The Ducati 996, was it conceived as a motorcycle or an instrument of torture? At anything below 60mph on a public road, you just want to park this bike up and walk home regardless of distance, its nothing to do with fitness or age, you must have to be a masochist if you enjoy riding one of these at any speed below the speed i have put above, my first experience riding a 996 left me feeling like the king of the road, with a small thought in my head saying it must be me!! I'll get used to it" who was I trying to kid lol" Conclusion without this turning into a book! the Italians may of lost the war but by God, they got their revenge when they introduced the 996 to be ridden on the streets . Italy1 rest of the world Nill
It's a throughbred race bike with the looks of a 1980's supermodel and has the soundbite exhaust note/words Do You Want To Come Back To My Place attitude............just love these bikes all day long,no pain no gain.
The 916 came first, the 999 was better looking as a race bike and more successful - the 996 was a mid term fill in bike
I am 185cm and 100kg and have no problems using my 748 as a commuter bike. I find it a pleasure to ride at any speed and conditions. I'm also 57 years old and see myself keeping this bike for at least another 15 years.
I also use my 748 very regularly for town - country commute through the drier months. As an 11 stone, 5'10" 57 year old I intend driving it as long as I am able as it is like putting on the best fitting glove I ever had. One thing I can't do however is get straight on it in the spring and expect to be able to drive it properly, it takes me about 4 weeks or at least 500 miles to get bike fit - this is conditioning upper arms, shoulders, neck and most importantly core strength to suit the bike. The bike needs a lot of input and to be able to use it comfortably you must drive it regularly. If used as a one sunday a summer month bike it would be a complete waste and I would never "get it" The bike was conceived as a 916/748
Exactly. I had a 748 for about 12 years. When I first got it I rode it regularly at every opportunity and every time I went out it was sublime. But then for various reasons I could not get out on it as much and then it felt like hard work. This is one of the reasons I decided to sell. Not one of my best life decisions
66 years old and love my 748, as mentioned the first ride of the year finds a few week muscles but it's well worth it, I'd rather ride the bike than lay Paving slabs!! Both make me ach a little. Steve
