| Author | Message | ||
     Snackbar64 |
Just a friendly question here. Which bike would the 1125R be more in line with in performance? The 1098 seems to be considerably more powerful, yet the 848 seems to have a similar performance difference south of the 1125R. But at 134 hp at he crank it would seem that the 848 might be more in line with the 1125R in rear wheel output. I'm considering all three bikes now and was wondering if anyone out there has ridden either Duc and can compare it to the new Buell. Thanks | ||
| Spatten1 |
The 848 got stellar reviews across the board. Some liked it more than the 1098! | ||
| Baggermike |
You need to ride all the bikes you are thinking about buying, this is the only way to know which is for you is by the seat of the pants approach. numbers are one thing but riding it is the only way to know which one feels best for you. MIke | ||
| Snackbar64 |
Spatten1, I've bought every mag this month with that bike (848) in it. So far sport rider has the most extensive write up. So I am also pleased by what I've read. The bike looks gorgeous and is reasonably priced. Baggermike, at the local Duc shop here they only had a demo 1098, but I'll ride it this saturday! There are no demo 1125Rs available here. | ||
| Baggermike |
Snackbar wave the cash around and the will let you take a test ride. I can say this is a very good street bike with power every were and comfortable. My only complaint it the charging system. Mike | ||
| Dtx |
All three appear to be great bikes. I have been reading about all of them, especially in the magazines over the past few months. Overall, it still seems the 1125R is the best bang for the buck...kinda like the Corvette is to the sports car market. But, if money is no object, definitely get what turns you on the most. | ||
| Xnoahx |
I think performance is going to be outstanding on either of the bikes. What sets the 1125R apart for me is the cost of ownership and dealer network. Insurance and service is going to be much less on the Buell than on the Duc. Also a lot more dealers out there to take the bike to for service. I also like the idea of supporting american buisnesses when I can | ||
| Snackbar64 |
I would also like to support an american manufacturer as well. And you are right, Duc dealers are limited compared to Harley Dealers. But I guess that is a good and bad thing because with all the Buell dealers out there it seems they should have more parts in stock. But I'm new in the Dallas area and we have a pretty big dealership here. I've heard good things about them so far. It's just that the Duc kind of caught me off guard seeing it in person and all and then when he started it up. Wow! I'm still partial to the Buell though, but boy is it tough. And money is an object. | ||
| Buellracer29 |
I am in the same boat looking at the 1098 and the 1125R. I have 5 Buells now, have raced for Hal's Buell in Milwaukee in the late 90's and Early 2000's. I did do 100 miles on the 1125r at Road America. Loved it. That 1098 is awsume looking and great reviews. Is it worth $3000.00. Dont know. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I believe the base 1098 is $16K, if so you are looking at a $4k difference. Is the Duc a 33% better bike? Performance-wise I think not. But if you prefer the Duc looks, that might factor in. I agree that it is among the top 2 good looking bikes (plus the MV F4). | ||
| Doerman |
I've had a friend visiting that is a Duc owner (999)and he has truly enjoyed the 1125R. So there's that FVIW. I don't believe you'll go wrong with any of the three on your short list. All are very competent bikes. I think the major difference between the Ducs and the 1125R is that the seating position is markedly more comfortable. So if you are going on longer rides, you might be more comfortable on the 1125R. The "built from the rider down" is not merely marketing hype. The 1125R power (HP and torque) will fall in between the 1098 and the 848. The 1098 and the 1125R are probably so close that the "butt dyno" can't tell a difference. But again (according to my friend) the power delivery on my 1125R is better than his 2006 999. So.. there's a little apple and oranges for you to mull over.  One thing is pretty clear. If you leave all maintenance to a dealer, the cost of maintaining a Duc will be higher than the 1125R. | ||
| Snackbar64 |
Thanks guys, I appreciate the help. I think one of the negatives on the Ducati was a story I read that during brisk riding the bike only gets about 80 miles to a tank. That is a little disheartening. But then again when you're having fun who cares about gas consumption, right? I just sat on the 1125R today and I found it more comfy than the Duc. Also the Buell seems to be more of a novelty bike in these parts. only one on the floor, as compared to the 8 1098s' | ||
| Buell2001b |
the ducs are nice bikes and the only bikes i would buy other then a buell, they have design and power. the 1125r has more power and what better way to help buell get more recognition then buyign american and keeping our people employed. | ||
| Blublak |
Bill .. As always the only thing I can say is.. ???  ??? I know a racer that got a 1098s (as a street bike) at the end of last season. He'd only had it a short time and was already complaining about the scorching of his seat and the hefty fuel consumption. He told me he'd already wrapped the pipes (remember under seat / tail exhaust) and put a new shield under the seat and still said on warm days or sitting in traffic his 'neather regions' would start to get a little convection baking going on. Once he was moving however it wasn't such a problem AFTER his mods (dealer said bike is perfect, no need to change anything). He also complained about how it likes to suck fuel down in big hearty gulps while riding at a 'street sporting' pace, I don't think he minds it in a race machine but felt it should at least net him around 120 miles on the back roads. Not having ridden one, I can't speak to these items first hand, so consider this second hand 'rumint' at best and only directed at the 1098, I've heard nothing regarding the 848. But you may want to consider that the Ducs won't make for a 'great' street ride under those conditions.. | ||
| Jdugger |
One of the guys in my sportbike club just got an 848 in red. Man is that bike sexy! The owner doesn't have a bad thing to say about it outside of poor long-haul comfort. It sounds really nice, but does not have the clatter of the classic Ducati dry clutch -- an OK thing if you ask me! For my money, I'd be shopping the 848 or even the Monster s4r next to the 1125r. The 1098 is really expensive and really in a different category. For me, that meant the Buell was just a better value, but I could easily see how someone else would prefer the Duc. I don't think you could go wrong with either bike. | ||
| Buellracer29 |
Well, I just put my money down on the 1125R. Had two to pick from and noticed the frame welds where not the same quality as my 9 or 12. However, that was not enough for me not to buy it. Any word on exhaust and race mods for the 1125R. I have heard D&D is working on something. Not sure on the remaping. any tips let me know. Thanks also for the great advise. Cool website. | ||
| Buellracer29 |
1098 was a little more finished but I don't beleive given what I have read that there is a $4000 gain in performance. Maybe top end, but the 2 times a year we hit 170+ it is not worth it. Thanks again | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Racer29, first off congrats with the decision. I think you will be very happy and I know your pocketbook will definitely appreciate it. As far as the exhaust and such, there are a couple options. CHeck out the threads here. YOu should find the info you seek. | ||
| Interex2050 |
I test rode the 848 today! I was very pleased, everything about that bike is fantastic... It is a bit faster off the line then the 1125 too. Although the handling I was slightly disappointed with, too much like the modern Japanese bikes... You just pick where you want to go and it does everything else for you, although there is a bit more feedback. Then the guy at the dealership was commenting on how terrifying the 1098 is... So now I cannot help myself but test ride that as well, we shall see. So the only real redeeming feature of the 1125R is the handling, which is far better then anything I have ever ridden... | ||
| Snackbar64 |
Interex2050, Thanks for that inside, hands on info. How was the power throughout the whole rev range? | ||
| Brad1445 |
That 848 is a sexy bee otch | ||
| Spatten1 |
What are they selling the 848 for? | ||
| Interex2050 |
Despite babying it, due to that I was the one to put on 12 of the 19miles that was on her, she was really smooth. Silky smooth, with power everywhere... no hesitation and there wasn't the sensation that she had to "wind-up" to get going, even in the lower RPM ranges. (similar sensation to the XB12 series) I would be really curious about what shes like after break in, so one could get on the throttle a bit more. Hopefully I can spare the time to go test ride the 1098 next week and report if the handling is more involved. As I mentioned earlier that is what the 848 is "missing", or perhaps the handling characteristics come "alive" at a faster pace. | ||
| Spatten1 |
no hesitation and there wasn't the sensation that she had to "wind-up" to get going, even in the lower RPM ranges. (similar sensation to the XB12 series) WOW! | ||
| Interex2050 |
One thing that I forgot to mention though... The mirrors are purely decorative Once they are adjusted (that is if you move around a bit you could piece together of what is going on behind you), as soon as you get going they come out of adjustment and become entirely useless. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Interex, did you ever get the power issues on your 1125r sorted out? I remember that you said it was way down on power at one point. Also, what were the ergos like on the 848, if you can tell on a 12 miles ride. | ||
| Interex2050 |
I thought the power issues were resolved... but I guess there is still something not quite right... I would imagine that the 1125R should be peppier down low, at least peppier then the 848... Its back in the shop again, their are still trying to sort out the hard starting issues, I will also ask about the low end grunt. For instance; once its moving at a reasonably brisk pace it has no trouble reaching astronomical speeds. As for ergonomics the 848 is very different... The seat has a slight forward tilt to it, so there is a tenancy of sliding forward when braking... this is made worse by the lustrous clear coat. Although that is remedied by "pre-loading" yourself on the gas tank. Its a little tighter then the XB; but not to a point were it get uncomfortable, nor does it restrict movement. One gets the sensation of sitting in it rather then on it, as the gas tank has cut aways were your legs slide into. I did not find the handlebar location to be too far or too low, seemed to be just right. For reference: I am 150lbs, 5'11" with a 34" inseam (well according to my jeans). Due to my back injuries, I tend to find that my back gets less fatigued on the XB then the 1125R... | ||
| Interex2050 |
I think I may be doing a demo on the 1098 tomorrow! I will be in the area when I drop off the Firebolt at the shop... | ||
| Brad1445 |
Interex2050 , I hope it gets better for you real fast! | ||
| Interex2050 |
Thank you Brad |
