I am in awe of this project, congratulations to you for your ongoing commitment and dedication, it must take a toll, not just financially but emotionally as well, well done to you
I was lucky to see and hear Kope's bike thunder round Brands earlier in the year, and had my 851 pictured alongside it... http://ducatiforum.co.uk/f16/ducati-bloodline-851-1199-a-12506/
Dad ! there you are ! Yes indeed .. it was a great pleasure to meeet you and see the bike roll up to the garage. the pics we took are amongst my preferred. It gives it all a sense of history in these borderline-times.
patient in for some serious heart surgery and physio As announced the bike is on UK soil now . Doctor Moore checking in the patient for some serious heart surgery better valves and clearing of the lungs... also knees and elbows will get the royal treatment... so: of to 194bhp at the wheel or only 5 less than the BSB bike... but most of all : much more grunt and a throttle that will maximaise the torque line coming out of bends.. and team Rapido's Ohlins UK guys will revise the FGR's and TTX and a spring of 100kg will be mounted to start with Extremely enjoyable day in Winchester with Steve taking the time to talk engine, mappings, electronics and setup for 3 hours. His will to share and explain deserves full thumbs up... you got to love the guy... I drove the 400 miles back home happy as a fiddle knowing that the bike will finally be at its very best when it get's back. It should be mission accomplished and get some serious focus on setup and rider development.
Is this the most pampered Pani outside of a professional race team? Can't imagine that anyone else has been to those lengths. Inspirational!
I have really enjoyed reading this and always keep coming back to check for updates, if only i was 6" shorter i would have bought one instead of my multistrada (which i love!). Just one thing what is your ultimate goal? is it lap times? the prestige of having one of the ultimate Panigales? or just because you can? i know i would if i could! keep up the good work
Ahhhhh, Winnall Trading Estate - know it well as it's near to where I used to live in Hampshire....... seems a far far away place to where I am sat in Iraq just now but fond memories! Fantastic to see the bike there and a bit weird to think my SL will be there having similar treatment in 6 months time! Awesome - just awesome.
Hi bob, got a MTS myself for the travelling stuf - Scotland grand tour last year - and i call it my faithfull Hidalgo. Love it thouroughly.. The reason i do this for sure has to do with indulging... it' not many times that people can do exactly what they want. Or do it as well as they want it.. there is certainly a sense of urgency at 54 so it is midlife. I just can't see it as a crisis... i am trying to build something quit special and then try to do it justice by doing what it is intended to do. Like a horse needs to be able to run and be ridden. And then again, do that well . Not only to my own limits but preferably up to a point that holds some respect if looked upon in a absolute way. So i'm pushing the bike up to what it can be. In fact that will be a sort of reasonable mans RS. Or future EVO WSBK bike. And one that appeals to my own taste of beauty. And that carries signs of its heritage/bloodline in an understated way. As i envy those who have the handskills and craftmanship to actually hold spanners themselves and am all too aware of my limitations in that field , i find great pleasure in finding, rapporting and working with people who are at the top of their craft , share ideas, try to understand what it is all about and just plainly enjoy their enthusiasm and company. I also enjoy the intensity of the project as it draws me in ever further and totally frees my mind. And find myself very much at home in the Mortorcycle community that is so much more accessible and people friendly than the car world .. that's the reason why i ride home happily for 400 miles after a day with Steve and Luc. For they don't come much more knowledgable on Panis the way Steve does. And having been able to get in so deep trying to understand how it all works - Steve gave us THE explenation and impact of switching from P to F on general setup as no book ever could have , and now gaining the respect form those who do , has brought and brings a great feel of achievement. Same for riding. its something i know i can do - i'm not totally devout from talent - but have to be very methodical about to progress.. and then again, i so great to be able to do her at least a bit of justice. an not having to be the 'all the gear but no idea' guy in the paddock... apparantly is going so well, my buddies asked if i would join them to ride the 6hours of Spa race together. so the ultimate goal/peak moment is now to mount that 6H project. As the bike will be ready/finished by feb, then riderdevelopment will start at Barcelona and spain with a very methodological approach to riding and data analyses - a training/test schedule will be set up with focus on SPA, with the highlight in august! So yes i want the succes to be measurable. I know i want to see some laptimes on a board. id like to hit 2:45 at least once. not because of the time it self... most of them will be doing 2:36 - but i know that time will come from a very good bike and the best rider i'll be able to be... and just looking at her makes my spine tingle. and, as there are no 2 of her, it gives a sense of creation. probably the kind of feeling painters or artists get.. And of course i do it because i know i can. This is not something i could ever do half-heartedly or frustrated.. that is why i hold the greatest respect for those like - this year BOTY competitor - Nuttynick, who craft wonderfull creations within the confinement of budgets. Something i'm less limited by... It's Nuttynick ' creation that will get my vote by the way
After our visit yesterday , i couldn't be more convinced it's the very rigth place for her to go... be careful out there ! look at your mail ! there s somthing for you in there...
Kope999R thank you very much for the detailed reply, i am sure you have been an inspiration to many and i have no doubt the envy of many of us too! keep up the good work i will be checking back as always. hmmmm now what do i fancy building..... better wait for the kids to leave i suppose! good luck with your race i am looking forward to seeing the pictures and you letting us know if you managed to 'crack' the 2.45 barrier.
You really shouldn't post up stuff saying Wilf is friendly and helpful and pics showing that he actually is. Its taken him years to build his rep, and there you go boshing it ;-) lol
Kope, I enjoyed your write up of why you've built the Pani. But, really, you needn't have bothered to explain yourself. I doubt very much whether there is one of us here, who wouldn't have done what you have done, if we could. But thank you anyway.
Brads .. Your sense of humor is truly wicked ! But as our yankee breathern would say : " i catch your drift " .. Tx for making me laugh this hard .. Kisses .. Kope lol lol lol
Rapido only up the road from me, next time youre over drop me a line and i'll take you for a Costa ;-)
