RE: Harris buys a Ducati: PH Blog
Discussion
As a confirmed Petrol Head, I've been involved in engineering and consequently driving some fantastic cars over the years. DB9, Vantage V8/12, McLarens etc. The pay has been average but the fringe benefits have made up for it. Having never ridden bikes I decided it was about time, so I took my DAS test last year and jumped straight on a Street Triple R. Brilliant first bike. Now that I'm an absolute expert, yeah right, I've bought the Ducati. Definite article, because everyone needs one Ducati. Mine's the 899 Panigale. It's simple really. I don't care what car you drive, riding a bike is simply fantastic, a different level. I recognise all of Harris's comments, the tentative start, the growing confidence. the exhilaration, the fact that it's not entirely rational unless that rationale includes a functional heading called 'staring at it'. But the note which really struck me was that referencing the level of involvement required to ride a bike. You are dialled in, the days' cares dialled out. It's like nothing else, not even flying (though I've never flown a fast jet, I must confess. Though I did do a P51D for my 50th!) If you like cars, you'll love bikes. Get one.
november537 said:
As a confirmed Petrol Head, I've been involved in engineering and consequently driving some fantastic cars over the years. DB9, Vantage V8/12, McLarens etc. The pay has been average but the fringe benefits have made up for it. Having never ridden bikes I decided it was about time, so I took my DAS test last year and jumped straight on a Street Triple R. Brilliant first bike. Now that I'm an absolute expert, yeah right, I've bought the Ducati. Definite article, because everyone needs one Ducati. Mine's the 899 Panigale. It's simple really. I don't care what car you drive, riding a bike is simply fantastic, a different level. I recognise all of Harris's comments, the tentative start, the growing confidence. the exhilaration, the fact that it's not entirely rational unless that rationale includes a functional heading called 'staring at it'. But the note which really struck me was that referencing the level of involvement required to ride a bike. You are dialled in, the days' cares dialled out. It's like nothing else, not even flying (though I've never flown a fast jet, I must confess. Though I did do a P51D for my 50th!) If you like cars, you'll love bikes. Get one.
Why have you waited 6 and half years to make your first post, great input.At 5'6 with a 29" inside leg, I imagine I'd have similar considerations . . . if I was allowed a bike by SWMBO :-(
I recall having to go DT50 at 16 simply because TS50 would've been a bit too high. Madness!
Great choice Monkey, if a little brave with the 1200 motor. I'd start a little lower I think - I once bought a VFR400 on a whim, considered taking it up the road for a little go but, having only ever ridden the aforementioned DT before, the idea scared me witless!
I recall having to go DT50 at 16 simply because TS50 would've been a bit too high. Madness!
Great choice Monkey, if a little brave with the 1200 motor. I'd start a little lower I think - I once bought a VFR400 on a whim, considered taking it up the road for a little go but, having only ever ridden the aforementioned DT before, the idea scared me witless!
not sure why all the worries about seat height and having both feet down..... it is only possible to fall over to one side at any one time - having two feet down does no good what so ever. Even the slowest thinkers can manage to fling out a leg if they feel a wobble. Within a few weeks this consideration will be totally irrelevant.
bennyb24 said:
not sure why all the worries about seat height and having both feet down..... it is only possible to fall over to one side at any one time - having two feet down does no good what so ever. Even the slowest thinkers can manage to fling out a leg if they feel a wobble. Within a few weeks this consideration will be totally irrelevant.
I can only ever put one foot on the floor.Hi just joined!
Great choice of bike Chris, ducati's are soo sexy! I only passed last year and bought a triumph 675 daytona, it's just on another planet in terms of acceleration, your's must be unbelievable. I know you've driven 'some' fast cars but do any even compare to a big bike?
Great choice of bike Chris, ducati's are soo sexy! I only passed last year and bought a triumph 675 daytona, it's just on another planet in terms of acceleration, your's must be unbelievable. I know you've driven 'some' fast cars but do any even compare to a big bike?
Did exactly the same thing upon passing the test 2 years ago, immediately bought blind a new monster 1100 evo (equivalent to the 1200S at the time) with carbon Termi system and Michelin PR3 used it to commute in central London from day one. It only has 100 bhp/76 ft lbs, but to me it offers just about the perfect balance between user friendliness (for a newbie) and useable performance. Useless above 70 mph due to wind blast, but never out of control. The safety pack (ABS+traction control) inspired confidence too.
Fitment of 14 tooth front sprocket and O2 sensor eliminator makes it easier to ride at low speed, still put a smile on my face every time I blast off most cars to 70mph (rolling start GP from around 20mph), thanks to instant low/mid range torque!
Test drove the new BMW S1000R recently, completely blown away by its performance, handling, sound and ease of use, it's on another level compared to the monster (except for looks/styling), and imho arguably the perfect 1st big bike for an experienced motorist (granted my car experience is nowhere near as impressive as Mr. Harris) who just got his/her A1 licence and want maximum enjoyment from day 1 without the intimidation. Only wish the beemer was available in 2012...
Fitment of 14 tooth front sprocket and O2 sensor eliminator makes it easier to ride at low speed, still put a smile on my face every time I blast off most cars to 70mph (rolling start GP from around 20mph), thanks to instant low/mid range torque!
Test drove the new BMW S1000R recently, completely blown away by its performance, handling, sound and ease of use, it's on another level compared to the monster (except for looks/styling), and imho arguably the perfect 1st big bike for an experienced motorist (granted my car experience is nowhere near as impressive as Mr. Harris) who just got his/her A1 licence and want maximum enjoyment from day 1 without the intimidation. Only wish the beemer was available in 2012...
Passion for the exact same cars and bikes haha 
hthiel said:
Dear Mr. Harris: Well done! You had the wisdom/luck of choosing one of the best sorted motorcycles available today. People who rode older Ducatis may be fearing for your life, but nowadays they can be ridden at very low RPMs and they will not lurch, nor they will try to slide wildly or lift the front wheel when coming out of a turn unless you deliberately ask the motorcycle to do so. We also must keep in mind that you are not riding any of the older big-engined motorcycles, that could deliver their power viciously, with so-so tires, making them unmanageable and very dangerous unless you were an experienced rider.
On the other hand, from what you are telling us, you are using all the available power in a very sensible way and from your racing experience, you already know how to use your eyes and how to react to your vehicle's feedback,so there was no solid reason to go the "traditional way", starting with underpowered motorcyles until you were experienced enough to handle the more powerful ones.
My two pennies' worth of advice: as your skill level improves, try other motorcycles. There are some tall ones, as Ducati's own Multistrada that are incredibly comfortable. BMW's R1200GS is also worth a try. I am 5'7" tall and even if I stand on tip-toes riding the aforementioned motorcycles, I enjoy them tremendously, even in congested traffic. An amazing traffic-slicing tool is the Ducati Hyperstrada. Is very slim, so threading through dense traffic is incredibly easy, but it is a somewhat nervous mount, with a very light front-end under hard acceleration and at speed, but nothing really troublesome. Once you are comfortable riding your Monster at 8 or 9 tenths, try the KTM 1290R. This is a viciously powerful motorcycle when ridden hard, but it should be tried at least once in a controlled environment. Also, experiment with different kinds of protective clothing, including helmets. You will discover how different can the riding experience be because you changed just one item. Let us not forget accesories such as gel seats. Sir, you are embarking in a splendid adventure. Enjoy it and please, share as much as possible so that we may continue living great adventures vicariously through you.
Christ, what a rimmerOn the other hand, from what you are telling us, you are using all the available power in a very sensible way and from your racing experience, you already know how to use your eyes and how to react to your vehicle's feedback,so there was no solid reason to go the "traditional way", starting with underpowered motorcyles until you were experienced enough to handle the more powerful ones.
My two pennies' worth of advice: as your skill level improves, try other motorcycles. There are some tall ones, as Ducati's own Multistrada that are incredibly comfortable. BMW's R1200GS is also worth a try. I am 5'7" tall and even if I stand on tip-toes riding the aforementioned motorcycles, I enjoy them tremendously, even in congested traffic. An amazing traffic-slicing tool is the Ducati Hyperstrada. Is very slim, so threading through dense traffic is incredibly easy, but it is a somewhat nervous mount, with a very light front-end under hard acceleration and at speed, but nothing really troublesome. Once you are comfortable riding your Monster at 8 or 9 tenths, try the KTM 1290R. This is a viciously powerful motorcycle when ridden hard, but it should be tried at least once in a controlled environment. Also, experiment with different kinds of protective clothing, including helmets. You will discover how different can the riding experience be because you changed just one item. Let us not forget accesories such as gel seats. Sir, you are embarking in a splendid adventure. Enjoy it and please, share as much as possible so that we may continue living great adventures vicariously through you.
Deranged Granny said:
Interesting first bike. However, can't help but think you'll miss out on some of the satisfaction of ragging a smaller CC bike.
I have to agree and this comes from my car background.The 09 Hornet has 102bhp from its 600cc engine
Upto 100, the bike feels fast plenty fast enough for the road and you simply don't need any more power.
From 100 to 130 it feels quick - still quicker than an Audi R8 V8.
From 130-140 you are then into fast car territory (E46 M3 etc).
140 onwards you are tucked in holding your breath!
And then you move onto doing it all in the wet which is brilliant for improving your skills
In terms of transferable skills from a car, they will all be secondary/tertiary (Like knowing how much to blip the throttle on the down change, positioning the bike for best visibility around the corner, gauging the speed, and working out way on how to safely find the limits of the bike).
The biggest difference though is the circle of grip. In a car (Excluding a downforce car), you can use 100% of the circle all the time. On a bike, you can't. If you're cornering at 50% of the tyre capacity, you cannot use the other 50% for braking.
This takes some getting used to infact and it amases me how many 'experienced' bikers will go into a bend with the knee down despite not having even a remote chance if anything was doing 20mph around it, let alone stopped or a sheep in the road (a big hazard in North Wales as I'm sure everyone who frequents, knows
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