[akira]

Hi All,

Just joined the forum. great to hear about your experiences.

I'm a relatively new rider. Purchased a Monster 695 this past summer and been riding the heck out of it. I'm pretty comfortable with the bike, wanting more power, and feel that I'm ready for stepping it up... i visited the local the dealer for the 848 launch and think the bike is perfect.

Couple of questions.

1) I live in downtown Boston and work close by. I'll be doing a lot of city riding, although I do like to open it up on the highways and city outskirts for joy rides whenever I can. The Monster 695 is great for the city in terms of being comfortable as it's pretty upright. I don't have any experience with riding a supersport bike where you're leaned forward much more. The longest time i've spent on the bike in one sitting is about 4 hours (naturally with stops for fuel). Is the 848 going to be an issue riding in the city or perhaps a 3 hour ride to NY? I heard it's going to be much more unconfortable, and with the bumpy, pot-hole filled streets, the supersport is not a good fit. Thoughts/opinions?

2) I frequently have my girlfriend as a passenger. I've also been a passenger on my monster 695 and it's much more comfortable than when i was a passenger on a Ninja ZX-6R... has anyone had any feedback from 848 passengers? is it too hard of a ride? uncomfortable? unstable? Are there any aftermarket seats that would be more comfortable? I know this bike is made for the track, and i would like to start bringing it on the track this summer, but i'd like the flexibility of carrying passengers for leisure rides as well.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, and happy riding!

Edwin

PS if anyone on the forum is from the boston area, please feel free to contact me. i'm up for a group outing when the weather gets warmer.

 

[DU-CAT-I]

I've been riding liter bikes for years, the 848 is my first Ducati and my first V-twin. The first thing I noticed taking it around my town was the gearing seemd a little tall for the city, the bike didn't like crawling, I had to give it some extra gas out of the lights. The agressive riding position is a little forward too, you put alot of weight on your hands. I'm not complaining, just a noticable difference from my last bike (CBR954). After 150 miles I couldn't wait to get off. I'm sure it will get better once I get more used to it, but it is definitely set up to be a race bike, not a cruiser around town.

 

[SamiKai]

It's comfortable in it's own right by modern sportbike comparisons but comparing it to a Monster is night and day. If I compare it to say my '07 R6 my 848 is far more comfortable. I can do 100 miles easily on the 848. After 40-50 on the R6 I am hurting. City riding I think really shouldn't be an issue. After all you are stopping and going so much you have time to stretch your legs to the ground, lift your butt off the seat, etc... The long hauls can get a bit uncomfortable. I am not sure about 300 miles. But heck after 100 you'd have to stop and get gas anyway.

The passenger seat is no better. I mean look at it. Only a few inches wide. There is decent padding on it but that's like putting foam padding on a 2x4 really not much comfort there. My wife hates being the passenger on any of my bikes which is why she rides her own.

You can get after market seats for the front seat but I am not sure what is available for the pillion seat.

 

[Aztec]

I have a Monster 800 and an 848. I put clip-ons on the Monster because I don't like sitting that upright. The 848 is lower than that, and I have yet to fully adapt to that position (an hour and my wrists/elbows are sore). However, highway speeds are another matter entirely -- the wind holds you up and relieves the weight on your hands. I'd way rather ride the 848 for a long 60mph+ haul than the Monster. Even more so if it had the stock upright bmx-style bar.

In traffic, the 848 is fine. Geared a little tall, but the clutch is very friendly. It sure gets hot, though, and your right leg and butt will cook. The Monster is extremely docile in stop/go, but I hate the clutch with it's action all in the first inch or so of travel (e.g., it doesn't engage until the lever is almost all the way out).

 

[848Ryder]

From my experience with my 848 riding today, it is pretty tough work with the gearing/shifting in the City, compared to my last bike ('05 R6). You will stay in 2nd and 3rd gear, and will need to downshift early, as with the twin, the gearing will chatter slightly if you get caught in a high gear - while too low on the RPMs. Overall though I thought it perfromed well in the City streets. I even had my girlfriend on the rear seat...whichs interestingly takes us to the next topic.

LOL, okay so she had opinions with the air vent "wings" on the tail. She let me know that she felt uncomfortable because this part of the tail kept rubbing against her calves, not to mention forces her to (ahem) spread her legs wider. The other gripe is that the seat surface is somewhat sloped, and is angled toward the rider. So, at stops and downhills, I could notice that she is pushing me somewhat on the back, waist etc. Freaking irritating to me. LOL At stoplights I could also tell she was uncomfortable cuz she kept moving around. DAYMNIT. haaha LOL. Anyway, she found a comfort position and used the jacket straps on my waist for handles.

We have ridden as a pair on my R6 countless times before, but I guess its something we'll have to adapt to!!!

BTW, DID MENTION THAT I AM IN LOVE WITH MY NEW BIKE? HHAAHAA

 

[akira]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

I put a deposit for a red 848 today. Mid-March delivery. i'm psyched!

DU-CAT-I
yeah, the forward position will be something I'll have to get used to, but i'll probably be enjoying the ride too much


SamiKai,
i was really thinking about getting an R6 originally, but i'm glad you gave me your feedback. No regrets. yeah, i think my girfriend will have to settle for sitting passenger, or if she wanted, i'd give her the monster, but she's not ready for that. good for your wife!

Aztec
makes me feel better to know that you enjoy the 848 on the highway better than the monster. i remember taking a trip to cape cod (took a bit over an hour) and my back was actually starting to get uncomfortable from sitting upright too much, i found myself leaning forward and pressing against the top of the bike to relax on the highway. And yes, the clutch action on the monster can be annoying. I thought it was a defect at first, but i guess that is characteristic of all monsters.

848Ryder,
Thanks for the detail! it really helped me make my decision. i'll have to figure out a way to prevent her calves and a$$ to burn, although leg spread can be a pretty good reason to keep it the way it is haha. having a girl passenger on the monster is really easy and there's not a lot of back pushing, so this is something we'll have to get used to. she's not a big girl at all, but I can imagine having a small seat on a fast bike might be irritating after a while.