Former Motocross racer, new to Ducati

Do It!

CLA21 said:

I'm having a hard time with the price difference lol Are ducati's discounted usually at high volume dealers? Especially when new. I'm wondering what the 1299s will cost out the door. It's a pretty big price difference, and the superleggera has 3k miles on it, versus another dealer on the east coast that has one with 6 miles for 60k.

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OK dude, I'll save you a lot of time worrying about all this. I too came from MX racing at a national level after decades of not owning a street bike. I appreciate where you're coming from and here's what you need to do.

Go buy that SL for 48K! I've rode that bike that's for sale both on the road and the track (hence the miles on it). That bike ....... rips!!! I almost got a divorce trying to convince my wife (who I had to convince to buy my 'R in the first place) that it was my (newest) dream bike. She thought I was crazy based on the 75K price tag at the time.

Fast forward and I still own my 'R, but still lust after that SL. Coming from MX you will totally appreciate the power to weight ratio. It's purpose built just like a YZF etc...

48K for that SL is a smoking deal given how that thing rides. It's rare, exotic, light (duh),and a blast to twist the throttle on. Don't let the naysayers convince you otherwise because they probably haven't ridden one and don't know.

If you can't get the SL, the 15 'R is the only other option for you. It's as close as you can get to an SL or WSBK and be under 35K. Awesome! I threw a lighter 85Nm Ti rear coil on mine and tweaked on the settings and it has really come together well.

I believe you'll have buyers remorse for the 899 for the same reasons that you are looking to the Panigale over the Beemer. The 899 weighs more and has a smaller motor and less power than the full size Panigale. This doesn't make the 899 or the BMW an inferior bike, but I do feel it makes them slightly less engaging. I recently rode an S1000RR on the track, and it was planted, fast, heavy, wide, and confidence inspiring, and not as unique, quirky, and edgy as my 'R is lap after lap. I'll take the 'R every time for the fun factor!

Riding the SL and the R on the track is like trying to manage a 250 2 stroke on the MX track. It's a bit difficult to get the hang of and manage, but once you start to figure it out, you can't wipe the smile off your face!

Shoot me a private message if you'd like to chat...

Pilot said:

OK dude, I'll save you a lot of time worrying about all this. I too came from MX racing at a national level after decades of not owning a street bike. I appreciate where you're coming from and here's what you need to do.

Go buy that SL for 48K! I've rode that bike that's for sale both on the road and the track (hence the miles on it). That bike ....... rips!!! I almost got a divorce trying to convince my wife (who I had to convince to buy my 'R in the first place) that it was my (newest) dream bike. She thought I was crazy based on the 75K price tag at the time.

Fast forward and I still own my 'R, but still lust after that SL. Coming from MX you will totally appreciate the power to weight ratio. It's purpose built just like a YZF etc...

48K for that SL is a smoking deal given how that thing rides. It's rare, exotic, light (duh),and a blast to twist the throttle on. Don't let the naysayers convince you otherwise because they probably haven't ridden one and don't know.

If you can't get the SL, the 15 'R is the only other option for you. It's as close as you can get to an SL or WSBK and be under 35K. Awesome! I threw a lighter 85Nm Ti rear coil on mine and tweaked on the settings and it has really come together well.

I believe you'll have buyers remorse for the 899 for the same reasons that you are looking to the Panigale over the Beemer. The 899 weighs more and has a smaller motor and less power than the full size Panigale. This doesn't make the 899 or the BMW an inferior bike, but I do feel it makes them slightly less engaging. I recently rode an S1000RR on the track, and it was planted, fast, heavy, wide, and confidence inspiring, and not as unique, quirky, and edgy as my 'R is lap after lap. I'll take the 'R every time for the fun factor!

Riding the SL and the R on the track is like trying to manage a 250 2 stroke on the MX track. It's a bit difficult to get the hang of and manage, but once you start to figure it out, you can't wipe the smile off your face!

Shoot me a private message if you'd like to chat...

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Finally a man with a head on his shoulders! .... if you don't buy the SL then tell me where it is so I can!

I have no problem with people buying an 899 for whatever reasons they want, but I'll never understand comments about a slower bike being easier to ride because it's slower. That can be controlled by the right wrist.

CLA21 said:

It seems the new question is 1299s modified with full akropovic exhaust, tons of carbon OR a used superleggera that a dealer has for $48k.

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SL hands down! You're in Beverly Hills, gotta go big!

This one belongs to Will.

It seems the decision has been made for me lol now I impatiently wait until tomorrow when I contact all dealers to see who has the best deal with the lowest miles.

RRnold, I'm just outside Beverly Hills right off Mulholland which is even better as I'm 1 minute away from a great driving road.

I look forward to meets and rides with you great people! Thanks again for all the feedback and advice on going for the SL.... my wife on the other hand doesn't thank you [emoji6]

CLA21 said:

It seems the decision has been made for me lol now I impatiently wait until tomorrow when I contact all dealers to see who has the best deal with the lowest miles.

RRnold, I'm just outside Beverly Hills right off Mulholland which is even better as I'm 1 minute away from a great driving road.

I look forward to meets and rides with you great people! Thanks again for all the feedback and advice on going for the SL.... my wife on the other hand doesn't thank you [emoji6]

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Haha!! I'm just messing with ya. I've been on that road before when I used to live in SoCal.

If you don't mind a roadtrip, you can find some really good deals outside of CA. The bikes are 50 state legal so you can register it here w/out any issues. I bought mine up in Washington w/only 3 miles and got a better deal than what the local dealerships were working out.

That's what I'm hoping for, especially since everything within a 20 mile radius of Beverly Hills is far higher than most.