DezmoDog
Greetings,
My plan was to sell my 996 and buy an 851. I was delayed by my 996 losing it's fuel pump last fall, and have only ridden my Monster 1200S from then up until today.
Yep, today I took my 996 out to see how it ran with the new pump and relays. Ran GREAT! However... I had forgotten how absolutely horrible the ergonomics are on that bike. I had Woodcraft clip ons and a Sargent seat on it the past few years but now it's back to stock and you have GOT to be kidding me. I must be getting old, I can't believe I ever rode this thing set up like that. I put about ten miles on it this afternoon and that was more than enough. Then I took my Monster out and any doubts I had about selling the 996 were gone.
So my question... is the 851 closer to the 996 or the 900ss when it comes to riding position? I have had a couple SS's and didn't think they were bad. If the 851 is nearer the 996 I may have to rethink my plan and pick up another 900 instead... or say screw it all and just be happy with the 1200S.
tian647
Having both an 851 and an SS on hand the upper body ergos are nearly identical - big difference is higher footpegs on the 851.
That said, I find the 851 to be comfortable for longer stretches although to be clear mine has a Corbin seat that is a lot more supportive than the OE seat on my 900SS.
Regards,
Christian
'91 851
'94 900SS
NCR900
I had my 888 and 750SS belt (same as 900SS) together last week, and the 750/900 has a riser on the clip-on handlebars that the 888 doesn't. But both of them are a lot more comfortable for 'our generation' than the rather extreme 916/996 riding position.
TipsyNipper
Agreed.. ditch the 996. I find the 851 to be a very happy compromise between an outright sports bike and say somthing like my VFR 750. I have put some lower foot pegs on mine due to knee probs but can happily ride it for 60 to 70 miles without needing a break.
Pat
TipsyNipper
Must admit I had'nt consciously noticed the risers on the 900 (I have a SL...for sale ) and they
place the handle bars about 1 inch above the top yoke where as the 851 bars are just slightly below the top yoke.
Pat
DezmoDog
Thanks for the feedback, sounds like I should stay the course. I'm not against doing some mods to an 851 (the clip ons and seat made a noticeable difference on the 996 after all) but was curious where the 851 sat (no pun intended) in stock form. If I've ever sat on one I've forgotten about it.
brad black
much closer to an ss than a 996. i always found mine quite comfy.
rxs51
Depends what size you are - I have had both and found the later bikes are better for leg room because the 851 pegs are quite high but as I got older I found the reach to the bars on the later bikes was too hard on my neck so sold mine. The bars are much closer and higher on my 851 (1989 model) and as I am only 5ft 8ins I find it reasonably comfortable.
DezmoDog
I'm about 5' 9". One thing I noticed on the 996 was how much I had to strain my neck to see anything ahead of the front axle. Heaven help me with traffic lights. I'm thinking if the rearsets on an 851 bother me there are probably options to deal with it. To be fair the clip-ons I had on the 996 made a big difference to comfort.
I'm heading out of town on Thursday so the 996 hasn't been advertised yet. When I get back on Monday it will become more of a priority to get it sold.
Last year at this time I would have said the 996 would be the last bike I'd ever sell. Now when I see it in the garage it's almost a joke. RIDE it? Why would I want to do THAT? 😏
rxs51
DezmoDog wroteI'm about 5' 9". One thing I noticed on the 996 was how much I had to strain my neck to see anything ahead of the front axle. Heaven help me with traffic lights. I'm thinking if the rearsets on an 851 bother me there are probably options to deal with it. To be fair the clip-ons I had on the 996 made a big difference to comfort.
I'm heading out of town on Thursday so the 996 hasn't been advertised yet. When I get back on Monday it will become more of a priority to get it sold.
Last year at this time I would have said the 996 would be the last bike I'd ever sell. Now when I see it in the garage it's almost a joke. RIDE it? Why would I want to do THAT? 😏
Yes - exactly why I sold mine and went back to my old 851. Have just been out on it for the first time in about 7 years to take it for an MOT - did a 70 mile round trip and although I have a few minor things to sort (see separate post in technical) I found it surprising comfortable and really enjoyed the ride
niklam888
Without a doubt, the 900, (mine is a Super Light), is the most "comfortable" and least extreme. The 996 is the most focused and least comfortable, especially below about 50/60 mph, when the slipstream gives some support. I can't comment on an 851 as i have not ridden one, but i do have a SP4, which from a riding/comfort point of view, falls between the two, but has the most character. (I'm 5'10'').
DezmoDog
Sounds like the 851 will be a decent switch. I've laid the groundwork to take my 996 to the local Ducati dealer to be sold on consignment. If/when it sells I can start a more serious search, though it seems the dealer may have a low mile '92 available? Tempting... slap on some white wheels and it'd be about perfect. 😉 I may have more info tomorrow, if I can sneak out of work early the (former) "last bike I'll ever sell" will get strapped to a trailer and taken away...
Viper1
I have a lovely 96 900ss I would be willing to make a deal on for your 996 if your interested? Let me know? 😉
Claire4dukes
The 851 places a little more weight on the wrists and is slightly heavier (in base spec). Claire fitted 900SS bar clamps to the USD Showa forks to fix the wrist issue for her. So a bit of mix and match with bar clamps etc can get you a very similar set up for both bikes.
Cheers
Nigel (& Claire)
DezmoDog
Viper1 wroteI have a lovely 96 900ss I would be willing to make a deal on for your 996 if your interested? Let me know? 😉
Thanks but the only 900ss I would consider in trade would be a Super Light. MAYBE an FE but I don't value them nearly as dearly as most so that would be a tough "sale" as it were.
Claire4dukes wrote
That's what I was hoping. I made my 996 more tolerable with a couple changes, I'm thinking the 851 would respond as well, and if it's already starting from a better point than that's even better.
My 996 is officially for sale, the ad went up yesterday. The local dealer has no room for more used bikes at the moment so I put it on Craig's list for now. I'll be posting it to a few forums this weekend too, I doubt it will sell all that quickly but who knows.
cl955
Single seat 851s and 888s don't give you much chance to move around.
Like any sports bike, you need to get the suspension set up well so you don't get bounced around which is horrible with low bars.
I rode a friend's 996 SPS and found it roomier than my 888 SP3. I am 5 ' 10".
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AndrewS
851 ergos etc...
cl955 wroteSingle seat 851s and 888s don't give you much chance to move around.
Like any sports bike, you need to get the suspension set up well so you don't get bounced around which is horrible with low bars.
I rode a friend's 996 SPS and found it roomier than my 888 SP3. I am 5 ' 10".
Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk
Just came across this thread (bit late I know) but I'd echo the comments made by cl955. I have an 851 SP3 and have at various times had a 916 (a few years ago) and 1198S (still have it). The SP3 is, to me, far more restrictive in terms of movement and generally less comfortable - I think the width of the tank is the main problem for me. The 1198S does get me in the neck though, especially after I fitted a Superpole seat.
Having said that, the SP3 has the most character and will be the last to be sold!
duck2
I hope I don't appear rude folks, but if you want and buy a sports bike why try and make it into a tourer? I have a 95 carb 900ss and a 89 851 I'd say the ss is slightly more comfortable(but I rode from Ireland to assen on my 851 many years ago when I was more flexible.,) I also have a rgv250 which when measured all the ref points are MORE generous than the Dukes?(I'm 5.11 and 155 pounds)
I also have a Suzuki gt 550 triple 2stroke which is my most used bike(wife likes it) goes well and turns in its own circle!
I'm not a bike snob and may well consider a tz350 with ape hangers and sissy bar and crash bars as my next bike!
Seriously it's horses for courses but if your serious about riding sports bikes keep the weight down and keep fit, you will feel better and enjoy your chosen bike far better than adjusting the bike to suit you, (I keep the gt as a backup for future older age and comfort !)
DezmoDog
duck2 wroteI hope I don't appear rude folks, but if you want and buy a sports bike why try and make it into a tourer?
The factory sets the bike up one way. To think this is the optimum set up for every rider under the sun is naive at best. Being in better shape doesn't do a damn thing to address the angle of clip ons when they feel like they are trying to make your elbows touch. Flatter, wider bars made my 996 much more comfortable to ride.
Trying to make the bike more comfy for the rider is far removed from trying to make the bike into a tourer.
Seriously it's horses for courses but if your serious about riding sports bikes keep the weight down and keep fit, you will feel better and enjoy your chosen bike far better than adjusting the bike to suit you
You can't be serious... I'm not sure if you've noticed but people come in different sizes and builds. Adjusting the ergos on the bike can fix issues no gym ever could.
duck2
Correct, to a certain degree, BUT I ain't seen any overweight unfit guys riding SPORTS bikes anywhere near the top of their game in recent times,
As you point out comfort is important and I feel if your fitter stronger lighter you probably will be more comfortable on the bike as well as more aerodynamic (less wind blast at speed)
I wasn't trying to upset,just my opinion😏
