Is the 1199 too much?

They said the Z1 was too much. Then they said the CBX1000 was too much. Then the GSXR, then the Fireblade, then the R1...

Too much is never enough.

 

Wait until you crack the throttle over 8k

 

That 195bhp will probably prove to be a real 170-ish, and you've got a whole host of rider aids to stop you making an ass of yourself. Perhaps you're too young to remember the jap superbikes of the early eighties. Sure they only made 80-100bhp, but they put that power through wobbly chassis and bmx-thin bakelite tyres and matchstick forks. If you didn't push the front end into the nearest ditch you'd death-weave yourself into the armco if you didn't show them respect. The Pantygirdle is safer than anything from that era, it's one of the safest bikes around.

Come and take my old Le Mans for a fast ride - that'll make your arse twitch...

 

Why are you thinking of buying the bike if you have concerns about whether it will be too much for you....doesn't seem like a confidence booster to start with.

No one on here's opinion is going to matter really as they aren't riding it you are, as ET said its your hand controlling the throttle.

Seems pretty straight forward either don't buy one or if you do take your time until you feel more comfortable with it and the fear factor subsides or choose something less aggressive

 

You can kill yourself hitting a tree going 65mph on a 125 scooter. The same tree as you cruise by on the Panigale not being a twat poses the same threat.

I've just signed up for a KTM 1290 which is allegedly too much bike but with all the rider aids in place on modern bikes, I'd say it's safer than most bike 20years plus old.

More importantly, who wants to get to their later years thinking they missed out? That said, for UK riding conditions, the 899 is easily as much bike as you need. The argument is more about intended use.

 

Just remember this, the throttle works both ways !

 

I've borrowed a 1199s for a few hours last year from a local dealer as I was gonna swap my 848. I've ridden a 1098 before and it didn't bother me , but I found the 1199 far too much for the road. I've spoke to a few people since and they all agreed that its a handful. I could ride it, and I admit I enjoyed the bike . But the fact you had to concentrate so hard on not doing 100mph plus everywhere was annoying as it was so easy. I actually spent 30 mins riding in wet mode and I enjoyed that more than full fat mode as I felt like I was trying harder to get the most from the bike. In sport mode I couldn't keep the front wheel planted whatever I did in the first 4 gears. I weigh 82 kgs so not too heavy. I've chosen to leave the 1199 and look for a 899 this next year.

 

Its too much money thats for sure. Its at least £5k overpriced throughout the normal range. Plus its ugly imo but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

If you are asking on a forum if a bike is too much for you powerwise then it probably is. As you've obviously got some self doubts about it. Anyhoo, on the road anything over 100bhp is mostly unused unless you are a nutjob or a racer. Personally I think the 899 is the better bike. The swingarm makes it look nicer oddly enough.

I'm biased as I think the 1199 is a bit of a mullet.

 

The 1199 may have 195hp but they are very controllable horses, the bike doesn't intimidate IMHO. This is from a relatively short test ride in far from ideal conditions by a rider who claims no great expertise. It doesn't scream "I'm gonna kill you" all the time. It is up to you how fast and where you go.

 

That exhaust is seriously hot

 

I don't own one but I have test ridden one. I found it an absolute pussycat below 8K - and a rabid monster above. Way too much for the road IMHO - I think you'd have more fun more of the time on a 899.

 

I took mine to Donington Park last year and it was the most intense experience I have had on a bike on track, the power is addictive, it was hard work because of the power but I enjoyed it immensely, I went faster round there than on any of my race bikes in the past and this was in road trim, a 1m41s as I recall. Is it too much ?, no because on the road it was just good fun as you don't have to use the power all the time, attempting to ride at your own limits on track may make you think otherwise but you can always shut the throttle or put it in a lower power mode if you cant trust yourself