Looking ahead and knowing that there i will likely want something a bit more contemporary with a few more horses is there any reason i shouldnt get one? i know a few of you have tracked them and i also know a few have gone down the JIL route after having looked into an 848 i know it will cost more than a JIL but thats fine i live a sober life! id like a 959 but its a bit beyond me presently as a track hack plus it will also be too much for me too soon... so the case for and against an 848 after a 749 please.. over to you
Imho you will find it a step on from the 749. Likely more reliable (mine have been, had 2), wonderful front end. Notice the tri options haven’t moved laptimes on much since 848 evo era, think it wasn’t until v2 that they have actually started beating them. Imho steer clear of a quickshifter, fit good slipper, make sure monoblock calipers, no issue with tyres as lots fit from good fast road to slicks. Get suspension sorted: front too soft and rear too hard for most riders. I’d happily have another!
Should have got that 749R - that would have been a great track bike. Had mine for 12 years and still love it on track and certainly isn’t embarrassed by more modern stuff.
848 evo would be a good choice, has the better brakes ect. Not uncommon for the main bearings to go though but hey just rebuild if they go. As bradders mentioned suspension set up Is a must . After market kit will see it right.
i hasten to add that i am loving the 749 and thats why i have 2 of them im just an eager beaver and looking ahead... i know that my pinnacle track bike will be a 959 but not just yet. i need to become a much much better rider than i am and that will take 2-3 more seasons and lots of instruction etc
848 Evo would be my choice, apart from suspension set up, my only checklist items would be shorter gearing and a slipper clutch, I wouldn't bother with a quickshifter personally on that gearbox
I don't think anyone on here would doubt the handling quality or even really the speed of the 848 Evo, 140hp accessible everywhere, and not really a heavy bike. I think on track the thing that holds it back for serious pace would be how physically demanding they are to ride at pace. But if you are buying it to just have fun, then who cares. The thing about the main bearing thing, is that absolutely there have been quite a few bikes with issues but it's really hard to work out if the bike has the issue when just buying it, total lottery, so something you just can't worry about. I believe it was an assembly issue that caused it in some engines where the side float was too much on the cranks, but I've had 2x 848 Evo's and not had any issues.
Greetings strangers. It’s been quite awhile since I was last here. How are we all doing? Sev is correct. I did the 749 big bore conversion as per Brad Black’s blog. Oddly enough I’ve just this second finished wiping it down of two years worth of dust! And will be having a go at Donington on Friday 3rd June. Haven’t ridden a bike for two years? No problem! Straight back to advance group. What “could” go wrong?
