[redduck1]

Originally Posted by vanos_villain

Having never owned either, I just can't get into the Desmo. Sure, it's the ultimate Ducati, but something about the 1098R is just raw. I heart that bike! Keep the R!

P.S. And yeah, the Desmo does look like a whale.

thanks for your input. I really appreciate everyone's posts. Helps me make a better informed decision with more insight.

[zim32]

Originally Posted by redduck1

Hey Zim, how is the riding position vs. the 1098R?

Similar riding positions..maybe slightly more aggressive on the Desmo. Felt comfortable immediately on the Desmo..I'm 5'11".

As for the "whale" comments...I have 9 bikes in my garage and I constantly find myself just staring and admiring the beauty of the Desmo..muscular and focused...and I think you'd find similar comments from anyone that actually owned one.

[redduck1]

Originally Posted by zim32

Similar riding positions..maybe slightly more aggressive on the Desmo. Felt comfortable immediately on the Desmo..I'm 5'11".

As for the "whale" comments...I have 9 bikes in my garage and I constantly find myself just staring and admiring the beauty of the Desmo..muscular and focused...and I think you'd find similar comments from anyone that actually owned one.

thanks Zim

[lars]

Originally Posted by zim32

Similar riding positions..maybe slightly more aggressive on the Desmo. Felt comfortable immediately on the Desmo..I'm 5'11".

As for the "whale" comments...I have 9 bikes in my garage and I constantly find myself just staring and admiring the beauty of the Desmo..muscular and focused...and I think you'd find similar comments from anyone that actually owned one.

Cheers!, i have a friend with a d16 and it stands out more than any bike in his garage. this whole whale comment is rediculous. the Desmo is modeled after a friggin motogp bike, if thats not sexy i dont know what is....oh yeah my wife....but besides that!

[kerlyb]

Originally Posted by redduck1

I have tracked the 1098R but, but honestly don't think I would the desmo if I got it. So my real question is that would be the bike a good street bike, or is it too track focused to ride as a daily rider?

The Desmo has to be the most uncomfortable bike for the streets I've ever ridden...very aggressive seating, hard seat and suspension, poor handling at street speeds, too much heat from motor/exhaust, and just forget about it if you're stuck in traffic. But on the track, completely opposite. Fast as hell, nimble, turns in fast, loves to spin up the rear tire, just fun fun fun!!! This bike is a pure race bike that can be ridden on the streets.

The R is more user friendly for everyday street use, as well as a track weapon. Seating/ergonomics still aggressive, but not as extreme as the Desmo. The twin motor configuration is better adapted for the streets...torque wise. Handles great both on the street and track. Just a great all around bike. The R is a street bike built to go racing.

Just my .02

[gnance]

i still stand by the whale comment....seriously you think the desmo looks better than the r? It's all about the motor with the desmo, not the looks.

[one2gamble]

I really dont think I would want to put that many miles on the Desmo. I cant imagine it would hold up well to daily riding

[redduck1]

Originally Posted by one2gamble

I really dont think I would want to put that many miles on the Desmo. I cant imagine it would hold up well to daily riding

Great point. I wonder if the maint. intervals are similar to the 1098R. Or does the engine loosen up like the real GP bikes.

[vanos_villain]

Originally Posted by lars

Cheers!, i have a friend with a d16 and it stands out more than any bike in his garage. this whole whale comment is rediculous. the Desmo is modeled after a friggin motogp bike, if thats not sexy i dont know what is....oh yeah my wife....but besides that!

No, it isn't ridiculous. Let's be reasonable and objective. The comments about its aesthetics don't take away from the engineering that went into the bike, nor does it remove the significance of the Desmo to the Ducati line. With that said, opinions are opinions, and an individual doesn't have to prefer the Desmo over any other Ducati in order to appreciate the bike. I just find the 1098r to be a sexier bike despite being the lesser model.

Originally Posted by gnance

i still stand by the whale comment....seriously you think the desmo looks better than the r? It's all about the motor with the desmo, not the looks.

This I agree with.

[748R]

Originally Posted by Smitty

[

the 1098s is nothing like the 1098r

I am curious. How is the 1098R significantly different than the 1098S other than slightly lighter and a bit more Hp?[/quote]

6 kilos and 20 horsepower is fairly significant, i'm sure you guys have been around long enough so i don't need to point out all the factory listed differences. the R feels like a race bike, i've done lots of kms on a 1098s, but the first time i thumbed the starter on my 1098r i stood back in fear....the ground did shake i know the r doesn't look too different from the s but none of the previous R models did either. i do say though that the tricolore is the best looking duke ever. the r brakes, turns and handles better than the s and the engine...omg the engine...........all these factory differences make such a huge improvement