Hello and Help!

Hi there you beautiful people..

New to Ducati and my husband has a Monster so I've certainly heard about the fuss for sometime now. Been riding only I4s and got addicted to the sound and excitement of the VTwin once I heard the Pani and now I am committed to bringing one home. Problem is, which one?

I was all about upgrading my 2011 GSX-R600 with the 899 - that is until I found a nearby dealership with a 2013 1199 and i road tested it.

A little background: I am not a squidley rider tho I have not done a track day (someday I hope to). Always wear proper gear and leathers and if anything, have been accused of being somewhat of a nana when I ride. Yes, I like to enjoy the bike but would never endanger myself or fellow motorists for the sake of a thrill. Not dragging knees, have some chicken strips and really just ride the bike for the fun of the actual experience. Having done over 10K miles of street and gone from a 250cc to a 600cc and now upwards, I realize I am not utilizing the potential of any of the bikes but I just fall in love with the looks and sound and then I am hooked. I enjoy them for their form, fun and experience - so a weekend and summer rider only. (I have snowboards in the winter to keep me thrilled).

So thing is I know I am getting a Pani but which one? The price diff between the 2014 899 and the 2013 1199 is less than 2K... Color screen, single-sided swing arm and other small upgrades really have me pondering the bigger beast, which I would most likely ride in WET for some time. However, I KNOW I DO NOT need the extra power. Tested both and felt comfy on the 899 and timid on the 1199 (both in sport mode). Rationally, the 899 makes sense but the irrational side of me will always have the "what ifs" no matter what bike I choose. I also know that each bike before brought trepidation until I got used to it.

It also does not help that the insurance quote for both vin# was EXACTLY THE SAME

Any insight is appreciated. In the meantime, I am going back to test the 1199 over the weekend, at which time I need to make a decision.

Anyway, seems like a great forum with lots of knowledge and riders that share the same passion.

What dealership are you dealing with? Razee's?

if I get the 899, yes.

You did say nearby dealership... Was just curious.. It's an AWSOME place.

1199 all the way!

1. The 1199 is lighter
2. You can ride it in 899 mode (wet). Until you get use to the throttle.
3. The single sided swing arm makes tire changes a lot easier and cheaper labor because you don't have to adjust the chain or align the chain.
4. The color dash is awesome. Every time I look at my other cluster gauges I just can't get over how out dated they are.
5. There is nothing sexier than a 1199 except for seeing a sexy lady on a 1199 (no disrespect to you or your husband). The 1199 turn heads even more heads turn when a female is on it.

I have spent a little time this weekend on the 899 both on street and track and I love it, the bike has so much usable power and turns in quicker and feels lighter than the 1199.

I think for the street it's a better bike and you can actually use the power, for what it's worth I have a 1199r which is a great bike but a handful and probably too much for the street.

ScrapperX said:

1199 all the way!

1. The 1199 is lighter
2. You can ride it in 899 mode (wet). Until you get use to the throttle.
3. The single sided swing arm makes tire changes a lot easier and cheaper labor because you don't have to adjust the chain or align the chain.
4. The color dash is awesome. Every time I look at my other cluster gauges I just can't get over how out dated they are.
5. There is nothing sexier than a 1199 except for seeing a sexy lady on a 1199 (no disrespect to you or your husband). The 1199 turn heads even more heads turn when a female is on it.

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1. Correct on paper only. Due to less inertia the 899 feels 30 pounds lighter than the 1199.

2. 899 revs quicker than 1199 in wet mode (see#1).

3. 100% correct! And it's better looking.

4. Hell yes! The boring and unreadable dash is the 899's weakest point.

5. Correct!

Seems like an 899 is a good match for you. Welcome to the forum.

fireman1251 said:

1. Correct on paper only. Due to less inertia the 899 feels 30 pounds lighter than the 1199.

2. 899 revs quicker than 1199 in wet mode (see#1).

3. 100% correct! And it's better looking.

4. Hell yes! The boring and unreadable dash is the 899's weakest point.

5. Correct!

Click to expand...

Can you really say the 1199 is only lighter on paper because the 899 may feel lighter to some riders? The 1199 is in fact lighter (on spec sheets and in real world)... feel is subjective.

Which 1199? The feeling for 1199s vs 1199 base would be different, I'm sure?

Thanks for the replies thus far... Keep em coming please!

To address some comments:

It is a 1199 base that I am considering but the test ride was on an S.

When I tested them back to back, the 899 certainly felt lighter even though it is actually heavier. Seemed easier to ride and turn in but again, I'm no MotoGP rider so take that for what it's worth.

I am a sucker for tech so the color screen does make me grin as much as the bike experience itself.

I realize the whole "riding a slow bike fast vs. vice-versa" is VERY true and to be honest, the 899 is by no stretch, slow. It is the perfect bike for me realistically but just doesnt make my blood boil like the 1199.

Riding the 899 is exciting and makes you feel alive (something I had been missing from my GSXR) Riding the 1199 makes you feel like the "effin ballz" - yes, I actually said that to my husband when I was done testing it (please see reference to me riding "like a nana" as this still holds true)

Had not thought about maintenance (double vs single-sided swingarm). Would there be any other disparity between the two when it comes to servicing?

In reality, no one really needs the power of either of these machines to ride street and both are in excess. I think it just comes down to how much excess <grin>. Both are able to get anyone in trouble very quickly so I'm really just trying to figure out if I make the "responsible" choice of the 899, will I always wonder if I should have just gone all the way?

Appreciate the welcomes - looking forward to becoming part of the club.

Chud777 said:

In reality, no one really needs the power of either of these machines to ride street and both are in excess. I think it just comes down to how much excess <grin>. Both are able to get anyone in trouble very quickly so I'm really just trying to figure out if I make the "responsible" choice of the 899, will I always wonder if I should have just gone all the way?

Appreciate the welcomes - looking forward to becoming part of the club.

Click to expand...

Speak for yourself, there's never enough power..

Go for the 1199, otherwise u might look back in a few months when u see one that you miss the esthetic details such as the color lcd, and one sided swing arm. I would have been perfectly happy with the power of the 899, but the small details such as the color lcd, single sided swing arm and the electronic suspension made me go for the 1199s

899 must've felt "lighter" due to its ever slightly shorter wheelbase. Not sure if rake/trail numbers are different as well. Ducati must've made it to handle better at slower speed, while 1199 was designed to be more stable at track pace.

Given the circumstances, then the 1199S is the one to for as it sits right in the middle! As you have standard 1199 & 899 below this and the 1199R And Super Leggera above in the model range!

Job done!!

If you can find a 2013 1199 for cheap go that route. I think you should probably spend time on the picture thread to help you figure it out.

I personally like the 899 and think it's the more "practical choice", not that any off the these bikes are practical.

if you're a new bike person and thats your budget - then the 899 it is. . If you're willing to buy used bikes - then I'd seriously consider a used 1199S (or base). I think the used 1199 is a "better buy" than a new 899 (especially after a few years).

Do you /need/ the power in either bike ? doubtful. . won't really matter. . The 1199 will give you a bit more pride in ownership as you're sitting at the top of the pile wherever you go.

Thanks all.. I think I've come to the conclusion that the better buy is the 1199 and it definitely won't leave me wanting more.

Both bikes are in white (I'm sure I will get crap for not getting Ducati red)

the 1199 is brand new... a leftover, and it is not leaving the dealership without the carbon front fender (hate the stock white one). No need for the S model so not sure how much that comment was in jest.

I think I am just going to test ride it again and more seriously on Saturday and not focus on the 899. If I find myself terrified the entire time on the 1199, then 899 it will be.

My hesitation in this whole thing goes back to how I hate posers. Poser defined as someone who acts like they can own it but in reality, just gets by and can't really perform (whether it be snowboarding or any sport really). I don't want to be that person.. even though it was pointed out I could potentially be a "hot" chick (poser) on a kick-... bike.

Y'all rock - can't wait to get ridin'

The 899 has had great reviews however I feel the 1199 is more asthetically pleasing to the eye (each to their own in this world), so based soley on that alone go the 1199, dont ride it in wet, get use to using the throttle in sport, its not that scary, and a bike will only go as fast as you want it to. Big jump up from a 600 but if you are (what it sounds like) a sensible rider then I think you will be fine on the 1199. Get it set up by a suspension guru to suit you, I have had a few different riders jump on the 1199 and state it was the easiest bike they have ever riden, I am in agreeance with them, with DTC, EBC, it makes it easy to ride. However all said, it is your choice, go ride both back to back and go with your gut instinct.

I also have it in white, I love it and it gets many a comment even when lined up with 5 others, 2 red and 2 tri.

Welcome.

Good stuff, Carl. Yeah, I'm definitely going to test it in Sport when I go back on Saturday and hope to keep it there should I take it home.

One thing is for sure... it's not a sit back and relax kind of bike, which for me is what I am looking for. I think I have gotten a little bored with the I4 engine and ride. GSXR is VERY comfy and somehow I don't really want that anymore. I want to KNOW I am on a bike.

Good advice about the suspension as well. Dealership is actually going to adjust test bike so I can get a better feel when I go. Whichever model I choose, it won't leave with stock settings as I really want to take advantage of the suspension's fine tuning. Hopefully, this will also get me flat-footed without compromising handling as I hate not being "sturdy" - especially in pothole country.