Picked up my 1299 today. I'm still speechless.

[Walter Sobchak]

bass gt3 said:

But again, we're not talking race teams or such. Just private individuals who buy a Ducati and do a bit of racing. And when you look at the rpm historogram, there's no signs of over rev or excessive limiter intervention. The level of racing here just doesn't support top level teams like Europe or the UK. In fact no one races a Ducati outside the specific BOTTS class Championship. (Battle of the twins)
So whilst they're not babied around, they're not hammered within an inch of their lives or abused in any way that you would consider unreasonable. Being on track they are exposed to a lot of WOT and hard acceleration and deceleration but within the rpm limits of the engine.
As you say, the 2014 R motor is a joke, and whilst many may say the new model is vastly improved, with only 4 in the country, I doubt we'll find out any time soon. And without wanting to sound overly negative, we've heard this tune before.....so it sort of gets hard to believe.

A friend of mine club raced 600s until last year and has had this year off and is looking to move up to a 1000 next time, and, at that level he wouldn't consider a Ducati because of cost, he says nearly everyone uses a ZX10R or S1000RR because they're cheaper to buy,maintain and he made a good point, if you break a lever for example and haven't got a spare, there's a good chance someone else in the paddock will, and will lend you it.
I will be interested to see if the new R1s start being the bike of choice for club racing next year, he thinks it might be and that the new RSV4 RR would be up there as a great package but again it will fall flat on cost and parts supply like the Ducatis.
I can fully understand why no one uses an Italian bike at club level here, don't know if it's different in SA though?.

[legzr1]

There's a bigger issue for anyone thinking of using an Aprilia than simply a lack of spares backup or any questions over reliability - Aprilia UK are only importing the (£18,200) RF - any RR's will have to come from spare euro stock. Can't imagine the average club racer being too interested in that.

[bogie]

I just read the review on 44 teeth too. So they say 60 miles before the light came and another 20 before refill... maybe 80-90 mile range when "pressing on" a bit....

17L tank so seems like low to mid 20's to the gallon ...I guess if it was meant to tour long distance it would have shaft drive

[bass gt3]

legzr1 said:

There's a bigger issue for anyone thinking of using an Aprilia than simply a lack of spares backup or any questions over reliability - Aprilia UK are only importing the (£18,200) RF - any RR's will have to come from spare euro stock. Can't imagine the average club racer being too interested in that.

As I understand it, the RF is a 500 unit limited edition, like the old SE.
I'd think once they're gone they'll be selling the RR +/- the racepack as it'll be the only model?
We're getting all 3 here, must say I'm tempted by an RR ...

[legzr1]

bass gt3 said:

As I understand it, the RF is a 500 unit limited edition, like the old SE.
I'd think once they're gone they'll be selling the RR +/- the racepack as it'll be the only model?
We're getting all 3 here, must say I'm tempted by an RR ...

No news on what they intend to do once the LE stock depletes - all they've said is that most are bought on PCP and its only a few quid a week difference in payments so most will opt for the RF.

Strange behaviour - I've seen quite a few R's from 2009-2014 on track, road and bike meets but very few Factory's - but, they know best I suppose.

The Finish rider on the aprila forum has a black RR with race pack including the red wheels and it looks stunning.

[bass gt3]

legzr1 said:

No news on what they intend to do once the LE stock depletes - all they've said is that most are bought on PCP and its only a few quid a week difference in payments so most will opt for the RF.

Strange behaviour - I've seen quite a few R's from 2009-2014 on track, road and bike meets but very few Factory's - but, they know best I suppose.

The Finish rider on the aprila forum has a black RR with race pack including the red wheels and it looks stunning.

Have to say the red wheels are giving me issues! Really don't like them, although seeing as I wouldn't buy the Racepack, I can get a spare set of Marchesini's in the proper gold.
Alternatively, I might track kit my Factory and get something different for the road. Fancy going back to the big KTM and doing some long distances to Nambia and Mozambique...

[legzr1]

The wheels look far better in the flesh and really suit the black bikes.

[bass gt3]

legzr1 said:

The wheels look far better in the flesh and really suit the black bikes.

could always paint them gold with a wally can or two. might ask MTB for some tips

[Walter Sobchak]

legzr1 said:

There's a bigger issue for anyone thinking of using an Aprilia than simply a lack of spares backup or any questions over reliability - Aprilia UK are only importing the (£18,200) RF - any RR's will have to come from spare euro stock. Can't imagine the average club racer being too interested in that.

There are some RRs for sale at £14995, I'm thinking about going for one, only thing is, I wonder if it will be impossible to insure!!.

[legzr1]

Walter Sobchak said:

There are some RRs for sale at £14995, I'm thinking about going for one, only thing is, I wonder if it will be impossible to insure!!.

Yes, seen them - 'accidental,imports' or something?

Insurance will be difficult if the exact model isn't on their database.

[Richyboy]

bogie said:

I just read the review on 44 teeth too. So they say 60 miles before the light came and another 20 before refill... maybe 80-90 mile range when "pressing on" a bit....

17L tank so seems like low to mid 20's to the gallon ...I guess if it was meant to tour long distance it would have shaft drive

Mine is saying 43mpg average but I'm running it in, still under 600 miles. Once the engine loosens up, won't the fuel economy get better?

[bogie]

Richyboy said:

Mine is saying 43mpg average but I'm running it in, still under 600 miles. Once the engine loosens up, won't the fuel economy get better?

Should do, and 40mpg is going to give you 150 mile range when cruising...80-90 mile riding like the Baron....seems fair for a sportsbike, especially one with over 200bhp

[3DP]

bogie said:

I just read the review on 44 teeth too. So they say 60 miles before the light came and another 20 before refill... maybe 80-90 mile range when "pressing on" a bit....

17L tank so seems like low to mid 20's to the gallon ...I guess if it was meant to tour long distance it would have shaft drive

I see 70-75 miles to fuel light coming on, on my 1198. There's a fair bit of reserve, but around 100 miles to completely dry with fast road stuff. On a run I've seen 90 miles to the fuel light.

The fuel light/range indicator on display, once on, stays on though, which is awkward as with under about half a tank, longer wheelies cause it to come on.

Basically, you learn to fill up around 85 miles.

[chillo]

Mastodon2 said:

I just watched the 44 Teeth comparison and opinions, I thought the 1299 would like the juice but they said the fuel light came on at 60 miles, that is some thirst.

3DP said:

I see 70-75 miles to fuel light coming on, on my 1198. There's a fair bit of reserve, but around 100 miles to completely dry with fast road stuff. On a run I've seen 90 miles to the fuel light.

The fuel light/range indicator on display, once on, stays on though, which is awkward as with under about half a tank, longer wheelies cause it to come on.

Basically, you learn to fill up around 85 miles.

fuel light on at 58-60 miles on average with my 1198

[Nords]

d8mok said:

I'll wait for the 1399 to be released and get a good deal on a 1299 if it's that much better than a 1199 that I currently have. As the rrp prices are all a bit daft I think

Edited by d8mok on Tuesday 16th June 08:17

I'm waiting for the 3999 which is in the wings to compete against the 'busa and H2R...

[chillo]

[chillo]

Took a 1299s for a spin round the block, tried it in sport & then race mode. Gave it wot in 2-3-4 and apart from being fookin ballistic was perfectly stable and the traction/wheelie intervention was imperceptible which quite impressive. Have got the demo booked for a full day next weekend where I can properly try it with wheely modes all turned off.

[Long'un]

chillo said:

fuel light on at 58-60 miles on average with my 1198

That's the main reason I ruled one out! I really enjoyed the test ride too...

[chillo]

Just joined the 1299s club!
Went to a Duc dealer on Saturday on my 1198 for a demo. Asked if he had any available and said there is 1 that was supposed to be going to a guy this week but asked to delay. Mine if I wanted it!
I picked it up yesterday!

Helped that I got £600 more for my 1198 than paid for it 20months and 4000 miles ago!
First impressions are it feels like a 600 dropping in and loving the up down quick shifter! How did we manage without this before!
Like how you can dial in or out either the traction/wheely/slipper whilst on the go with + - buttons

[MrOrange]

Well, mine's just gone past 700 miles and is loosening up nicely (service booked next week to drop the oil and tighten anything loose). A couple of observations coming from a 1098s

• Creamy power delivery with less brutal low-down torque to worry about and more screamy top-end
• Love/hate the wet clutch, much easier on my LH but struggling to feel the bite point makinbg me look like a poncy newbie when setting off with too much/too little gas
• Quickshifter down. How did I survive without out?
• Very comfortable. In fact the most comofrtably thing I've ridden.
• So very flickable, unbelievably so
• Brakes. Seriously impressive.
• 100-120 miles before the fuel light comes on, about 15/30 miles bettere than my (downgeared) old bike. And happy on 95 octane
• "Wet" mode for town/motoway/dull riding is ace and turns the rocket into a pussy cat

Well 'appy