All the bikes you list will be uncomfortable on the wrists ..... for the first few 1000 miles before you learn the technique to support your upper body from your core and not your wrists. I'm 6'4" and had no problems on my 748R after a while. Unlike the shameless @cookster, I won't try and sell you my 748R Andy
How a bike fits you, both comfort wise and performance wise is an entirely personal thing, but I would really encourage you to try an 888 on the road.
SP had an alloy tank the normal S was plastic. I recall the tank should show some of the alloy as part of its original paint design.
Depends how you define character tbh. All Ducati have that. Especially the v twins. Like a previous post, none are bad choices. Pays yer money, makes yer choice. The chain drive. Cams are better obviously and the newer the bike the less maintenance required generally. But who buys a Ducati for ease of maintenance? For what it’s worth though, the Panigale bikes are a nightmare to work on compared to the earlier bikes.
I've recently sold my 1098 because I found it not suitable for the roads around where I live. It's an absolutely fantastic machine and I love everything about it, but more than once I found myself popping into town at top speed, yikes! In my opinion, it's a great machine for a trackday, but not the best option if you are looking for a road bike, as I was constantly scanning for potholes and holding the machine back. I now have a 916 and it's a lot of fun! It's a practical classic, very basic (no fancy electronics...) and really rewarding to ride. Happy shopping!
Yeah sorry it’s an SP https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/33521679...Wex47KAQUK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
The 900SS is probably the best value for money older Ducati you can buy, they make good weekend riders and being air cooled with only two valves avoid much of the service costs/complexity. They have the style of the 851/888 era, without the fragile engine. You can find them in a wide range of condition to suit most budgets running up to the limited edition variants in mint condition. They can be fun on the track or toured on the road, tuned, customised or restored to concourse. Parts are still relatively available with specialists who can help you. At some point the masses will notice and the prices will reflect so get them now while they are still bargains.
Welcome onboard, and don't for those lovely cool looking 900 Superlights first genernation ( 1991 / 1996 )
So absolutely zero consensus on this question then! Suspect it’s mostly just people recommending the bikes they chose for themselves. So on those grounds, let me help with the older / newer dilemma - as I have a 996S and an 899. Looking at your criteria, the objective most sensible choice would be an 899 / 959 (if you don’t mind the side pipe). It still has oodles of character next to a Fireblade (I’ve had two of those), but is a rnodern bike, reliable and no cam belt faff. If you want absolute visceral sensory enjoyment though, you may be best off going older. It will come at a cost of reliability, maintenance and comfort - but there is something very special about the 9xx and older bikes. 848/1098 era bikes to me seemed like the worst of both worlds - comfort and reliability of older era, difficulty to work on of newer era. (Some would argue they offer the best of both worlds - so go on, flame me!). Best choice will likely be dependent on your use case (Sunday blast, or actual transport?) and whether ultimate viscerality is worth the other compromises.
Hypermotard wasn't on your original list. Early 2V 1100 grunty simplicity to the latest 950 bells & whistles. Every ride with a silly grin...
No flaming but I will just throw my tuppence in as I have a 1098s. When I first had it, it had a few gremlins but aside from a Desmo service it’s been pretty reasonable cost wise, considering all work is done by a mechanic. He’s never said it’s hard to work on and I truly believe if it’s well Maintained it won’t need much aside from servicing. As for the riding experience, it’s a roomy bike (I’m 5’11”) but can be a bit wristy (not to the point of real discomfort IME). It’s an absolute weapon and the connection with it and the noise it makes is amazing. I’ve had a 959 and for a twin I’d take the 1098 over that just for that visceral experience.
