[yzfr6i]

Hello everyone. Just wanted to give some background on myself. I started riding in 1990 on an '89 EX500. Then on to a '93 FZR 600, then a '95 YZF600, then to a '99R6. Took some time off so my son could race motocross. When I started riding again I bought a new '10 R6, then added a '11 Ninja 250 (which I share with my son), and finally added my '12 848 Corse.

Have some track experience, but don't get to go as often as I'd like. My main reason for joining this forum is that I'm thinking of trading in my 848 for a 959.

 

[Dingo]

Welcome aboard! Have you ridden a 959 yet? The 848 Corse is a great bike, but I think if you had some seat time on a 959 you'd park the 848C in the showroom!

 

[yzfr6i]

Haven't ridden a 959 yet, but I have ridden an 1199. I'm really interested in the 959 Corse for 2018. I love the 1299, but it's way too much bike for me. If they would take a 1299 and throw a 959 motor in it, that would make my day.

The big decision I have to make is which bike has to leave to make room. The R6 or the 848. If the 848 wasn't a Corse it'd be a no brainer. The 848 would be gone. The 250 isn't an option because I let my son use that one.

 

[DJ Shrug]

Welcome to the forum!

How's the 848 compare to the R6? I've heard that those who ride Panigales now thought the 848 was a harsher - potentially a factor if you really like how the R6 rides.

 

[yzfr6i]

I bought my 848 a year ago. The previous owner had messed with the suspension and bottomed out the rebound screw.Which meant the bike had zero clicks of rebound in the rear. We finally got the needle from Ohlins to fix it a few weeks ago. So I've never really gotten a chance to push the bike to see what it can do.

My R6 is my "do everything" bike. I track it, do back roads on it, and commute with it. It would be very hard to part with it, but I like the thought of having two Corse's in the garage.

The steering on the R6 is like being chased by a psychopath with a toy knife. At first everything is happening so fast that it scares the crap out of you. But then you realize it's not a real knife and the situation becomes much less worrisome. Now going from the 848 to the R6. The R6 feels like you're trying to straddle a beach ball.

 

[Dingo]

@yzfr6i - if your description of the R6 is like you say, then the 959 is that equivalent to a 1299 - equal in steering response. The 1199 is a generation older than the 959 so it's not comparing apples to apples, geometry is a little different which affects turn-in, etc. Go ride a 959 and come back and tell us what you think - I think you'll sell the R6, put the 848 in the living room to look at as a museum piece, and ride the [email protected] out of the 959! I'd put money on it!

 

[dougo1199]

Welcome @yzfr6i ! As I'm sure you know, the Japanese bikes are always a little more user friendly when compared to a Duc. However, I can say from experience and follow along with what @Dingo has said - There is a huge difference in the "8" series bikes (848/1098/1198) and the Panigale line. Since you have ridden an 1199 I'm sure you could tell the difference straight away. I never felt 100% confident in the front end on my 848. (it was track only so no road experience with it) I would also agree with you that the 959 is the better choice for a street bike over the 1299. Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[yzfr6i]

@Dingo . What you said actually just helped me make my decision. if the 959 is similar, yet better than the 848. The 848 will never get ridden, and I would be keeping the bike just to say I have it. The R6 and the 250 will always be the bikes I take to the track.

 

[DJ Shrug]

@Dingo . What you said actually just helped me make my decision. if the 959 is similar, yet better than the 848. The 848 will never get ridden, and I would be keeping the bike just to say I have it. The R6 and the 250 will always be the bikes I take to the track.

When you say take to the track, do you mean just non-timed, track days? Or competitive races?

Reason I ask is because my local racing org places the 959 in the heavyweight class, while bikes like the 899 or 848 are allowed to race in the middleweight classes. The 250/R6 are still great bikes to race in their respective classes, but just something else to consider.

 

[yzfr6i]

@DJ Shrug . 250 for racing, and the R6 for just track sessions. I might take the 959 to the track once just to see what it can do. But I'd be so worried about hurting it that I wouldn't have any fun.

 

[Dingo]

... I might take the 959 to the track once just to see what it can do. But I'd be so worried about hurting it that I wouldn't have any fun.

If you're that capable then you know how to take it in stride - the mechanics of it you already have down pat, it's just a different machine... a machine that inspires you to do what you only wish that 250 can do at speed!

 

[yzfr6i]

It's just the whole new bike thing. When I bought my R6 I swore it would never see the track as well. It's like when you buy a new car and you say "No one is eating or drinking in this car!". Then a few months later there's a can of soda in the cup holder.

 

[Jyno]

@yzfr6i Come hang out with me at Autobahn Country Club or Black Hawk Farms Raceway in Illinois

 

[yzfr6i]

@Jyno Two of the guys in our group are at Black Hawk this weekend. They said the weather looked great, but just posted about an hour ago that it was raining.

 

[Jyno]

@yzfr6i yea front's have been shifting around here causing rain. Ill be at BFH on the second for their big party track day weekend should hit that up if you don't have other track day plans. There might still be slots available with motovid.