Back on two wheels with my first Italian

[magpie21]

After a few years off two wheels I've stepped back into the world of motorcycling with my first Ducati. I test rode both the 899 and 1199 and despite the 899 being a great bike the laugh out loud speed and noise of the bigger bike won me over. Only ridden it about 50 miles so far and have spent more time adding carbon than actually riding it due to the turn in weather. Going to get a few trips and some trackdays done over the summer and currently trying to get a pass for a Mugello trackday later in the year. Hopefully get along to a few PH rideouts if there are any? In the meantime some pics

[magpie21]

Thanks all, really pleased with it, just wish I could park it in the living room

accident said:

in my oppinion the best looking of the sport bikes of recent years.
love the red with white stripe paint.
love it.
just imagine if you ever go round a corner how good it will feel

Haha, yes. Corners are planned! Only done about 50 miles on these brand new tyres, looking to get a couple of trackdays booked for the next few months. First time I've had a V twin so will be interesting to see how it feels compared to all the in line fours I've had.

[magpie21]

Thanks all

gwm said:

Congrats.
How did you compare the 899 and 1199? General consensus seems to be that the 899 is the better ride, as the 1199 is a bit weak low down and snatchy throttle?

Walter Sobchak said:

Lovely bike!!, how are you finding it?, I test rode one last Year but went with the RSV4 in the end.
Think that Ducati is still the best looking bike out there though!!.

The 899 was great and if I'd ridden it and not anything else I would be more than happy. My last bike was a gsxr 750 and the 899 didn't feel massively quicker than that and I'd always wanted to get a 1000cc bike. Getting on the 1199 it was laugh out loud fast. It is ridiculously quick and makes a much deeper noise than the 899. I wanted a bike that kept me on my toes and that will always be an event to ride. The 899 did everything so well and with out too much drama, similar to a CBR, it does everything so well its maybe a bit too good. Now I've had a couple of rides on the 1199 that aren't a test ride I am starting to notice some of its foibles. The suspension is ridiculously hard compared to other bikes I've owned, however if you adjust the linkage which can either be set to progressive or flat then this can be improved massively. Also the electronic suspension probably needs to be set for my weight to get the best too. I'm a 6'2" 16.5 stone rugby player so again jumping on the 899 and expecting it to be as flighty as a 13st road tester finds it is never going to happen, again maybe another reason why I found the 1199 more suited to me.