I have my 1st ever test ride tomoz on the 1299 panigale , and next week on the 2015 R1 so getting closer to a decision , really looking forward to riding the 1299 , i have narrowed it down to the 899, 1299, or 2015 R1 ,although they have some cracking deals on the 1199s , having test rode the blade , bmw s1000rr , i found them to be excellent bikes but boring and a little characterless Bring on the panigale
Really looking forward to it , i won't be rushing my final choice though as this will be a real treat so want to get it right
Enjoy! I found the S1000RR to be almost too much for the road. I've ridden the R1 and the 1199 & thought the same too. I know that this comment will be subject to the standard "you're poor"; "you're riding an inferior bike" etc, but: I honestly found the 899 to be the best of everything. It's sublime on the road and definitely more bike than I need. Good luck buddy! I hope you choose a Duke - whatever the model. You won't be disappointed!
1299 F**k F**K F**K what a bike the DQS is awesome and the torque is fantastic , the stock exhaust is well , fucking great sound , i could listen to that all day . Very comfy for a sportsbike , traffic just comes and goes in an instance . The power is far to much for the road , but then so are most bikes Would need to change the seat as i didn't like the stock one , and hopefully a different screen . Took me a good 30minutes to get on with it as i am not used to V Twins , i was trying to ride it like an inline 4 but i will defo be going on another test to be sure , but i have the R1 booked in for next saturday , that has got alot to live up to compared to the Panigale . They had a 899 which might be a contender to , think a v twin is the way to go
I have not discounted the 899 but would wait till they come out with a special edition of that model . I am in no rush as i want to make the right choice as probably the last sportsbike i shall purchase
Sounds like you are in a similar position to me. I want one last sportsbike hurrah too. Love my Multi and could not give it up and also have a 748 and dont really want to lose that either. I've tried the S1000RR and was very impressed. I actually think its a better all round bike than the Panigales but just doesn't have that wow factor. You could commute, tour and race one but would never open the garage door and see it with any element of real joy. The 1299 was epic too and so much better than the 1199 i test rode. But still can't get away from the fact its a lot of cash to spend on a 2nd bike. The 899 makes more sense in nearly every way. I'm in no rush either and will wait to see if there is an updated 899 for next year. Add an autoblipper, a bit more torque and a TFT colour screen and i would be sold straight away. Not tried the R1 as no one close seems to have a demo bike. Interestingly I also found the 1299 seat a literal pain in the ass, yet the 1199 wasn't. Strange.
Totally agree 899 does make more sense but updated version would be for me , if not then the 1299 is the one at the end or beginning of next year , it has pure character and looks the best bike out there but so do most ducati's I am off to wigan yamaha to test ride the R1, but on yer bike Aylesbury are getting a demo very soon , don't mind travelling as it's riding i enjoy , and also it's a big financial decision to be made and i don't want to regret it The 1299s would be the oe for me but would need to save more pennies for the extra over standard model but it would make more sense , but i havenot discounted the R1 yet.......................
Did 200 miles yesterday on my 1299 and the seat was no issue (stopping for fuel). Its angled better towards the narrow tank than the 899 I had so for some reason easier to move to a more upright position for longer rides. Also the grippy pedals are such an improvement. There is more heat coming through the seat than the 899 but it was frickin hot yesterday. If the r1 had torque like this and an up/down qs I still wouldn't go for it because I can't stand the looks; also its twice as much to insure for some reason.
