you take a butt/back rest. Excellent bike in it's element. Does Iowa resemble the Italian Alps at all? I can see where the racetrack time was used a lot from the dealer. Every inch had to be thrilling.
leikam Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 I don't know... if the deal is really very good and don't have to sell your GT, you could always buy it, have whatever fun there is to be had on such a bike in Iowa, and then sell it to somebody with roads or a racetrack that will appreciate it more. There's nothing that says you need to own this bike forever or ride it all the time.
amz Posted July 18, 2008 Author Posted July 18, 2008 Thanks for the responses and "keeping me sane" ! I will get a demo 1098 (no Ohlins etc) for the week-end to 'test;' that will most definitely help me make up my mind...
stubblejumper Posted July 18, 2008 Posted July 18, 2008 If you are being driven insane now,just think how insane you would be if you owned the 1098,and had no twisty roads nearby. I would love an HP2 Sport myself,but it would be a waste where I live.
Yeeha! Stephen Posted July 18, 2008 Posted July 18, 2008 So.... I won't tell you how good the GT and the Duc look together? Or, How the Celebrity Status is at Breakfast?
Yeeha! Stephen Posted July 18, 2008 Posted July 18, 2008 Ha! I'll bet a few of you noticed... those photos are from 2 different bikes. Yep. An "R" showed up for breakfast too. Hee Hee!
stubblejumper Posted July 18, 2008 Posted July 18, 2008 Why stop at the 1098R? While my r1200st was being serviced,I checked out the Desmosedici RR.Talk about insane. http://www.argyllmotorsports.com/new_units.php?cat=1&m=1
amz Posted July 18, 2008 Author Posted July 18, 2008 Ok. I test-rode the demo 1098 for almost 4 hours today. Interstate (I-680 and I-29), two lane county roads, and some of the few 'sweepey' roads around here. Overall impression of the 1098 - gorgeous bike; very light and nimble; even in the non-S 'trim,' very stable and confidence-inspiring in the sweepers. But, if not carving corners, riding this thing is quite uncomfortable, even with Master Yoda and all. So, I decided that I'll pass on it. Thanks to all who responded and restored my sanity. Oh, and I did take home the wife's new Monster 696 after testing the 1098:
greglepore Posted July 19, 2008 Posted July 19, 2008 Try a used 749 or 999, a little more comfy than the 1098....
rob1100r Posted July 19, 2008 Posted July 19, 2008 Somebody, please, tell me I'm crazy, or that Ducatis are POSs, or something... If you can't say something nice....
amz Posted July 20, 2008 Author Posted July 20, 2008 Even 'sexier' ... And she keeps up better with me now too
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