Putting this question to this group there is only ONE answer, enjoy your new 848!

 

as lando said... this forum is going to vote 848. honestly though, those two options are pretty much apples to oranges. those bikes aren't even close to one another. maybe consider another set of options, like a used 749 or a used r6 or something. 848 vs 250r is like saying i am trying to decide whether to buy a range rover or a honda crv....

 

848. as far as the heat goes, it gets hot, but cbr600rr runs hotter than the duc.

 

I think anyone telling this guy to get the 848 is full of shit and not think logically.

If there is any question at all, go small. There's no shame in taking the safe road to riding a ducati. I don't think you need to go as drastic as a Ninja 250 (although I hear they are loads of fun). Try out a Honda f4i or something in the 600's from a few years ago. Ride for 6months or a year and let all that motorcycle knowledge come back to you.

You may get mostly 848 votes since it's an 848 forum, but I'd rather so you join the crowd in a year safely then here about your crash next month. Just my .2, (not that it's even worth that much in this economy)

 

this is like asking " should I buy a Ferrari or Hyundai ? "

There is only one answer...

you are 34 ( same age as me ) I say go for it..buy the 848 .. life is too short..live your dream now not tomorrow as it may never come

As to the above reply I disagree, as far as safety you can die just as quick on a 250 as a 850...you seem responsible....treat her with respect and she will love you forever

btw.. you could have done a poll option

 

I agree you have riding experience, your at a sensible age, there are no real problems with the 848 at all...don't waste the money only something for 6 months or so if coming off your learners or provisionals i would disagree. Just buy the 848 its a easy bike to ride and can be ridden practically unlike a I4 which you end up scream its tits off, i still have my 636 which makes you ride like a freak'n hoon.

 

First and foremost, go with what you are comfortable with. You have riding experience so the process of riding is not foriegn to you and whether you are riding a 250r or a D16RR the process is the same, there are just different limitations between the 2. To address some of the problems you list well...

I have the same 30 inseam as you, I had the sag adjusted for my weight and I can pretty much flat foot both feet on mine.

The bike gets hot, man this is not even an issue. I have been sitting on mine in 100+ degree temps in dead stop traffic, was it hot... yes. Would I have been hot on anything else, yep! As soon as you can get up to speed, your cool again.

First year bike issues, these seem to vary from rider to rider. I have over 1500miles and have had 1 stall and had to have the voltage regulator replaced. After that the only problem I have had is a nail in the tire, not the bikes fault, and not enough time to ride the thing.

So only you can descide whats right for you, I wouldnt let the hooligans on this board make up your mind ( no offense guys... I still love ya! ) but I think the concerns you have are pretty minimal to say the least.

my $.02

 

My point was that if he has a question, then there obviously isn't 100% confidence in his riding ability.

Better safe for a little bit than sorry forever.

 

i am 5,7 i lowered the bike and its much better....
so it gets hot.... suck it up, its the price for the looks
yeah its ballzy, but your not a kid, and you got some experience, just feel her out at your own pace and you'll be fine
oh and change your ft sprocket to 14T right away... i love it

 

It all depends what you plan to do with the bike!
Do you want to do commuting, week-end touring, track days, mountain twisties riding, show-off the bike, ...?
I am 37 and this is my second street bike. I use it for commuting weekdays and on the track in the weekends. If I had the money I would convert my 848 for track use only and get another bike for the daily commute. Let's be honest, this is a GREAT racing bike; not a great commuter/tourer.
As far as your abilities to ride it, I have no doubt that you will be able to master it; as Kevin848 pointed out, with a little common sense and experience, riding a 250R or a D16RR is very similar.
You can have lots of fun on a cheaper / easier / more forgiving bike than the 848.
Now if you plan to go to the track then the 848 is the weapon of choice.
hope this helps.
good luck.

 

Let's be honest, this is a GREAT racing bike; not a great commuter/tourer.

pish tosh!! wife and i have almost 3000K's 2up touring on my 848 and loving it!! i commute 400K's a week on a regular basis and love it. as for the original poster.....your at a more relaxed age and handling an 848 is as hard as you want to twist the wrist. the first year of a production line gremlins is as bygone a theory as them being sold running lean for emissions sakes. every manufacturer has their friday lemons come out be it a new model or a 3 year old one. buy the one that puts the biggest grin on your face when you see it!!

 

Get the new 696! Fun to ride, low seat height, lower price, and still a Ducati.

 

A Ducati 848 or a Kawasaki 250?

Is this a serious question?

 

When I was going to by a bike, my friend told me, "go with the bike that bulges your pants the most..." and I did, and got the Mv F4s. It was powerfull and could do far more then I could, but as long as you keep cool, everything is good.. I have never had a scary moment on the road with the Mv the year I had it, now it is gone and a 848 is in place..
Go for the 848 and love every minute of it..
just go ride alone at first, dont have anybody pushing you.. go your tempo and just relax!
then go for a trackday or two.. that changes everything!

 

Philly848, you know you want it, badly... so go get it tiger! Life is very short and fragile and is meant to be enjoyed.

But for the very same reason, take it easy for the first 2000km or so, apply truck loads of common sense and gain knowledge of and comfort with the bike's speed and handling and the interaction with traffic around you. Your family wants and needs you to come home from those wonderful rides ON the bike and in ONE piece...

When you master and 'own' the bike and have become one with it, you can go faster...

Ride safe....

Robert

 

Go for a monster either the new 696 if you want to go with the new shape or for less $$ you can probably get a used S2R or somthing simliar in really good condition. I was ina similar situation, getting into riding after a break and went with the S2R vs. a 749 or a 999 to get used to riding again. S2R was a wonderful bike, good managable power, comfortable and sexy with the single sided swingarm, high cans, etc. and got be prepared for the 848. If I had the $$ I would have kept the S2R. So my vote, if you really want to take the responsible route, get a smaller bike and then go for the superbike.

 

I get asked questions like this all the time at work, and here is the typical answer I give....If its for someone's kid, their first time bike, I say go small. Youngsters just don't have the general highway driving experience (and most don't have the will power and common sense not to do something really stupid). The Kawi 250 or 500 are good, maybe even a tame 600. If you're an adult, and you can control yourself, there is nothing wrong with getting something like the 848, hopefully you aren't going to go crazy with it until you are comfortable with your skill level. Just because the bike can go really fast, doesn't mean you have to ride it that way.......at least not until you're ready to ride that way :naughty:.

 

848 wins the vote and my heart.

Thanks for all the feedbacks, I would like to thank FABO, Mr848 and Robert for your help to make my purchase faster and easier.

I actually went to the dealer yesterday instead of tomorrow to pick up my bike. My ride home (35 miles) was pure joy and to answer my own questions before this purchase;
1. Bike does sit high but I can tip-toe or flat 1 foot so i't not a problem. I would like to lower my bike after some riding time if it bothers me still after 600 miles.
2. It does get hot during traffic stop but not that much hotter than my old FZR600. I can handle it.
3. So far, no problems with gears or anything.

I love this bike and will treat it with respect.

future mods.
after 600 miles - possible lowering
after 1000 miles - HID lights
after 2000 miles - new pipe ( don't know which one yet)
after 3000 miles - anything and everything I want to do to it.:yo:

I will post pictures soon.

 

question? Do you want to become a better rider and learn a bikes capabilities? Or do you just want to have a cool bike that you can just put around on? If you have to ask this question on what bike to buy, I think you should get the 250r and learn to ride the wheels off of it, then when your ready, buy the 848 or 1098, I suggest that you do some track days and learn your what you and the bike are capable of together. I have a 1098s and would love to have a 250r to ring it's kneck. After 20 years of riding and racing I still can't run AMA times. Have fun on the 250 and sell it when your confident and ready.

 

question? Do you want to become a better rider and learn a bikes capabilities? Or do you just want to have a cool bike that you can just put around on? If you have to ask this question on what bike to buy, I think you should get the 250r and learn to ride the wheels off of it, then when your ready, buy the 848 or 1098, I suggest that you do some track days and learn your what you and the bike are capable of together. I have a 1098s and would love to have a 250r to ring it's kneck. After 20 years of riding and racing I still can't run AMA times. Have fun on the 250 and sell it when your confident and ready.

bought 848 yesterday. :laughing:

 

Congrats on the purchase of your new baby and enjoy and be safe. Since you've already bought it, the point is probably moot. Because you posed the question between the 250 & the duc, it would infer that you are not so confident in your riding skills. My vote and I'll probably get flack for it, would be to get the 250r or even a 650R (better if you do a lot of freeway commuting) used and ride it until you build up your confidence again.

#1. When you sell the "confidence building" bike, you'll probably get really close to what you paid for it, hence you've only lost money and basically renting the bike.

#2. If the financial situation is not an issue for you, hell, keep the bike as a second daily grind commute bike.

#3. Man! Have you seen what used 848's are going for? Take a look at the for sale section of this forum. 848's with less than 1k miles on them with mods going for less than what you would purchase a new one for out the door. Just think what will be available 6 months to a year from now!

Just my 0.02.

 

Phill

congrats mate....you will never look back

ride safe

 

Thanks FABO,
You think just like me and I think we could have been a great friend. When you visit USA, philly area, contact me. We will get drunk, talk about our bikes !

 

deal mate

:smoking:

 

I'm riding a ninja 250 right now and I'm glad I went with it first. I feel that I learned how to ride properly faster on the 250 than I would have with a 848. I think I would have had to concentrate too hard on throttle control with the 848. on the 250, I can whack the trottle as hard as I want in any curve and scream around at 11K all day long. I have a blast wringing its little neck and riding the living shit out of it. I plan on getting a 848 when I finish my next rotation. My only regret was buying a new 250 instead of a used one. depreciation is going to whoop my ass when its time to get rid of it.

 

I own both of these bikes. 08 -848 and 08-ninja 250r - the 250r is a gas hog, but it is a ton of fun in the twisties. You gotta run it high 10k rpm in 4th to get through them at 70, but alas. This is why I ride the 848 and my lady friend rides the 250.