Ok. So I've currently got it in my head that perhaps having a naked bike for the road and scooting round Europe might make more sense to me than keeping both sportsbikes I've currently got. The blade is superb but I was getting to the point where I was finding it a right handful on track and as such to move forward I decided to take a step back and I'm currently sorting out a 2009 R6 in to my new track weapon so that I can really push and hopefully progress in that area (a 600 I can keep pinned.....it's a fun factor thing) However, if that's to be the case I'd then be using the blade mainly for road dutys and whilst it is exceptional it is also far far too easy to be doing silly speeds without even blinking and I'm not sure it's required. A naked bike for me might give me the kicks of fun in the twists but also keep me on the right side of speed as anything generally over 100mph is hard to maintain. So here I am, what to do..... It wouldn't be my first ducati as I've had a couple of Sr monsters and then an 848 (which I switched to the RC8) so am aware of what a twin feels like, however has anybody done similar, going from a well sorted thou to the SF? I think I'm leaning towards the 1098 S as effectively this would be my bling machine, something I can pamper and drool over whilst the R6 takes care of track dutys. Also the added benefit of TC and ohlins could come in handy IF I ever mistakenly ended up riding on to a track Id want to do my euro tours on it as we go to the ring every year but also just weekend blasts. So, a 1098S SF ........ Worth getting?
Hi I have shouted the praise of the SF before on this forum but it really is a nice bike. i have the 1098 S. Like you I ride on the track and the SF is for the road but I am sure on some tracks it would be quicker than my track bike, 999R. I like the position of the SF, perfect compromise IMHO. Also the real beauty is the motor. Masses of power from 4k and being light its just such a quick road bike. I have also just come back from 3 days riding back and fro to Barcelona for the GP (from Cahors in France), we clocked up 500 klms in a day and it was fine. My only complaint was the seat is really tilted forward and get a bit tiring on the wedding tackle...... In the pyrenes it was a blast and I road around a few R1's. the brakes are mega and the Ohlins suprisingly comfortable. Motorways are not its thing but to be honest it was fine. We sat at around 140 klms/h no problem. I put a bagster tank protector on with the bagster tank bag and this took some blast off and was really practical. I have had lots of sports bikes over the last 15yrs+ but this is best. I am also going to stick it in the van when I go for track days, if I have any probs with the 999 (sound or other) I'll ride that. For info, Micheal Neaves from MCN said it would be his choice of a road bike. Even if some here don't like the rag he rides lots of bikes and ran a 1098 for a year. Go for it, expensive but worth it. Greg
Well my vote one way or the other isn't worth much as I have never owned one. But I have ridden one and it wasn't my cup of tea: The Ducati Streetfighter But that isn't to say that it won't be yours.
Gregory have you got termis and the ecu fitted? I wondering if that gets rid of the poor fuelling below 4-5k? Only ask as th 848 was the same until I fitted the ecu and some zards
No don't have the Termignonis fitted. I want to keep it discreet as after running a desmosedici for a few years I got put off loud bikes! That said I am tempted as they look top. When I am next in France (July) I am, going to see a mate of mine who re-programmes ECU's. He is going to eliminate the Lambda probe from the software. This (lambda) makes the bike run really lean at certain rev = rough low down. That said its not too bad as it is but I am looking forward to riding it after. I'll keep you posted. Greg Ps before I bought SF I tested one and thought it was ok. You need a good long test ride to appreciate it. I tested the Multi, hyper etc. multi was good but very different to a sports bike. Couldn't get on the the hyper and it runs out of puff too early.
I have had mine 2 years now and have to say its the best bike I have ever owned ! It is a real hooligan machine though... Moto Rapido mapped the ECU for me which did help with the low end
For a hooning about street bike, why not consider the SF848. It has traction control, you can use it more readily on the roads and it blings up just the same?
How did they map the ecu may I ask? Is it possible to plug in to the stock SF ecu whilst running on a dyno for example so they can map it whilst running or is it a pre determined map that they flash and it's a very generic setting?
ill be trying the Sf848 this weekend if the weather holds. My only concern on the 848 is available grunt, I appreciate you only go so fast on the roads but it's having the torque available should I want to unleash it. I guess the proof will be in the pudding this Saturday. Im also trying a hyper as well, yes I know they're a piss poor fuel tank but it's all about the hooning around and sitting position for me. The hyper kinda ticks the boxes as well as let's face it , road bikes are toys unless you commute so the fun / grin factor is key.
Ok, another question. SF1098 vs SF1098s Anybody tried both? Did you notice the TC kick in or the ohlins on road? Many a review I'm reading seem to say the stock version is the way to go but depending on deal available it'd be worth pushing just for the ohlins. Maybe the stock suspension dials in nicely? I don't know. Also what about services, there's one I'm looking at that has 6500miles on so pretty soon it'll need the 7500mile service, anybody got ideas on how much that costs?
