Diavel is incredible to ride. That led strip on headlight makes it look ugly at front but rest is great. I would sell R, Bimota and get Diavel & streetfighter S.
there I am looking at reducing the number of bikes in the garage, and you're trying to tempt me to buy more ! :smile: have to say, having slept on it, that equation is looking like a winner, heart winning over head at the moment.
Sell the D16 and the Bimota, dont buy the Diavel and get as many engine spares as you can for the 998R. Spend the money taking it to as many circuits abroad as you can and ride it until you cant ride it any more. Simple There's always another viewpoint
Dial me in for Diavel (brilliant bike - so much fun to ride and your reasoning is spot on) D16 - obviously. The most fun and surely a rock solid investment 998R - bound to be a classic (if it isn't already). Another great investment and surely the big V-Twin makes a good alternative to the V4? Chop in the V-Due for the Diavel. It doesn't even matter much if the 998R isn't accumulating many miles. It will surely be accumulating ££ soon. One thing is sure: you always regret selling your bikes some time down the road. If you can't afford not to, don't. (There will even come a time when you rue the departure of the V-Due, but appreciate you can't keep everything.)
The V-Due will be going 'cos I can only realistically get three bikes in the garage ( and no, I'm not going to build an extension or banish the wife's pride and joy car to the driveway). Also I've loved owning the Bim, but am ok about letting it go. The 998 is definitely another matter.
It's a difficult one. I've sold both bikes and cars that I sorely regret and have rocketed in value,(£15K for an F1 and the same for a BMW E30 M3, shouldn't have sold either). In my humble worthless opinion, the 998R will always hold its value well. The D16 will fall to a price then settle. I think future owners will be put off by the sheer rarity of the bike, it's body parts, and engine spares. The cost of such would stop me from buying one out of fear of chucking it down the road. I know we all have insurance for such events but if you can’t get the parts or the cost is prohibited you’re left with an expensive ornament. I’d keep the 998R, buy a Diavel, then maybe look at something like a nice SP 888.
In truth parts for the 998R aren't that easy ( sandcast cases, CF fairings) to get I'd have thought, but understand what you're saying. I'm leaning towards just flogging the Bim at the moment
Keep the 998 I think you will regret it once it's gone from your garage. We don't want to say told you so in a few weeks time
The 998 is staying for the time being, decided it wasn't right to part with it for a Diavel, but who knows in the future what Ducati may bring out (1199R ?). Anyway went to test ride a Diavel this morning (also a streetfighter, which was excellent, but too similar to what I already have, and I'm looking for something a little more laid back/contrast to the D16 & the 998). First impression was weird, front end felt vague and the riding position weird, which wasn't a surprise after god knows how many years riding sports bikes (having said that it was reminiscent of my old Yamaha XJR1300, which I really liked). Once I got my head round the fact that I needed to change style and relax into the ride, with a lighter touch and not fight the bike it all started to come together and I started to really enjoy the ride. As my confidence in the front end grew so did the speed and the lean angle. Boy is the engine good,as are the brakes. The gearbox on the demo bike was a bit clunky sometimes, but that could have been me not being as smooth as usual. In sport mode it picks up really well and hustles along, touring mode is also a hoot, but urban mode is dull (reduces power to 100bhp), but in fairness I didn't do any town work. I soon found myself grinning like an idiot, and to be honest feeling a bit like Judge Dredd. When I got home, the wife asked if I was going to buy one and I said "yes, think it'll be a laugh"................so I did, the bike below will be coming home next week ! It's at JHP at the moment so if anyone goes to the open day, please give it a pat for me. Full report when I've had a proper play, "I AM THE LAW" (said in Sly Stallone voice)
Steve I would not say SF is similar to what you have but each to his own Diavel is great bike. I only now realised you are correct regarding judge Dredd's bike. Just remember you are not the judge, the jury and the executioner
Only meant in terms of I would feel the need to thrash the wotsits off the SF most of the time. As for Black widows, I'm more Black and White minstrels myself
