So it was a sad day on Tuesday when I said goodbye to my 1199. It's gone to a good home, someone from here, so that's cool. And today I picked up this as its replacement. It's a 2013 899 on a 63 plate, one owner, 2600 miles with Termi cans, Evotech tail tidy and genuine Panigale R decals (although I'm not sure if they'll be staying!) It's pretty much mint but yeah, not sure about the decals. The guy was sticker crazy, if you believe the stickers then it has an Ohlins rear shock and steering damper too It has some nasty stickers on the rims too which will be coming straight off also. I had a few reasons to want to swap from a 1199 to an 899. One being that it has helped free up a little cash for my screen protector project and secondly I never really felt like I was making the most of the 1199, it was almost wasted on me. I'd like to feel a little more like I'm ringing the bikes neck a little, which is pretty much impossible on the 1199 on the road. So yeah, here it is. Hope you like P.S - How do I get rid of that bloody yellow coloured in Pirelli logo?!?
Wait... I'm confused, didn't u literally fit a Nitron shock a few weeks ago? Anyway nice bike, the shock looks like it has has the rear shock looked at judging by the sticker on it?
Ah, okay, was gonna say, the rear shock definitely lets the 899 down IMHO. I've had mine rebuilt by MCT to fix an issue with it locking out, and it's transformed the bike. Why the change to the 899?
The 1199 is just too quick mate to put it simply. It's a peaky engine and to have fun on it you're doing silly speeds. Plus the way it's worked out means I can put a little money into moving my screen protector project on a bit.
Sounds great, was kinda my feeling with the 1199, when it started to get fun the power comes in with a big step and your going silly really quick! The 899 is still quite revvy for sure but a little more manageable, will be interested in your opinion on the difference in handling as the chassis geometry is obv different and the thinner rear tyre, although I guess the 899 is a touch heavier
I actually had a bloke say to me today that he thought I was on a 1299 when he was trying to chase me at brands because he couldn't catch me on his 1199. Great bikes but I agree with what you have said.
Don't get me wrong, I'm going to miss the 1199 and the way it was always egging me on/wanting to kill me. [emoji23] They are great bikes, but bloody bonkers! Some people like that, but for me I wasn't enjoying it as much as I should have been. Great to be able to say I had one though [emoji106]
Matt that is a cracking bike. Personally I love the R decals as it gives it a mean streak. I believe the only way to get rid of the yellow Pirelli logo is to get a white paint pen. Maybe others no a different way.
I wouldn't want white either! I might take a Sharpie to it and see if that helps. Yeah I'm still not convinced on the R decals. I just don't want people to come up to it thinking it's an R, only to be disappointed that it's an 899 [emoji23]
That's my only issues with the decals, they look superb, but will people think it's like taking a escort and putting cosworth stickers on haha
Looks good with very tasteful decals apart from the tire area, I'd get that all cleared up. My 1199s is standard but I want to remove the red wheel strip thingies as I want the wheel area all black. On the subject of living with the 1199, I know what you mean. My first ride was in wet mode, second in 195lo and nothing but 195hi for me now. I just love cracking it open in 2nd and 3rd. I couldn't give that up.
I've just taken it for a run through Cheddar Gorge and I'm parked up with it at the moment... This bike is cracking. For me I think the 899 power is perfect, I had a smile on my face the whole way here. Few things I miss about the 1199 though: 1) Slipper clutch. I didn't think I'd really notice, but I've had the back end waving around a couple of times so far. Need to adjust my riding style for that! 2) Brakes. The 899 has good brakes, but the 1199 had epic brakes! Other than that it's fantastic, I definitely feel quicker and smoother on this, not braking as heavily before the corners and I think I'm carrying more speed through them, but that could be new bike syndrome rather than fact! So far no regrets. Right, best get back home before it starts to rain!
It's the throttle response, 195bhp with a slightly tame, less aggressive throttle and 195bhp with a more responsive throttle. And yes the 1199 has wet/sport and race but you can go into the menu and customise the modes.
So is that the same as changing the engine setting in each mode on the 899 and 1299? I've just never seen that terminology used before. I've got engine in high in race and sport and medium in wet.
Yes it is, when you go into the menu you have a choice of 120, 195lo and 195hi. That's the 1199, not sure about the 899.
