Hello, Presently ride an Aprilia Falco which I have had for 3 years. Had Italian twins all my riding life Duc 750ss, 748, Aprilia Mille, 749, Falco in that order. I will be buying a new bike in the near future and I am not sure which to go for. I will be touring round europe on this new bike and just wondered if the 848 is the bike for me. I'm pushing 50, 6'0'', 13.5 stone. Took the Falco round europe last year and the 749 the year before. Suffered from a sore neck with the Falco but the 749 was fairly comfortable. How is the 848 comfort wise and what are my luggage options? Used soft panniers on both the 749 and Falco without incident and was considering a combined pannier/tailpack for the new bike. Would this foul the 848 exhaust? How is the fuel range? How is it with a pillion? Not for europe but the wife likes to come out on the odd(dry day). Thanks for any advice in advance, Phil
I always found pretty comfy over distance and a mate often takes his missus and she seems ok. Best sports bike I've owned, shame I'm selling (lovely white and red Evo if you're interested ) but changed job so not much riding for me and shame to see it sat there re luggage, ventura rack is the way to go if you like a tail pack.
Hi there you may find the answers to your questions in other sections All I can say is my 848 SF does all that And more
Welcome to the forum! From your description it sounds like you'll be better off with SF848. I find my 1098 reasonably comfy but I'm not sure if I would want to do any touring on it. And my fiance refused to be a pillion after sitting on it once. But then it's all down to personal preferences so I would suggest taking one for a really long test ride to see for yourself :smile:
Get a grippy rear seat, am told it makes all the difference. How different is a pillion on the SF from the full on 848? And if you found the 749 comfy, this would feel like an armchair! Lol
It's the position (seat and pegs) on 1098 that scared my fiance. SF has slightly lower pegs but other than this probably not a massive difference. But it certainly is comfier for the rider.
Enjoy, if you can stretch (no idea of your budget) go for an Evo imo, having had both the extra is worth it. When set up they are sublime
Oi Troy, you nicked my bike?! Lol lovely shot Douglas off the old site did some serious touring mileage on his, and its not for me to say he was a man of a certain age :wink:
Great bike, done Germany twice on one, 450 miles in a day. no aches or pains. Wife goes on the back, ok for the occassional ride:wink: Look for fuel every 80 - 90 miles on a spirited ride:biggrin: Tank bag and rugsack, job done
I've covered 275 miles today up from Lands End and I have to say I feel largely ache-free. I'm early-mid 40s, 6ft and 13 stone so not too physically different from you. I used a Kriega 20 and 10 tailpack which fitted no problem, of course no room for a pillion. My previous bike was a 1050 Speed Triple which was easier on the wrists but obviously suffered more with windblast. One little mod I did to compensate was to switch the Left & Right clip-ons then invert them - gives a shallower angle which is more wrist -friendly if you do find you have an issue. But honestly, the riding position isn't as extreme as the uninformed bloke down the pub would have you believe ! And welcome. Rich
Hi Phil I tour my 848 in Spain each year and it's not bad. The wrists can suffer in traffic but back and neck are not a problem for me and i'm 6f 4. The stock seat needs junking as your fighting the slide forward all the time but otherwise i have no real issues. Anything above 40 and the weight comes off the wrists a bit. My average touring day would be about 250 miles and is no problem comfort wise but have done nearer 500 motorway miles in one stretch but that was beyond being fun if i'm honest. Tank range does mean fairly frequent breaks for a stretch. I came from aprilia and have no regrets
Having followed Dememntor on his new Corse today, looking like my Evo will no longer be getting sold...
