848 vs 999S - I test rode them both

[kel999]

Originally Posted by Nathan

go ride one of the new `1130cc Tornado's. A bloke on the benelli forum came down to a decision between a 1098S or the new Tornado, He went with the Tornado and has no regrets and pocketed about 4K or I know of a LE 900cc Tornado originally costing 65K , going for 25K, only a 100 or so kays on the clock. I think its in Vic too.

Feel sorry for the poor sod losing 40k in 100klm's???

[rod]

Ha ha duc13 I'm thinking I'd like totally mental. You get a bit more unexpected value for your dollar. I didn't get anywhere near the upper revs on the 999S. Thus it even comes with a cheap power increase - open the throttle up a bit further!

Potato Jones you should get a ride of a 2005/2006 999S and see if you think it's as angry as I think (have the Termi slip on and lighter crank and rods I think, so a quicker spinning donk). I love the 851, the 999 is a bit like its reincarnation. Now Ducati have gone back to the 916 with the 1098.

Nathan is that Tornado owned by a guy in Melbourne who has a substantial collection of different expensive bikes? I can't remember his name, have seen him around here over the years on various things and the guys at Ducati shop told us his name but I've forgotten it already.

Hey Rhino the 848 must feel like it virtually rides itself! Did your 749 have a Termi slip on?

Now Quattro needs to wangle a spin on a 848 and tell us what he thinks of it!

[Rhino]

Yeah mate, 749 had slip ons. Was a nice package... I just didn't like the look of the front and was ready for an upgrade.

[Nathan]

Yep manager of a company that does defence supply or something, i do have his email on the work laptop if you are interested, and yes, i believe a while ago he had a MV series Oro or senna for sale plus the LE and various other things, if it wasnt the MV Oro it was some other Limited edition MV, seems like a nice bloke, the LE comes with Ti conrods, dry slipper clutch (exposed) Marchesini's, CrMo frame tubes and FULL carbon fibre body work. If you wish to contact him I can drop by the office and get his email, otherwise I'm on holidays to the 29/1 :-P or do a search for Le Tornado or this forum :-)

[Nathan]

A David Byrne a search came up with, according to deej he is the sales manager, which promptes the questions of how deej knows him. ;-)
comes with a set of alternative gears in a foam lined briefcase, factory race stands and bike cover if i remember correctly, 1 of 2 in Australia.

Ive seriously considered it myself as a investment.

[LabRatt]

I'm a bit suprised you didnt ride the 1098 but understand the budget thing. Sometime you just have to go what the hell. I would have thought the 1098 would be the ideal compromise. An 848 with more power than a 999S. Just because the powers there doesnt mean you have to use it (yeah well I know I would..)... I know from past experiene it didnt take me long to want more power from my 748 and after I spent a heap converting it to 853 it would have been cheaper to buy a new 998 at the time. Just something else to think about I guess....

[rod]

Yeah, I'd like a 1098 (a black 1098S actually) but I have to put a line in the sand somewhere. One thing I have found out is that the 2006 (and 2005) 999S has a lighter crank and pankl conrods, from some years 999R. This might go some way toward explaining how snappy and slightly crazy it felt.

[duc13]

Sooooooooo Rod ,Which one is in the garage????????

[Mr John]

Great read Rob, nicely written.



Would this be a bad place to mention that Ducati's remind me of Hyosungs?

[Nathan]

no, that would be accurate, Bimota's more so :-), or my bike ;-)

[rod]

None yet, Duc13. Have to sell the collection in the garage first......... :cryfase:

[Tenchi]

Great writing. The second of two excellent bike reviews (the other being the MT-01 by Aphex) in 2 days that have been nothing but a pleasure to read. I finally understand why Ducati owners love their bikes so much, and why even though the running joke is that Ducati has been making "mechanics out of motorbike riders since xxxx", they're still a very popular bike. From the sounds of that, the Ducati 848 is a very nice blend of power and manueverability.

[Nero Diablo]

Originally Posted by rod

None yet, Duc13. Have to sell the collection in the garage first......... :cryfase:

Nooo....... not the ..... Italjet!

[rod]

I'm still deciding if that one should go.....I will require a scooter for scootling to work in the city and am wondering if I should do a big rebuild on the Dragster or just get a recent model Aprilia SR50. The Dragster just looks so ace and goes like a mad thing......

[rod]

Update! Hopefully signing some papers tomorrow!

[ducmon]

You will be happy as ...

[quattro750]

Originally Posted by rod

Now Quattro needs to wangle a spin on a 848 and tell us what he thinks of it!

Nice write up Rod. Yeah it's about time I got on one of the new ones and tested em out. usually having too much fun passing them at Barbagallo on the trumpy. will be interesting to see if the steering is as good as the R. the R is pretty much perfect set on 23.5 deg, easily the best steering bike i have ridden (the trumpy is not quite as good).

anyone want to lend me their 848 or 1098??

q

[Rhino]

Originally Posted by quattro750

usually having too much fun passing them at Barbagallo on the trumpy.q

Oh God. First they tell you how good the Ducati is to pass other bikes on the outside, then they move to something else and sing the same tune.

*smacks head*

So did I miss something...? Which one you getting? An S or an 848? Or other?

[Mosh]

Great write up...I'm still dreamin...hehe

[rod]

Update! I suppose things are far along with everything on the buying side of things for me to be able to spill the beans...............



999R F03

Should be getting picked up from interstate tomorrow and in my hot little hands early next week. 264km on the clock.