First ever ride on a Ducati

Well after a 3 month wait I took the day off and took the truck to pick up the bike. As I got to dealers we had a "frog strangler" of a storm but dried up ok whilst we were doing the paperwork and bike. Unfortunately I drove into 3 huge storms on the way home so had bike drenched before throwing a leg over it but no worries.
I've never ridden a Ducati before and put on 70+ miles this afternoon. My thoughts:
Good - engine noise is ridiculous; bike handles better than any other I've had - except maybe custom set-up track bike; gizmos and gadgets; grin ability; got to get use to those 200 profile tires and noticed I was hitting early apexes as I guess it just turns in so easily, did I mention the noise??!!

the annoying or not so good - dealer must have put on 100 kgs of lube on chain and it flung over everything - spent an hour cleaning it up; I kept catching the heel of my Sidi on the heel guard whilst moving around the bike; couple of false neutrals hit whist going from 5 to 6? Dont think it's me as I've always had quick shifters and it only happened going from 5 to 6; I stopped after 30 miles to take it all in and adjust mirrors!!! and after 10 secs or so the bike just stopped?? Mississippi afternoon 88F. Bike started fine straight after?

I asked about the issues I've been reading on here and they've not had any of those - brake pads, starter motor, clutch but did say on the first two bikes that went out the shifter bolt worked loose so they've removed the OEM bolt and put in a longer one with lock nut on the back - might be something to watch out for although not heard any mention of that. I also asked about run in and they dyno ran in all 20 of the press bikes that were run at NOLA and had no issues with any. He gave me guidance about hard reving and engine braking and when I said but only up to 6k right? He looked at me and said "no need". I tried to keep to 6-7k though but it'll be hard!! He did mention the bigger issue for run in is heat cycles not RPM. I don't know so not getting into that debate.

All in all absolutely delighted with it and can't wait to show it off. Just after I got home I think one off those storms hit us again. Rolled bike out of garage after rain had stopped as the water was evaporating off the road but the iphone quality not showing it!!!!

Congrats, and nice pics. I like it your dealer said not to worry about a breaking it in "by the book" because I'm getting very impatient and tempted.

I feel the same. People are like, its easy... just slow down. The way I describe it, my throttle hand is like The Hulk, there is no containing the madness!

Let me be the first to say: Nice driveway bro

I concur!

That is a sweet driveway btw!

Listen my friend. I know it's your first Ducati and you are super pumped, as you should be! I am on my 5th NEW Ducati and raced a 748R for years in club level. DO NOT baby that bike at all during the break in period dude! You will hear every excuse in the world to stick to what the ridiculous owners manual states! Don't get caught up in all the threads in these forums with ideas on this topic- just wring that bike out and beat it like ya stole it buddy! Seriously.

Congrats on becoming part of the best club in the world !

Congrats Gulf Coast ! Bike looks bad-ass , and yes .............I want your driveway to !

Gunny Fitz said:

That is a sweet driveway btw!

Listen my friend. I know it's your first Ducati and you are super pumped, as you should be! I am on my 5th NEW Ducati and raced a 748R for years in club level. DO NOT baby that bike at all during the break in period dude! You will hear every excuse in the world to stick to what the ridiculous owners manual states! Don't get caught up in all the threads in these forums with ideas on this topic- just wring that bike out and beat it like ya stole it buddy! Seriously.

Congrats on becoming part of the best club in the world !

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Well first off thanks for all the thumbs up for the driveway!!!!!! I've never had a thumbs up for it before! Lol.

When we started the bike in the shop it blue smoked a lot. When I got it home and started it smoked again and then I went out and rode it pretty hard and have to say it hasn't smoked since so I think I'm converted to the hard break in method.
Went out on boat today with family but when I got back I just had to start bike up just to hear those Termi's go. How sadis that??
Btw had to fill up oil after 120 miles.

Gulf Coast said:

Went out on boat today with family but when I got back I just had to start bike up just to hear those Termi's go. How sadis that??
.

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Less sad then me going out to my garage just to look at my bike (1198). Which I am sure I will do with the 1199 when I get it.

I keep going out to look , take a pic or two , and play with the dash.

I thought I was the only one that went out to the garage to play with the dash!!!!

blue smoke normal, chain grease all over is normal, random engine stalls are common

another experienced ducatist suggested to break in progressively, 1st rides are most important, run through the ranage of rpms, 0-6k, nice and smooth, and then progressively run higher and higher, by 300 miles, you should run into the 9k+ range without problems.