Ok, I tested the 1299s today on some yorkshire dales roads. I will make a direct comparison to the 1199s, giving basic observational notes. 1299 notes Negatives; Clutch noisy when lever is out (not compared to dry clutch though) Clutch is 20% heavier Clutch is grabby making the bike jerky on set off, and changing gear upto and around 40-50mph Clutchless down shifter requires quite a lot of physical effort, giving you the impression, 1 you should use the clutch, 2 somethings going to wear out Clutchless upshifts are missing the exhaust pop, possibly due to more accurate fueling My demo didnt have a seat securing screw WTF! I asked for one to be fitted. Wheelie control often hinders acceleration , as power is reduced. If traction is low, the power delivery can feel like wet mode. Top fairing looks less aggressive Tail unit looks nice, but prefer old one Positives; Upshifts at low speeds are very smooth Throttle sensitivity is reduced, making holding 30 or 40mph far easier, without jerkiness* Standard exhaust sounds really good Silly exhaust flapper was not apparent at 30mph Mid range is slightly improved, and very smooth power curve Wheelie control can give extra confidence Comfier seat, as per new 899 also *I put this down to the 1199 having an 1/5 turn throttle, and the 1299 having a 1/3 throttle, making small movements less noticeable, wonder if the 1299 throttle will fit 1199........ To summarize, Overall increase in power delivery smoothness will no doubt increase track times, but removes some of the character and feeling of outright power. The heavier clutch made my hand ache after just 1 hour. Personally, apart from the better throttle, and nice sounding exhaust, I prefer my 1199s. Its harder to ride fast, demanding more concentration, but feels more alive and special because of it. I was concerned the 1299s would dilute the essence of the 1199s, and in a way it has, however, if youre looking to improve your lap times, the 1299 will do it, it really depends what you want. I wont be changing anytime soon, but the 1299 is still a cracking motorcycle. Not everyone who rides both will agree, but its subjective, so suggest you ride both to satisfy your own minds. End.
I found the clutchless downshifts were great on the demo 1299 i tried. A bigger benefit to road riding than a quickshifter on the upshifts.
What a load of bollocks Flatfish , firstly I've had 10,000 mile in on my old 1199 , full system , great bike loved it but here's my opinion on my 1299 ( 3,000 miles on now ) . Firstly clutch , same as the 11 no heavier no problems there. Wheelie control is amazing , set your level and fire it out of any corner full throttle and everything's under control unlike the 11 , system is a real game changer for the bike. The Overall ride of the new bike is smoother in town with better mpg overall , handles better , up shift & down shift are seamless no false gears or neutrals absolutely brilliant system. Power , well what my opinion is its got massive midrange and top end power compared to my old bike and I do mean way more and it's still on standard cans compared to full system on old bike . I find I can ride the new bike much harder with more confidence , much more settled ride when pulling on night & day compared to old bike , to summarise the new bike is way better than previous model , I thought I might have missed my old 11 but after the first ride out on the 12 , Wow no chance , Like I say Flatfish BOLLOCKS .
Im sorry you cant accept people have their own opinions, I suggest you read my last line again, did you even read it all before throwing your she-ra doll out of your cot? I reported MY findings, NOT yours. IMO The 1299 has lost the edginess that made the 1199 feel exciting and special. If you want a ride, with so many electronics, it reduces rider input and skill levels needed to get the best from the bike, I suggest you stick to your playstation.
Interesting to read, first time I've read someone saying they prefer the 1199. I do like the rawness of the 11 and was concerned that a 12 would remove that. It would be nice to have something that could do relaxed on the road now and again, but not often
R everytime. Homologation bikes win hands down, and residuals are better. Preferably the Mk1, ie not the 1299R
Can’t offer any comparison to 1199 but have just gone from 1198sp to 1299s As has been said…these are MY impressions to chuck in the mix. First off, I am a moderate fast road rider (don’t track), 49, 5ft 11, 14st. Bike was in ROAD setting and running in. The rider position is more compact, arms and legs are more tucked into the body especially footpegs which feel higher and further forward. Bars are wider, you are more sat in the bike where the SP you were sat/stretched on it. I never made any substantial changes to the SP suspension settings but the 1299 is on a different planet. Where the SP was hard and skitted over the surface the 1299 feels soft, smooth and hooked into the road. The SP was frequently upset by bumps especially running into and during cornering, the 1299 takes all this in it’s stride and just cruises through it. How much of this is the electronics and how much the stock components/setup it is hard to say, only that the package works brilliantly as a whole. The only niggle is the top of the TTX shock adjuster sticks in your left leg if you put it down…remember to put right leg down instead! Whilst running in it’s hard to say how the engine compares, only it sounds more refined. There is a mechanical whine from the engine, but NO clatter from the clutch. I have the full exhaust system fitted to both bikes and this produced very different results. The Termi system SP had a beautiful bass bellow that blasted out behind, the Akrapovic system on the 1299 is a higher tone and produces a ‘drone’ that seems to be coming from inside your helmet. This was a bit too much at first but getting used to it now. The new colour display is great, just a couple of minor niggles. Why no fuel gauge indicator you still only get a low fuel warning, and why can you only have the lean indicator in race mode, would be great to have this on the road (I assume this is safety related - don’t want riders checking their lean mid corner!) maybe they could put a delay on it so it only shows you the lean angle after you have returned to upright? Gearbox is strange to get used to but I think in time will be a huge positive. Initially there is no clunk or ‘snicking’ into gear just a soft almost spongy feel. That said I did not miss a gear all day…something that could never be said for the SP! The UP quick shifter works well and you still get that satisfying POP as it changes. The DOWN shifter is fantastic, after a short time to adjust it feels like I have always ridden like that…I suppose for a better rider they don't need it but for me you can just bang it down into a corner and the everything stays smooth and stable..inspires confidence on corner entry. Almost got caught out a couple of times with it being so composed I was over quick running into corner...need to adjust my brain to suit...and remember the difference when I get on other bike. If you just let it do it’s thing then it’s very smooth. I have never had such an uneventful gearbox related ride. To summarise the 1299 is smoother, faster in the real world, well built, looks and sounds like a proper Ducati race bike. It makes me a better, safer rider...works for me.
Good write up, I wonder if the model I rode had a clutch issue? We took an 899 too which had a terrible rattle, but half disappeared when warm. Is it your old SP in Ducati Leeds I saw?
Sounds like you've been given duff bikes! My 899 doesn't rattle at all, let alone terribly. Another 899 here at my work and it doesn't either... They just giving you all the ragged bikes or something? Haha.
I remember going from 350LC to Powervalve, probably feels similar going from 1199 to 1299 for the same rider 30+ years later, improved models with better lap times... But lunatic bikes have a special place in my heart
So what's to say during the run-in period? Well a few things. Engine It certainly has more torque than the 11 which is making running in far more interesting. Other than that I need to get it run in to comment on it further. Looks like it will be epic though, but still need to feel what it's like when you hit 8k. Miss the 11 for that let me tell you. Heat from the engine is about the same as the 11, but it's never bothered me previously. When I was running the 11 in and was for instance slowing for a junction, blipping the throttle on the downshift, the 11 used to cut out from time to time when going from 3rd to 2nd just at the point when you pulled the clutch in. You'd have to let the clutch out to sort of bump start it again. I've not had this issue with the 12 so far. Note. I used half a litre of oil in the first 200 miles so keep an eye on the usage. Throttle/Clutch I'm not completely happy with the remapped/reworked throttle response. There is a slack/dead space with the throttle which is making some gear changes a bit untidy. The clutch bites quite early (not even tried to adjust it) but the timing with the throttle has gone a little awry at times. I guess I will just get used to this over time, but I hope it can be set back to how th 11 was. Gear Change (with clutch) Very smooth, smoother than the 11 I would have said. Riding very sedately and gears just slot into place effortlessly. At pace it's the same. Quick Shift (up) Smoother than the 11 at slower speeds and lightning fast when on full throttle. I cannot wait to see what it's like when the bike is run in but for now I cannot fault it. I have had no false neutrals at all. However, from 5th to 6th it feels like you have to be a little more firm when shifting up. It seems like shifting up in the earlier gears requires less effort. Quick Shift (Down) Takes a bit of getting used to as it just doesn't feel right. But, with the miles being added the downshift has become lighter. Early days yet for me but what I've seen so far is encouraging. The gearbox is a delight. Far better than my STR and smoother than the 11. Brakes Well it stops very quickly indeed. The rear brake seems to have more bite than the 11 but I don't tend to use it much in any case so it's probably a premature comment to make. Needless to say they are superb. Suspension Too early to say if I'm honest but early indications are that it's going to be great. My 11 took a few thousand miles to settle down so this may also be the case for the 12. Steering Noticeably quicker than the 11 however, because of this I’m taking a little time to get used to it. Its pin sharp though, point it where you want to go and it obliges without a fuss. More to come after the run in is complete.
My 1199s has never rattled, rarely stalls without operator error added and is still too good for the likes of me. The 1299 sounds better in every respect for road use than my bike..... but I love it too much to want to change it. The author of this string seems to have been given some uniquely shite examples to try, which is both a shame and a disgrace. They should seek an alternative Dealer who cares about their stock. This slovenly attitude is doubtless reflected in every other aspect of their business.
