Don't judge, hate, loath me for wanting to try something new and different. I do love my RedBull blade and will hate to see her go...she's my baby! I do like the look of the BMW S1000rr HP4 Carbon. Top of the range I know and expensive. But if you're going to get a s1000rr, you may as well get something unique like the HP4 or HP4 Carbon. 2nd choice, that has caught my eye. Ducati 1199 Panigale R Any comments or other choices?
For something a bit different and for pure bike porn it would be the Pani for me if it's only between those. If it was my money though I'd wait till next year (there's only a few weeks left of this season), and wait to see what come out. Ie the new R1 and updated RSV4 to name just a couple.
I'm open to suggestions, but like ColinBr said..."Bike Porn" I do love the wow factor of a beautiful looking bike. If i wanted to be common I'd buy a R1...ooops did I just say that out loud? HP4 or the HP4 carbon 1199 Panigale with or without the R...not overly fussed 899 panigale is nice looking too RSV4 - I'll go and view that one now. Yep nice looking but it doesn't have the edge over the HP4/C or the 1199
MV Augusta F4 RR for me! (Every feckers gota a Beemer nowadays, gone right Chavvy!) 210 BHP of Porn and a penny under £20K MV Agusta - Motorcycle Art | MV Agusta
If I bought the BMW I'd always be wishing I'd bought the Panigale. Simply because it's gorgeous to look at and having never owned a Ducati I think it's something you have to do so I'd regret that. Then having owned one I would be happier going for the BMW next time!
I sat on a Ducati not long ago and that's when my love for them ended. The seat is so hard and that combined with firm suspension would give me blisters on my arse after a first ride no doubt. Still beautiful bikes.
That MV is beautiful! 20k though that's a lot if money. If that was mine it would live in the lounge. I really like my blade but had it nearly four years now so will be looking to replace it next year. I took an 09 Big Bang R1 out for a rest ride and really liked it, twin Yoshi's and that Crossplane engine make a very fine combination. The bike ride amazing for me and is definitely on the short list.
It’s peeing down here this morning and I am bored so this is going to a bit long winded, bear with me. Last year I was looking for a change after years of various Fireblade ownerships. The choice was between MV and Ducati. What do you want out of a bike. Ask yourself some questions, if you’re considering spending a lot of money. The last thing you want to be doing is regretting it. I know they are obvious but these are the main questions I pondered: 1. What are you going to use it for? 2. What sales/service support have you got within a reasonable distance? 3. Nothings perfect, so what are the known problems with each model being considered, can you live with these problems. 4. What’s it really going to cost, ignore the ticket price, but think about all the “I must have options”. I added thousands of pounds to the final price before even taking delivery. 5. Check out insurance, bike exotica doesn’t come cheap so don’t expect the insurance to be either, check that you can get insurance and at what cost including your selected options. 6. Then ignore all the above questions. What makes your heart beat a little harder just by looking at it, what do you really want rather than what you need and what will the compromises be. Once I had answered the above, I decided on a Ducati 1199 Panigale ABS. Once you have whittled it down to the model you want, play the Dutch auction game between a couple of dealers, they may be short of sales to meet a monthly target? etc. Once you have negotiated, dangle the purchase carrot and push for a little bit more. The final important thing is….. At all times keep the purchase discussions truthful and fair. Don’t demand things that are unreasonable or ask for something that if given you are not prepared to back up with your order…..no one likes dealing with a time waster but everyone respects a hard negotiator who gives clear targets and understands a deal is not a deal unless it suits both parties. I made it clear that I was talking to two dealers and the overall deal was most important to me, price, support, and service would all be considered. I obviously can’t comment on the actual deal but here are few pointers: The dealer will have different profit margins to work with for the ticket price, OE options and workshop labour etc. so work on all three rather than concentrating on the price of the bike alone. In my case, I concluded the deal with my local dealer, whilst the price of the actual bike was slightly higher than a much larger multi franchise London dealer, the discounted price of the options along with free fitting, an agreed discount on all further parts and servicing labour meant that the local deal was by far the better option overall. Plus I have great local support and have built a good personal relationship with them based on mutual respect, trust and honestly.
I am wondering if you only sit on your Mrs lap. If that’s all I wanted to do I would pick a size 22 women. But, who wants to ride or look at a fat bird.... But I know what you’re saying and are guessing the showroom bike was set to flat rather progressive suspension as that’s how they come out the factory. I had mine re set to P and adjusted for my weight and fitted a Ducati DP seat. Job done.
I would most certainly get test rides on all of your short listed bikes as I dreamed of an 1199 Panigale but hated it when I rode it. I rode the same test route on my Blade and much prefered the Blade and no point in down-grading in riding experience just for something that is perceived to be better. After the Panigale I took an RSV4 factory on the same route and instantly fell in love with it, its by far the best bike I have ever ridden bar none. The handling, turn in, braking and noise are truly stunning. Saying all that I have not purchased an RSV4 as I have concerns of reliability and dealer back up. As some one else said a lot of new machines are due out for 2015 including a heavily revised S1000RR which will inherit a lot of the technology from the HP4 but be in an updated chassis with an updated engine so maybe worth waiting especially as summer is nearing an end and always better deals come the winter months.
I had great fun, testing them all early this year, I too went out to buy the panigale 1199 until I rode one, Don't think you'll get a test ride on a HP4 unless it's a used one, dealers don't have demos of these Enjoy tho ...gotta love new bike shopping , like being a kid again but in grown up toy shops
Choices, choices choices............so many nice bikes. Over the years I have spent a lot of money on brand new bikes ( and lost a lot on selling them/px ing ). I am not knocking new bikes or the desire for one , but there is an alternative. I had an epiphany, I decided the current 'must have' 'best bike' 'fastest bike' call it what you will, was not for me anymore. 'Best' anyway IMO really is a matter of opinion in most cases of virtually everything in life. I decided I was not going to pay a huge amount of money on something just to have 'new' and sought out low mileage, well looked after second hand bikes and then spend some money making them fit my own riding needs, style and looks etc. There are some great bikes out there and a lot of people buy some exotica and then stick it in the garage and don't use them that much. Just a thought. Having said that, if you want a new bike then I personally would do as suggested and wait till next year and see what is on offer or buy one of the low mileage trade ins as buyers go for the latest models.
I find your charge well founded Exfire. My work cars are always new as its part of the contract and sold back again with only a small financial lose which is less than paying company car taxation. Private cars for L are never new and we, like you stated, find perfect ex demonstrator’s or low mileage one year or less from someone who has more money than sense. Bike wise, your statement is true but in my defence it’s mainly due to other commitments and bad weather when I do have time to ride. So in summing up… I find myself guilty as charged, but not a complete idiot unless it involves motorcycles when all common sense evaporates and the heart rules the head. Case closed.
I agree, but if any of us used are head , none of us would be tearing around on 1 litre super bikes , dressed like power rangers..... Very boring ,so as we all get older let's enjoy are child hood dreams.....untill 100cc scooters seem far more practical & economic
I agree FOC and Gray, common sense and motorbikes, the two just don't go together. If I could I would probably have at least 60 bikes in a garage and yet I still don't get enough time to ride the one I have as much as I would like.
Would love to like the Ducati but no matter how many times I try I'm left with that meh feeling. Really wanted the original 916 and never rode one but tried the 996 and was very disappointed. Same after riding 1098 and 1198s but still had an extended ride on a Panigale S but again left feeling Meh! This time with a capital M. Lol. Now keen on a hypermotard but not tried one yet so it can't be that I'm a brand hater. The BMW carbon is the best(ish) bike at the moment and whilst I loved it when i had it on the road, everyone's different. What I'm saying in a roundabout way is best get an extended test on each and choose from there.
