I'm totally onboard with the emotional purchase thing and also the Go Big thinking in getting an S. I also agree that is seems a shame that the 899 didn't get some of the nicer features of the 1199, but I understand why that's happened. 2015 may bring something interesting then!
If you have a small penis and like bling then go for the 1199S. Otherwise save some dosh and go the 899 route. You'll be just as fast I promise you.
I like most use my bikes for sunny/warm evening ride outs and early Sunday morning bimbles,if i could rewind i would have gone 1199,i find the 899 lacking a little something,i think its because its so good it doesn't scare me and flatters my lack of ability,i like the idea of owning a bike that demands respect and will lift the front wheel at stupid speeds on the throttle,but we are all different and want our bikes to perform different tasks.
5am Sunday morning bimbles are the best bimbles ,followed by a full english then a real bimble on the way home . Tbh i think i may be looking on the 1199 through rose tinted specs and i will not be changing my 899 anytime soon.
See, some of this is how I'm thinking too. I think I want the excess just because I can (if I can afford it!). I feel like the spec of the 899 is a little bit "poor relation" having the double swingarm, the monochrome dash and all that... I know that's silly though. Also, at the same time I'm the biggest advocate out there for less is more when power etc. is concerned which is why I've spent 8 years on 130-140bhp supersport bikes and always ignored the litre class. At the end of the day, I've never had a full on litre class bike and I think I fancy it for a few years. If they were to release an upgraded 899S or something then that is probably what I would actually buy when it's all said and done. Right now my thoughts are all about whether to even change or not. I went out on the Corse last night and it's a phenomenal bike. Everything about it rocks. Now I've got it setup just how I like it (which took me a while) it's awesome. Two bikes is a no-go but changing this one is an option depending on what I decide myself I guess. It's 2015's "problem" anyway but still interested to hear from owners of either bike. Cheers. Andy
As a comparison - I'll google this when I get a chance - but what are the torque figures for the 848, 899 and 1199? I find the 848 quite torquey as I'm used to inline fours (or was until 2013!) so to me it's all relative. I can imagine an 1199 feels less grunty on the road than the 1198 but from my standpoint I can't help thinking that either the 899 or 1199 will feel stompy to me with the 1199 feeling like a big step up, even with the very oversquare engine architecture.
Having just found out how terrible the shock is on my 848 (standard Showa) when the suspension guy wound the spring out almost as much as he could just to dial in 5mm of sag I would agree that a 899s with an Ohlins rear shock would be good! I've already heard of some 899 owners having similar experiences with poor performing rear shocks.
For torque, buy an 1198. Its all there where you need it without killing yourself. I adore its huge big dollops of torque. Its all lower down where us mortals can use it. I guess you can always get an 1199 dyno'd to put the torque where its better off, ie lower down.
I bought the 1199S as I have a small willy..... TBH you don't "need" any of these unless you are planning to break some lap records!!! I liked the extra bling of the S and new I would never fiddle with the suspension otherwise. The S is lighter and has the power if you ever do need it - 100mph+ power wheelies. You can also bimble to the shops or the office on it as well. I have had the suspension set up and a custom map so its as smooth and easy to ride as anything I have had before. My advice - buy the biggest one you can afford and be happy with it!!!
I bought the 1199S because I really want a red bike with gold forks. Yes, I am that vain. I also specifically want the 1199 for the single sided swingarm and colourful dash. Yes I am really that vain. But it makes me very happy. The fact that even with my abysmall skill, road tyres, stock road gears and mirrors, it manages to get within 2-4seconds off top racers around my local racetrack is just a nice byproduct to have.
big v small bike argument is as old as bikes themselves. shall I buy the 748 or the 916? shall I buy the 848 or the 1098? If you're like me you'll buy the smaller bike then in a year or less be looking to change... Nothing wrong with the smaller bikes, in fact in my experience the 848 is a much better all rounder than the 10'. But straddle that big beast and let rip.......:Woot::Nailbiting::Jawdrop:
The 848 must be a cracking bike. I see a few guys were running them in the BSB 899 challenge cup thing at Cadwell on Monday...
If you are getting to within 2-4 secs of top racers you should be racing...unless they are running 125's and its Silverstone It takes more skill to master the bigger bike, and its not that you have a small penis, more that your bollox are so large that it looks small Personally, on the road, I'd go smaller as its more fun more often. I sense an echo...
Wasn't a matter of cost for me, was choice. Rode both and for my use and riding the 899 was more suited. Coupled with termis and a map and it delivers beyond my expectations. And white ones are better...
Aye. Getting track fairing now and thinking of going clubmans racing next year. This bike has allowed me to do things I never thought possible on my previous bike (848). I do have a cbr400rr and sometimes it is a tough choice deciding which one to ride i understand what you mean. But yeah, i love my 1199 for what it is, not primarily for what it can do. P.S. Love the bollocks v. penis comparison comment. That's original.
