I've had a few Ducati's, belt 750ss, 851sp3 and a belt 900ss being refurbished. I've been riding for over 40 years and learnt 4 cylinder sports bikes aren't really for me, mainly because I end up doing 140 mph everywhere. I didn't have that problem with the 851sp3 even though in its day it was thought of as high performance. Can you ride a 1299 under 100mph and still enjoy it, or will its nature take me into the stratosphere all the time. Don't get me wrong, speed is fun I just want a bike I can enjoy at legal and illegal speeds. Think the Multi is just too big (I have an ElectraGlide that gives me big) and the Diavel doesn't enthrall. Comments? Jon
If I'm honest no it lacks torque even compared to a 848. However it rides brilliantly even if I'm not fussed with its looks. 1199 lacks grunt low down too but goes crazy at 7k revs which makes it awkward on the road to ride at semi legal speeds. I believe 1299 is massively better in this respect but I doubt it's gonna be fun until it gets to silly speeds as it's still a 200 Hp bike let's not forget.
I'm still running mine in. It does not like 30mph, but will still offer fun under 80. I'm thinking of going up 2 teeth on the rear, but only because I'm getting new wheels anyway. The torque is great and it handles. Up and down shifter is loads of fun. I really like it. It is easy to stray over the limit, but getting to that point is great fun.
The 851sp3 was a bit "difficult" at slow speeds especially in the wet when it would tend to spin up unless you feathered the clutch. Pleased you're enjoying it. Jon
Another shout for the 899. Gives you the thrills and loves being revved. Plenty of fun to be had below 100.
Traction control is really good. Not tested it in anger, but when in wet mode I could see it flash several times, only realised as I happened to be looking at the dash.
I've had the 1299 over 3000miles now and it is awesome, I had the 848 evo for 4yrs racking up 9000miles, it was a great bike that done everything well. The 1299 does it really well, it's a personal preference though, jumping from an 848 to an 899 wasn't for me. You'll enjoy the bike you have for what it can do an learn to get the best out of it.
@burndownthediscos, Have you tried the 1198 as well? If so how is the 1299 compared to 1198 when commuting?
Went from an 848 to an 899, loved the bike but after 2years of it I was missing the scariness the 848 had. I like to feel alive on a bike and by the end of my tenure with the 899 I was ragging it all the time. Moved on to a 1299 and I like the fact you have to respect it, I missed that.
Went from 899 to 1299, better in every way. Blipper makes all the difference. Its easier to keep legal for me anyway because I'm not revving it's nuts off every occasion like I was with the 899.
Awesome i have gone from BMW s1000rr to the 1299. I love my s1000rr and it's totally ballistic 190 bhp+ so easy to use did everything touring spirited rides the lot. The 1299 is a lot more involving i'm only revving up to 8000 at the minute but it is fun so far. I still can't believe how loud the akra's are i have a full system on the BMW and it now sound like a hair dryer to the 1299. I cant decide which one to take to spain/france this year i need to see what the heat will be like. Only thing i can say I've noticed is that at 30 you cant really go higher than 2nd or 5th at 70 but that might be me learning a twin.
I've tried the 1198 but not commuting. I wouldn't really even consider trying to commute on it. In fact the panigales are the first Ducati sports bikes I found tolerable in heavy traffic filtering.
