I had a 848 for 3yrs expensive to service and something always needed doing to it however they call it character ... Much preferred my 2014 blade hence the sp purchase.....looked at v4s and rode one but just a drama...
Agreed! I had a real itch for the RSV4, for months it haunted me. So I bought one, then sold it 6 weeks later, as every time took it out, I wished I'd taken my blade. I needed to do it, or I would never have known.
With those sort of weather conditions, I'm wondering whether there's actually anything inside the mankini!
Wow, I was so close to buying one back in March, but settled on the 2018 Blade. Ironically, I purchased a 2005 RSV1000RF 6 months' later and am mightily impressed. Totally different bike than the V4 or inline 4s though.
So this time last year i traded my 4th blade and got a Monster 1200r with twin termi’s, even had it registered on my birthday.. i just adored Ducati and was a huge itch Seven months later it was gone.. its a great bike but at 6’2 just too small for me and i never got confident with the frt end I wanted to stay with Ducati because the noise the monster gave off was just amazing it sounded like a chinook, I had already tried the 959 which was the plan before the monster but it just wasnt big enough and hard work, they are very narrow bikes so u feel like your on a 400cc, nice noise but a pig to ride and more so in traffic, i remember that day jumping back on my 2016 blade that felt like a comfy slipper and I said to myself what the feck am i doing.. so after the monster i tried the 1299 and the V4. The v4 is a superb bike, comfier than the blade for room but a more aggressive riding position. The engine is glorious and u feel the dogs bollocks, but anything below 60 and its getting heavy going.. but depsite all its character, things like unable to get to the side stand and other bits they call “character” i just couldnt see the money. So i tried the 1299 used as a cheaper, well £14k option.. again you feel the bollocks on one, thats untill your bollocks start to roast, the heat is incredible, its again aggressive riding position, its lumpy and hard work but i still sat there looking at it adoring it for its beauty.. but i just couldnt.. its a bit like a Range Rover, they look awesome but in your head your thinking this is gonna be expensive. Top and bottom emotion buys a Ducati, several months later your head sells it After the monster i went back to something i should have bought when i tried it and has someone else said, i have two bikes now and bloody love them 2009 Repsol blade, my 6th KTM Superduke 1290R If you want the noise and emotion and comfort and fun, go try a Superduke its as nuts as they come, not quite the emotion of a Ducati but its staying Ducati is an emotional brand, the noise sucks you in and the Monster was a bloody fun bike but just needed it a bit bigger. I remember trying the new blade last year and thinking it felt like a 959, but was everything right about it that was wrong with the Ducati, but the price tag for a SP looking at the frame id had 4 times prior i couldnt justyify but badges off the new SP was a far better bike than the Ducati.
Great summary mate....glad I am not the only one that couldn't put the side stand down on the v4,,,, nearly dropped it outside the dealer.....
A friend of mine got an incredible deal on a brand new RSV4 early in the year, so took it, but he too sold it 8 weeks later, it just didn't float his boat.
I'm waiting for the dealership to get the SDR demo in, which they said should be early 2019 I tried the 1290 Adventure, and expected to love it, but didn't like it at all.
Yes great summary Shutty I didn't try the superduke not a fan of twins, but the Yam MT10 is nuts, maybe not quite as hardcore as the big duke but bonkers and great fun
Have a chat with Derchef, he has or has had all the top bikes SDR, Tuono, S1000R and he still reckons the MT is the one!
Give up, you guys - you'll have me buying one!! And that'll mean getting rid of my TV and settee for space
Nah. I was a fool a couple of years ago. When 'downsizing' a bought a new build 2 bedroom end-of-terrace, thinking that would satisfy me till my final days *violins playing in the background*. Only a few months later I purchased a CBR250R SOLELY for commuting to and from my gym 8 miles away. Well, that was it. The bike bug was rekindled from many years past. Within 6 months I'd traded the 250 for my 2011 Blade and, as is history now, essentially haven't stopped with that. I have pondered getting a nearby home with garage, and also looked at 3rd party storage (expensive and risky). I then have to weigh that with: for how long will I be riding, to justify whether to move again and then in a few years not need the garage. So, I have 5 bikes inside my house, and 2 in my heated shed. 6 Oximisers keep them happy. Damn problem is that I'm currently looking at a cheapish Cagiva Mito as a restoration project which I know would have to be kept under cover outside! Must confess though, that I am yet to place my profile on Silver Ladies dot com: 'Seeking lifelong partner. Looks and personality unimportant. Must have garage!'
I've got a big empty garage & utility room that holds 7 bikes Nige We could be a match made in heaven
Tbh Paul I'm not bothered if he's a lard bucket as long as he keeps me in spam fritters & let's me store a toy boy in the shed I'll be happy
