Help me decide on a bike

G

glespaul12

New member
This will be my first Italian bike. I just can't decide. I am 23, have had 6 jap sportbikes, my current bike is an 07 GSX-R 1000. I am trying to decide between an 848, Hypermotard S or Aprilia RSV-R. My neck is kind of messed up so I am mixed feelings about getting another sportbike. I am not sure how un/comfortable any of the three will be on long 4+ hour rides.

Hypermotard would be a fun track bike, plus it is a 2 valve so maintenance would be less then the 848. Insurance is the cheapest of the 3 on the HM S.

848 was my realistic dream bike when it came out. It is 4 valve so maintenance is much more expensive. No ohlins or mono block brembos. Seems like the perfect balance of power and torque since a 600 has no torque, I want something with more of a GSX-R 750 feel but I want a twin.

RSV-R (non factory) comes with brembos, braided lines, ohlins forks and seems to be pretty comfortable. Not a ton of power so it would be alright for the track plus from the reviews it handles awesome. I love the way they look and maintenance is not very expensive on them. $100 more a year for insurance then 848.

That being said, I work at a Ducati dealership and the Aprilia dealership (also sells Suzuki) is right next door. I will be trading in my GSX-R. The Aprilia dealer will give me $500 more for my trade in and they will sell me a brand new 08 RSVR for $12250 brand new. The HM S I can get for $12,600 and the 848 I can get for $12,000 (all before tax). I can get 10% over cost on all Aprilia and Ducati parts also. What do you suggest?
 
I had Triumph, Honda, Yamaha.... and Ducati... this is my third.

After my Speed Triple 1050 I was debating between the R6 and the 848.
I could have bought a R6 for $8500, while the 848 was $13k+

BUT: it would have cost me about 3k to get 'some' torque out for the yamaha.. and to make it sound somewhere close to the Duc..

truth is.. I already had a R6 before.. and I have to say..not a big deal... you need to squeeeeeeeeze that trottle to get the horse power out..

with the Ducati... ah!... everything it's right there... BUM...

plus Japs lose value very quickly... and they really cant compete..

I *love* going to the track.. and I never see japs in front of me.. LOL
The 848 is just such a *perfect* bike for the track....

Now I just traded my 848 for a new 1098... and I'll tell you... more power than I could ask... SICK ;-D

Plus... the new Superbikes are the most beautiful motorcycle in the world... they out-perform all the japs... they just sound better... go quicker... and.. cmon... you'll feel like a rock star riding a Ducati
 
Being you work at a Ducati dealer and next door to another dealer, why not just ride all three bikes and decide for yourself. No one is going to be able to give you more info than you will get from first hand experience.

If you are looking for a "comfortable" bike for 4 hour trips with a bad neck, I'd be looking at sport tourer, not hardcore race bikes like Ducatis and Aprillas.
 
Have to agree with infinite. If you are in pain already the 848 will not be right for you. Maybe the HMs will be but who knows unless you ride them all!!! I just picked up a HMs to compliment my 848 since i was finding i was riding everyday and the 848 wasn't exactly comfortable in traffic. But good luck on finding the right bike for you!!! If i had to chose between them for everyday riding and light track use i'd get the HMs
 
I would ride them all but the dealerships wont let anyone test ride sportbikes if they are not used. We don't have any used ones in right now. Plus it is snowing out and I am looking to make a purchase soon. I realize I will still be in pain, but pain goes away, I have to get my adrenaline fix lol. I more want to know if the Hypermotard would be a decent track bike or not. I would be doing track days at Brainard International in the spring. My GSX-R is stupid fast and I don;t want to attempt to ride it on the track since I want to learn to ride more. I know with a 1098 or my 1k I wouldn't learn to ride as well. I am kind of against the 848 due to maintenance costs. I get a deal on that too but it is still expensive. I absolutely love the 848 though. Gorgeous bike and I am sure it is the exact bike I am looking for. I just don't know if it is more aggressive riding style then my 1k or not. I guess I could go to the chripractor 2x a week instead of 1 and not worry about it lol.
 
How much has it costed 848 owners to do the 7500 mile service? Same with you HM owners? just so I can get an idea between the difference in the 2 and 4 valves. I just can't decide. I am trying to figure out if I made the right decision by putting money down on the HMs. The 848 is $600 less then the HM but obviously doesn't have the ohlins. We do have a set of ohlins forks at work for it though. I should see how much those cost lol
 
rezac......i gotta ask this....
if you work at a ducati dealership....why are you asking these questions...??
is there a service department at the dealership!?techs will be the ones to ask re...everything

as far as your neck is concerned....i can comment from my own injuries...
not neck but tore the crap outta my arms...mostly right arm......tennis and golfers elbow.....so bad i couldnt write for a while.....the refered pain and misalignment of related tendons and ligaments reverbed up into my spine and neck.....between shoulder blades and upwards......took 2 years and many bashings at the chiro and achupuncture to get it all working properly again
i have the 848.........13,500klms and no neck pain
 
The dealership is not open to ask them right now. I am going to make a purchase in the next couple of days though. I put money down on the HM S but I may get the 848 instead. We keep a lot more stuff in stock for the Ducati then the neighboring dealer keeps in stock for Aprilia.
 
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