Look. I always take ages to make a decision, maybe that s a good thing. Dont get too hasty. But Ive been handkering at the idea of "doangrading" to a 999s mono from the 848. I had the 749s previous which was a fantastic bike but I feel I like the look of the 999 more. Yes, this much talked about debate will range on well after this. Has anyeone made this change ? Its not going backwards, more of a preference change? I thiknk the 999 are stunning. The weight and bhp seem comparable. Anyone any thoughts?
I prefer the look of the 999, but have no idea what the 848 rides like. Wouldn't be surprised if the 848 is possibly the more capable bike tbh, but unless one can ride the nuts off of a bike I would think it boils down to which one you like the look of best / are more comfy with. Love my 749 - don't the 7 and 9 look pretty / almost identical? 999 would be my choice, although apparently more probs and more expensive than a 749 - so I've been told (could be nonsense and each bike is different anyway) Enjoy the fretting / search and eventually the 999
Many before me have said.... The 999 looks great from the face back, but I can't get beyond its ugly mush. However in race trim it looks 'proper gorge'...As the young 'uns are fond of saying... These cans look the part. What are they?
I don't really think it's a downgrade for road riders, I suspect the advantage of the 848/1098 is only really on track tbh. I would question the weight? My understanding is that the 999 series bikes are still 10+KG Heavier although the 'S' with Ohlins and Marchesinis may be comparable to the standard 848. Ps... 999 has more rider position adjustment and adjustable pegs as standard, some would argue that's a huge benefit on the road?
I currently have the 749s and use it for trackdays, I was looking for a change to an 848 but yet to have a ride on one, from what i hear speaking to people that have 749/990/848 bikes they love them for there own reasons, so test ride the bike and i think it will come down to preferances as opposed to performances etc.
look at the performance history of either on the track…. secondly weight depends how you measure it……..as i bet they are very similar…………………………..in the real world!!!
Tks for the comments. Im going to try and ride one to make a real comparison. In an ideal world it would be great to have both but I cant justify that. ( The idea i had re the 899 is on hold, cant make my mind up !! ). Id be the average rider with the v odd trackday ( first one this yr ) but i can ride quick enough in twisty when i the mood takes. With the goodies the "s" has, should make up with what the younger 848 has in Ducati's advancements as such from the 9 series to the 8 series. Sorry to bring the hwole 999 thing up again...but we'll levae it at the fact its gawgeous ! :tongue:
I currently have a standard 848 after owning a 999 for 3 years so here is my opinion! I loved my 999! Loads of grunt, looked the biz and always turned heads! So why did I change? ? Well, mainly the 999 had so much grunt that I would quite often find the speedo in 3 figures when I could swear I was only doing 60 officer! I very rarely go on track so dont need the big top speeds, hence me deciding to preserve my licence and go for the 848. The downside with the 999 was I would always wonder if it was going to start (batteries didnt like the cold!), or if it was going to let me down (it never did!). The servicing intervals and costs were getting on my tit ends too!! So, I got an 848. Is it better than the 999? To me, yes. It still has enough power to satisfy, but to do the big speeds, you make the concious effort to do it, whereas with the 999, you are doing the speed with the tiniest twist if the wrist! To me, the 848 looks just as good as the 999, especially with the underseat exhausts and with the Termis, sounds great! It handles better than the 999. I am by no means a fast rider but I did a trackday at Silverstone and I could ride round most things on track, but I always got stomped on by cubes on the straights!! I am very happy with the 848, but I would welcome the 999 back to the garage (but not at the cost of the 848)!! My advice would be to get out and ride them both and follow your gut instinct!! Hope this helps!
The 848 is not 'downgrading'. Its just another path. 999's are nicer looking than the 848/1098/1198. I say that as a 1198 owner. :smile:
I've heard a few stories now from Ducati Dealers saying a lot of 1098/1199 customers have been going to 999's and they are growing in popularity. Obviously before their time styling wise. The modern Ducati's are trying to improve on an iconic design - this will never work. The 999 is iconic in it's own right. Sales flop too! Except in the first year of production it outsold the 916's first year - not sure of the overall sales figures but can't be much of a flop I guess. Personally I hated the styling when they first came out from pictures, but in real life I thought they looked great. Now after a few years I think they look awesome :biggrin:
Doh!!!! you beat me to it. Don't forget the 999 is fast becoming a classic. The 848 is a sexy looking bike so you cant lose out which ever way you jump
