As a newbie to Ducati ownership I did wonder initially if I'd done the right thing in buying the Duc instead of another Jap litre bike, as it seemed a very tough and focused ride. And talking to TobyTyke the other night, before we went for a run round the Peak District, he told me that he'd felt the same way years ago when he first bought his 998 , so it seems I was not alone in thinking like that. Anyway after the first week of ownership I think I'm getting there. Having done 670 plus miles in the first week now the aches and pains have all but disappeared, and it seems that the "problem" was that I'm now using different muscles in my wrists, arms and back than I have ever used before when riding. :tongue: I've been running it in so I have been keeping the revs down to the manufacturers recommendation so far (that's a first too cos I've never ever run-in a Jap IL4 before). And initially it seemed ever so lumpy at low revs but I now seem to be able to manage it so it's not as lumpy. The engine seems to have loosened up a lot too which makes it seem a lot smoother. Undoubtedly the fun starts at 4k revs so I cant wait to be able to wind it on once the first service is done next weekend. :biggrin: The ride and handling so far have been excellent. Very comfortable and it is most definitely very planted when riding round bends. Which is a joy and very confidence inspiring and has drawn me into doing some serious roundabout surfing these past couple of days :smile: I've tried to do variety of runs this past week to try and understand it's foibles - from riding twisties out in the country, doing motorways, and even riding round a busy city centre - all have been enjoyable in their own way. Added to which Daisy is gorgeous to look at too. Everybody that's seen her has said so too (including my bro yesterday and he's a bloody design snob :biggrin Have I made the right decision switching to Daisy Duc? I think I have :biggrin:
Oh yes indeed you have made the right decision bud. Done 1800 miles on mine and just about there with it. My only regret has been not getting one sooner. Perfection is an 848 in my eyes and I can't get enough of riding it looking at it :smile:
Too right you have tel!!!!!! And troy your welcome to join us any time mate , tel how did you find the pace and route the other night ??? I thought emm did really well ..... Track day next!!!!!!
Emm did a great job and the pace was just fine for a first get together. We can make it a bit "brisker" when we get to know each others riding style and capabilities in due course :biggrin:
Bought my first Ducati, a 5 year old 748 BIP from my mate 10 year ago. Hated it after the first week, had the "for sale" advert wrote out. Mate called round to see how I was getting on with it. He convinced me to give it at least 500 mile, and then see what I thought. 10 year and 6 Ducati later .... Can't see me going back to a jap bike.
Hmmmm, very interesting question. the first ride was rather love hate, loved it around the A82 / A85 past Loch Lomond, was ok with it on the motorway. Hated it when it started to get hot through paisley in the traffic, and making my wrists and hands ache from the stupid foam grips which exaggerated the heavy clutch, and was unsure about the vibration. As time progressed I loved it more and more, I'm now utterly in love with it. They do need careful setting up, and are not as 'plug and play' as a jap bike but the rewards are far greater when you get used to them. Play with tyre pressures, suspension settings and riding style (you need to be a lot less deliberate - just look where you want to go, and the bike goes there) and you will find a sweet spot. If you fiddle with suspension note down what you change, in case you muck it up. Chain tension and spark plug condition can turn the bike into a mobile jackhammer when it should be reasonably smooth when set up properly - this makes a massive difference to rider enjoyment on these bikes. Something as simple as a tight dry chain and soft tyres can make a Ducati absolutely hideous to ride.
Don't think you ever get to grips with them. Just when you think you have they throw something else at you Bloody love them though
Due to injuries etc I'm still learning mine, but Christ I love her! Never had a bike that made me grin so much. Can't wait to get these stitches out and pray we keep some dry weather so I can put some serious miles under her wheels.
Well moving from the 750ss to a 749, I have to get to grips with the bike all over again! I thought that I was getting there with the 750ss but nearly every ride I was finding out something new and learning about it's capabilities. I was always looking forward to riding it whether it be commuting or just a blatt around.
3 ride outs!! Still Getting used to the lumpy set off in first gear but oh man I'm loving my ducati princess! @ Tel the pace is sure gonna get brisker I'll just turn my scala set off so I haven't got his nibs telling me "slow down sharp bend chick!!" think he's just worried ill get my knee down before him!! ;-) V twins all the way for me!
After years of Jap IL4's, I swapped my '01 R1 for the '97 748 Bip, much to the dismay of my friends & wife, on the intial test ride, I did wonder why they were so special, it was vibey, really rattled and felt completly alien....I was seduced by the sheer exclusivity (compared to the R1) and the red paint - so a deal was done. When I first took the old girl on my favourite roads, it took a while to get used to the revs, engine braking etc but the way it went round corners made everything came together. Approximately 300 miles and I was hooked, noise, cornering and vibes! 2 years and 6k later, don't want an IL4 unless its for motorway commuting. I did about 150 miles today, its just bloody awesome!
My first big V-twin was a TL1000S (save for a couple of Moto Guzzis), and it was a bit of a culture shock after a diet of mostly jap multis. But it was love at the first twist of the throttle and I've had mostly V-twins since. I've had fast'uns - the TL, an RSV, and use of my brother's 1098S, but I don't crave the power any more. The old 2-valvers have struck a chord with me and I love them, because I can find the bike's limits rather than the bike finding mine. I never got all this old pish about character until I got my ST2; all bikes have character of sorts, but the ST2 had a distinct personality, like a faithful dog, while the fuglystrada is more cat-like, more self-centred and sulky, but far more agile. My next bike will almost certainly be another V-twin, but I can't decide between a Monster 1100 or a Griso. Or a Superduke. Maybe an RC8...
After having a diet of Jap IL4's I fianlly saw the light and bought my SS 10 years ago. Took me an age to get used to the riding position and the heavy clutch but the seeds were sown, and 2 years later added the 916. That however took a lot of getting used to as the two bikes are like chalk and cheese in the way they feel on the road but I wouldn't swapp them for anything. They're both keepers.
Honestly? I think i'm still getting to grips with mine after 2 1/2 years. She still catches me out every now and then, though when i get it right it's so much better than my old gixer's were. I knew my days on IL4's were done though once i had a test ride on an 848 with full termignoni system. Had such a stupid grin on my face afterwards and just didn't want to ride the GSXR
Loved the 999s as soon as I rode it home.... Felt like a rocket compared to my old zxr636 and the noise was the cherry on top
