Hello First of all seems like a great forum so kudos to all involved. have been reading a few posts and seem to be very helpful and informative. I test rode a 1299 for a few hours last week and came back thinking I have to get a ducati was completely blown away with the whole experience. The dilemma I have is I was originally set on test riding a 1199 s Tricolore which looks beautifull but had a battery issue so they gave me the 1299 to go out on instead. I ended up putting a deposit down on the tricolore as i didn't want it to go and there had been a lot of interest. I go back to test that this week. I wondered from those who have ridden both how much difference there is. I have only been riding a few years on a street triple and then a gsxr 750 k7. The bike will get a mix of road miles and some track days. Then there is the 959 which seems to offer a nice mix for the road. Just interested to hear some of your thoughts Thanks and Hello Lyndon
Personally I think u will get more out of a 959 than a 1199, the 1199 might frustrate u on the road as they have a lot of power but kinda in a big hit at the top of the revs. The 959 will be much easier to get on top of. Many who have bought the 1299 say it's much easier to ride and smoother, so my list would be 1)959 2)1299 3)1199 tricolour The money u save on a 959 u could spend getting a custom suspension set up dialled into your personal weight and it will be spot on!
I'd rather sit on a cactus than open my garage to see the exhaust they've stuck on the 959 1299 for me as a all rounder
Clearly you're not put off by the 959's exhausts, so I'd say the 959 would be the best road bike out of the three, but the 1299 is universally loved by those who have ridden and owned them. Depends on your budget. I think if money isn't a concern get the 1299, but if saving a few quid would be a bonus then the 959 is all the bike you'd ever really need. The 1199 Tricolore would be my personal third choice in both scenarios.
Thanks for replies, will try and take both out this weekend, Interested to see how different 1199 is as its a thing of beauty and the one I can't get out my head haha, it went for a 1299 would have to be the base model I think due to monies
Personally I would still probably go with a 1199s over a base 1299, it's REALLY close between them but I would get more from the better suspension I think
959 and buy a system for it unless your name is Chaz or Shakey! 959 is about right for the road and enough for the track
Me, biased, never? But then again I haven't ridden a 1299. I couldn't stomach the cans on a 959 so I haven't ridden that either. Don't listen to anyone on here. Go and ride them all and follow your heart.
For me it would be 1299, 899, 959, 1199, but test ride as many as you can before parting with your cash, you'll know the one you prefer as soon as you ride it. Don't get too hung up on engine size, 899 / 959 have more than enough power for the road and in some ways its nice being able to use more of the power, more of the time if you get my drift. They are all fabulous bikes, check insurance costs on the larger capacity bikes, you'll thoroughly enjoy whatever you get!
Having ridden them all and owned an 899 and now a 1299 I am a bit biased towards the 1299. If you don't have to commute or ride in traffic the 1199S would be fine. Are you physically fit? The 1299 I found gave me more time to enjoy riding than trying to control the 1199 into and out of corners. If the 959 had been available when I needed a bike and had the auto-blipper fitted I would have been tempted. Shameless plug (again, sorry folks) - I made a video about the first 1000 miles on the 1299. Two others going up very soon. Buy a 1299 you won't regret it. Someone will be along soon to tell you differently though.
Thanks for feedback guys, appreciate it will get out this weekend on the others hopefully and make a decision, my commute has no real traffic and can enjoy some flowing roads so most of the riding will not be stop start in anyway, cheers
Depends what kind of bike you're after Lyndon... Like yourself I test rode an 899 and an 1299 back to back.. (wanting an 1199).... both compared to my 1199 are smoother and easier to ride... I personally would not trade my 1199 for either purely because it's rough, got a sh*t load of attitude and this is what I like out of big bikes... in traffic it's crap.... but on the track it's amazing (and I'm a novice... but that's where it comes alive).....if you've got a nice ride to work you'll love it From what you've been riding the 1199 will be the biggest shock... (because of its manners)... personally I'd say the 1199 or 1299 as I found the 899 too smooth and refined (I know sounds weird right..) Go with your heart and enjoy!! :thumbsup:
I'll have some in a future video. That one, the riding mode and suspension one were all shot whilst was icy and snowy up here and I wanted to keep them short so no riding shots.
I have to say that the 1199's rawness and attitude is certainly an attractive feature. To a degree I think that's what superbikes are supposed to be. Scary !
Nice choice you lumbered yourself with,all great bikes but all very different pros and cons,959 and 1299 will give you a new bike with a full 2 year warranty a major plus point over the 1199,i have a 899 and a 1199 so cannot comment on the 1299,the 899 is easy to ride quick and is a great all rounder almost sports tourer like,i have only had the 1199 a few weeks and its a bastard,at first i hated it but now i am getting to know it i am starting to gel with it a lot more,certainly makes you feel alive when riding the fucker.
Yo Lyndon I have both 1199 and 1299. Out of the 2 the 1299 is far the better bike ! But I love the 1199 coz of its rawness and looks better. I use the 1199 for trackdays now, but it was my road bike for over a year. I don't think it matters which bike you chose, they are all brill, but if you want some real grunt, then the bigger bikes any day. Go for the Tricolore !!!
I wouldn't say the 1199 has bad manners or is too difficult to ride. I found it much easier for example than a 1098. Issa Duucaati, what you expect? A Jap bike would be as smooth as blancmange. Yuk.
