Ducati vs Japanese bikes

I'll give you my perspective on the Italian vs. Japanese bike debate. Bear in mind, I have not ridden an 848 or the newer gen R1. I have owned a 748 and my best friend and neighbor had an 02 R1. The R1 was an insanely powerful motorcycle that would pull like a like a bullet train. It handled VERY well and was low maintenance.

The 748 was under powered at 97hp and higher maintenance. But.......it made the most glorious noises and made you feel like you were a part of the experience. The intake would snort and the clutch rattled and the exhaust note with Termignonis on it sounded absolutely angry above 3k. It handled MUCH better than the R1 and in the twisty sections (the only ones that matter) I was able to keep up with the Yamaha no problem. It begged for more corner speed and I could get on the gas much earlier than I could on the R1. He would leave me for dead when it came to a blast down the freeway but hey, anyone can ride fast in a straight line. The Yamaha was clinical and silent (even with a Yosh pipe). Boring but crazy fast. It was going to go 160 wether you were there or not. The 748 wanted YOU to make her go fast.

Plus, when they sat next to each other the R1 was INVISIBLE. We would watch as people would literally walk up to the R1 (brand new in 2002) and look over it to see the 748 (3 years old at this point). The best day was when about 6 people at seperate times gave the Yamaha a look like "get this thing outta the way".

Being that this is what makes a Ducati a Ducati, and a Yamaha a Yamaha, I would bet that not much has changed. Just my opinion but if I were buying new right now the emotion inducing Italian lady would win over the surgically smooth Japanese girl every time.

 

+1. Japanese bikes get overlooked by the Italian ones. Bang for the buck you cannot go wrong with an R1. Its like a GTR and a 458 side by side, Italian is always going to get the looks and attention. The extra maintenance is not worth picking a Jap vs Italian bike. The experience alone makes it worth it.

 

I can offer a comment on the handling based on my seat time on the 1098. Like the earlier Ducati superbikes starting with the 748/916 up to the current 1198, the 848/1098 chassis has tremendous steering feel in the front end under trail braking. You would need to be riding at a track day to exploit this. Assuming the suspension is set up for your weight, you'll feel absolutely confident with the front end and once the tires are warm you can brake very hard into the corner without fear of losing it. They are also rock solid stable fully leaned over. The steering feel and the excellent stock suspension is really what makes the 848/1098 special (besides its good looks and trademark engine sound!)

 

Ducatis are like Harleys and Ferraris...never the fastest, but always attract the most attention for their looks, sound and presence. I currently have a Hayabusa, but am looking to buy an Italian bike soon. I've looked at Ducati, Aprillia and MV Augusta and have still not made up my mind.

 

Them's fightin' words!!!!!

 

I own a 1098s, 748, and an R1, (2004).
If you're really concerned about the riding stance and handling/power, here's the cold truth:
The R1, straight out of the box, (I'll assume you're looking at a 2010 or newer R1), will eat the 848 for lunch, EASILY in any of your areas. It has a more friendly riding position, and is much, much, much faster. In an entirely different league, (with less, or maybe NO maintenance). Sorry.
You can make the 848 handle great, but you best be prepared to call Dan Kyle, and get out your wallet. The R1 will be great of the showroom floor; adjust the suspension for you and go.
If you want a Ducati, get one, (heck, I have two, and LOVE them). But if you're looking for performance, an 848, vs, an R1? You've gotta be kidding.......... The R1 is a fantastic bike.

 

I've ridden both the R1 and the 1198 (don't own either, own a couple of BMWs). I'd take the 1198 over the R1 every time. You can't use the acceleration of the R1, and unless you get one with traction control, you better be very good coming off the corners, or you're headed for a fall.

I've ridden Ducatis (won the BOTT in 85 and 88 with one) for years, and what you notice is that they work when set up properly. Are the Jap bikes quicker? Sure they are, but 99% of the people riding them can't use that extra power, so the Ducati, on most roads, eats them alive.

Just my thoughts.

Art

 

Which cuisine do you enjoy more, Italian, or Sushi?
It is all a matter of taste, my friend. I personally enjoy my Ducati's more. You may notice though, when I bought my 1098s, I did not sell my R1.
The question was about performance though, not which I enjoyed more.
Bikes are much different then cars too. The limit on ALL these bikes is the rider. Any of the bikes you picked will likely be much faster than you are; just like I can't extract all the performance, even from my 748!
With all due respect to Art, (and he deserves that respect), I disagree. The R1 is easier to ride (track) fast. The engine braking on the Duc is MASSIVE. Yes, It can be dealt with by the addition of a slipper. You can buy tons of great aftermarket parts for your Duc, etc........
The R1 does deserve respect. And it's LOTS cheaper.
The 1098s (yes, even the S version) comes equipped with a progressive link suspension, NOT a linear compression on the rear. This means that If you're smacking the throttle hard, under heavy squat, the rear takes exponentially more force to maintain traction. This is where it breaks loose. I switched to a TTX setup with new, linear link from Dan Kyle. Now, it holds traction even better than my R1. But out of the box, the R1, (later models with the cross plain crank), won't do this, (not due to the crank of course). The 848 doesn't even come with an adjustable post on the link. Keep in mind, you can buy a later model R1 for the same price as the 848 you're looking at. Sounds like you really want the Duc. Go ahead and get one!
BTW- Have you considered the new BMW s1000rr? It is an awesome bike!! I found it to be easy to ride, and easy to ride FAST. Would likely be easy to live with daily as well.
Just sayin' if you're going to ask the performance question, be ready for an answer you might not like. If you're going to track the bike, the fastest RIDER will prevail. Won't have that much to do with the bike, unless you have super skills........
Good luck; ride safely.

 

all r-1's have been fast but the one that looks the best is the limited edition bike of a few years ago w/ marcesini wheels, ohlins suspension and vintage team colors.

find a good one and that would be a keeper.

pcb

 

I have always liked the R1 in Blue but the original red and white in 1998 was cool too.

 

My .02 cents:

I own a 2008 Ducati 1098. It's the second bike I owned--I started with a 2005 Ducati S2R800 Monster. Moving to the 1098 was an eye-opener. I thought nothing could match it. Then added a 2003 Honda RC51--cool bike, but eventually tired of it being a bit underpowered. I traded it towards a 2009 Yamaha R1 with the crossplane cs. Well, my R1 is a totally unbelievable ride! It has some mods, namely, different gearing, PC5/Autotune, full Graves Titanium exhaust, race air filter/modded airbox, Ohlins TTX rear shock, Graves rearsets, better levers. I bought it this way. This bike us UNBELIEVABLE. It wants to throw me off at WOT in the lower gears. The handling is also very nice, I tracked it once last fall. Plenty of power everywhere. The bike is awesome.

I love my 1098--I re-flashed the ECU with the race map 2, to suit my cored exhaust and race KN filter. Also had the exhaust flap removed. The 1098 will also snap your neck, but, surprisingly, I have to rev it harder than the R1 to get it to rock. The 4-banger R1 has more power down low. Probably partially due to the -1 gearing front and rear. The 1098 has stock gearing.

Looks-wise: Well, the 1098 is undeniably sexy, but hey, I think the R1 looks great, and mean, as well.

Bottom line: I'm keeping both bikes. Which one puts the bigger smile on my face? The R1. I find myself hollering in my helmet every time I nail the throttle! So, get both!!! Pick them up used--change out both exhausts, and enjoy!!

Greg

 

Art,

Did you race with Pete Johnson in BOTT GP1 class on the Cagiva? I have several of his former racebikes in my collection, including Erion Racing's 1988 Honda Hawk GT and a Dresda framed Drixton Honda.

 

I had a Harris chassis Ducati two valve 851 ccs. Steve Wynne built it and tuned it. Now being restored and I get to ride it in the vintage class. 271 pounds with fuel, 100 HP at the rearvwheel. Very fast even today. Welded up ports, big valves a major rework.

Art

 

Love Harris and Spondon framed bikes - you have pics???

 

I'm not a biker but the one I recently saw in LA got me thinking about becoming one. (Had a Honda Sabre back in 1987 until I had a very bad accident on it).
I couldn't get my eyes of that one(sorry for poor quality,taken with iphone):
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First full disclosure. I raced Yamaha's for 6 years so am biased and have owned numerous R6's and currently own an R1. However, I have owned several Ducati's as well.

Looks wise, it is a no brainer, the Ducati wins. Handling wise, an R6 is king. Powerwise, it depends on what Ducati you are talking about, but an R1 is as good as any. Dependability wise, Yamaha wins. My Duc friends who raced were always replacing their clutches whilst I just rested for my next race.

Also, twins are a different beast to ride than 4's and take some getting used to. I find them to be more stable midcorner, but harder to get to turn in. However, if you change your riding style for a twin, you can get it to turn in as well as a 4.

 

This is the point where you should have stopped typing.

 

i have owned all four jap brands. My first duc was a 999s. It was hands down better handling, and yes attracted much more attention. Next bike was a 1098s even better. Quit playing games, Now i ride a desmosedici. ducati is the way to go. If you want true pride of ownership you would not be on this site. rather just have a corvette and on your way to purchasing a jap bike.. which in the end is still great.. But not really what your looking for
matt

 

ive owned both and the jap bike are 100% more reliable.....but dont make as good a sound and dont pull the same crowds...except for my M109R