Sorry for late update, it’s been one of those days workwise. The collection yesterday afternoon went nice and smoothly, sun was shining, paperwork sorted. My other half who drove me down to St Neots was a bit surprised at the number of boxes being loaded in to my car, containing the OE exhaust, number plate hanger, front fender, standard screen, etc etc. She then buggered off home with a cheery wave. I was given a full and informative briefing on what does what. I noticed one of the black plastic mouldings between the tank and the fairing was not the best finish I have ever seen, when I commented I was told, ok, if you not happy, no problem we will change it at first service. I was told to keep it below 3 or 4 for the first couple of hundred miles then lift it up a bit with each hundred miles but no more than 6 before its service. I was also told that the suspension would most likely not be perfect but don’t worry once everything has settled they will do a sag and set up for me, again at first service. I picked a route back full of gradient’s (not that we have that many in the Fens) and twisty bends rather than the boring A1. The first think that stuck me was the noise the Termi pipes make, I was expecting them to a bit louder than the OE demo bike but, it’s a battering of the senses. Note to self: Wear ear plugs next time. It is very different to the Fireblade in every meaning other then they both have two wheels and a shit load of power. Once I got used to it I found I was tipping it into corners much easier and then the Fireblade and had to keep reminding myself, new tyres, new suspension, new brakes etc. At low speed I think it’s a handful coping with the lumpiness and seem to be in the wrong gear all the time, but that’s something I will get used to and adapt my riding accordingly. The vibration is also something else that I will need to get used to, by the time I got home my hands, especially the right one was tingling. I will be glad when the comfort seat arrives as my fifty one year old arse has taken a hell of battering, as have my meat and two vegetable’s, that OE seat is very slippery, almost to the point of being a bit dangerous IMO even though I tend to grip the tank with my knees anyway. Anyway, got home, had a cuppa and a cigarette, the kettle was already on as L had heard me coming up the lane from quite a distance. I then swopped the dish plate registration for the smaller one I had already brought, discarding the huge back plate and bolting the new one directly to the DP carbon tail tidy using the three bolts. I went for another ride a bit later before tucking it away in the garage under a cover on the new paddock stand, plugged in the optimizer, closed the door and walked away leaving it with 72 miles on the clock a very happy bunny but with a very sore backside. Do I like it, hell Yes. Will it take some getting used to, Yes. Am I glad I purchased it, Yes off course, When will I ride it next, in about an hour with any luck.
From experience I found that it vibrated a lot below 5K RPM, by about 8K RPM I was laughing outloud but it wasn't vibrating as much! I am sure that when it has bedded in and you can hold higher revs it will be fine, but I think all Ducati's vibrate at low revs, definately more than an IL4. Glad you are enjoying it so far, can't wait to get my 848
Looking good! Glad you're happy. Get a few more miles in and you'll be wishing you'd made the move to the red side years ago. I remember when I got mine, after just a few miles I was tipping it into corners and throwing it about like I had it for years and had to keep reminding myself it was a new bike, and to take your time and get used to it. The seat will sort your balls and buns problem and more importantly keep you on the thing. You have to adopt a slightly different riding technique with a v twin and gearing, you'll get used to it, the same with the vibration. Enjoy and welcome to the club!
its bound to be lumpy at 3k revs had mine straight up to 9k ish and its the best way to run them in otherwise you will end up with a slow one , you need to rev them to get rid of the smoking they do ,the vibration wont go away its a ducati thing, the comfort seat makes a lot of difference no more smacking your nutts off the tank when braking so at least you can see where you are going as your eyes arn,t watering ,my suspension seems to have softened a bit its got 1100 miles on now ,enjoy
I see you picked her up. And I notice your first ride was similar to mine. OEM seat has got to go far to slippery. I noticed as well that I need to keep changing down gears as it seems to be lumpy otherwise compared to the Blade. On my Blade I could run at 80 mph in the highest gear no problem but on the 1199 you have to change down to 5th at 80 or the bike feels lumpy. I am still loving the bike it's just a different ride from the Blade. I can't wait to get it out again but not when it's damp. I will use St Neots motorcycles for servicing as it only 12 miles away.
