The reason I went for a lighter colour is because it worked better with the natural off white of the Ducati Track panels at the gaps. You either need to chose a colour/scheme that works with the joins or paint the fairings to suit. Some more pics here: https://www.instagram.com/jolley_good_life/
I saw one today and had a sit on it. They had an R next to it, which is what I’m used to riding, so I could jump between the two and compare. The tank is a much better shape. Probably my favourite improvement to the bike. The display is great, the wheels are nice, styling looks better in person than in photos, the throttle has absolutely zero slop, which is a big improvement. The seat is good as well. Lots to like about it. Some accessories aren’t badly priced and the bike itself isn’t terribly priced for what it offers, but the exhaust price in particular is utterly ridiculous and inexcusable. I guess you could track one with the OEM exhaust - no idea how that affects heat when using it on track. Also, you can only have the software for slicks with the full exhaust. All the bikes on the recent test for reviewers had OEM exhaust and slicks though, so maybe you can just throw slicks on a stock bike and it’s fine.
I noticed the tank. Back more to a 999 shape, narrower at the back and a bit steeper. Gives someone with short legs like me more of a chance to hang off. The bodywork, in particular the nose, has a few subtle curves that didn’t translate to the early photos. The curves on top of the nose remind me of the Desmosedici. I’ve been running a 2022 on track all year with a standard exhaust and slick tyres without any problems at all, and I doubt the 2025 will be any different.
As a casual observer that absolutely stinks. Clearly the bike is aimed at the track and it’s like they are semi insistent on making you spend a ridiculous sum in an exhaust system. Wrong on so many levels.
The software for slick and rain tyres is already a thing on the current bikes, it is the Evo2 & Evo3 software they charge £5-600 for. However, that is just recalibrated for better performance and in no way means you cannot use the existing bikes perfectly well on track with slick tyres. I am sure this is a similar story.
Good to know regarding the exhaust and running slicks. The tank shape will definitely make a difference. The low exit ‘race’ exhaust option still takes 6kg off the bike and is less than 4,000 Euros. The base with DDL and TPMS (could be a nice time-saver for the money) running the OEM exhaust would be ok in terms of cost. The track fairings from DP have always been decent value in my opinion - good quality, barely any prep required for painting and they fit, plus you get the light replacement bits. I don’t think the forged wheels are badly priced either. I expect my GB Racing engine covers from the previous model will also fit the new model and I have a spare lithium battery. No need for any carbon or other bling bits. As much as I love my R, I could still sell it for what I paid (if not then as near as damnit), as I got it for quite a bit less than retail, and do so before the big money service is due. It could make some sort of sense. Maybe. Awesome bike though. I’m wondering how decent the Sachs / Showa suspension on the base model is. I suspect it has been discussed somewhere on the forum, maybe once or twice… I guess upgrading the shock would be the most benefit. Over 4,000 Euros more just to get the electronic suspension on the S. Upgrading the base wouldn’t be far off that though. Maybe the S starts to make sense even if using as a track bike. I expect the weight difference between base and S is pretty much down to wheels and the battery.
Looking at the configurator, it seems you can only buy their ridiculously priced fixed-peg rearsets if you have the full Akrapovic. Hopefully it won’t take long for aftermarket to get up to speed.
