What was your first Ducati?

With the 1199 not yet available to the public, will this be anyone's first Ducati?

I've had a few Ducs over the years, my first one was a 996. The 999 seemed a bit quieter in comparison, but the soul of the desmo engine seemed to come back to life when the 1098 was released. I'm hoping the 1199 sounds amazing in person!

What was your first Ducati?

It will be my first Ducati. I want a bike with character and a soul. I have owned a few Japanese bikes and an Aprilia Haga Replica in 2002.

I have my first duc now. Streetfighter S. I'm a college student, so don't think I'll be getting a new bike anytime soon. But I hope this will be my next.

It was a 748. Loved it. The current bike is Aprilia RSV4-Factory - great bike if it wasn't for the dozens of problems and a company Piaggio/Aprilia that are clueless about customer satisfaction. The next bike, it looks like will definitely be 1199

First Duc

First Ducati was a 1995 916. Fabulous machine and still have it. Picked up a 2008 1098S and traded on a 2009 1198S. Both great bikes. Looking forward to the 1199S. Regards, Dave

My first Ducati was and is a 2008 S4RS Tricolore hence my UserName.

The S4RS Tricolore was the most powerful Monster Ducati ever made. The Tricolore came with all the best Ducati had to offer. The Ohlins suspension makes the bike handle perfectly, the Brembo brakes have saved my butt more than once, however the Testastretta engine needs a Termignoni full exhaust for it to breath properly allowing it to rev quickly and to sound magnificent. It also needs a slipper clutch because really the S4RS is superbike without a fairing and if you ride it fast you are bound to downshift too aggressively and the rear wheel spin is the biggest problem. My next big upgrade will be an EVR Slipper clutch.

Before seeing all of Ducati's 1199 Panigale offerings, I was saying to myself, I was going to wait for Ducati to breach the 200HP threshold before buying a less comfortable superbike. However, after seeing the 1199 Tricolore I find myself rationalizing to purchase it now, knowing it has all the best Ducati has to offer and is so much more beautiful than my Tricolore.

The real question is, do I keep both?

My first Duc was a 2007 S4RS followed by a 2008 1098S and I still have both of them...love 'em both.

first was an 02 model 748r, red of course !!! Bought in 03 and sold 2010, i've been trying to buy it back ever since...Best handling bike i've ever ridden.

I also had an 07 1098 tricolore, at the moment i have a 1098r and a hypermotard evosp. Both of which i'm selling to buy a 1199 tri.

Daz

zaster said:

My first Duc was a 2007 S4RS followed by a 2008 1098S and I still have both of them...love 'em both.

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Zaster,

Why did you buy a 1098S after an S4RS?

Was it the better engine performance, handling and /or ergonomics?

Which bike do you ride more?

If you could have only one, which would it be, the S4RS or 1098S?

Many thanks,

Peter

Tricolore said:

Zaster,

Why did you buy a 1098S after an S4RS?

Was it the better engine performance, handling and /or ergonomics?

Which bike do you ride more?

If you could have only one, which would it be, the S4RS or 1098S?

Many thanks,

Peter

Click to expand...

Long story Peter, here it goes:
I had a 1980 Honda CB900C and clocked 25K miles in 25 years which could only mean that I did not have fun riding this type of bike.
I remembered how much fun I had riding a 1200 Laverda from Germany to the factory in Breganze and back and started shopping for a super bike.
My top choice was a 999 but my wife did not like the passenger seating position and we used to do lots of two-up riding on the Honda. The owner of the dealership was quick to offer me a test ride on a S4R and I bought it. When I laid down the S4RS on a trip to Ouray, CO it was totalled and I bought it back from the insurance for $4,500. A mere $300 fixed the damage and I ended up with $11,000 cash. My dealer had a 2008 1098S on consignment which had 800 miles and lots of upgrades.
My wife saw me sitting on it and told me to buy it knowing that I bought the S4RS as a compromise.
I ride and enjoy them both with 17K+ miles on the S4RS and 15+K on the 1098S while using the Monster mostly for two-up duty.
I prefer to ride the twisties whenever I can and must say that the 1098S does a better job at it. I do take the S4RS on the track since she is on a salvage title and I'm amazed what a blast it is to ride her on the short local track.
The Monster is the better all around bike with plenty of power, but the 1098
takes the adreneline rush just a notch higher, which makes it the bike for me.

Karl

Karl,

Thank you, you are a lucky man, my wife won’t even get on my motorcycle.

I find I only ride my Ducati in the twisties, on the Catskill mountain roads seeking my dose of adrenaline. However, I must say the S4RS fits me perfectly; it is the most comfortable motorcycle I have ever ridden. My concern is, will that all change with the 1199, will I have to give up comfort for performance?

Last question: What are the ergonomic differences between your S4RS and your 1098S. How close or different are they in seating/riding positions, comfort, ect.

Again many thanks,

Peter

My first was the 2007 1098 in yellow...

my first bike was a ducati 749R and i'll be keeping her forever! hoping to get an 1199s middle of next year! if i'm able to!

The 1199 Panigale will be my first Ducati. The Ducati's I've had the pleasure to ride are the 695 Monster and the 888 SPO. My first motorcycle is my current '06 CBR600RR

Tricolore said:

Karl,

Thank you, you are a lucky man, my wife won't even get on my motorcycle.

I find I only ride my Ducati in the twisties, on the Catskill mountain roads seeking my dose of adrenaline. However, I must say the S4RS fits me perfectly; it is the most comfortable motorcycle I have ever ridden. My concern is, will that all change with the 1199, will I have to give up comfort for performance?

Last question: What are the ergonomic differences between your S4RS and your 1098S. How close or different are they in seating/riding positions, comfort, ect.

Again many thanks,

Peter

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Peter,
I took both bikes to the 'Ducatis in the Rockies' event in Ouray (350 miles) and was surprised that the 1098S felt just as comfortable considering the more aggressive riding position. Keep in mind that I'm just 5"7' and weigh 165lbs. As odd as it may sound I do prefer the riding/seating position on the 1098other than the more radical knee bend which can get uncomfortable on long hauls.

My current bike, an 1198, is My first Ducati.

zaster said:

Peter,
I took both bikes to the 'Ducatis in the Rockies' event in Ouray (350 miles) and was surprised that the 1098S felt just as comfortable considering the more aggressive riding position. Keep in mind that I'm just 5"7' and weigh 165lbs. As odd as it may sound I do prefer the riding/seating position on the 1098other than the more radical knee bend which can get uncomfortable on long hauls.

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Karl I guess I am buying an 1199, thank you.

I am 5'9" and 185lbs, it seems the 1199 will be more comfortable than I thought. It is interesting you mention the bent knee issue, at times I find myself straightening my leg while riding my S4RS.

I am going start a new tread on a Custom 1199 and read what everyone thinks before I order one from Rockwell Cycles.

My first Ducati was a 2001 MH900e.

Still nothing else like it, and the sound was pure adrenalin

first

first was a new 907 Paso. now a 996, In April a Panigale 1199S ABS

My first was in 1995, a 916 then I had a 955SP, what a hot-rod !
I was a little disappointed in the 1997 996 SP.
Currently I own 5 Ducati's and making room for a Panigale S Tricolore..
Here is what's in the garage now...
2005 999R
2008 1098R
2008 Desmosedici
2010 Hypermotard EVO SP
2011 848 EVO