Finally listed it on CL: http://charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/2451778805.html


I love love love the 848... until I rode one. Have you ever been on one? Sooo uncomfortable (for me anyway). I'm sure you can put some risers on and adjust the pegs to make it better, but it was kind of disappointing considering it was on my "to do" list. I may still man up and get it down the road just b/c it's so sexy. We'll see.

 

Buddy of mine tried one at a demo day and said the same thing. I rode the MV Augusta F4 instead and loved it. Once you get used to the tight rider triangle, it's not terribly uncomfortable. You should try that and the 848 back to back and see which you like better since they cost about the same.

 

^ I have been on an F4, but didn't actually ride it... just sat on it at a show. In talking with owners of each I have to say you're pretty much dead on. Once you get used to it, it becomes more comfortable. If I had either of them, I'm sure I'd learn to get comfy on it

 

Whoa... am I missing something? Is that bike really selling for $2600? What's the deal?


No, I've not ridden the 848... but what you're telling me is disappointing... What was uncomfortable about it? Are you too tall/short? I'm pretty tall and skinny (6'2" 180lbs) so by what I'm interpreting from your post the bike might fit taller people a little better? You're right though, it would take a lot for me not to consider that bike because it's .

 

Is the Ducati and Augusta that different in their ergos? I've not had the opportunity to sit on either but they look similar from what I can tell and the fact that they're both italian bikes would make me think they might be similar...

You said the Augusta is much more comfortable though? They're both gorgeous bikes; I would be more than happy with either. But my heart is with the 848.

 

That's not mine... looks like the ad got hacked. I'll have to repost later today...

 

They are fairly similar. Neither is really much more comfortable then the other. What I was saying was that once you get used to the riding position, it becomes more comfortable over time. At least that is what I gathered from speaking with owners of both bikes.

 

^ Gotcha... I'll have to give both a try. Unfortunately I don't know anyone with either bike.

 

FYI, here's mine: http://charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/2457542031.html

 

They're fairly similar, though I think from sitting on them, the difference in the ergos is that the Augusta will feel shorter but wider due to the I4 layout and the Duc will feel slightly longer because of the L-twin and how it adjusts the positioning of all the peripherals.

Honestly, the difference in ergos is highly dependent on each person's body proportioning. If you're long of torso, the Duc will likely feel more comfortable whereas I think the F4 favors a more even distribution of torso to legs.

You can get a rough estimate by looking at http://www.cycle-ergo.com, which allows you to compare the two based on your dimensions.

 

That's a really useful website! Even had my 85 VF500F on there, my 6'4" frame looks quite big on it

 

You should see me on my Hawk



It was even funnier watching my 6'4", 330lb (at the time) brother ride it

 

Thanks for that ergo website! It helps to put things in perspective. I'm 6'2 and it says that riding a Katana 600 (my last bike) the knee angle is 66 and the forward lean is 18. And for my Triumph Sprint ST, it says the knee angle is 67 and the forward lean is 21. By those numbers, the Katana should be more comfortable.

I couldn't ride the Katana for 30 minutes without feeling like I sat on the toilet too long. My Triumph I can ride for 2+ hours and not be uncomfortable. Maybe it's because the Triumph is 345867345867x more fun.

 

That's more like it! Beautiful bike... and home.

Thanks for that site! That's awesome!

 

Dammit.

 

Thanks

Funny part is the pics in the driveway (with the garage behind it) is from our old home and the pic with the bike inside the house is from the new home. Wonder how many people got confused when the read the ad since it says the new house doesn't have a garage, yet two of the pics show a garage. It is CL afterall

 

Hey, I'm a little late on this thread but here is my bike, been on two wheels since 03. Like the first of this tread said I started out on a 250 ninja had it for about 2 years mastered it and then moved up to the 600. I would have kept it but I needed the money to help move up. I have been on liter bikes and I will never use all the power around here I do just fine keeping with the 10's and R1's in the twisties its not an issue but yea on the straights they wait for me. I have had her up to 270 im sure she will go faster with some mods but my sprockets are set up different for mid range power so i dont have so much top end speed.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

Civic... wanted to ask you how you like the Daytona. I've been looking at the Street Triple for a while now(prob should have got it in the first place), but just curious how the Daytona is and how it compares. Haven't done much research on the Daytona, so figured you'd be a good person to ask

 

Sweet bike Junior. I want to get something but never ridden before, don't have my licence, and scared I will kill myself.

 

^ Thanks

I started off small (Ninja 250) for a little over a year, then upgraded. Gotta say that 1000cc is a lot of bike, and probably more I need... hence the downsizing. The one awesome thing about the Aprilia is that you can roll onto the throttle nicely without any abrubt accelleration. It is fast though... probably pushing about 140hp with the exhaust and ECU re-map. The V-Twin sound is just intoxicating though... probably will miss that the most...

 

I am considering the Ninja 250r newer body style but I would have to find time to go home to PA to get my licence. I found a good deal on one locally for only 2850 with 6000 miles on it. Its either a 2008 or 2009. The sound of the bike is so blah though.

 

Street Triple is not bad, rode one recently, but if you're going from the Tuono to the Street Triple, the Street Triple is going to feel really flat down low.

I rode the St3 back to back with the much larger and much heavier Sprint ST and the 1050 triple motor is just so amazing that it made the St3 feel extremely soft on the bottom end. If you're looking to downsize to something naked and middle weight, you should definitely look at the FZ8. Not as exotic but should be a solid ride and doesn't have the goofy bikini fairing.

 

Went for a ride today and snapped some pics of the bike...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sho_nuff1997/5898391243/http://www.flickr.com/photos/sho_nuff1997/5898391243/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/sho_nuff1997/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sho_nuff1997/5898959904/http://www.flickr.com/photos/sho_nuff1997/5898959904/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/sho_nuff1997/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sho_nuff1997/5898403257/http://www.flickr.com/photos/sho_nuff1997/5898403257/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/sho_nuff1997/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sho_nuff1997/5898964430/http://www.flickr.com/photos/sho_nuff1997/5898964430/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/sho_nuff1997/, on Flickr


Such an awesome bike! This is an excellent upgrade coming from a Katana 600. It is so much more fun to ride!

 

^ I like that last picture! Good lookin' bike!

Yeah, the 250r is not the bike you buy to impress the ladies. It's the bike you buy so that you're able to handle the bike that impresses the ladies. Dead is not impressive to the ladies so you'll be glad you did it!

I rode my CBR600RR for two years before I sold it but I'm considering getting a 250r just to really make sure I solidify my riding fundamentals before I just back on a speed machine. I don't doubt myself on a 600 or liter bike at all, but I know I still don't ride the bikes to their potential so I wanna step down again and get better. It's easier to learn on the smaller bikes.

 

Love the Sprint ST. Have you ridden with a passenger yet? I am considering adding something that might be a bit more comfortable for my wife to encourage her to ride with me for longer distances so I am always interested to hear about people's experiences.

 

Well, sold the Aprilia this weekend!! Got very close to asking, so was very happy about that. Now the hunt for the replacement begins. Went to look at a few bikes this weekend, but still not sure. We'll see ...

 

No. I haven't riden with a passenger yet. I plan to take my son for rides when I get a trunk box.

 

This is too good to just leave in the Funny Pics thread

Redefine "tapping that ass..."

 

little 848 front end swap onto a 696 monster. went from stock non-adjustable shocks, stock bars, stock rotors and top triple to.....fully adjustable showas, galfer rotors, driven clipons and speedymoto top triple.



off with your head


much better now.

 

I've really been itching for a motorcycle.... not yet though. Of the few "dangerous" things I've wanted/wanted to do in high school (tattoo, piercings, assorted illegal things), a motorcycle is one of the very few things I still want badly.



Any of you guys start off with a 250 and move up from there? What was your opinion of going with a 250 instead of a 600 or higher displacement bike? My friend had a Suzuki 500 V-twin and he hated it after a few months.... but he is a speed addict. His next bike after that was an R1 but he's settled down to an R6. He admits he misses the power though. I've heard similar things from others.

I've yet to hear anyone I personally know say (I'm so glad I started off with a 250) though I know many of you have.... my ears (eyes) are wide open.

I am not the type to do stupid things, but I feel like starting off with a 250 would help me master the basics since I can get closer to the limits of the bike safely as opposed to trying it on a 600cc sportbike. Nothing stupid of course, but I'm sure a 250 is plenty fun in it's own way. I could say a new-ish Ninja 250R is cheap too, but there are plenty of decent used bikes out there for $3-4k. Better fuel economy? I'm grasping at straws here....



I'm rambling on as usual, but my question is will I be missing out on anything if I go straight to a 600 (i.e. a CBR F4i) as opposed to starting off with a 250/similar bike? I definitely like power, but in a slow-as-balls commuter car like a stock automatic Civic, I can still have fun in my own way.

 

Holy shit, that's an awesome swap, more pics!!!!



I strongly encourage you to take a MSF course first. Get your license and see how you like riding during the course.

My first bike was a 1st gen Suzuki SV650S. A very friendly bike with plenty of power (v-twin), great beginners bike, and holds it's resale well. The SV comes naked or faired (bikini/fully faired) and is very easy to maintain and the mods are pretty cheap. They're also priced just a little more than the newer 250r ninja. Also, look at the Kawasaki 650r if you like the "sporty" look.

It's always good to get a good beginners bike and get experience/road time on it for a year. Then upgrade to something bigger. Good luck!

 

Bought a low mileage pre-owned Ninja 250. Rode it for like 12-14 months, got really good and comfortable on the street, then upgraded to a 1000cc. The awesome thing about the baby Ninja is that the resale is great. I sold it for what I bought it for. Took that money and rolled it into a bigger bike once I was comfy. But allow me to say that I am soooo glad I started on a Ninja 250. Allowed me to learn the street (used to ride dirt) and gave me a margin for error a larger bike would not have allowed...

The SV650 is also a good option. They are available at a reasonable price and hold their value well. This would be a good option if you were afraid you'd get bored on a 250 too quickly. That said, FWIW, once I got good on my Ninja, I could hang with bigger bikes with ease. When I sold my Ninja and upgraded to the Aprilia I had to learn to ride all over again. Much bigger bike. If I had to do it again I would have gone from the 250 to a 600-750 or so.

I'll also second SHYUperman's suggestion and take the MSF course. I got my permit... took the course, then got my license (passing the MSF course allows you to get your license w/o having to take a road test). It also gets you a discount on your insurance (most carriers).

 

Also, little (literally)sneak peek on the purchase I am finalizing ...

 

Trying to figure out the easiest way to get my licence. I don't really want to switch my PA licence to and NC one so I don't think I can get an NC motorcycle licence and keep my PA drivers licence either. So I guess I could just get a permit in PA by passing the written test and then just ride for a year down here.

 

oooo... 848 or 1198?

 

^ LOL... that easy huh? Should have used a different pic. 848

 

Damn...I'm greener than the Grinch with envy. Enjoy the 848!

I was the same with JB, started out on a 250, rode it for a year and got myself comfortable with the roads and riding with traffice (local and freeways because there's no way the MSF class can replicate those settings).

When I sold it, I sold it for $200 less than what I bought it for (just think of it as a $200 rental fee for the entire year). I sold it after listing it on CL for 2 days so they are always in demand.

Look at the new 250s, they have been updated with it's looks and they look great. Honda is also releasing a 250CBR model so you're not limited to the Kawasaki. Stay away from the Hysong model though

I think if you didn't have any previous experience, starting off with a 250 will make the payoff in the long run much better. When the time is right for you to transition to a bigger bike, you won't be overwhelmed.

"it's better to ride a slow bike fast rather than ride a fast bike slow" ...that saying is the truth!

 

Oh, one more thing....

I'm glad that I started off on a 250

 

i am a little different. i rode dirt bikes growing up, until about 14 then we moved into the city. fast forward 11 years and i purchased the ducati s2r (992 i believe). i highly recommend taking the MSF course and then getting your license. i put about 800 miles on just driving around my neighborhood before hitting the open streets. i believe if you are smart and are invested in taking your time you'll be fine. i really just didn't want to purchase a smaller bike and then less than a year later invest in a larger one.

either way you go you'll love it.

 

I agree with this. I grew up riding dirtbikes and 4-wheelers (I know they're different). I took the MSF course and then got my licence. They use 250cc bikes at the MSF course. They are just too small for me to sit comfortably (6'2"). My first street bike was a Suzuki Katana 600. That was plenty to start, but I did yearn for more power after a season. Now I ride a 1050, which has HUGE power and tq difference over the Katana, and looking back now I am glad I started with a 600 and rode for 2 years before going to a big motor. I gained a ton of confidence over that time, which to me is one of the most important things when riding a motorcycle. Confidence, not over-confidence.

IMO, if you've never riden a bike before, starting with a 250 is perfectly fine. The least you should do is take the MSF course and ride their 250's and decide on a bike after you pass the class.