Just curious really, but was out at willingham woods today and must have spotted 20+ 899's but only spotted one 1299 there and pulled up along side a 1199 at traffic lights while out... I realise this was just one .place at one time but it shocked me how many 899's there were in comparison to any other Ducati today. Is there any particular why the 899 is so popular or even common (in the Ducati world) by comparison to others?
Because it's brilliant?! Few reasons in my mind... 1) Journo's loved it. It won various awards/bike of the year accolades etc which probably thrust it into the view of people who perhaps wouldn't have looked at it otherwise 2) It is/was cheaper than the 1199 plus PCP and offers of free Termi's helped sales. 3) It's seen as more user-friendly and easier to ride than the bigger bikes which can be seen by some as a little intimidating
Because it's a great road bike. I've ridden much of what is on the market and for me it's an absolute gem of a bike. Hence why I own one.
I have heard and read many good things about the 899 and can see where your coming from with people who normally wouldn't consider a Ducati being tempted into Ducati ownership for this reason combined with the PCP offers. Was just shocked as to the differential in numbers of them around in comparison to the others mentioned and was curious if there was a glaringly obvious reason people were pulling the trigger on the little brother of the 1*99 marques. Can only be a good thing for thise who have pulled the trigger on the larger capacity machines though They are all lovely machines though!
Just to be controversial.... Perhaps it's because people being more honest about their abilities went for a 899 and saved themselves enough money to go on holiday so the wife didn't divorce them? For me I could buy a really early model 1199s for £14k when I was looking or a practically brand new 899 for £11500 so the decision didn't take long. I also never got comfortable on the 1199, just didn't think it handled quite the same, where as I like the 899. I haven't ridden a 1299 but the geometry seems to have been moving which each model to give more rear feel and make the bike feel more planted Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Which bit out of interest? I sold my 899 (to @Miike.... great bloke) on here and bought a 600 mile 1199 base model. Absolutely bloody love it. It's the extra torque out of the corners that does it for me! Obviously all personal choice though... but I'm much happier with my 1199 than the 899.
To say one is better than the other is silly talk. Both have their place and both have their pros and cons Each to their own
had the 899 last year and to be honest compared to the 1299 ive just got and yes I'm still running it in to its first service.the 899 was as sweet to ride as you would want, handling is perfection.only got the 1299 cause in the back of my mind I thought what if !!!. it handles great and has the grunt. ive got the akras fitted on a dealer deal but not happy with the mapping as its not smooth low down in the revs. if you have the money and you ant a 1299 go for it but don't fit the race akras in my view as it can cause annoying low down rev control.
Same arguments for a R over an S, I suspect, for the majority of owners. I don't need a 1199 or 1299. I certainly don't need an R. I haven't got the skill to master an 899, never mind anything above it on the engine size table. But its the only thing I've seen in many a year that stopped me dead in my tracks and made me feel like a 10 year old on xmas morning. so I worked my arse off and bought one. Nearly one year on...it still makes me feel the same. Maybe an 899 would have done that to me if I'd seen that first at the Bike Show in 2014. Maybe not. Does it matter? I suspect they are all great bikes and frustrating bikes in equal measure...so long as it stirs something up inside the owner, who cares?
Every time I ride my 899 I find myself patting the handle bars after throwing a few good corners together and saying to myself "what a bike" Love it
I liked the 1199s I rode, it did feel that next step more focussed though compared to the 899, the 899 just feels a little softer both in temperament and suspension which I can live with more on the road. Also I never quite knew how to ride with such a 'power step' at 7-8k which is weird because I'm a massive 2 stroke fan, just never quite got used to it either trying to wheelie or feeling like it was barely ticking over Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Great post.... strange that no one is chipping in and saying that seeing the 959 'stirs their soul'...... just sayin'
