DRTE Down and dusted

Well I signed up and went to a ducat riders experience that the F1 track in Bahrain hosted. I was mostly geared to newbies and people interested in taking the plunge into getting a ducati.

I really didn't expect too much, however I was pleasantly surprised. I thought is was just going to be a track day where you see a bunch of guys cluttering up the track that should't be there, which there was a lot of that. I actually think thats accurately describes 80% of ducati owners..lol. That was about the only down side.

The rest was pretty awesome. The Local dealer did an awesome job trying to make it an awesome experience, Food drink, live music, etc, etc.

So lets begin. I was standing around when this guy walks by and says "Chow, is that your 1199R?" I look to him and say. "Holy .... I watch you on youtube all the time!" he laughed and said probably I do a lot of videos. it was Dario Marchetti the head of the DRE race school.

Well a long story short I spent about 2 1/2 hours with him before the event just bullshitting about racing and the Panigale, and Ducati as a whole. It was awesome! He was about the most relaxed guy, and I've worked in Italy that I've ever met. it was

We spoke about the New R, the 1299, the 899, the differences, pluses, minuses. About riders...I felt he really likes Chaz Davies and Niccolo Canepa.

When he took the squids, I mean the beginners out I gave him my bike to ride and he came back as said it turns like a truck...lol. The front end is set up nicely, but the rear is off. He asked my weight, called over the owners of the dealers and said get him a 9.5Nm spring...he then got on his phone and sent them a bunch of setting to try on my bike to see which one I'd most gel with. He was like these are mine from when I raced a stock R for publicity. He said his other setting wouldn't work as he uses Mupo when he races. The best part was watching the owners jump like employees to help me out.

Later he asked if we were going out. I was like just me and you? He was like and maybe another fast guy. So no .... here I am, me and one other guy with Dario on an 899 on an F1 track for a couple of laps...which turned into 6 laps and finally we were red flagged, by the people hosting the even cause they needed their guest of honor back....lol

To say he was fast is an under statement. I couldn't catch him on any of the straights with my R and to watch an "old man" on a stock 899 with street tires on a track he doesn't know was outrageously awesome! he came back and gave me a heap of .... about trying to carry corner speed and rider position, kind of how your dad would yell at you to choke up on the bat and swing earlier...lol.

Later I went out and tried to follow him while he was piñon rider guests and I still had trouble hanging with him, it was fun.

In the end he sent me a FB friend request, (he said I couldn't send him one as he has too many requests) and asked if I would come to Thailand for a DRE school....He was like Chaz and a couple of the guys will be there it will be fun. I'm thinking .... what kind of life is that to go around hopping from track to track riding with Pros and then hanging out later....some people get to live the dream.


Just wanted to share as it was a simple but epic evening.

Cheer.

Sounds awesome!

Awesome one of our gang hanging out with the famous! You obviously had a great time and enjoyed yourself. Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm and excitement shone through the txt!

That sounds like you had a dream weekend. Which is more fun flying your 1199 or a chopper?

Very f'in cool. Great recap and stellar to hear about your experience with Dario.

Nice.

Yep, when its in your blood, it's in.

Congrats!

Wow! Sounds like a dream come true. So, how does the R handle now after the changes?

flobrandx said:

Wow! Sounds like a dream come true. So, how does the R handle now after the changes?

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I haven't had a chance yet as I haven't changed the spring yet and the next track day isn't till after the new year.

Having said that, I did try the 899. It was amazing! Buttery smooth, handling was precise and easy. It made me initially feel I got the wrong bike. It took Dario saying that an R is always the right bike to make me feel good.

But in regards to the 899 it's definitely the best bike for the masses, from the beginner, to the enthusiast. The price point makes it a killer bike! Truth be told if I didn't have what I have it's probably the way to go. We spoke about it as well in regards to the adjustable rear linkage and the lack of that on the 899. Dario said for the power the 899 puts out you don't need it. When I asked about people switching the 899 linkage for the 1199, response was its okay, but unless your going to upgrade the engine to get another 20hp out of it, it wasn't required.

The 1299 he only described as amazing! Fun, complete, the power was everywhere.

I felt his heart is with the R. He said "an R is always special" I asked him to compare mine with the 2015 and he said the wheelie control is nice, the new ECU is smarter, and the pistions are better. He said up grade those two things and you will have it. He made me believe it maybe easier than previously thought to do it. When I asked about the 24 degree head stock, he said well we lowered the rear, so 24.5 and raise the front and mostly the handling would be the same. But the bike is built to be completely adjustable for the racer he said.

Really, it was a more casual type of track day with a bunch of introductory riders and one really special rider.

All in all, I probably only did 30 laps that day. But it was nice to be able to ask all kinds of questions and both, not to be embarrassed and to get reliable answers.

That's sounds damn fun man. Good on you.

What a great post thanks Thamer

Not to detract from what must have been a truly incredible experience, but it is refreshing to hear someone speak of the 899 without saying that it isn't a Panigale.