Ducati 1098S V R1200S comparison.

[2wheelmike]

[QUOTE=OwenM;4823998]First off the R12S is no donkey, well if it is it’s a very quick and effective one.
[QUOTE]

+1

Originally Posted by OwenM

The I4’s deliver all their power at very high revs, they just don’t offer big twin torque at middling rpm which is used most often on the road.

When was the last time you rode a modern I4 machine? My GSXR 1000 (01) had as much midrange torque as my R1200S does. Maybe not as much as the 1098 (1198), but plenty enough to pop wheelies and spin the rear at will.

Regardless, it sounds like you're enjoying the heck out of your ride. I would too-

[John Lyon]

Originally Posted by cageyar

When the rider took off her helmet and I realized it was a female, I bolted for the door and beat the other tech, Bruce, out of the back entrance.

My wife and I met working in a ski shop and skiing is my first love, so I just went with that.. (Once again, here I go perpetuating a side conversation, ignoring the title of the thread. Oh, so what.)

[dohc97]

This is the first time I've been to this site in almost 2 years. I used to have a 2007 R1200S. Sold it in January 2008 and bought a 2008 1098. Sold the 1098 almost a month ago and now rides a 2009 BMW K1300S. I had Helibars on my 1098 and it was still too extreme for my 52 year bones. The K1300S is the first I4 I have ridden and owned. Coming from a big v-twin, I thought all I4's only come alive when the tach reads past 6,000. Not the big K1300S; I can be in 6th gear doing 30, and it still pulls strongly without downshifting. The big K is also much, much more comfortable than my 1098. Riding position is more user friendly and the ESA suspension is just a lot better to me. I am sure that the 1098 is a better bike for the track. But on everyday roads, the big K is just fine for me. 175 hp and 103 ft/lbs of torque are pretty good numbers for a road bike.

ymmv:-)

[chewie]

I guess it goes to show, if you haven't ridden it don't write it off. Surprised by your comments of comfort Owen I am.

Cements my previous notions, there's a Duc in my future, fit me nicely one of them will...

[BXR12NT]

Originally Posted by chewie

I guess it goes to show, if you haven't ridden it don't write it off. Surprised by your comments of comfort Owen I am.

Cements my previous notions, there's a Duc in my future, fit me nicely one of them will...

Turned in to Yoda you have.

[chewie]

[OwenM]

[QUOTE=2wheelmike;4825967]

Originally Posted by OwenM

First off the R12S is no
When was the last time you rode a modern I4 machine? My GSXR 1000 (01) had as much midrange torque as my R1200S does. Maybe not as much as the 1098 (1198), but plenty enough to pop wheelies and spin the rear at will.

Don’t know about the R12S but the stock 1098 with cat’s and baffled cans seems to be well ahead of the 07 GSXR up to 9500rpm, with the completely open 70mm Termi exhaust and custom ECU improving power and torque from 3500rpm on (particularly in the 4000 to 6000rpm rejoin) the Duc is even further in front. http://www.sportrider.com/performance_numbers/146_sportbike_dyno_charts/photo_48.html

[OwenM]

Originally Posted by dohc97

This is the first time I've been to this site in almost 2 years. I used to have a 2007 R1200S. Sold it in January 2008 and bought a 2008 1098. Sold the 1098 almost a month ago and now rides a 2009 BMW K1300S. I had Helibars on my 1098 and it was still too extreme for my 52 year bones. The K1300S is the first I4 I have ridden and owned. Coming from a big v-twin, I thought all I4's only come alive when the tach reads past 6,000. Not the big K1300S; I can be in 6th gear doing 30, and it still pulls strongly without downshifting. The big K is also much, much more comfortable than my 1098. Riding position is more user friendly and the ESA suspension is just a lot better to me. I am sure that the 1098 is a better bike for the track. But on everyday roads, the big K is just fine for me. 175 hp and 103 ft/lbs of torque are pretty good numbers for a road bike.

ymmv:-)

A couple of months back I tested a K1300S, I rode it for an hour on deserted country roads, it pulled like a train down low but man what a boring ride, no fire or excitement. Got back on the R12S and did the same road again and it was heaps more fun and felt faster, which is what sports riding is all about as far as I am concerned. The handling, weight, engine, sound and overall feel of the K1300S did not strike me as sporty, an Autobahn rocket it no doubt is but a sport bike it definitely is not. I found it quite comfortable and it had relatively good wind protection but as a tourer it’s no match for an R12RT. As an all round sports touring bike I would much rather have the Triumph Sprint ST that I test rode a week or so back, it was comfortable and fun.
If I was restricted to one bike it would be the Sprint ST.

I am fortunate in that I am not restricted to one bike and can have the 1098S for sports riding and the R12RT for more laid back motorcycling fun.
I am glad you are enjoying the K13S, it obviously fulfils your needs but unfortunately it did not work for me, just as the 1098 will not be appropriate for many.

[OwenM]

Originally Posted by chewie

I guess it goes to show, if you haven't ridden it don't write it off. Surprised by your comments of comfort Owen I am.

Cements my previous notions, there's a Duc in my future, fit me nicely one of them will...

Not as surprised as me mate, sitting on the 1098-1198 in the showroom gave me the impression the Duc’s would be ridiculously uncomfortable in use; nothing could be further from the truth in my case.
If you happen to “fit” the Ducati’s really work, not only a piece of Italian engineering art but an amazingly effective sports motorcycle. The seat is bloody ordinary but $200-$300 will fix that.

[OwenM]

Originally Posted by John Lyon

Does she know what's headed her way? If she's anything like mine, good luck with that one...

My lady was thrilled when I told her I was purchasing a bike we could enjoy together and thought that it was very romantic (women?), She does not cramp my style in any way (nor would I tolerate it), I do what I want and buy what I want without her say so. She is out looking for “stylish” girly riding gear so she will “look good” out on the road. The normal baggy riding gear does not appeal to a woman who always takes pride in her girly appearance. Got to love that.

[RC51DRAG]

Originally Posted by shreddr

The last time I looked Ducati was running a bike that looked a lot like the 1098 in WSBK.

It is an interesting ride report, it reminds me a lot of my R11S vs R12S ride report, in that there seems to be no downside to ownership of the more racier model, even if it is purely used for the street. The release of the SKRR will surely get a lot of ink, and in the meantime the hype seems justified when compared to the other I4 offerings.

The 1098 is a lovely machine, and hits a lot of the motivational buttons for me: big bore twin, liquid cooled, upside down fork, Ohlins, anaconda exhaust, trick wheels, etc. If the new BMW SKRR was of a similar nature (big bore twin) I would be first in line for 1. If I had to list my top most desirable bikes they would probably be:

HP2S (a lot of my bling would bolt straight up, but I wouldn't expect much of a performance gain)

KTM RC8 (for all the reasons i mentioned above)

SKRR (the Roundel is the only reason, because I don't think I want an I4)

Ducatis are nice, but they seem so obvious, its almost the top layer of sport bike posing (no offense to anyone here) I guess I like a little bit of exclusivity to my machines, which I am afraid to say may be a component of the SKRR. Time will tell

Your last two comments are pretty funny; roundel is the only reason for buying the SKRR but Ducati's are the height of posing...

In some ways my mindset is the same, give me a boxer/twin superbike over an I4 any day and yes the roundel would likely be the only reason I buy the SKRR but I prefer the boxer. Sadly the HP2S may be too focused for me given I already own an HP2 and am also looking at buying a two-up bike to take the missus on.

KTM and Aprilia still have some network issues in Canada and not a big network to begin with and Aprilia's price (est. $30K CAD) stings. Ducati may seem obvious but then so is a Ferrari or Porsche and with good reason. I understand the desire to be different, hey I ride a 100 hp dirtbike, but Ducati's are not at the top without reason. Ducati reliability has increased and I think if it was left well enough alone, stock with minor upgrades, it's all that is needed for many moons. Prices are more in line with the Japanese as well. Does anyone really need more than the base model.

[RC51DRAG]

Originally Posted by Mad Otter

I'm not generalizing...cause I know lots of duc riders that rip, but... there are tons of ducs up here in the bay area that aren't being ridden to 25% of their potential. [/B]So to Shreddr's comment about "posing"...hmmm, proof is in the parking lot at Alice's.
Personally, I think Ducs are some of the most beautiful machines on two wheels...they're just flat out sexy! I have only ridden one...a 749 Paso back when I had my K75S...it was a tiny bike so at 6'3" I felt like my head was over the front axle...not a real confidence booster, but it was high on the "cool" factor.

But it is a generalization and an accurate one as the same can be said for 99% of sportbike riders; the majority being Japanese motorcycle owners who never see the track. Guess I'm not understanding the Ducati poser factor. Maybe in other areas its different but in the cities I've lived in Ducati owners are rarely seen on the street compared to Japanese sportbike owners. Most Ducati's I see are at the track.

[John Lyon]

Originally Posted by OwenM

She is out looking for “stylish” girly riding gear so she will “look good” out on the road. The normal baggy riding gear does not appeal to a woman who always takes pride in her girly appearance. Got to love that.

Excellent. The chance to buy clothes actually has got my wife a little intrigued as well. However, she thought I was talking about a trip to Ojai and back. When I mentioned Seattle, she said "What, with me?" Oh well, maybe she can drive the support vehicle with the beverages, spare clothes, etc.

[cageyar]

Originally Posted by John Lyon

Excellent. The chance to buy clothes actually has got my wife a little intrigued as well. However, she thought I was talking about a trip to Ojai and back. When I mentioned Seattle, she said "What, with me?" Oh well, maybe she can drive the support vehicle with the beverages, spare clothes, etc.

The best is when the old lady rides her own bike, you're cranked over on your R12S and you steal a glance in the left mirror and she's cranked over on her CB1 about the same and her headlight is 30 feet behind you. I've always been proud of her riding skills (she's been riding since 1973) I think she does it naturally because I'm sure she has no idea where the limit is. Many moons ago, during my AFM days in CA, she took my race bike out for a few laps at Sears but she didn't like people passing on the inside of her in the curves. I think I'll keep her.

[ckcarr]

Originally Posted by OwenM

My lady was thrilled when I told her I was purchasing a bike we could enjoy together and thought that it was very romantic (women?), She does not cramp my style in any way (nor would I tolerate it), I do what I want and buy what I want without here say so. She is out looking for “stylish” girly riding gear so she will “look good” out on the road. The normal baggy riding gear does not appeal to a woman who always takes pride in her girly appearance. Got to love that.

I recommend the Harley cream colored leather jacket with small fringes. On the right woman, with the right pants, and one size too small, they can be very hot!





(Is it real or just Memorex?)

[girevikdavid]

Hi - I'm new to the forum and wanted to say hi and respond to this thread as I have one of each (1098S and R1200S). I love them both but guard against comparisons as I'd not love them both if I did. There was mention of saddles and ergs so for whatever it's worth I have a Sargent saddle on the 1098 which is fantastic and would have one on the R1200S also but Sargent hasn't stepped up yet with that one and I couldn't tolerate another long ride on "the plank". I bought a Corbin and much to my pleasant surprise really like it. It's as firm as the Sargent, cradles the bum, and has sufficient front rise to restrain forward slippage under braking or downhill. The Duc really demanded Heli bars (my wrists told me so) but so far I've been able to enjoy the 1200S with the stock bars. One thing that really helps if anyone doesn't know about these are Tech Spec tank grippers. I recommend the "snakeskin" which has a more aggressive "tread" and allows knee grip on the tank to eliminate some wrist strain.

I'd wanted a Ducati since first hearing the musical note of the 250cc Scrambler in the mid 60s but hesitated because of my fear of reliability issues. I haven't had problem one with my 1098 - knock wood!

My other scoots are a R1200RT for rides with the Mrs., and an S4RS Monster for my inner hooligan. An interesting side note on saddles. The RT has a Sargent which is every bit as awesome as the one on the Ducati - everything one could desire in a sport/touring saddle. The Monster's Sargent however is another story. I think they tried to give a Superbike feel to the monster by raising the height. In doing so, they lost the more upright naked bike feel. It also doesn't cradle the bum but seems to have a "hump" that you would associate with with a stock saddle. Weird.

Well after reading some posts and writing this, I think it's time to go for a ride

David

[shreddr]

The yellow HESA pan looks nice!

[2wheelmike]

Yes, and what other good bits do I see on that beauty?

[Mad Otter]

Originally Posted by OwenM

My lady was thrilled when I told her I was purchasing a bike we could enjoy together and thought that it was very romantic (women?), She does not cramp my style in any way (nor would I tolerate it), I do what I want and buy what I want without her say so. She is out looking for “stylish” girly riding gear so she will “look good” out on the road. The normal baggy riding gear does not appeal to a woman who always takes pride in her girly appearance. Got to love that.

Have her check out RevIt...they cut for girls curves better than any I've seen.