good to see you on BARF
you were done with classes awfully early today 
and yeah, I can confirm that this guy commutes on his...
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Any regrets from you 1098 owners?
- Thread starter bigt
- Start date
you were done with classes awfully early today and yeah, I can confirm that this guy commutes on his...
Z3n
Squid.
adamsix
The Lone Wolf
- Joined
- May 31, 2002
- Location
- Central Valley
- Moto(s)
- are fun! It's not fun when you crash
- Name
- Smiley
I just wish i won the lotto so i can buy one and pose at capitol starbucks.
silverbelt
New member
MHC
New member
Yeah, actually. That is much more accurate.
Mr. Horse
Seriously.
After three months experience commuting from Novato to SF and back, I have transformed my 1098R into what I believe is the ultimate California superbike:
It was immediately obvious that the stock windscreen was inadequate. Most of my commute is in stop-and-start traffic, and since only maniacs lanesplit, I spend the majority of my time bolt upright and not at all covered by the original windscreen. Of course, long ago I had the foresight to stock up on several dozen samples of Craig Vetter's excellent Windjammer innovation, and have been installing them on every bike I've owned since the late 70's. My 1098R is vastly improved by the addition of a Windjammer, and I recommend every 1098 owner follow my example, since it makes every trip to the grocery store a haven from wind and debris. Once you drill through the stock fairings, there are plenty of mounting points, and because the Windjammer is so spacious, you can drill with abandon knowing the Vetter fairing will cover numerous errors.
The original tires suck, of course. Whatever they're made of, they wear out in only 1500 miles or so. I sensibly replaced them with a set of skins from Cheng Shin, and have dramatically improved their durability, and if I say so myself, their handling. A previously twitchy steed, that seemed to dive into every turn, is now rock-solid with the completely flat profiles on the C-S's. If it weren't for the extra-wide Pro-Taper bars I mounted above the triple clamps, I probably wouldn't have enough leverage to even start a turn. Rubber mounts also help smooth out the annoying twin cylinder vibrations, and the extra 8 inches in height keep my back from protesting the bike's horrible ergonomics. I don't know who Ducati thought would ride their bikes, but it certainly wasn't an American 40-something systems manager with a few extra pounds.
Gas mileage isn't what it should be, but the old hardcore biker's trick of disconnecting the spark plug on one of the two cylinders dramatically improves fuel efficiency. Throttle roll on is a little balky, but it's worth it to "go green." Best of all, I found that both Sparkys I installed on the ignition lines still flash, even when one of them isn't actually attached to anything. They make a great contrast to the neon tubes I mounted inside the fairings, to show off "how I roll."
This may surprise new buyers, but many modern sportbikes don't have enough storage space for your helmet, lunch, a laptop, boots and your Aerostitch. The 1098R is no exception (boo Ducati!) but fortunately their fellow Italians at Givi have a simple answer with their universal-mount 300 liter tail hard case. It has the added advantage of working as a backrest since it completely covers the tail area.
Of course, that assumes you've added forward controls to move the footpegs and levers to the front of the engine area since the original pegs are far too high and rearset for gentlemen of my age and deportment. A monkey will never have the salary to buy a Ducati, so why do they assume a monkey might be riding one?
I hope these simple tips help to enhance your enjoyment of what, in my experience, can be, with only a few modifications, the best sporting ride since the Virago 535.
It was immediately obvious that the stock windscreen was inadequate. Most of my commute is in stop-and-start traffic, and since only maniacs lanesplit, I spend the majority of my time bolt upright and not at all covered by the original windscreen. Of course, long ago I had the foresight to stock up on several dozen samples of Craig Vetter's excellent Windjammer innovation, and have been installing them on every bike I've owned since the late 70's. My 1098R is vastly improved by the addition of a Windjammer, and I recommend every 1098 owner follow my example, since it makes every trip to the grocery store a haven from wind and debris. Once you drill through the stock fairings, there are plenty of mounting points, and because the Windjammer is so spacious, you can drill with abandon knowing the Vetter fairing will cover numerous errors.
The original tires suck, of course. Whatever they're made of, they wear out in only 1500 miles or so. I sensibly replaced them with a set of skins from Cheng Shin, and have dramatically improved their durability, and if I say so myself, their handling. A previously twitchy steed, that seemed to dive into every turn, is now rock-solid with the completely flat profiles on the C-S's. If it weren't for the extra-wide Pro-Taper bars I mounted above the triple clamps, I probably wouldn't have enough leverage to even start a turn. Rubber mounts also help smooth out the annoying twin cylinder vibrations, and the extra 8 inches in height keep my back from protesting the bike's horrible ergonomics. I don't know who Ducati thought would ride their bikes, but it certainly wasn't an American 40-something systems manager with a few extra pounds.
Gas mileage isn't what it should be, but the old hardcore biker's trick of disconnecting the spark plug on one of the two cylinders dramatically improves fuel efficiency. Throttle roll on is a little balky, but it's worth it to "go green." Best of all, I found that both Sparkys I installed on the ignition lines still flash, even when one of them isn't actually attached to anything. They make a great contrast to the neon tubes I mounted inside the fairings, to show off "how I roll."
This may surprise new buyers, but many modern sportbikes don't have enough storage space for your helmet, lunch, a laptop, boots and your Aerostitch. The 1098R is no exception (boo Ducati!) but fortunately their fellow Italians at Givi have a simple answer with their universal-mount 300 liter tail hard case. It has the added advantage of working as a backrest since it completely covers the tail area.
Of course, that assumes you've added forward controls to move the footpegs and levers to the front of the engine area since the original pegs are far too high and rearset for gentlemen of my age and deportment. A monkey will never have the salary to buy a Ducati, so why do they assume a monkey might be riding one?
I hope these simple tips help to enhance your enjoyment of what, in my experience, can be, with only a few modifications, the best sporting ride since the Virago 535.
iehawk
Well-known member
Some people are still in HP and torque wars... the more the better. And forget that it is so much more than just about having the biggest number.
It's about weight distribution, riding dynamics, how the vehicle react to the operator, how the power is going through the transmission from the cylinders to the rear wheel. And so much more.
At least to me that's why I ride and why I picked my bike. Not that it's the best. I would ride all the different kinds of bikes because each offer a different and unique experience.
Come on 1098 owners... tell us something more than how good it rides. Details!
It's about weight distribution, riding dynamics, how the vehicle react to the operator, how the power is going through the transmission from the cylinders to the rear wheel. And so much more.
At least to me that's why I ride and why I picked my bike. Not that it's the best. I would ride all the different kinds of bikes because each offer a different and unique experience.
Come on 1098 owners... tell us something more than how good it rides. Details!
MHC
New member
Virago?
VS
1098R
Um....
I am probably not qualified at all to say anything about this, as I don't own or commute on a superbike, but I am kinda thinking you bought the wrong bike. Sounds like you wanted a touring bike. Really I am not trying to be an ass or anything thing, but your post seems like you are trying to make the bike something its not.
And a Vetter Windjammer? On one of the most beautiful bikes ever made?
scarydriver
Lurker Extraordinaire
Virago?
VS
1098R
Um....
I am probably not qualified at all to say anything about this, as I don't own or commute on a superbike, but I am kinda thinking you bought the wrong bike. Sounds like you wanted a touring bike. Really I am not trying to be an ass or anything thing, but your post seems like you are trying to make the bike something its not.
And a Vetter Windjammer? On one of the most beautiful bikes ever made?
Really?
I think you should read it again, but this time turn your sarcasm meter on...
MHC
New member
Really?
Oh.
Oh well. I am famous for not understanding sarcasm. I am told that I have some kind of weird brain-block against it or something
Really?
Only thing I regret about the 1098 is that I regret not having enough cash money to buy one.
bikecraft
pluto is a planet
....or the mirrors popping off.
cgalford
CVMA #297
Its been pretty much completely solved. Everything but the very first bikes just needed a re-programming.
cold100onhw1
The Duke
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2006
- Location
- all over the place
- Moto(s)
- The fastest SV on Tam, The slowest KLR on Tam
- Name
- Earl
Only thing I regret about the 1098 is that I regret not having enough cash money to buy one.
I regret not having the skilzz to ride one
FlewbyU
Active member
If I only had one bike I don't think I would buy a 1098. I read that some people think its a great street bike, and they commute on one, more power to you. IMO it is a horrible street bike. Mirrors are useless, the gearing sucks for street (hard to go below 20 mph), puts out a lot of heat and it does not get great mileage. (35 mpg)
On the other hand, use it for what it was made (track) and its fantastic. Great brakes, great power delivery, stable at speeds. Plus it looks and sounds like no other.
I would compare it to a Ferrari. Ferrari's are great cars but not something you would want as your only car. You don't want to go to Home Depot in a Ferrari, not what it was really made for.
cgalford
CVMA #297
Absolutly correct. On level ground I can't go less then 22mph smoothly without slipping the clutch. I just love it too much for logic to come into the equation.
