Help Me Decide between a 749, 1098, or a SS

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outburst95

New member
Salutations everyone. I am new to the forum, my first post.

My baby, a 2002 748 biposto was stolen and wrecked last weekend. Shouldn't be long until my insurance company gets me a check totaling her out. Don't get me wrong, I loved her dearly and she's not yet even in the ground, but I just can't go without. So, I am looking at replacing my old 748, and I need a hand deciding what bike to move into next.

I have yet to do any tracks days, but would like to start in the future. I am still fairly young, and so aside from having my right hand go numb after heavy riding the position and layout of the 748 was not a problem. In terms of performance, I was quite pleased with the 748 and while I might enjoy something faster, I don't necessarily need the extra speed. I would however prefer to avoid anything that might be slower.

So here's the rub:

Door #1: there are some brand new 800 supersports on ebay, and others with less than 1,000 miles. They are going for $6 to $7k. How does this bike ride? Comparable to my 748 with a few less bells and whistles? Similar handling? Similar performance? Maybe only switch to a 1000SS?

Door #2: there are plenty of used 749's for sale as well, very low miles, and these for not much more ($8-$9k). I am not a huge fan of this body style, but I do think they are sharp in person and don't think it would take a lot of effort to learn to love one. How do these ride? Substantial differences from a 748? Advantages? Disadvantages? There are also some 999's available, and were I to decide to go this 749/999 route, I would just as easily get the 999 if the right one (mileage/price) became available.

Door #3: this is a tuffy for me, will cost more $$ that I will receive from my insurance company. I am a grad student, and money is TIGHT, but for some extra scratch I could just go all out and upgrade myself all the way to a 1098. It is likely that for monetary reasons this may end up not even being an option right now, but I am considering it.

Okay guys, let me know what you think. Again, I could really use the insight comparing the rides between these models, and thoughts on what ya like best about each of them. Thanks in advance for the help. And RIP my baby, my 2002 748.
 
First, sorry to hear about the bike! That sucks...but now onto better things. Lemonade out of lemons right?

Based on your cash, or lack thereof, and your desire to do track days...the 1098 is not the way to go IMO. Most guys I know with 1098s would love to have or already have a smaller bike for the track. It's a LOT of bike for the track, not to mention the money you spend on it before any updgrades, tires, full leathers and the actual track days themselves. (Sorry if I offend anyone but stock bikes are WEAK IMO)

A nice way to upgrade will be a 749s or 999s. But depending on the the money you will have, I vote 749R or 999R...either is a nice track-ready bike that doesn't need much for performance nor cosmetics as a stock bike. It wasn't my favorite look either but pricing and performance worked. Plus you can paint on a front numberplate like I did and it becomes a different bike! (Unless you get a Xerox 999R which is an insane ride)

I've had a lot of complements on my 999S because apparently I've done a lot of things that people don't do to these bikes for the looks. PM me with your e-mail if you want to see pics, I don't know how to shrink them to put on here.
 
hi,
sorry for your bike as well, i just changed my 749 for a 1098 and i really cant regreat at all, its lighter, faster and easier to handle, plus the sound and looks.

i loved my 749 and didnt have the plan to change it but the opportunity just came and i took it. it extra money but its worth it.

the 749 is fast enough and a bit more confortable, for both riders. softer start.
the 1098 is made for race, less confortable and the start is always fast, the handles when making a U turn, touches the screen and bike body, of course you dont feel this when you are just courving.

if you dont care about your confort go for the 1098.
 
that I can't stand about the 1098, despite loving most of it that is...is the digital tach. I have no idea why they put that on the bike. Go with an R!
 
NewDuc,

Ducati went with the digital tach on the 1098 because both the Desmosedici and the GP7 use the same digital tach. I guess they figured if it's good enough for Casey Stoner and Loris Capirossi, it's good enough for you and me.

Elton
 
I don't climb over 10K that much at this stage...it's not really a functional objection I don't think. I could probably get used to it, after all my speedo is digital...but I don't know, a digital tach just doesn't seem right. I wouldn't want it in my car and I certainly don't want it on my bike if I can avoid it.
 
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