Ducati 899 Disadvantage

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Difficult sales proposition, which I guess shows how strong the 1199 package is.

I dont see how this can be pitched as some lightweight track tool, when its heavier than the 1199, particularly with most of its additional weight being unsprung (wheels & suspension).

Gulp!
 
Agreed.

Also the price point is going to be ***** to get over on customers.

Ducati is raising the price on the 1199 (can't say Panigale anymore). I wonder if this is the reason.

I wanted 899 as a track toy. However I'm now on the fence. The 1199 is lighter, and just a few bucks more. I really believe the swingarm on 899 was put in play to help with some of the handling issues (lateral load) of the 1199. With the frameless design the bike never feels planted at full lean.
 
I will definitely test ride one and see if it handles any better than my Base 1199.

The price is the bugger here, my 1199 is used and I might be able to get a straight swap with a brand new 899 but again I will lose more money on the 899 later down the year. At the moment, if I do not go for the swap the base is representing a much better value compared to the 899 with all those extras that I have on it such as a single sided swing arm, etc which the 899 does not have.

A hard decision indeed but lets see how the 899 behaves on the road first! If the handling is significantly better and the suspension a lot more suited for UK roads then I might bite the bullet..
 
why would one want to downgrade?
the wheels are (look like) the same, so you have the same rotating masses. the suspension is all showa, vs. sachs/marzocchi - htis might be a point over the base.

the dss might provide more stability, but then you have a little more weight overall.

and that for just 3 grand less?
 
Phil said:
why would one want to downgrade?
the wheels are (look like) the same, so you have the same rotating masses. the suspension is all showa, vs. sachs/marzocchi - htis might be a point over the base.

the dss might provide more stability, but then you have a little more weight overall.

and that for just 3 grand less?
Click to expand...

There are some other differences which makes the base a better value bike in my opinion. The 899 does not have any slipper clutch, the rear wheel is a 180 instead of a 200 or 190, rosso corsos instead of supercorsas, different dash, a smaller engine capacity, non magnesium covers, no rear suspension linkages etc..

What it does have is all the good electronics the big brother has got along with ABS as standard and a quick shifter.

Like I said, for some the handling can be a game changer.
 
mali said:
There are some other differences which makes the base a better value bike in my opinion. The 899 does not have any slipper clutch, the rear wheel is a 180 instead of a 200 or 190, rosso corsos instead of supercorsas, different dash, a smaller engine capacity, non magnesium covers, no rear suspension linkages etc..

What it does have is all the good electronics the big brother has got along with ABS as standard and a quick shifter.

Like I said, for some the handling can be a game changer.
Click to expand...

That's a fair evaluation. I didn't catch that it has no slipper clutch -though I think this is less of an issue with a small displacement bike. I certainly never missed having a slipper on my 748. Even now, I tend to throttle blip while braking and downshifting on my Pani (old habits...)
All the elctronics, yes. But I like the color TFT on the 1199. Would appear to be much easier to read at a glance than the LCD on the 899.
Ambivalent about the tire size. I've always believed in running as small a size as you can get away with for the handling. Currently have a 190/55 (Q3) on mine and feel it's much better than the 200/55 it came with. A 180 on the 899 should be fine.
The progressive (only) suspension on the 899 would be a minus for me. Much prefer linear rates.
Having ABS is, for me, a yawner. My 1199 doesn't have it.
 
The 899 is not positioned as a track tool; it is a cheaper, de-contented, civilized/rationalized version of a Ducati SBK with a focus on being more street friendly. All the marketing hype for the 1199 was about track prowess, while the copy you see for the 899 is about being accessible and user friendly.

They clearly haven't built it to be a really sharp tool, but rather one that the bigger market (than the 1199's) will find more accessible. Expect a lot less heat, more comfort, and smoother power delivery. It will likely be a better streetbike for daily use than an 1199, and at $15K with ABS it'll retail for at least $4K less than a base 1199. Should do the trick for a lot of folks, as it's really falling into the slot that Suzuki's GSX-R750 occupies; not cutting edge, but arguably the ideal size for a sportbike. Very similar in power and weight.

Biggest problem I can see for it is competing for customers, at least early on, with discounted 2012 1199's, and even more so, RSV4's which are a grand cheaper!
 
Steve B said:
The 899 is not positioned as a track tool; it is a cheaper, de-contented, civilized/rationalized version of a Ducati SBK with a focus on being more street friendly. All the marketing hype for the 1199 was about track prowess, while the copy you see for the 899 is about being accessible and user friendly.

They clearly haven't built it to be a really sharp tool, but rather one that the bigger market (than the 1199's) will find more accessible. Expect a lot less heat, more comfort, and smoother power delivery. It will likely be a better streetbike for daily use than an 1199, and at $15K with ABS it'll retail for at least $4K less than a base 1199. Should do the trick for a lot of folks, as it's really falling into the slot that Suzuki's GSX-R750 occupies; not cutting edge, but arguably the ideal size for a sportbike. Very similar in power and weight.

Biggest problem I can see for it is competing for customers, at least early on, with discounted 2012 1199's, and even more so, RSV4's which are a grand cheaper!
Click to expand...

I have to believe the 1199 is due a price increase too????
 
Steve B said:
The 899 is not positioned as a track tool; it is a cheaper, de-contented, civilized/rationalized version of a Ducati SBK with a focus on being more street friendly. All the marketing hype for the 1199 was about track prowess, while the copy you see for the 899 is about being accessible and user friendly.

They clearly haven't built it to be a really sharp tool, but rather one that the bigger market (than the 1199's) will find more accessible. Expect a lot less heat, more comfort, and smoother power delivery. It will likely be a better streetbike for daily use than an 1199, and at $15K with ABS it'll retail for at least $4K less than a base 1199. Should do the trick for a lot of folks, as it's really falling into the slot that Suzuki's GSX-R750 occupies; not cutting edge, but arguably the ideal size for a sportbike. Very similar in power and weight.

Biggest problem I can see for it is competing for customers, at least early on, with discounted 2012 1199's, and even more so, RSV4's which are a grand cheaper!
Click to expand...

This pretty much nails it. The middleweight superbike has been a money maker for Ducati so it's not a surprise to see they haven't ventured from their 848 approach with its replacement.

The 899 actually packs quite a bit of features for a sub $15k bike and, as most acknowledge, looks far better than anything else out there. Its price and feature list validates/rewards 1199 owners for their purchase while also strategically opens opportunities for those who couldn’t justify the 1199 price tag to go Ducati. I think it will do well.
 
Last edited:
Duck41 said:
This pretty much nails it. The middleweight superbike has been a money maker for Ducati so it's not a surprise to see they haven't ventured from their 848 approach with its replacement.

The 899 actually packs quite a bit of features for a sub $15k bike and, as most acknowledge, looks far better than anything else out there. Its price and feature list validates/rewards 1199 owners for their purchase while also strategically opens opportunities for those who couldn't justify the 1199 price tag to go Ducati. I think it will do well.
Click to expand...

Yah, but traditionally, hasn't the middleweight always been lighter?
 
here lighter means more expensive: magnesium covers, aluminum tank, ...


let's not flame the 899 too much, there might be new users coming in :eek:
 
Stw said:
I have to believe the 1199 is due a price increase too????
Click to expand...

In fact all Ducati models are having a price hike for 2014 barring the 899 Pani which is obviously a new model launch.

My dealer said that the new prices take effect Oct 1 2013 and I was really lucky to be able to buy the last 1199 Panigale R that they will get for this year so I escaped the price hike and as its a 2014 MY bike, I hit 2 birds with one stone :D
 

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