Traded my 1199 today and got this today...

So I finally got around test riding the bikes that I was thinking of getting R1M, R1, 2015 BMW S1000RR, and finally test rode the 1299.

So the winner by a long shot is the 1299 S for numerous reasons.

Looks great! Congrats!

Traded? What in the.....

Tell me you stripped it down to stock before doing so!

ScrapperX said:

So I finally got around test riding the bikes that I was thinking of getting R1M, R1, 2015 BMW S1000RR, and finally test rode the 1299.

So the winner by a long shot is the 1299 S for numerous reasons.


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so, what was it about the 1299S that sold you on it vs. the other bikes? P.S. I am in full agreement with you.

Congrats, but you're not getting away with simply "for numerous reasons"!!!!

Nice bar ends BTW

What differences between the 1199 and 1299 have you noticed so far?

Prior to test riding the 1299S i didn't think the 1299 was going to be dramatic change enough to swap over from the 1199. Boy was I wrong! The 1299 has massive pull through out the rev range no need to change sprockets. Turns quicker and tighter than any bike I've ridden through the canyons most of all the bike isn't angry. The 1299 doesn't get tied up in knots like the 1199 when hard on the throttle it just goes ballistics like the S1000RR. It still has character that puts a smile on your face but you don't have to concentrate 100% like you do on the 1199 its more enjoyable than working hard at it like the 1199. the power seems more linear so you know what you are getting when you're twisting the throttle, the bike is just more smoother all together the quick shifter is flawless and clutchless auto blipper down shifter is seemless. It feels like a totally different bike than the 1199. You sit more into the bike than the 1199 so I feel more one with the bike. the wheelie control is amazing when you pin it the bike lifts about a foot off the ground and gently put you back down not like the s1000rr were its slams you down or like the 1199 where it will 12 O'clock you easily.

The R1/S1000RR are great bikes but they still feel too top heavy to me. I really think the 1299 is cream of the crop regardless of what these magazine review say. Cost is not a factor to me performance/handling is. Some may feel different and I have nothing against that or others peoples opinions

IMHO:
R1 handles great but power similar to the 1199
BMW- awesome power but still top heavy still needs a diet.
1299 light weight, handles the best and the power slightly better than the S1000rr.

When I got off the 1299 I screamed YES! Finally!

To the 1199 owners Beware! Do not test ride the 1299 if you want to keep your 1199. NO BS.

Damn, now I'm going to test ride one tomorrow to see the differences.

Oh by the way that lean angle indicator is going to get me into trouble I didn't have pucks on today while I was riding the demo bike but I was trying to see how low I can go.

Is the "active suspension" worth it over the base model in your opinion? What I have yet to see is a straight up comparison between the Base and the S

fzr100098 said:

Is the "active suspension" worth it over the base model in your opinion? What I have yet to see is a straight up comparison between the Base and the S

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Im a stickler on suspension I choose the 1199 base over the S because i knew I was going to put Ohlins FGRT 203's and the TTX 36 MK II's on. The forks on the 1299 are good as it was on the 1199 base performance wise but reliability wise they sucked but the Sachs rear is a piece of crap in my opinion just like the 1299 base i couldn't get much feed back or consistency from the sachs as I do with the Ohlins. The New Ohlins active suspension is really good thats why I went with the S. I think if your doing lots of track days go with the base and upgrade to Ohlins they are well worth it. If you are doing mostly street/canyon riding and a few track days the new active suspension is really good. They Ohlins have always been good on the 1199 S but too narrow of a settings for me between street and track. I went in with the intention of getting the base and swapping out my suspension but I feel S suspension settings are wider and it reacts pretty good to the road. I haven't turn them off yet but I would imagine if any one is doing a track day would turn them off and preset them.

So do you have parts for sale comin up, switchin them over to the 1299 or did it go with the trade in?

ScrapperX said:

The forks on the 1299 are good as it was on the 1199 base performance wise but reliability wise they sucked but the Sachs rear is a piece of crap

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I'm thinking just swap out the rear shock, still a whole lot cheaper than $6k

What was the reliability issue on the 1199 base forks? Are the 1299 base forks essentially the same?

Tested the 1299 myself this weekend. It is definitely a great package. My first takeaway and the biggest was easier "rideability". It took less effort to go fast. I don't really feel a difference in the ergonomics like some have mentioned, but I'm shaped a bit funny anyway!

I was not a fan of the semi-active suspension and never have been. Tested the 1000RR 2 years when deciding on the 1199 and didn't like BMW's either.

Looks are pretty much the same. I don't like the new tail, but everything else pretty much looks identical to the casual viewer.

Power for me wasn't a huge differentiator. The 1299 was smoother through the range, but having a full Termi exhaust/Rapidbike EVO w/custom tune/ & MWR I have been spoiled and am probably making more power than the 1299. And talking to one of the 12 Master Ducati techs in the US, he told me quite a bit of the 1299 midrange power increase came from extensive remapping of the ECU combined with the 60mm exhaust. Going even more over square than the 1199 did not lend itself naturally to more midrange. Power figures above 8k are identical.

Bottom line is I love the Tricolore scheme. I have had it on the 1098 and 1198 and I like to have the unique factor. I have still yet to see a Tricolore 1098/1198 or 1199 on the street and I like that.

Just my .02 to you "on the fencers"

So, no change for me for another 3 years or so. Who knows what Bologna has up their sleeve next...

fzr100098 said:

I'm thinking just swap out the rear shock, still a whole lot cheaper than $6k

What was the reliability issue on the 1199 base forks? Are the 1299 base forks essentially the same?

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The forks were having issues with leaking. Yep they look the same not sure if they are the same.

double0 said:

So do you have parts for sale comin up, switchin them over to the 1299 or did it go with the trade in?

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Traded it with the bike

cosmok said:

Tested the 1299 myself this weekend. It is definitely a great package.

I was not a fan of the semi-active suspension and never have been.

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You tested the 1299 not the S, correct? Doesn't seem to be that many base models out there, I think Ducati wanted to S to hit showrooms first for obvious reasons

fzr100098 said:

You tested the 1299 not the S, correct? Doesn't seem to be that many base models out there, I think Ducati wanted to S to hit showrooms first for obvious reasons

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It was a 1299S.

Thanks for sharing your rare opportunity with us. Was there any opportunity to try the Aprilia RSV4 Factory?

congrats. I rode the 1199 R and 1299 and agree completely. Yet, I'm supposed to be picking up my R1M today and am still torn if I should go through with it. Not a new rider, but new to tracking bikes. R1M seems like a better trainer :|