| Author | Message | ||
     S1wmike |
Same post different title, th last title was a bit vague Just a little first impressions about the Ducati 998 -The steering effort is heavier -Brakes are fantastic -It loves to rev but power comes in much later in the RPM range -Love the six speed trans, but I am still getting used to the tall first gear and the close ratio 2-6 gears In comparrison to my S1W, seat of the pants it feels like the S1W accelerates harder through the RPM range, turns in sharper and is more rewarding at the speeds that won't tax your driving priviledges. Conclusion LIKE the Ducati 998 LOVE the S1W | ||
| Ducxl |
I am still getting used to the tall first gear i used to stall a lot on the Duc due to lack of Buell like low end torque.Like,let the clutch out no torque to move the bike/stall. Cool bikes' | ||
| Surveyor |
I use a 998r and XB9r at the track. I would have sworn I was faster on the Firebolt but the fact is that the 998 is almost 10 secs a lap faster on a tight technical circuit where a decent lap time would be just under 2 mins. Corner speed on the Bolt is phenomenal but between the corners and on the straight the Ducati obviously makes up a lot of ground. I find the Bolt requires a lot of effort and some pretty enthusiastic riding to get it to turn if you carry your braking beyond the turn-in point. I've put a smaller gearbox sprocket on the Ducati and the difference is incredible with wheelies on the corner exits, but there have been a couple of moments in'high-side' territory which were scary (for me at any rate) However I finish every session on the Bolt with a huge grin whereas the Ducati is much more demanding. | ||
| Djkaplan |
A 900 Monster was on my short list of bikes to buy in 2000, but I decided on an M2 instead. I still have the M2, but I often wonder how different things would have been had I gotten the Ductati. Based on how things have turned out so far, I think I made a good decision getting the Buell. One of those retro Ducs would be soooo cool, though... | ||
| Court |
The Monster is best for looking at. The M2 is best for riding. Both do okay, but fall a bit short playing in each others categories. I am a huge Monster fan mostly based on looks and lineage. I'll go out of my way to look at one (they are everywhere in NYC) but would not buy one. Therein lies a message. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
My brother has a M900 that I have ridden both on the street and at the dragstrip. My 99 S3 is quicker and faster, handles on par, stops on par, though the Brembos take less effort and pushed are probably more fade resistant. The S3 is also more comfortable, especially 2 up, parts are cheaper and it is easier to work on. Some places my bike gets more looks and some places the duc gets more (at least before he crashed it!) - I'll call that a draw..... | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
As an aside, when I was looking to purchase a used Buell, I stopped by the local Triumph/Ducati dealer (Great Bay Motorcycles, North Hampton NH) to see if they had taken any in and, since I wasn't sold yet on Buell and like Triumphs and Ducatis, what they might have that I would like. I don't mind somebody talking up the brands they sell, but the owner went out of his way to bad mouth Buell and it really turned me off. So now anytime I am riding by his shop and see people looking at his used bike inventory outside, I will turn it and take a nice, slow, thumpy lap past everyone on my (if I do say so myself) gorgeous S3  (Message edited by scott_in_nh on November 19, 2007) | ||
| Jayvee |
Yeah, same story, looked REAL close at the Monster for a long time, prefer the older ones, not the new. But it really was "Made in USA" that made the decision for me. I can't seem to escape the influence of my upbringing in a very pro-Union, buy American, family. My brother had a Toyota pickup for over 2 years before he got the nerve to tell our Dad about it, he finally traded in for a Chevy. Otherwise, very likely I'd be on an old Monster, and posting on a different forum. | ||
| Jimidan |
Ducati 998 and Buell S1W = apples and oranges I have both, and they were built for different reasons, although there are some similarities (like geometry). A change in the stock gearing (chosen more to meet emission standards than performance) makes a world of difference in the drive off of corners. There was also a difference in price. A better comparo is the new Buell 1125R to the 998, or the 1098 for that matter. | ||
| S1wmike |
Yeah I know it's apples to oranges that's why I posted it as a first impressions of my newest bike and only gave a subjective opinion of what I deemed applicable for pleasure riding not an out and out shootout, which undoubtedly would be won overall by the Duc | ||
| Jimidan |
But I sure like the S1 too. | ||
| Ceejay |
I don't think any ducati holds a candle to an S1 in looks, save for one of those Milona one offs... | ||
| Eicas |
I seriously considered the Ducati Monster before buying the Buell. The Buell cost less, is cheaper and easier to maintain, cost less to insure, and sounds better to me. The Ducati is reputed to be faster on the track, but I am a street rider and both bikes exceed both my limits and street limits. The Ducati wins on looks, reputation, class, etc., but I am just in it for the fun and with that thought, I obviously think that the Buell wins. | ||
| Hardcorps |
"The Ducati wins on looks, reputation, class, etc., " To each there own, I think the Buell is way better looking than a Ducati (except maybe the hypermotard). The power delivery and handling is different, but could I say the Ducati is better, don't know to little of exposure to Ducati. Just my humble opinion | ||
| S1wmike |
Took the Duc out on an 80 mile test loop. Just to get more familiar with the bike, as stated earlier apples to oranges, and I still prefer my S1W, but that Duc is one awesome bike  Mike  | ||
| Pwnzor |
My 2003 749S, purchased about three weeks before I got my 2004 XB12R, was one of the biggest mistakes I ever made. 1: I wanted a streetbike, but succumbed to the impulse to buy a rocketship. 2: The rocketship turned out to be a maintenance nightmare, back to the dealer five times in one year because it couldn't find third gear. 3: The rocketship was very uncomfortable to ride in street clothes, sitting on top of the pipes cooking my boys. 4: The rocketship was really fast, but I had to wind it out to show any guts. And where I live, most cars are still faster than it is. 5: The rocketship retained less than 50% of it's purchase price when it came time to sell it. Took a beating there. 6: The rocketship lacked soul. There are so many of them all over the place, exactly the opposite of what I was shopping for.  7: For the price of the rocketship, I could have bought the Buell, and a new KLR650 or XR650L to go with it, AND a closet full of gear. Lesson learned. The Buell is the best, most fun, most reliable bike I've ever owned, bar none. Well.... street bike... my '86 CR500 is still going strong. | ||
| Rocketman |
The problem with comparing the smaller Ducati's is they are not a true representative of the bigger and better models. The 748's and 749's are very much a track focused bike which require a more focused wide open throttle riding style to make them do what they do best. Anything less is a little flat. 916 to 999 models have much more mid range grunt and are more enjoyable to ride as sports bikes go without having to ride them flat out. Rocket | ||
| Pwnzor |
Like I was saying, I succumbed to the impulse. Very cool looking bike, I just bought the wrong thing for what I wanted. | ||
| Bads1 |
3: The rocketship was very uncomfortable to ride in street clothes, sitting on top of the pipes cooking my boys. I know what your saying there. I've never ridden a 749 but I have a 999S and thats like a cast iron pan with two sunny sides in the middle. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I've never ridden a 749 but I have a 999S I test-sat both bikes when I bought the 749, they felt exactly the same to me. edit: not much in the way of padding on that seat, and it's a bit of a reach to the bars, got you laid out pretty good. A screamer on the track, in full gear, for short periods of time... fine. Commuting, suxx.  (Message edited by pwnzor on November 25, 2007) | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Hmm interesting, the one bike I was sure DIDN'T want before I bought the Buell was a Ducati, I looked at Guzzi's & BMWs mostly, I really fancied a LeMans but to get a good one was just too hard to find & too expensive, & I also tried a R1100s Boxer Cup, which is a blinding tool, I found it a bit hard on the wrists but different bars would have sorted that, & the R1150GS was outstanding but waaay outside my price range. The main problem I had with so many bikes I tested was that they just didn't stir me at all, I'd already tried a S1W a year or so before, so I knew roughly what to expect & a mate had lent me his X1 to try. After a bit of hunting around I found my M2 for sale & went to try it out, now this may sound daft, but it spoke to something in me & I had to have it. I've now ridden a few XBs in various guises & they all left me cold, until the TT, that little voice in my head started screaming again "gotta have one of these" well it's on the christmas list, we'll see what Santa brings.  | ||
| Rocketman |
But then you should ride a Hypermotard so as to be true to this thread Grumps Mind you, if you did, it would cure that little voice in your head. Then again, you might just hear an Italian bird whispering sweet nothings instead. I know which I'd prefer between her and some butch cowboy from Wisconsin, lol. Rocket | ||
| Jayvee |
Yeah, sat on the Ducati Hypedupmotard at the IMS MC show, it's quite unbelievable even just to sit on. But don't know if I would want it as an "only bike", that's my constraint right now. I need commuter-style practicality most of all right now. Not to mention my current bike is all paid for... MotoGuzzi has made some very nice bikes too, I don't care that much for their current crop though. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"The rocketship lacked soul." Only a Buell rider could say a Ducati lacked soul. I love it!  | ||
| Rocketman |
How do you know the "Hypedupmotard" is not capable of everyday use? Rocket | ||
| Ducxl |
I HATE this whole "it don't have Soul" thing.They're frikkin machines!!! No soul.....Go ahead,say it,"Jap crap has no soul" either???? Yeah,only a Buell message board would bring out this kind of post | ||
| Djkaplan |
Oh, yeah... you're in a mixed relationship. There might not be a 'soul' in machinery, but I had one motorcycle that was definitely sadistic. | ||
| New12r |
Love the Hypermotoard, until I found out if I drop it the stupid hand gaurds are $600 dealer cost, and I will drop it!! Rode a monster and really was not that impressed, looked mean as hell but did not ride quite like the Buell's. I would still own a Duc as a second or track machine though. | ||
| Freezerburn |
I think the new Monster will be much nicer than ones past. The new 695 looks sweet. Hopefully it will have new big brothers. | ||
| Jayvee |
"How do you know the "Hypedupmotard" is not capable of everyday use?" Hey Rocket, I said "I don't know"... But I have ridden dirt bikes on the highway for over 100 miles at a stretch. Not that comfy as the miles drone on. There's capable and then there's capable. |
