888SP -V- Honda SP1 -V- 749/999 how they match up.
 

After a great rideout today with the surrey guys on the superlight, which saw the bike run well, more than can be said for myself, and that I was at the back as normal, making a somewhat rapid stop and start hopping around on the verge.....
I am considering selling the other duke for something a bit newer.
I really like the SP1 to be honest, and after today rideout the749/999 are growing me fast.
After following brent for some miles today, his 749 seemed really quick, I suspect 999s or R is even quicker, but they seem quite small overall, maybe not suited for a tall rider.

How do these match up against each other, I allready have the 888 so I know how it goes etc, but it maybee going sooner than later after today.
I've had the 916/996/998's so been there, but having never tried the 749/999 or SP1 how do they compare .
SP1 looks mean, and looks like it suits a taller rider such as myself, but I like the duke's too.
What are the pro's and cons of these flavour bikes,prices and running cost etc.What about performance between them.

any thought peeps.
anyone also looking for an T8 soon.

But I will be keeping the superlight, it such just a great bike to rideout on, not superfast , but nice.

cheers
Rob

I wouldn't bother with the SP1, really twitchy fueling and the throttle can be a bit of an on/off switch, obviously nothing a PCIII wouldn't sort but I'm a firm believer in the basics should be right from day one, if you have 749/999 money then you have SP2 money which doesn't have any of the SP1 issues, thats where my money would go in this instance.

Altenatively, your budget opens a whole host of Aprilia Mille options including early R's, might be worth dropping Guido a line as he has been using his dads Mille a fair bit of late ..... the slightly bigger size may make you feel less cramped ....

Hope that helps ....

Thanks Dibble, is the SP2 that much better than the SP1 then.


Rob

yep, i've ridden multiple versions of both and Honda learnt a lot from he SP1 that they tweaked and fettled into the SP2, in fact if the SP1 didn't have such **** fuelling I'd have had one instead of my 996 at the time, it was top of my list .... until I rode it ...

I`ve had a go on a SP1, c**p fueling and whining engine noise, due to gear driven cams, no ducati !!!

couldn't agree more. but an SP2 is sorted and looks a hell of a lot better than a 749/999, in my opinion ..

Not looking to good on the SP1 front then, SP2 may require a more indepth look at then.
Does it still come in Red.

Rob

2003 52 Reg HONDA VTR1000 SP-2 999cc
Manual 6 speed, 9,505 miles, STARS AND STRIPES. Datatool alarm, 4 Stroke, Akropovic Full System, Braided Brake Line, Undertray, Crash Protectors, Full Service History, Trade Sale, V-Twin. £4,500.
Tel: 0116 2442000
Price: £4,500

http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/ATD...a?id=331617064

04, 7500 ,iles, £6200

http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/ATD...a?id=359818448

who needs red ???

Where is the best place to get a demo ride on a 749r/999r flavour bike in surrey guys.
I suspect that the likelyhood of a getting a demo ride on an SP2 somewhere is going to be slim to say the least aswell. Unless anyone knows otherwise.

Cheers
Rob

I'd call Simon or Marcus at P&H in Crawley, they often have used versions of both as they are a Ducati and a Honda Dealer ..... good guys they are :)

thanks for the info dibble, your allways a source of info mate.
Not sure about thefirst ones colour .

the black and silver looks really nice, but I really like red, but I am open to a change in colour if it goes well.
Prices seem good, thats alot of bike for the money.

thanks
Rob

they are currently showing 749S, 999Bip and an SP2 in their used stock ... :) so it'll give you a flavour of each, personlly i reckon you only need to kae the 999 and SP2 out as the 749 is a different animal if that makes sense ...

http://www.phmotorcycles.co.uk/used-bikes.html

looks like I'll be making a trip down to see them shortly.
And if they'll do decent p/x on my T8 , better still.
thanks dibs.

Rob

make sure you tell them you are DSC, Marcus knows me as Dibble and Simon knows me as Pietro (he sold me my 996) .... have fun mate ...

I owned an SP2 for about a year before I bought the 999S. it is a bit more refined than the SP1, better fueling, chassis etc and a brilliant road bike with good handling and one of the best front ends. Take a look at the spec and its equivalent to an S model Ducati, the forks are fully adjustable Showa, magnesium cases and built in the HRC plant ( its really an RC51). Stick a kyle link in the rear suspension, race cans and a power commander and its sorted. Cheap servicing, ideal for putting miles on but only solo, don't stick a pillion on , they'll hate you forever :) Only downside for me was that it was just a bike, I'd leave it dirty, ride it, not look after it and know it would always start, after owning a Ducati that seemed weird so i traded it for a 999S. The 999 handles as well if not better than the SP2, has a bit more HP ( Honda never uprated the SP2 engine) and is a more comfortable road bike ( less wristy position) with better fuelling, downsides, it'll cost you more to run but you already know that :)

I think the crunch will come if I can get a demo ride on both bikes the same day, that way i'll be able get a good comparison between the two, I think.

What sort of fuel consumtion does theSP2 have compared with the 999R.
I heard rumours that the SP2 was quite thristy.


Rob

it didn't seem that thirsty despite the reviews which said it should be. probably about 90 -100 miles to the light came on which is about the same as the 999.

the 999 is a more comfortable bike, less weight on your wrists, less arse in air position, much more stable and at first you think not as agile but it is once you adapt to it.

Mate,any good 999 will pee all over a SP1/2.No need for the R version,(although they are very desirable),the S is awesome.;) :D :D
The 999 series is being phased out soon so expect some bargains.
Forgot to mention that I'm over 6ft and fit on the bike ok,...although Glyn once said I make it look like a minimoto!Dont forget the pegs are multi adjustable and you can move the seat forward and back on the monoposto.
Shame you are not from around here as you could always have a go on mine.

Rob

If your a tall chap then try Mille R, I had one given to me and I found it far to tall for my 27" inside leg!

Hi Rob

Is your 888 a Strada or an SP? If it's an SP, there's a chap advertising on the Ducati Trader web-site at the moment for a good one.

(I had a bit of a dice with a 749 last summer whilst riding my 888 SP4. It was only a straight line drag-race, but the 888 was noticeably the faster machine. Bear in mind that I weigh only 10 stone though, and this may/may not have been relevant!)

weevee, the T8 is a bit off a sorepoint with me to be honest, really been a continual problem from the day I got it. It's an 4s and I regret ever buying the damm thing now, anyway wont go into that now, it will only spoil what has been a great day out on the superlight.

Had a long chat with a guy this afternoon , he's got a 999s and it looks really nice. Had a long chat about it with him and it looks like a cracking bike to get. Still feels a bit small, but havent tried an SP1/2 yet as a comparison.
I think the 999r is a bit overpriced compared with the S version.

but still away to go yet before I made a def decision.

Rob

As a 6' 2 999 rider I find the bike far more stretched out than the mille. I sat on one and found my legs completley cramped. The 999 is very roomy IMHO.

PS Mines for sale, need to buy something better for my pillion ( multistrada s looks a goer)
£5500 to you ( termis etc etc) 2002 bike.