New Ducatista: introduction

Hi all,

I got my first Ducati 5th march, a V2.

Last year I did a bike trip to Italy and in conjunction stopped by Borgo Panigale and did the tour, and after that I just had to have a Ducati.
I've wanted one since I saw the 1299 and later 959 on expos and finally pulled the trigger on one. I am happy I waited a bit and get the new electronics suite and single side swing arm.

Before this I've ridden Kawasaki 500R , Yamaha R1M, MV Agusta F3 800, Yamaha R6 and MT10.



I never 1 second considered the white one. It had to be red.
I got the Akra slip on fitted from the dealer, and bought the DP license plate holder, dynamic turn signals as well as tail cowl and fitted myself at home.

Congrats, looks pissah !
How do you like it compared to the F3?

Congrats! Very nice choice. Indeed, that form just needs to be red.

1299rFE said:

Congrats, looks pissah !
How do you like it compared to the F3?

Click to expand...

Thanks!

When you get really up close with an MV F3 the build quality is honestly lackluster. screws, paint, fitting and castings. It only really drives good at full throttle, below full send and in low rpm it is twitchy and rattly. But it is devilishly fast at pinned throttle. Another thing people usually don't notice unless they see it up close is that it is very small, and not a lot of room to move around. Personally I am built like the small Italian that it was most likely made for, but still, very small.

With the V2 its a different beast, I really think the finish and quality feel is great, and the sensation of those two huge oversquared pistons thumping is very special. I tried an older Monster 900 and the supersport, but the engine characteristics of the superquadro is just amazing.

I think too the heat issues are exaggerated. I rode Kawa H2 and owned an R1M myself and can say that all superbikes are like sitting on a hot coal one way or another below 50mph. At least the V2 does not fan hot air directly on my legs or have a frame on my inner thighs.

Gripes with the V2? the inner fairing black plastic under the tank is a tiny bit creaky, and the clear coat on the tank is extremely soft, I have swirled it a bit with a clean microfiber towel already.

Interesting note on the MV. I haven't sat on one for a few years. The last time I did I thought the build quality was higher than Ducati. Back in trellis frame days MV, TIG welded the frames by hand while Ducati trellis frames were MIG resulting in more lumpy high-production look. Just good, but not as wow, let's say. I rode a Brutale that was the most responsive bike I'd even been on... 10 years ago. Now I give that award to the V4 Panigale. I haven't tried the 959, it's gorgeous. One of these days I'll have to swing a leg over one.