want to buy first ducati

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013megustastu013

New member
im undecided on which bike to buy. on one hand my friend recommends that i buy the 848, which is a stunning and sexy bike. but i'm pretty short and stand on my tip toes when mounted. i'm used to being somewhat on my toes on my vfr, but this bike is significantly taller. my buddy works at ducati and says he can lower it for me, but i'm not sure if an inch will be enough (i'm 5'6).

on the other hand, there's the s4r. i've been a fan of streetfighters since my friend introduced me to them earlier this year. i got to test ride an s4rs and a 696 (the 696 being cut out of the equation due to its lack of power). it was comfy and was more than i expected.

anyway, the bike is going to be a daily commuter and something i can take into the canyons. i really haven't gotten any good advice on which bike i should buy and i'm just stuck between the two. any helpful words will be much appreciated.
 
I have a friend that is 5'5 and he rides a CBR1000 he just has to get it lowered a few inches. I'd say just go with the bike you want and get it lowered so it's easier to ride.
 
just remember, lowering the bike will change the handling-- i say get used to having one foot down, and lean the bike at a stop. if you like the 848, just hang yous a$$ off the seat at the red lights!
 
thanks for the input, folks. i'm going to stick with the 848 and have my buddy lower it an inch for me. he says lowering it an equal amount on the front and rear shouldn't affect geometry or handling, minus ground clearance. i don't plan on tracking it often anyway.

my main issue is reversing. i don't want to have to dismount just to reverse, and i reverse everyday when i have to park. is there a trick you shorter riders use?
 
Get the 848. I am 5'7" and have a CBR 1000RR and the 1098 and I find with the Ducati, I can touch both feet down more since its much skinnier at the seat/tank area. I just love it and can backpedal with no problems. If its a gravel parking lot, I just push it around since its so light anyway.
I also test rode the S4RS on two occassions last year and was this close to getting it. Great bike and would make for a fantastic commuter. That mini fairing really works in keeping most of the wind off you.
The 848 I sat on seemed taller than the 1098 (which has a rise height adjuster). I don't think the 848 has one though it can be purchased. The "advantage" of the 848/1098 is that they have the newer engines that require less maintenance.
Hope this helped.
 
Hey man, I'm 5'6"-5'7" and ride an 06 749. It hasn't been lowered and I'm usually on my toes, but you just get used to it. I used to ride a S4R and that was a little shorter(Great Bike). Have you looked at the new 696? I can stand flat-footed both feet on that bike, and the rider position feels really comfortable. The 848 is a sick bike, it's not like you can make a bad choice.
 
I'm 5'6" and have an R6 and an 848. The R6 has a wider seat so it's even harder to reach the ground. Either way I'd say don't touch the bikes height. You will get used to it. It is actually fairly easy to reverse with one foot. Just tilt the bike a bit so that more weight is resting on one side and you can flat foot with one foot then push off hard. Once you have the momentum you can tip toe it backwards with ease.
 
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