Let me add some more to this.

I ride a Z1000, hardly my grandma's bike, I feel it could use 20 more hp.

I rode an 1198, opened it up in 4rd (couldn't find the courage to do it in 2nd let alone 1st) ... instant response, front wheel comes up a few inches ... I #1 crapped my pants #2 short-shifted to 5th like a wuss.

That was 6 months ago, and I still haven't gotten over how much of a beast it is, compared to my not-so-boring Z1000.

Now imagine the jump from a Ninja 250.

848, man. I think you're over-estimating what DTC will do for ya. Don't get the Evo with that horrible primer flat paint, a nice red one is just gorgeous.

Or if you have the $$$ the Hayden editions flat out rock. Add some white wheels and you're in business.

 

I am going to buy a Hypermotard 796 and ride it for a while before I move on up and get a Streetfighter, not an S.

The Hypermotard should be a great bike to play around town with.

 

You will love it. I have yet to find a Hyper owner who doesn't love his bike.

 

Perfect bike for Oxford too. OPD will be all over your ass on a 1098. The motard will be fun to blast out to Sardis on and out to Taylor Grocery.

 

Smart choice. The Hyper is a great bike, and even with that powerplant, it will be an eye opener for you.

 

Just saw your post.....As an owner of 1098S, Its a great bike....but def sucks around town...dont know if its cause Im not as young as I used to be (30), but I think twice before jumping on the bike for errands around town. On my old gixxer I would ride it everywhere.... The Hyper is a great bike and you will have fun, but if you want the full fairng, sportbike experience go with the 848 or 1098 although I would def consider it a track-oriented bike!

Where do you live? There is a couple Ducati dealerships around the Atlanta area, N.GA mountains are a great riding/proving ground!

 

1098S owner right here and I love it. The maintenance is not bad if you have someone that is QUALIFIED to work on them. I track mine and do a little short bursts around town to wake people up early on Sunday's! There is nothing like the twin...I'm 5'7 and fits me fine. However, I will agree that a 600 might be the next step from a 250. Throttle control is a skill and an art...throttles don't forgive and demand experience like everything else in life. In addition, the brakes on the Ducati are silly good. Grab to much of that in your going straight into outer space.

my ride
https://teamspeed.com/forums/motorcy...098s-pics.html

 

Kind of depends on your personal tolerances for riding. I commuted into Manhattan on a 916 with a stock seat and bars for four years, and I'd do it again. No candy-assed slipper clutch, either. Other people would be crying in a corner at the mere concept.

I also wouldn't say the streetfighter nor SBK are too much bike, assuming you can ride with discipline. The 1098/1198 are ridiculously fast, and so is the SF, though both are quite manageable and docile if you know how to ride them and ride smartly. Coming from a relatively small bike, an intermediate step is not a bad idea, though if you're getting a hypermotard I'd say that's pretty much covered.

Between the SBK and streetfighter, I would personally get the SBK as I like the riding position (and entirely ridiculous amount of power/torque) much more.

 

Blasphemy! I just ate a bowl of cereal in front of a 1098. It never gets old.

 

I have never been a fan of the naked performance bike, but the streetfighter is one sweet machine. One of my buddies picked one up and I really like the riding position and the physical asthetics. I would rcomment one of these for the school commute. You really can not make a bad choice, but I vote Streetfighter.