I've got a plan to get an 848 / 1098 / 1198 as a restoration project once I've done everything I want to on my Multi and Monster and I've been learning as much as I can about the bikes from workshop manuals, Marc Cook's book, and the relatively meagre amount of videos on youtube - but I'd really like to meet up with some owners and find out about ownership experiences and have a good nose around a bike outside of a dealer. So I'm therefore offering to buy a coffee and a slice of cake to any owner who'd meet me for a chat! I'm undecided as to which version I'd get, from base model 848 up to 1198S - I like them mainly for the looks, and I've found that I quite enjoy the spannering and would like to rescue an unloved one and go right through it. Just to note that I'm not looking to buy one right away, I'm very much at the research stage. So if there's any owners within a couple of hours ride of North Staffordshire that I could ride to and who'd be up for showing me your bike at a coffee and cake place of your choice then I'd love to hear from you! MM
I’m probably a bit too far away and have not ridden an 848 or 1198. I have a 1098 after having a 959. I absolutely love it. It doesn’t like low revs or traffic (surprise) but it pulls like a train and makes me grin like a loon. Fire away with any questions although I’m not the most technically gifted I will do my best to answer any questions.
Thankyou for your reply @bigjimmyb - yes that might be a bit too far so I might take you up on a few questions! What made you choose the 1098 in particular? How long have you owned it for and have you had to do much work to it since you've had it? What kind of riding do you like to do on it - do you enjoy riding it on the roads or do you use it on track? One of the things I'm trying to work out is whether it's worth getting a 1098/1198 over an 848. At the bottom end of the market (which is defintely where I'm heading as I'll be munter, not a minter) there's no a massive amount of difference in price, but on the other hand I'm not a particular agressive rider and wouldn't want to get something that would be too much for me or only usable in the most extreme conditions. Reading around gives me the impression that the 1098 is a bit friendlier than the 1198 although some have suggested the latter can be refined with a map. I've got a 1200 Multistrada so I'm used to a bit of beans - it's just working out where that sits on the scale. Cheers! MM
I had an 1198s for 10 years from new. Absolutely loved it. But I have to say imo and being brutally honest, they're a bit too much of a handful for most sunny Sunday riders. They're bred for only going fast.
Keep ‘em coming if you think of anything else. If I was nearer I’d bring it over for you to have a razz.
Maybe I'll head down after all if you're up for it - it seems I have overestimated the forums appetite for cake and coffee!
I don't have a 1098 to bring to your house. But I might buy one for the right piece of cake. Do you have any pictures?
The 848 is a track day hooligan, munching litre bikes up the inside or round the outside. Power is modest, but feedback is huge and gives you confidence to explore your talent.
^Nice bike mate. I would be fine with the 848 as I don’t want the extra power. Would I miss anything else if I had one over a 1098?
I used to own a 1098S. Never had any real gripes with it save for the clutch and a few other minor niggling problems. Great bike to work on and easy to maintain, as access was SO much easier than on the later monocoque framed bikes, a virtue of the trellis framed era I suppose. Quite a commited riding position but no worse than you would expect. I think my build thread on my own bike is still on here somewhere. Might be of some use to you ,if you plan on tearing the bike down or just need to carry out some light maintenance.
Felt slightly stalkery searching through @Topolino ’s entire thread posting history but I couldn’t find it… could you point us in the right direction?
I like the idea of getting an 1198 as it's the pinnacle of the range, but I do worry that it would be a bit too much for me once I'd finished restoring it! But it's really interesting to hear everyones perspectives on the different versions. I think narrow it down to a base 848 (least expensive, blank canvas), an 1198S (other end of the spectrum) or 1098S (in the middle?). For the latter two I'd want the S for the Ohlins bling.
Having done a couple of resto projects, I will never undertake a major restoration on a base model again. The time spent is the same (given similar starting conditions), and if (when?) you over do it.. you are still only left with an average motorcycle. Imo, far better to go for a top spec bike. Why not the 848 evo or evo corse? Obviously though it is harder to find the right bike that also needs work... Ps. Also the lightweightness of the 848 is a big plus.
This cannot be overstated imo. Especially if you are not looking for the ballistic speed/power of the larger motor.
