i would have kept original pipes and tail and kept it all red. Just hope the frame stands up to that lump as TL have one hell of a frame
I've just put Grip Puppies on my 999 - largely on the the strength of Sam1199's recommendation (Sam of the 1199 in Spain travelogue). The trick with the 999 shape is to try to take the weight off your wrists through body positioning but sometimes you cannot avoid it. The 'Puppies have taken the pain out of this by eliminating vibration through the bars and otherwise cushioning my hands and wrists on longer rides. The combination of body position (work those abs!) and 'Puppies us a winner in my view.
I have to applaud your bravery, commuting on a 999/749... I used to commute into London on an RGV250 but soon swapped that for a VFR750 which was much more bearable as a daily ride but I found that by the weekend I couldn't face even putting on my leathers. In short, it took all the fun out of riding a bike and didn't really fall in love with it again until I stopped commuting and took the VFR for a couple of long touring trips in Europe, where it really shone. I hope you still have some enthusiasm and energy to take the 749 out for a spin at the weekend... Enjoy!
I love cars just as much as bikes, the weekend will be all about me and my golf r, so all my fine by bike will be on the way to work at back really
Wow. That looks totally mental. Have to agree though, im just not digging the seat unit and exhaust pipes, I think id have also put a 748 tail unit on it and some under seat cans.
Hi guys i have not been on here for some time to let you know how i got on with the 749 on the way to work. So i rode 90 miles a day for 2 weeks, in the 2nd week on Friday i put the bike up for sale and it was picked up with cash Friday night!!! I could not and would not tell anyone it is a good idea to ride a ducati 749 to work every day!!! It was the most pain i have ever had in my life lol I loved the bike, the looks and nods i got with it but to use it every day its just not for me, i got me a GSXR 750 K5 and im well happy. Range on the duke was not very good and had to fill up every day also. Very sad to have to let it go but at least i can say i owned one!
I commuted on my 749 for 9yrs, put close to 30k miles on it. Was/is absolutely fine. Are you tucking in at 30mph? I sit with my cobblers at the tank so find the riding position quite upright. (Repeating what I said before )
Im not very Tall, Im 5.10 and as you said sat right up on the tank but it was just not for me. The gsxr seat is softer and i can sit more upright than on the duke. Most of the pain was in my shoulders, i am a keen gym goer (4 times a week) and have a very big shoulders, back and arms. Maybe this has something to do with it?
I've ridden the GSXR750 back to back with my 999 - the Gixxer is like a comfy armchair in comparison. I am about 6ft. That said, my body has been trained to bend itself into a 999 shape and I'll happily commute on it. It's not uncommon for me to cover 250mi in a day or 500mi in a weekend, just hooning around. You just have to commit to it and train your body to cope. Not everyone wants to do this though, fair play for giving it a go.
Back in 2006-8 I did the reverse west London to Essex commute for 2 years on my old 749. Rode it in all conditions sun, rain and even once in snow! Sergeant seat helped comfort wise and ACF50 is wonderful stuff for stopping corrosion - bike looked good as new after 18,000 miles of London roads.
