- Joined
- Jun 21, 2012
- Messages
- 1,507
- Location
- Florida
I took the opportunity to go to one of the best dealers in the U.S. (Melillimoto Ducati) and got to test ride their brand new 1299S. Very beautiful bike. Wide in the front, and some very subtle difference from the 1199. The first thing I noticed is how light it felt. Without having my race bike next to it to compare, it felt very light. I know for a fact my bike is light, aroun 360lbs range.
It took me a few seconds to get use to conventional shifting again, but the bikes fueling is spot on. No lurching or desitation at all. From 2000 rpm on, grab some throttle and the bike just goes. Turning the bike is effortless. And it is F***** Fast. The auto blooper is perfect and a must have now that I've sampled it.
I rode the 899 right afterwards and the owner(on the 1299S) and I got on the back road where we open them up a little and I hit first to pull right beside him and he cracked the throttle on the 1299S and started walking away, I had the 899 WOT.
Would I buy one? Yes. Am I? No. I would loose my shirt on a trade in, so I'll just refresh the engine and add some things to get it as close to an R as possible and use the extra money for an 899 race bike and more track time. I will get a chance to race against one in the next month or two, and we will see how much faster the bike is compared to mine. Great job Ducati. I wish they would invite me to their next Superbike Press Launch. I would be a great tester..... Just saying.....
It took me a few seconds to get use to conventional shifting again, but the bikes fueling is spot on. No lurching or desitation at all. From 2000 rpm on, grab some throttle and the bike just goes. Turning the bike is effortless. And it is F***** Fast. The auto blooper is perfect and a must have now that I've sampled it.
I rode the 899 right afterwards and the owner(on the 1299S) and I got on the back road where we open them up a little and I hit first to pull right beside him and he cracked the throttle on the 1299S and started walking away, I had the 899 WOT.
Would I buy one? Yes. Am I? No. I would loose my shirt on a trade in, so I'll just refresh the engine and add some things to get it as close to an R as possible and use the extra money for an 899 race bike and more track time. I will get a chance to race against one in the next month or two, and we will see how much faster the bike is compared to mine. Great job Ducati. I wish they would invite me to their next Superbike Press Launch. I would be a great tester..... Just saying.....
