Yep was us and I thought your bike sounded lovely as you passed. As to the test rides today .......... The 899 was loud! Was like following Andy round with his race fit. Seat was hard and I was up and down the gears, this is the first time I have ridden a twin. Was constantly comparing it to the blade and didn't really like it. Got to Whitchurch where we swapped bikes and I took the 1199. Andy shot off and left me to negotiate the numerous round abouts of Whitchurch with a bike that wanted to go in a straight line. Got a bit p!ssy with it and realised that hard counter steering increased the chances of getting round bends although it felt like it was "jittering". Swapped back maybe 30 miles left to go and I rode the 899 back and just rode it for what it was,a different bike. Got to grips with it and I must say it is really nice to ride sounds awesome when opened up and the quick shifter was brilliant. Back in Manchester it seems that the 1199 had a problem as Andy said which would explain the problems we both experienced with it. Waiting for a phone call now for another test ride on the 1199 and who knows I might manage to bag another go on the 899 ! Watch this space
Cooking version mate but with a fair bit of the Ducati performance catalogue thrown at it including a termi exhaust system. See spec at the bottom of the post: I tried the S and preferred the basic, for me it just rode better and I didn’t see the need for all the costly electronic suspension adjustment for my pedestrian riding ability. I also had the suspension set to “P” rather than the factory “F” standard. The dealer also made some minor adjustment based on my weight. They are going to re set it up (FOC) with me on it when it goes for its 1 year service the week after next. I guess that will only be a fine tune as it feels great as it is. Having read Andy and Marion’s report, I would like to make a few comments. I think there was definitely something wrong with the 1199 demo bike, one of the first things I noticed when I took a test ride was how good it felt in corners, as mentioned the basic specification was better in IMO but that could have just been the way the bikes had been set up. I have far more confidence to push my 1199 into corners than any of my past Blades, it just feels like it’s on rails. I would also suggest if you take another test ride you try not to compare it to the blade, they are so different in every way. You have to take it at face value, it’s a Ducati after all. I agree sometimes the can be a pig in slow traffic but you learn to live with it, and need to be in a lower gear than a blade which seems alien to start with. I hear the rear sprocket and chain change to match the R specification make a big difference. I am considering having it done. Apparently it also helps rpm grunt. If you think it’s loud in standard format, try one with the Termi’s without the baffles. The Termi’s also come with a new engine map which I am told also improves fueling, like I mentioned mine can be a bit of a pig but it’s not unmanageable, certainly not horrendous as you commented. Once you get going any thoughts of the slow stuff disappear and a wide grin involuntary appears across your face. Yes it takes some riding, but it is very involving and lets you know exactly what it’s doing is. I have read reports that say the front feels vague but I don’t find that at all. Maybe set up? I agree Andy, once you get to 5000rpm things get interesting, beyond 8000rpm its like kicking a wasp in the balls……Its fast, very fast. It’s not the most comfortable motorcycle I have ever ridden but I didn’t expect it to be. It’s great for short to medium ride outs but if you read the post about my trip to the Midlands last weekend you will understand that for me, at my age and level of fitness, it’s not a bike for long distance riding. I have noted Lambchops comment regarding starting, I have never experienced this but I always keep the battery plugged in when it’s in the garage. At the end of the day, it is what it is. A Ducati and I love it. Have I regretted buying the 1199, absolutely not. I am considering buying another motorcycle to take L on the back but I will most likely add another bike rather sell the 1199. Just horses for courses.
Oh the starting issue on my mates standard abs model it was serviced the other day and dealer said it was a software updated needed.. Not sure of that's true but does seem to have resolved the issue
They are without doubt stunning to look at and agree you have to learn to ride a Ducati, like any twin. But, are they really that quick or is it just the way the powers delivered that makes them feel the fastest thing on earth? I personally don't recall reading a 1199 win any group test?
In my experience, twins "feel" slower than IL4s because you don't have the scream from the engine. I always find you look at the speedo and think "shit, I didn't think I was going that fast".
I may, actually, be able to offer some insight here (surprise!), in that, in the days when I had a Ducati and my riding buddy had his 600f, there should have been no comparison between the two. Despite my extra cubes, he had almost exactly twice the power and less weight. There were many occasions where these numbers showed themselves for exactly what they were, but, blessed as we are with access to Dartmoor at the end of the road, we spent many an early morning scampering between fat ponies and suicide sheep. Now, if you don't know Dartmoor, it's best to liken it to Friar Tuck's haircut. Thickly tree'd 1 in 6 hills wrapped up in roads that never once saw a ruler in the planning stage, circuit the entire park, until you reach about 700 ft altitude then it's as bare as a porn queen's pussy as far as the eye can see until you descend back into Susan Boyles top lip again. So, on the days I was leading (never check your mirrors on lower Dartmoor. The furthest back you can see is your own shoulder armour (and on the Ducati it was alway blurred anyway)). I could be at the tea room (It's Dartmoor, okay) ordering, before the sweating, trembling form of Kevin appeared in the carpark complaing of cramp in his clutch hand ( I usually used to stay in second or third between Exeter and Moretonhampstead). On the days when Kevin was leading, any lack of attention on my part when rolling on exiting a bend, or at the bottom of a hill, would have me examining his exhaust and grabbing a fistful of Brembo. None of this was his fault. He is a far more capable rider than I will ever be. It's just that the oft lauded 'grunt' of a big twin is hard to quantify without direct comparison. His much more powerful, much less ponderous and better riden bike still needed to wind it's IL4 up to it's comfortable, happy torque band from shut throttle where mine was dumping tractor sized gobs of it through the chain from tickover. Forget 0 ~ 60, forget standing 1/4 mile, they're all about finding initial grip and all out power. if you live anywhere that a hairpin is considered a 'mild deviation', you'll appreciate the difference when you try it. The big twins feel fast because of the small gaps between 'roll on' and 'roll off'. Or am I just talking bollocks again...
Now you're a man who'd know, having owned one of the most pressingoningest V twins of them all. Did you find you needed to readdress your acceleration style when following lesser beings through the twisties?
Most of the lads I ride with have "lesser bikes" anyway, so there is an element of hold back. But you are right, it is easy to get a bit close exiting corners without really trying. Had a good blast on Sunday with a group of blokes. My mate was there on his 899 and has finally run it in. We had to keep stopping to let the others catch up. The other bikes were GSXR600, 1000 fazer, triumph 955i and a...............RC30 no less. The owner has around 20 bikes. He's got two 888, new and old blades to name only a few. Lucky bastard!
