Hope the weather is fine and you get a good test ride which will allow you to make the right decision.
I'm 6'5" actually Viv lol. I've come back to riding after 3 years out of the saddle getting straight onto a 1098s after owning a Monster previously, I've not had any issues with my back nor my wrists, both have been fine for me. I had some back pain for the first 3-4 days after picking my bike up however that was due to pulling a muscle in my back karting a few days before, but normal run of the mill use, all ok, fine and dandy :biggrin: Regarding your test ride, you mention most of this was spent stuck in traffic in a city centre, this is possibly the worst scenario to test this bike in, it isn't a town/city bike at all and I really hate riding mine in town it just wants to go and you can barely get into 2nd gear, on your test head out into the sticks and open her up, then you'll feel the bike come into it's own and when you do, boy what a bike, numb wrists will soon be forgotten that's for sure :wink: Stu
Have owned a fireblade, zx10, and a gsxr1000 all good bikes in their own rights but a Ducati, it's something special, I would like a RC8 next but the Ducati is like owning a supermodel, beautiful, sexy, expensive, and other men lust after her. Go with you heart forget gut instincts you won't be disappointed
Did 2500 mile euro trip on mine this summer, inc 750 miles in a day with no problems other than a sore arse. It's horrible in town though...
The engine and the handling are fantastic. The design and build quality is dubious a the very best. Think carefully about it.
Thanks again for the info guys. Thanks for the tall rider info stu, much appreciated. See what unfolds tomorrow!!
Oh also be prepared to get a rather toasty backside as well, those pipes under the seat get hot especially when moving slowish..! Anyone know anyway of heat proofing these or of some sort of aftermarket heat deflector I can get hold of..? Stu
Had the second test ride today and managed to get out of the traffic. I am now a 1098 owner! Pick it up next week. Thanks for all the advice and support. Phil
I now need some kit for the bike so would appreciate your advice please folks. Which rear paddock stand is a good buy please? Which double bubble screen would give the best protection? Do i need a special socket to remove the rear wheel or is a standard socket acceptable? Sorry for all the questions! Thanks, Phil
Hi Phil, Congratulations on your buy.... If the stand is just for cleaning etc, I'd just get a cheapo one, although I now use a DP/Gubellini one. If its more a stand for maintenance and overhaul the Abba stands are far more stable. Just be aware there is two different size hubs on the 1098, only by a mm or two, but enough to make it not fit or be too loose. I think it was changed early on, but I'm not sure what year or the year of your bike. I kept my screen standard but did change it to a Zero Gravity light smoke.....I can recommend them and they do a DB, the DP screen is just taller than standard rather than double bubble. A decent bi-hex socket will be far better than the cheap aluminium 'special' tools from fleabay. Hope that helps
Anth that certainly does help, thanks a lot mate. The bike is an 08 so i need to find what pin size it is.
It would be better if you did just to be safe...... If I remember correctly.....the very early ones needed a 42mm pin, and the ones from May 2007 use a 40mm pin, so it just depends on how long the bike was in the showroom till it was registered......but obviously the 40mm ones are more common in the UK. If you buy a 1098 Ducati Performance stand new, I'm sure they did come with both pin sizes. Personally I wouldn't pay the price for a new DP one tho....nice as it is! Keep an eye on these tho 300785395918 on fleabay, the pin is for the 748/848 etc, but I have both sizes of 1098 pins spare, that I could swap for the pin that's in that one.
I use ABBA stand and I can fully recommend it. Bit pricey but you can sometimes pick up a reasonably priced one from ebay. Bear in mind that you will probably also need to add the price od lugs that fit 1098.
Well done on the new purchase! Ducati performance screen works very well , big improvement on reducing wind blast but not as pretty as a stock screen.
Wow that looks excellent sirich! Another item on my shopping list is the motografix number board kit! Is that a crash bobbin on the rear axle or is it a stand mushroom? I already have a harris stand for my gixxer.
The Harris stand should fit if you put a pair of bobbins on like those. Be carefully where you direct the windblast with a screen, it's better on your chest to take the weight your worried about off your wrists rather than on your head, or you'll end up with an aching neck. :frown:
Thanks anth, Any idea who makes the cotton bobbins please? Had a google search but struggling to find them for a 1098. Just wondering how they fit, i assume the spindle is threaded internally on the rear axle? Need to source a workshop manual too.