Cagiva Mito hey?? Lovely looking bikes them but all have been owned by kids who have abused them so good luck with search......be nice to see one in all its glory again!
Bang on, Paulo. Massive risk as they have been a learner's and little hoons bike. And THAT is the penalty for buying cheap. But as a restoration project a fairly decent proposition given plentiful parts and only one crappy little cylinder!!
Not sure about the big Panigale - not sure how easy it would be to sell it on, as people will likely be having the same doubts as you, and it will be an old model. Not ridden one myself so not sure that they are that good to ride, unless you are a full on magazine journalist riding the thing round a track, but even then they still seem to be hard work compared to other sportsbikes. There are some nice looking Monsters at the moment like this Anniversario.....
Monster's a nice bike Mattie, but I wonder if the true 'sports bike' enthusiast is keen enough to drop to nakeds? I know a few on here speak highly of the MT10 etc, and the MV Brutale is selling by truckloads, but for me, I couldn't see myself on an 'unfaired' bike. Not sure whether it's the 'boy racer' in me, but I would go the Panigale, AND put up with its quirks, before even considering a naked. Gets back to what I often say: Each to their own!
V4S and RSV4 were remembered here. But everyone is silent about Agusta F4RR or RC. Or here this bike is not particularly welcome?
Regarding the Monster i had an on off relationship, when riding it it was great but just didnt manage to have the presence of a sports bike and i never quite got confident in the frt end, always fiddling with settings.. didnt help people asking if it was a 821 stripe.. Nakeds.. i love the Superduke its just way more fun all the way up the speeds than a sports bike and all day comfy and a right laugh in the summer with all the gadgets etc, but again doesnt stand in a bike carpark full of bikes like a nice £15k sportsbike, its a lot colder riding too, 10 deg riding on the Duke feels like 5deg on the blade, its a colder bike being a naked Like others have said i missed my sports bikes and whilst owning the monster and the Duke, ive always had a blade or 600rr just for that one or two summer ride outs in a one piece suit and tined visor. The connection with a sports bike wrapped around the tank hugging it into a corner isnt just quite the same on a naked, its close but not quite the same connection and if it was one bike it would be back to a sports bike that you walk up to and smile inside. Cant beat that swing of a sportsbike on a summers day
I'm never silent about MV, given I presently have an F4 1000R (2007). My feeling is that the current crop of MVs has not been accepted by riders other than MV enthusiasts. Media hype of the Panigale and Ducatis recent high standing in both the public arena and racing make it a top choice among those seeking 'the ultimate'. Most of us on here know that the current Blades fall far behind 'the ultimate' so it is no wonder that Ducati experiences a whole new crop of riders and then find that those riders are not as impressed as the hype that encouraged them. MV is particularly hampered by its dealership network and then WITHIN that network, actually finding a reliable and service oriented dealer. (Earlier this year I initiated County Court judgment action against my dealer for TRYING to shaft me). Despite all this, the RR and RC are particularly good bikes and do not seem plagued by some of the MVs problems like clutch sprags and electronic gremlins. Only downfall is that they're a tad dear, or were so at the time I was considering one.
I see very little F4 on the road of recent years of release. I agree with you about the blades. At the next forum I read the following phrase: "The generation of blades 2017+ is what should have come out as a new bike in 2012 when everyone was so waiting for a serious update." Most likely it was about power and equipment compared to s1000rr, zx10r and R1. I would like to hear the opinion of local guys about this phrase.
It wouldn't be fair to comment. I have 2004, 2011 and 2018 Blades, but have never owned or ridden the 2012 - 2016 versions. Many owners of the earlier SPs (2015?) would say they have one of the best Blades produced. But, going into 2019, we still see no improvements other than a splash of white paint and a revised ECU, which Honda claims is not reverse compatible with 2017-18s. Honda must surely now be losing ground to BMW, Ducati and even Yamaha's R1/R1M I was busting for a 2019 V4, but the rumored V4 is probably as far away as the next Halley's Comet.
No he'd have the blade as well, he just needs to work out a way of getting them upstairs then he can fill the bedrooms
2 Stannah stairlifts...one for each wheel & some straps....sorted Handy for Nigel & the future 4th Mrs Nigel too...when they get the urge & need to get upstairs quick
Upstairs is not happening, BUT back in my youthful 20s when I was a Brad Pitt lookalike, I had an upstairs flat at the time I decided to transform my CB750 to a racing bike. I did have a 'normal' downstairs garage at the time where I did most of the work. However, I somehow developed the bright idea of reassembling the bike in my upstairs loungeroom, both for practicality of working on it in the evening and for security. Come the finished project, I now look back at the torrid time not getting it downstairs which in itself was a chore, but actually manoeuvring around the stair's 'dog leg' cutback. Obviously had to keep one hand one the front brake and pull a 190 kilo bike backwards - on carpet! - by the rear frame. Having this refresh my mind, there might well be potential for me to slip the NS400R upstairs! Won't happen though. It's a gem of a bike to ride. Sort of like going back to having a session with an early girlfriend - we tend to forget that the extra dedication to handling and maintenance can be most rewarding!
No, there's been three. @Lozzy 's actually hankering to be the fourth, but I'd have to refuse on the basis that fraternising with forum members might be viewed as inappropriate. I am a real stickler for all things politically correct!
I'll watch the full video later, but yes, classic Massimo Tamburini lines inherited from the 916. I would like to feel what the extra 198cc feels like over our 1 litre bikes, or more relevant, over my aprilia V-twin. It is no wonder Ducatis hold their value so well!
Funny how a bikes design catches something in us...I absolutely fekkin' love the F4...this is a great pic @nigelrb
Yeah, strange isn't it? Such an old design (1999 for the first 750 F4) yet it has so much current appeal and, I suppose historical significance as one of the first of the 'new breed' of bikes out of Italian factories. In fact, if you took Mattie's 1198 and put it beside the MV (if it was painted only red) you'd hardly note any difference!
