Jimbo, you and I are going to have words at our Winter Warmer. I got diverted off the A1 this afternoon through St Neots, and as if by magic I ended up at the Ducati dealer looking, touching, sitting (licking if they would have let me) a new 1199, base model in red with ABS, a deal to be done including full Termi system, DP tail tidy with 13 plate and other carbon sex aids. We looked each other in the eyes and banged the sticks on the curb. I could feel my credit card burning a hole into my arse but somehow found the inner strength to get the fcuk out of there without shaking hands but had to make a promise to myself to return for a test drive when the good weather returns. Jimbo you are the devil and you owe me big time fella. Mines a Stella, and keep them coming.
Ha ha - that's brilliant freedom!! Once that itch starts.... You just keep scratching! I resist insted Italian when I bought the blade, don't think I'll be able to again...
Oh and I forgot to mention the new MV4, that’s another sleepiness night in the making although I don’t have a local dealer anywhere near me so not a major headache. Its not even about the money its the fact I had made my mind up to keep the blade till 2014 and now I am lusting again. Test ride will decide everything so trying to put it to the back of my mind for now but still pricing up all the carbon sex aids I NEED. I have to say the one I looked at seemed to be of excellent build quality, I even tried pulling bits off it and all seemed very good. What is it about Italian bikes and particular Ducati's that get the blood pumping?
cause the Italians know how to make sexy bikes...... havent rode a MV yet but I still have an itch for another Duke.
For me heart says mv head says duke wallet says something else!! Ha ha... Think the poor old r1 will have to make way though. Can't justify the room or £ sitting there...
Jimbo, I was tempted by the panigale as soon as I clapped eyes on it online... I went with a definite idea of px the blade for one, until I took one out. This is the bike I took out for a test ride: [video]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XjFHHQzmRXI[/video] [video]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qDAmXeXDUaM[/video] it looks fantastic, but the build is shitty, blade pisses all over it in real world ride ability on the road. I'd still have one though for the looks.....
if your wondering about why the panels are loose like that most dukes use them rubber mounts to allow movement or the vibrations would crack the mounts.
Not just loose mate, shitty fit.. Look at the gaps in the panels, and crap quality, thin and cheap. £20k for that... I would be crying in my cornflakes.. They look and corner great though.
havent had a ride of any of them - and in the end of the day they cant be a dog, will take build quality into account also... but for me, it's not about having the best latest and greates fastest bike anymore, i've prob reached my limit on the road and trust me, no modern litre bike is the limiting factor for me IMO - i am! you just have to work harder with some.... i've got the blade for track which i think is awesome, but i want a road bike thats diff from the norm, sexy as hell, a bit of a treat (i am 30 this year) before we have a family etc etc and to tick off a life long wish of owning some pure italian exotica.... without trying to sound like a knob (i'm not flash, i spend little money on anything other than bikes & dont even own a car) but i've come from a new r6 & then a new blade and they were both incredible bikes, but i just want something with a little more.... erm character! ha ha for me - thats only the duke or MV. all the rest im not fussed - i'll ljust keep the R1.
only down side of owning a duke, other bikers pre-judge you as a cheque book jockey when you own one.they think you know feck all about bikes and are just out to show off.I noticed a big difference when I had the duke compared to the blade when I pulled up at the local bike meets.
Totally agree with you mate. The panigale is far from being a dog, I loved it! It was just the build and fuelling that put me off... I would definitely love one but i would use it as a sunny day toy, not a main do it all superbike.
