Me for a start. Any other 848 owners who have decided to stick with their current bike rather than 'upgrade'? And if so why? My 848 Corse SE is now 2 years old and I had originally planned to upgrade to a new bike at this point. So I tested an 899 recently and although each individual aspect seemed better than the 848, the sum total was not. Certainly not worth the 4k extra it would have cost me to own it. By the end of the test I wanted to be back on my old 848. That said I'd like to give one another go, on track preferably. Maybe I missed something??
I've not ridden one, no intention of doing so. I have an exotic 138bhp single sided lovely Italian thing.
I didn't like the egonomics at all. There's no 'gut stop' on the tank so you end up smashing your gentleman's bits on hard braking. If you look at the racing pani's they have an extended section on the tank so the profile is more like the 10x8 series. The 1299 was same story.
What I'd really like to try is something totally different, like a gsxr 750. One of those and the 848 would be a great contrast to jump between.
I wouldn't bother with a GSXR if u want a comparison, it's very Utilitarian in feel! A few of us have gone 899 from Daytona 675R which u should try as they are great bikes. I had an 848 Evo before my Daytona and probably wouldn't have changed it for an 899 if I was getting on with it but there was stuff I couldn't live with. The steering was just too slow and in fast corners I felt worried that I couldn't respond quickly if I needed too, rear ride height would have helped, but the suspension was also just so stiff and especially at the front I found the bike too long and flat. I tried getting it set up and it needed re-spring and a new ride height adjuster, which added to the fact I felt at the time I needed less power to behave on the road, and the 85 mile fuel range and the burning arse in traffic I decided to walk away. The 899 isn't perfect! But it addresses the bar positioning and speed of turning and actually the associated lack of stability compared with a 848 makes it feel 'faster' and more involving. It's each to their own, 100% and the 848 has lots of exceptional things going for it! I seriously looked at a 848 Evo corse instead of a 899 as a cost basis but decided I had been there and done that (I even had a rear Ohlins from a Corse and it was still over sprung) so decided to go 899. Try a Daytona 675r, I bet u will like it...
A 675 is the other bike I was thinking about, but I've never owned an IL4 hence the hankering for one, I suppose a triple would be similar engine-wise? I had a quick go on an old gsxr thou once and thought it was lovely in its way. Silky smooth power. Funny how we all differ in our preferences though, most of the things you couldn't live with on the 848 are some of my favourite aspects of it. The mid corner stability is one, which is not surprising giving how hard it is to turn My riding style has evolved with that bike so its not a problem, if anything it's made me a better rider. You have to concentrate to ride the 848 well. You definitely can't think it round corners! I guess its that involvement that I missed with the 899. Also I love the almost clockwork precision of my 848, the 899 felt a bit more 'plasticky' and loose. I'm sure I could get used to an 899, just not at the price differential. Edit: your're right about the stiff shock on the Evo though, I had one before, the Ohlins on the Corse is a massive improvement. With DTC, QS, bigger, lighter alu tank, bigger disks there's nothing I feel is wanting on it... well apart from a fork revalve, and ride height adjuster and...
I just can't bare to part with my 848.. Have never felt so at one with a bike in my life and I have had a fair few it even lightens my day just looking at it (minter) .. I have a tracer for high mileage commuting so it's just for nice weather weekend fun
I would have gone and looked at a 848 Evo corse for sure because it has the bigger tank etc but ones like Richie riches were nearer £9000 and I ultimately decided to go with the 899 and got mine for £11500 so felt that was justifiable considering it has all the toys on. I can't impress on u enough how much u NEED to try a D675R, the suspension is epic on it, the power is revy like a 4cyl but has a bit more bottom end. My mate had a 2011 GSXR750 and it was quicker than a Daytona but the 675 has much much more character, with the arrow it pops and bangs on the over run and crackles as u get back on the power, yeah... Really nice. The only downside for me was just the fact it isn't pin up beautiful like the 848 and the 899. My 899 is in my eyes gobsmacking! Here's a few shots to show the comparisons, ps, my mates just picked up the 748r in shot ;-)
Have never ridden an 848 or an 899 but not interested in either as there does not seem to be a great deal of mid range torque, which is after all what is really needed for road riding. The other thing is that the pani styling has never worked for me. Those recessed headlights just look "wrong". Same applies to the 675. Not enough mid range and iffy styling. At least the 848 looks beautiful........
I bought the 848 before I knew much about bikes really, well fast ones anyway. It was the looks. It's perfect from every angle. Just a beautiful beautiful object. I just got lucky that it was also a bloody great bike. Never thought when I bought it but I can't see myself selling it ever. The track fairings I bought have bigger air intakes, coupled with exup valve delete means the last set of tyres only lasted about 500 miles and three track days.
I guess I will have to try a 675r then phill. Nice tasteful looking arrows on that 848. Not a fan of termis myself. Quite suspicious of exhausts generally. Nice 748. There was a 916 at a track day and it seemed to exude this aura about it. Sounded magnificent too.
I was drawn to the 899, test rode it and then bought an 848 without ever even sitting on one. Swing arm, trellis frame, underseat exhaust. Sold. I like the fit of the gsxr750 but I wasn't looking for practical, I've got a sewing machine (vfr800) for that. I wanted looks, noise and red paint. Turns out it was a good gamble and not in a hurry to part with it. The 899 has some fussy lines and felt like I was riding a log, a fast, red, agile log. But a log non the less.
Yea and full titanium as well, B&C express had one set left and sold them to me for £500 which is pretty good considering the Termi price, I do still like the slash cut Termi though, tidy the back up a lot.
£500? Bargain. They ooze quality, though I'd prefer all titanium, no carbon. What do insurers think about performance exhausts, has it affected your premium? If I was going to fiddle with the exhaust I'd like to try a low level one like the Alpha dog. Not made anymore though so would need to be custom made.
