Chris Harris on his new 1299S Pani
Discussion
bogie said:
So what about the Princes Harry and William? they both ride Ducatis, anyone reckon they secretly attend trackdays? or are they happy sampling their superbike performance in the 30mph zones of London, whilst special branch follow discreetly behind on a beemer 
Fair enough but they've been riding for a very long time even if (and they may have) they haven't been on track. IIRC, both of them started monkeying around on dirtbikes before they had their road licenses. I think someone on BB might even have purchased Prince Harry's first roadbike: a Daytona 675. Anyway, if they haven't been on track ever they're not much different to the average R1/CBR/GSXR/S1000RR/ZX10R/1299 rider who's never been or rarely gets out on track anywayWhereas Harris did the equivalent of my 35yr old friend who's never driven a car before buying a 997GT2 as his first, and then an Ariel Atom as his second, a year later. Certainly cool in a way I suppose, but perhaps not the easiest learning curve.
BlackPrince said:
Fair enough but they've been riding for a very long time even if (and they may have) they haven't been on track. IIRC, both of them started monkeying around on dirtbikes before they had their road licenses. I think someone on BB might even have purchased Prince Harry's first roadbike: a Daytona 675. Anyway, if they haven't been on track ever they're not much different to the average R1/CBR/GSXR/S1000RR/ZX10R/1299 rider who's never been or rarely gets out on track anyway
Whereas Harris did the equivalent of my 35yr old friend who's never driven a car before buying a 997GT2 as his first, and then an Ariel Atom as his second, a year later. Certainly cool in a way I suppose, but perhaps not the easiest learning curve.
I would say that your friend would have missed out on a lot of what car driving can be about. As I think Harris might have.Whereas Harris did the equivalent of my 35yr old friend who's never driven a car before buying a 997GT2 as his first, and then an Ariel Atom as his second, a year later. Certainly cool in a way I suppose, but perhaps not the easiest learning curve.
Coincidentally I had a very, very new 1299 Panigale sidle up (to the extent any Ducati can sidle) next to me at Picadilly yesterday. All but the middle 3" of tyre still shiny as a pin, flip top lid and aviators on the Mediterranean looking rider. He looked quite pleased with himself. I don't blame him, its a sexual thing in the flesh.
Reardy Mister said:
Coincidentally I had a very, very new 1299 Panigale sidle up (to the extent any Ducati can sidle) next to me at Picadilly yesterday. All but the middle 3" of tyre still shiny as a pin, flip top lid and aviators on the Mediterranean looking rider. He looked quite pleased with himself. I don't blame him, its a sexual thing in the flesh.
Reminded me- allegedly the chap that runs Spearmint Rhino or Stringfellows currently commutes on an H2. He used to have an 1199S that he'd part-ex'd into my local Kawasaki dealer- i was having a look and the sales guy explained all this, as i noticed the tyres hadn't been used much on that either. He prob looks like that too. I digress.... 
Reardy Mister said:
bass gt3 said:
KTMboy said:
I hope he gets it on the track and really gets to see what's what
You think that's ever going to happen? 
I reckon not. I'm thinking the bike will be around for a few months and moved on with low low mileage for minimal loss.
Experiment/ Ducati loan over
bass gt3 said:
Reardy Mister said:
bass gt3 said:
KTMboy said:
I hope he gets it on the track and really gets to see what's what
You think that's ever going to happen? I reckon not. I'm thinking the bike will be around for a few months and moved on with low low mileage for minimal loss.
Experiment/ Ducati loan over
He will be aware of what's its designed to do and that he wont get the most from the ownership experience without taking it to the track. No doubt he has a personal brand but first and foremost he's a petrolhead and a speed freak, just like us.
Reardy Mister said:
bass gt3 said:
Reardy Mister said:
bass gt3 said:
KTMboy said:
I hope he gets it on the track and really gets to see what's what
You think that's ever going to happen? I reckon not. I'm thinking the bike will be around for a few months and moved on with low low mileage for minimal loss.
Experiment/ Ducati loan over
He will be aware of what's its designed to do and that he wont get the most from the ownership experience without taking it to the track. No doubt he has a personal brand but first and foremost he's a petrolhead and a speed freak, just like us.
I reckon not purely because he'd be on a hiding to nothing.. He's absolutely a petrolhead but I'm a born cynic
and that reads like an advert not a review.....Edited by bass gt3 on Friday 28th August 11:39
you guys are disturbingly speculative and obsessive about what he does with his bike... Honestly, who cares if he rides it like a daisy, rags it in the fast group, wheelie bins it through a hedge, laps the TT on it, or uses it for trips to Spearmint Rhinos?
Surely no different to one of Biker Nemesis' average weeks?
Surely no different to one of Biker Nemesis' average weeks?
spareparts said:
you guys are disturbingly speculative and obsessive about what he does with his bike... Honestly, who cares if he rides it like a daisy, rags it in the fast group, wheelie bins it through a hedge, laps the TT on it, or uses it for trips to Spearmint Rhinos?
Surely no different to one of Biker Nemesis' average weeks?
I think you're missing the point by a country mile Ade.Surely no different to one of Biker Nemesis' average weeks?
the question is whether he got it as a marketing exercise or as a genuine foray into the bike world.
For me, I'm firmly in the marketing exercise camp. I couldn't care less what he does, but I suspect it'll not be much.....
Was the Monster a marketing exercise then (not having a go at you mate, just genuinely curious what you think)?
I personally think it was from the same love for bikes that all of us have, though getting the 1200 seemed more willy-waving than anything else. But perhaps it would be willy waving to get a 1200 Monster even for a rider with 10 years experience who never goes on track or gives it the berries, I don't know.
Sent the article to my cousin, a PHer with a Ferrari 360 that's never ridden a bike, but recently became a MotoGP fan. His reply:
"That's actually a really interesting article! I don't think Chris Harris ever rides/drives anything for the pose, he's probably riding that thing quicker than I'd ever dare to but his reasons for wanting it are completely justified. It was nothing to do with whatever anyone else though, he just really wanted one and bought one. And that in my book is absolutely fine!
He has respect for the machine so I don't think he had to necessarily buy anything slower, as he points out himself he claims the 1299 is easier to ride than the monster. And I'm still not so sure that he doesn't have the skills to have a good go on that machine, and he'll damn well try I'm sure!"
While I agree with Reardy Mister that biking isn't mystic wizardry, my cousin's reply is typical of those who have never ridden a bike in that it vastly underestimates how difficult it can be to ride a motorcycle fast, smoothly and safely. There's a reason why people successful racing both 2 and 4 wheels always go from 2->4. There might not ever be another John Surtees but if there is it'll damn sure be someone who wins MotoGP first and then F1 and not the other way round. I know that example is about racing and not road riding, but I think it still holds up to an extent.
Anyway, whatever bike Harris buys next he'll never be as cool as her - nor will any of us here [image might be photo-shopped - dont know and I dont care]
I personally think it was from the same love for bikes that all of us have, though getting the 1200 seemed more willy-waving than anything else. But perhaps it would be willy waving to get a 1200 Monster even for a rider with 10 years experience who never goes on track or gives it the berries, I don't know.
Sent the article to my cousin, a PHer with a Ferrari 360 that's never ridden a bike, but recently became a MotoGP fan. His reply:
"That's actually a really interesting article! I don't think Chris Harris ever rides/drives anything for the pose, he's probably riding that thing quicker than I'd ever dare to but his reasons for wanting it are completely justified. It was nothing to do with whatever anyone else though, he just really wanted one and bought one. And that in my book is absolutely fine!
He has respect for the machine so I don't think he had to necessarily buy anything slower, as he points out himself he claims the 1299 is easier to ride than the monster. And I'm still not so sure that he doesn't have the skills to have a good go on that machine, and he'll damn well try I'm sure!"
While I agree with Reardy Mister that biking isn't mystic wizardry, my cousin's reply is typical of those who have never ridden a bike in that it vastly underestimates how difficult it can be to ride a motorcycle fast, smoothly and safely. There's a reason why people successful racing both 2 and 4 wheels always go from 2->4. There might not ever be another John Surtees but if there is it'll damn sure be someone who wins MotoGP first and then F1 and not the other way round. I know that example is about racing and not road riding, but I think it still holds up to an extent.
Anyway, whatever bike Harris buys next he'll never be as cool as her - nor will any of us here [image might be photo-shopped - dont know and I dont care]
king Honda. 
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