Hi all, I only bought this at the beginning of the month from a dealer as I loved the look of these and fooled myself into thinking I wanted a sports bike again but I just physically cannot get used too it. The bike is on a 59 plate 2010 bike I believe with 6,708 miles on and unlikely to go up. Timing belts done last month. I am the 5th owner so barely 1,000 miles per person! 6 service stamps in the book. Termignoni Slip ons and carbon fibre accessories which are additions from the previous owner, all original parts are kindly boxed and bubble wrapped and all look to be in very good condition. Radiator and oil guards also installed. Rear seat cowl and rear seat present also with standard screen. I do not have the standard pipes however, the ones that came with the bike I discovered are actually from a 996 and must have gotten mixed up when the previous owner handed the bike to the dealer. There is the odd mark here and there which I’ve tried to highlight in the pictures but I searched for a while to find a good condition one and I’d say this is one of the best examples for sale (at time of writing!). A particular dealership has some 1198’s for sale but when inspected they are all in crap condition compared to this and don’t have the belts etc done. Various paperwork and 3 keys. £8,700 reduced Paddock stand on loan from a friend so can’t be included sorry! Located Kent TN18 postcode all questions welcomed. Thanks for looking. Luke
Thank you very much! They are beautiful things. Unfortunately it’s my wrists and neck, mainly as I’m quite tall so I’m bending my neck at what feels like 90 degrees and my wrists scream whenever I go down a slight decline. I thought about seats and bar risers etc but it’s just going to cost a small fortune and it’s not guaranteed to make enough of a difference but at least I’ve experienced it.
I can sympathise with the neck - probably the main reason I sold my 1198S recently (and wish I hadn't!). Very nice looking bike (don't see many with a black frame?) and a commendably honest ad - GLWS.
Thank you @Chris and @AndrewS I’m glad it’s not just me, I feel your pain (pun intended…) it’s just a shame they are so damn gorgeous.
Such a shame Luke, I was genuinely pleased for you when you landed the bike. Have you tried using your knees against the tank more? Have to say I don’t struggle on mine. I’m 52 and just abt 6ft, but don’t find the bike uncomfortable. Would love you to find a solution and keep her.
Thank you Jimmy it is an absolutely phenomenal bike to ride and I made the decision with a heavy heart. I have indeed tried doing that but I think being 6’2 plus boots my head angle seems to be at an unbearable point. Sounds odd but from the riding position with eye line on the road I physically cannot move my head any higher thats how extreme it is. Its really strange some people seem to have absolutely no problems whatsoever regardless of being tall and others seem to struggle, it is as if every 1*98 is different!!
you've hit on something relevant for me, I remember going through my different helmets to find the one with least eyeline intrusion at top of aperture together with eyes looking up as far as possible (so neck not fully straining). I even added padding in my favourite HJC to improve vision here.
It’s a shame that these are the extremes needed to try and adapt to the riding position for some people. I know it’s a race thoroughbred bike and it’s to be expected but there’s other bikes that I can ride and enjoy differently and not need to carry paracetamol everywhere!
I think Jimmy's right, if you take more (most?) of the weight with your knees on the tank, that'll help the wrist (in fat, I'm sure I was told ages ago that's how you're supposed to do it anyway!). Won' help the neck though. Chris raises an interesting point about helmets. I read recently (since selling my bike unfortunately) that race/track-day helmets have a deeper (i.e. top to bottom) aperture than a sports-touring helmet - might have been on this site: https://billyscrashhelmets.co.uk/. I guess this is why you don't see racers trying to bend their necks through 90-degrees (although their high degree of fitness probably helps...). Luke - might be worth persevering a bit longer? You'll miss the bike if you sell it, they're a brutal machine.
I'm 6'2 and have no problems on my 1098, as others have said if you're riding around with all your weight on the bars/wrists then you're doing it wrong, grip the tank with your knees and bend your elbows, keep your arms loose. I upgraded from an AGV k5s to an x-lite x803 and can confirm having a much bigger field of vision is nice too
Have a think about other ergos Luke. Adjustable rearsets to alter your position may well help and you can find a little bit of adjustability in the clip-ons to bring them a little closer to you, although it means 3 point turns are more ‘QE2-like’
Thanks guys popped out today focussing on body positioning etc as above and whilst I can live with the wrists it’s my neck. Tried head positioned almost nose down eyes up and even that didn’t help a great deal. I have an X spirit 3 so field of view isn’t an issue. Legs have plenty of room too It’s just the angle seems so wrong for me. I’ve looked at the clip ons and I can’t seem to find any adjustability in them, at full lock either side I have barely 1mm between the tank or on the other side in the fairing? (Does anyone else’s knuckle get caught between the fairing and handle bar at lock??) I rode my friends 21’ V4 this morning and it was so much more comfortable, it’s like the bars are closer to the rider so the head and neck angle aren’t an issue. Unfortunately whilst I can’t deny the bike is incredible to ride, for whatever reason I’m just not physically suited too it, I like riding to work and going out for blasts and I just find myself not wanting to go out on her and that just seems a shame for both the bike and me.
Some people on here have had good results with Helibars. also, someone on here sent me a picture of some bar risers fitted to his 916-series bike; unfortunately they were on the bike when he got it and doesn't know who made it! Does anyone recognise them? Something similar might work for an 1x98.
They They look interesting, I haven’t been able to find any decent risers - not sure how well I’d be able to manoeuvre the bike around with them on without hitting fairing or tank but could help whilst riding
I've posted this before on here but I have Gilles adjustable bars on my 1098 You can have them flatter, further back and they are wider If you think that the 1098/1198 is radical dont even bother thinking about a 916 or even worse an MV F4 I have Gilles on the 916 and chinese rearsets that adjust lower.its like riding a multistrada I need to find a set of rearsets for the 1098 that adjust lower. Most go up and back which makes things worse
Mine has a speedymoto top yoke that allows the bars to be raised another inch or so, and renthal clip ons that are adjustable.. pics on my rebuild thread
Have to say, I think you have made the right decision. Throw what you like at the bike but in the long term, your neck will continue to give (increasing) grief. My much loved Panigale V4 has sat in my utility room for nearly a year and I have taken to riding a modified Multistrada on track. It's an absolute hoot but the Multi isn't a fire breathing missile to excite the blood. I might be 68 but I'm not ready to throw in the towel and if anything the agony of not being able to lift my head in a sports bike riding position has actually got better. Andy
The V4’s are beautiful machines as well but it’s a shame as you say just to leave them sat up and not being ridden. Unfortunately I can’t have the luxury of two bikes at the moment and there’s no point owning a bike I’m not going to ride regardless of how beautiful it is. I admire your determination not to give up yet though!
