I totally agree.
The only difference is I would clear coat the body work.
Then start to progressively upgrade the suspension, and lighten the bike where ever I reasonably could.
Help Support Ducati Forum:
I totally agree.
The only difference is I would clear coat the body work.
Then start to progressively upgrade the suspension, and lighten the bike where ever I reasonably could.
Which review is this? I remember reading a review where the exact opposite was the recommendation because the 899 would be less expensive to properly set up and maintain; with the 1199 you can still have bragging rights on the street.
Why would you feel inadequate riding an 899 with the literbike crowd? All they have on the 899 is top speed (well and roll on acceleration, but that's also a two cyl. issue). If I'm not mistaken 0-60 for the 899 is 2.5-2.8 sec depending on the source with a 1/4 mile of 10.1 or so. That's respectable territory if you're riding a liter bike; which it is not.
That said, I don't know many people at all that can get the most out of a literbike so it doesn't impress me if someone's riding around on a cheap literbike instead of a 600cc or something truly special...
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2013
- Messages
- 1,070
- Location
- Lawrenceville, GA
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2012
- Messages
- 1,458
- Location
- California
+1 me to.
Its been said by many journalist that the 1199 is not for the novice or intermediate riders. It the closest thing to a World Super Bike. Its really for an advance rider. But don't be fooled by the 899/GSXR 750/F3.
Its all about throttle control, knowing when to brake/being in right gear, keeping it in the proper RPM and executing your lines on the track or canyons to prevent being tied up it knots. The 899 power and handling is about the same as my old GSXR 750 track bike. I love it when these magazine who are paid by Ducati to market this bike as a canyon bike and street riding. I personally think its BS. These bikes still have enough power to tie you up in knots. Ducati made this bike to compete with the GSXR 750 and F3 to capture some of the market share which the GSXR dominated for so long. I rode the 899 and I think its a great bike but I don't think the 899 does anything better than the 1199 period. People think its easier going through the canyons maybe its physiological or something but for me I feel the 1199 is easier. For one, the weight of the 1199 is lighter than my R6 which I think was the greatest canyon bike ever until i got used to my 1199. I can throw the 1199 all over the place. 2 on the straights not many bikes can keep up. If you think you can seriously take the 899 around the canyons without worry about throttle control you are fooling yourself. 1 degree of throttle twist error around some of these hairpin turns in Southern Cal can spell big trouble for you. Every bike including 250 you have to worry about throttle control. When I hear these magazine writers and people talk about "I don't have to worry about throttle twist" is BS.
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2012
- Messages
- 389
- Location
- Los Angeles
This reminds me of the V6 vs V8 debate.
V6 is optimal.. but at the end of the day you should have bought the V8.
V6 is optimal.. but at the end of the day you should have bought the V8.
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2013
- Messages
- 466
- Location
- Texas
Good post and I agree with you. I think it's possible for most riders to ride the 1199 through the twisties or track every bit as hard as the 899, but it has more of a learning curve compared to a smaller bike. Although you definitely need throttle control with a 750 or 899, there isn't as much torque compared to the 1199 so it's not as intimidating while accelerating. The lack of an intimidation factor can equal more confidence for a lot of riders. You get to use more degrees of throttle twist on the smaller bikes so you feel like you can ride or are riding harder because you're getting to use more of the bike. On the 1199 in tight corners it's just very small amounts of throttle to get to the next corner so it feels as though you're not working the bike very hard at all and for some that may feel a little boring.
But yeah, I agree the 1199 is incredibly flickable and feels like you can place it anywhere at anytime just like a 600 with the added benefit of being able to scare the crap out of yourself when you're able to roll the throttle to the stop.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2012
- Messages
- 1,507
- Location
- Florida
I agree 100%. If you are not an advanced rider, you will hurt yourself in you are not careful. I for one cannot wait to get my F3 800 at the end of the year. The F3 and 899 are fun bikes and plenty capable to go fast.
- Joined
- May 20, 2012
- Messages
- 809
- Location
- East Coast
very true. . however don't think the other manufacturers aren't paying for editorial reviews either. ..
In terms of throttle control, if you're not as good as you should be, another alternative is to take it out of the 'optimal' power band where torque is a monster.. You don't always have to be at 8-11K rpms if you're throttle control isn't as good as it should be. . Instead of being in 2nd or 3rd, keep it in fourth where some the rpms are a bit more forgiving and a small accident in throttle control isn't going to be as critical as a drastic suspension change at 10k rpms and 2nd gear.
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2012
- Messages
- 1,712
- Location
- New Jersey Shore
I've said it before I'll say it again, you'd have to be brain dead to buy an 899 over an 1199. Need I recreate the entire list????
Now, if you're like Jarel and your plan is to pretty much gut the bike and mid it to the max, then an 899 may be a good choice.
With discounts off MSRP the price difference in a 72 month loan (if you're financing) is like $50 a month....
Every 899 owner I know has regretted their decision. Don't make a $19,000 mistake when you can make a $21,500 mistake and be twice as happy.
Ya see what I did there?
Now, if you're like Jarel and your plan is to pretty much gut the bike and mid it to the max, then an 899 may be a good choice.
With discounts off MSRP the price difference in a 72 month loan (if you're financing) is like $50 a month....
Every 899 owner I know has regretted their decision. Don't make a $19,000 mistake when you can make a $21,500 mistake and be twice as happy.
Ya see what I did there?
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2012
- Messages
- 230
- Location
- Oregon
+1! That's the beauty of the 1199 motor. By taking away a bit of the low end and shifting it up, you can indeed just keep the revs low and have the bike very manageable when you roll on the throttle. As the bike comes upright, you come into the powerband, instead of having to deal with insane torque from down low. On the track, I almost never drop into 2nd, even in the tight chicanes, as 3rd gear will light up the traction control and still wheelie. I can get on the throttle earlier and get the chassis loaded using 3rd gear. Is that the fastest way around? Maybe not, but I save myself from a shift at high lean angle, and stay rubber side down.
This!
I always buy the V8.... Well unless there is a V10 option and then I buy the V10.
- Joined
- May 28, 2014
- Messages
- 32
- Location
- Where it snows forever!
OP here again.. I am slated to pick up and pay for the 899 tomorrow. Judging from the comments posted, (and my want for "the best") I may have chickened out royally.
The one single thing that keeps popping in my head is experience.. and/or lack thereof.
I took the MSF, got my 250 ninja and put 3500 miles on it in 4 months, which in New England is not a small feat. Upgraded to the Gixxer 600 and have had it for 3 years with about 7500 miles on it.
Now I've never done a track day but I'd sure love to get out there and learn. I'm pretty cautious (never taken the GSXR over 110mph) and I do about 1/2 hwy and 1/2 suburban roads with the occasional city stoplight crap. I need to lean more in corners and get more confidence to hold my line. Yes, my Gixxer has chicken strips and I HATE them but I like my skin and limbs as well so I don't push it. That's why I want to do a track day. Give me a lil Ninja 300 and set me free to have some fun and learn. I don't do canyons (we have ZERO around here) and twisties are fun but at respectable speeds (too many deer and potholes for my liking).
All that said, I just don't feel like I can proudly sport around the 1199. Anyone can go fast on the hwy or on a straight but no skill is needed. Honestly, I think I'd feel like a poser (hell, I sometimes feel that way on my 600) if I were to buy the 1199 - just because I can afford and putt around in 2-3K rpm all day doesn't mean I should.
899 still has power and can hurt you.. but when I rode it, it inspired confidence - confidence I need to be a better rider so that hopefully, in a few years I can move up.
That said, I really REALLY would like the SSSA and color TFT and hope I can hold off the "regret" long enough to get the 899 past the 1199 out of the dealership tomorrow (ugh).
The one single thing that keeps popping in my head is experience.. and/or lack thereof.
I took the MSF, got my 250 ninja and put 3500 miles on it in 4 months, which in New England is not a small feat. Upgraded to the Gixxer 600 and have had it for 3 years with about 7500 miles on it.
Now I've never done a track day but I'd sure love to get out there and learn. I'm pretty cautious (never taken the GSXR over 110mph) and I do about 1/2 hwy and 1/2 suburban roads with the occasional city stoplight crap. I need to lean more in corners and get more confidence to hold my line. Yes, my Gixxer has chicken strips and I HATE them but I like my skin and limbs as well so I don't push it. That's why I want to do a track day. Give me a lil Ninja 300 and set me free to have some fun and learn. I don't do canyons (we have ZERO around here) and twisties are fun but at respectable speeds (too many deer and potholes for my liking).
All that said, I just don't feel like I can proudly sport around the 1199. Anyone can go fast on the hwy or on a straight but no skill is needed. Honestly, I think I'd feel like a poser (hell, I sometimes feel that way on my 600) if I were to buy the 1199 - just because I can afford and putt around in 2-3K rpm all day doesn't mean I should.
899 still has power and can hurt you.. but when I rode it, it inspired confidence - confidence I need to be a better rider so that hopefully, in a few years I can move up.
That said, I really REALLY would like the SSSA and color TFT and hope I can hold off the "regret" long enough to get the 899 past the 1199 out of the dealership tomorrow (ugh).
jarelj
Site Sponsor
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2012
- Messages
- 2,159
- Location
- Omaha, NE USA
I think you made the PERFECT choice! If you've never had your Gixxer over 110 MPH, why on earth would you need a bike that can go faster than that in 2nd gear?? Enjoy the ride, and definitely get yourself signed up for a track school if you get the opportunity, your confidence will skyrocket after that experience I'm sure! 
I think you made the PERFECT choice! If you've never had your Gixxer over 110 MPH, why on earth would you need a bike that can go faster than that in 2nd gear?? Enjoy the ride, and definitely get yourself signed up for a track school if you get the opportunity, your confidence will skyrocket after that experience I'm sure!
Agreed
Have you ridden a 899 as it feels completely different to the 1199, I'm wondering as to why you would have to be brain dead to buy one above the 1199 as I know quite a number of people who have made that decision and are certainly not buying it just because it's a couple of bucks cheaper.
Well.... how do you like it???
I started on a 600RR (put maybe 8k miles on it), rode my ex's 620 monster (~8k as well!) and had a chance to ride an 1199S a few times since 2012, which made me want to wait for a small Panigale. I pulled the trigger this year and have put almost 5k on mine in a month and a half.
I have a feeling that you are enjoying your 899 as well
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2013
- Messages
- 452
- Location
- Woodinville, WA
In my experience, models will pose for free with a 1199cc Italian superbike. 899ccs and I'd hafta pay THEM...not to mention everyone else's comments. Esp. the fact that you can make the 1199 run like a 899 if you want by dropping into wet mode.
jarelj
Site Sponsor
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2012
- Messages
- 2,159
- Location
- Omaha, NE USA
Some on this thread should also consider that if you're on an 1199(or S or R) and you're passed by someone on an 899, it's very embarrassing because it's clearly that you're a crappy rider and it can't be blamed on the bike. If you're on an 899 and you get passed by an 1199 (or S or R) then you can always blame it on your slow bike and save face. Or I guess you could always say that your 1199 (or S or R) was in wet mode at the time.........
Similar threads
Register CTA
Register on Ducati Forum! This sidebar will go away, and you will see fewer ads.
Sign Up
