After an absence I am glad to be a Ducati owner yet again. For the last 20 years I have owned a variety of Ducatis ranging from the 748R, Diavel Titanium (what was I thinking) and the latest bike was the 1199r which I regretted selling. The Ducati’s have either been a second or third bike in the stable so with the 1199 gone, I opted to try the s1000RR (Pictured). What a fast bike, heated grips, cruise control etc but I found it boring and dull. It was just too easy. I’d come back from a ride with no aches no pains and a tank full of energy. With the Ducati, I’d need a chiropractor and 2 days rest. With no love for the V2/V4 examples, I went on the hunt for what had to be an immaculate unmarked example. The search paid off. Here’s my 1299s with only 950 miles on the clock and full Ducati supplying dealer service history. Paint work is immaculate with a beautiful reflective surface. Even under an Led light the paint scatter is minimal. Wonderful bike. I won’t be selling this one.
The 998 was a contender purely for nostalgia as I loved the dry clutch rattle and the features but I knew I’d miss the technology and refinements that come with modern bikes. I will probably at some point have a 916/998 again. As for the 1299, for me it was a notable difference to riding the 1199. Marked improvement. I would highly recommend the 1299.
Wish I never got rid of my unreliable 1299s, I've got a soulless Gen4 S1000rr now although on our recent tour around Spain & Portugal it never let me down, unlike the 1299 which did 3 tours and had issues on every trip, Would have a 1299s any day
Never too late to go back lol. I absolutely understand the 'soulless' comment and that was evident within minutes of riding my Gen3. Instant regret kicked me between the legs.
One thing I wouldn't describe my 22 S1000RR as is boring, especially when it's revving over 10k. I had a new one in 2013 too, so I knew what to expect. But in between those 2 Beemers I bought a mint 1299S with only 1600 miles on it from a Ducati dealer. It definitely wasn't as fast the BMW's. it used more fuel and didn't have a proper fuel gauge. it was torture in traffic due to the heat. Sometimes it took a while to start, and I was knackered after 2 hours on it. So I sold it back to the dealer after less than a year. But I miss it now, and if another mint low mile 1299S comes along, I will be very tempted to buy it.
Lovely 1299 I did the same got rid or mine as soon as it was loaded in the van I wondered what the hell am I doing even when the v4 was rolled up my drive I wished I had not pex it. Anyway 4 years later and I bought another 1299 , got rid of the v4 bike. Love the character of the 1299 .
Nice work sir. I'm lucky enough to have a v4 and my 2015 1299 from new. Love riding the 1299 I think she is a keeper, best looking bike in the garage.
I don't know if it was just the new Supercorsas, but I don't think I've had another bike as far over as my 1299. They are the only tyres where I've worn out the front before the rear too.
Defo not boring just a tad soulless, Gen 4 M-Sport is a stunning bike. My 1299 had every Ducati Performance extra on it plus more, should have just put a glass case around it.
I don't know if the Supercorsas flattered the 1299S a bit, or a S1000RR on Rosso Corsas isn't a fair comparison. I do think BMW have cheaped out on the Marzocchi suspension, compared to the Ohlins that comes on the Ducati though.
I had Marzocchi on a mountain bike. Bloody awful. I noted that the Oxford V4R in BSB is running Bitubo. Sorry for going off-piste.
I'd have thought BMW QC would have tested the Marzocchi stuff rigorously before fitting it to their bikes. But there are some reports of forks knocking and recalls. Personally I'd have paid extra to have factory Ohlins on my Gen 4.
