why son't we wait and see how it rides... perhaps the DSSA and general set up is less 'sharp' .. isn't there talk of getting more focus on the low down grunt? we might be pleasantly surprised on how it performs...
im sure it will perform very well. but is this a case of ducati being lazy ? "we need more performance" 'make the the engine bigger' keep making engines bigger isn't the answer imho. what comes after the 899....the 950 or the 1000 ??? im sure that wont matter to alot of people. and fair play and respect and all that...each to their own and if you love it buy it.. but for me its just a lazy way to power and cheap under development
I predict this is the last of the v twin sports bikes. Next will be a 1000v4 and a smaller similar 800 or similar capacity. No frame.
Re the 899.....as I said I do like it. However, Its not traditional Ducati design but its still a step forward or is it really ? They've given it a 17 ltr tank and say ergonomics are more comfy. Happy days surely ? Kerb weight ( as per internet search just as an example ) 749 - 197 kgs / 999 - 199 kgs / 848 - 197 kgs / 899 - 193 kgs / 1199 - 183 kgs The 999 was Ducati's most succesful superbike in WSBK. So....why did they switch to the 848 / 1098. Was it just looks, was it just for the single sided swinger ? Was it progress ? Is it progress now with the 899 & 1199. No frame, mammoth engine. Is it gone too far ? Here's a stat from: Ducati 999 Superior to 1198 | Ducati News Today "The Ducati 999R took 65 victories from 120 starts for an amazing 54% win proportion" in WSBK. Should Ducati go back to the 999 and work around that bike ? I still think it looks fantastic ( years ahead ) but it wasnt traditional. So has the 848 / 1098 brought us here.......the Ducati nobody recognises. Does the double sided swingarm create a better handling bike ? You would think so...gyroscopic effect etc. Id take handling over looks. Why was the 999r so good ? Could it have been the best Ducati yet ? Just my thoughts......Im open to criticism but not ridducule :biggrin:
A few things; I find it interesting that lots of people are arguing over the raw power output, I think it's very seriously worth waiting and seeing some proper dyno results, i,e I would rather it 'only' had 135HP if it had a lovely smooth and linear power curve from 2k RPM all the way up rather than peaks and troths. Or the cams being so radical that it produces 2-stoke type power delivery to get to 148hp. Also I want to say that I rode my 55HP RS250 Harder and faster on the road than ANY other bike I have owned so there is no way that only having 55HP made me safer!!! I want to ask why no-one is discussing the step forward that Ducati is making with the SuperQuadro? have I missed a thread? I think my 848 Evo is a great step on from the first Desmo's and the Panigale is another step again, I will list why: - Cam/Gear Drive, yes the Japs have it but it's a great step forward IMHO - De-compressor and lighter battery even though with ABS etc to power. - Having the balls to do a Mono-cock frame; and sticking with it from the 1199. - BPF Forks and the very latest Brembo brakes (not the 1199 but the new mid-range ones if such a thing can be said for Brembo) Seriously, it's packed with loads of things to be excited about and we shouldn't forget that Honda's update to the CBR last year was fairings and a 'ECU Re-map'... These are not wealthy times as we are all unfortunately aware. I don't want to get involved in the power argument, just want to maybe look at some positives in a new bike.
I am agreement with you, i did say myself along with others that the double sided swingarm may give even better handling or be more suited or the SuperQuadro engine / monocoque setup. Its all new, a huge step / gamble and Im sure quite costly re R&D. Here, I'm on another forum locally to me whereby they slate the Ducati's ( they're all jap riders). I argued the point about the innovation and new direction Ducati have gone. Really, as you say, it will be when we get our hands on it will we know. I aint ridden the 1199 but I have had the pleasure of owning a 749s ten moved to an 848. Miles apart almost but still a Ducati through and through.. Will await to ride the 899. Who knows how long it will be before we get one in Ireland to test ride :-\
We both know that's not true. it all depends on the rider. I am barely mediocre and would get held up by people on litre bikes. Its one of my over riding memories of the time we were at Silverstone. Being slowed down going into corners by groups of folk on litre bikes playing the mobile chicane. another memory being, out dragging a guy on a 999 up the main straight. All down to gearing and being able to get on the power quicker. I have had an RSV1000R and it was just too fast for the road. Took an s1000RR out for a test ride to see what all the fuss was about, and its just bonkers on the road. I don't see he point in litre bikes unless you do a lot of track days abroad. the only time I have felt I wanted more power was down the main straights at Portimao and Aragon. for two up riding with luggage, loads of power is great, but for one up riding only, why bother ? Wee Johnny B on his CB500, annihilated pretty much all of us.
But this is a time-honoured path trodden by just about every manufacturer. It's not a cheap trick, it's just another way to get your brand to another consumer. Some people will love it, andyb will hate it... Purely for sales success, and it worked, especially in the case of the 848, ducati's best selling sportsbike ever. The 999 was a sales flop thanks to people who couldn't get past the odd headlights and see the cracking bike underneath. I did too, and agree totally. I do not possess the willpower to ride a sportsbike sensibly, it's not what they're built for. And I've got another year before I can even think of looking at another sportsbike if I want my license to survive:frown:
This is interesting..... How the Ducati Superbike 999 Wasn’t a Sales Flop & Other Ducati Superbike Sales Statistics
Hmm, interesting. I stand corrected Sir. But how come I see far more 916 derivatives on the road than 999s? Are people hoarding them?
the 180 tire should make it even more nimble... and being nimble enough , i wonder if the sort of slowed it down a bit at the front to get closer to that 'planted' feel.. i rode the 999R last monday for the first time since Valencia and since the rake was shortened and i liked it .. from a sort of nostalgic way... id did shake its head , something it didn't before... and the low down pull was easy ... but sorry to say that it doesn't come near the pani... in any category .. so probably the 899 will get the edge over the 848 ... as it should...
Because there are more of them:wink: From their figures first year sales are 916 = 2100, 996 = 5000 and 998 = 4800 Total = 11900 First year 999 = 5000
I was thinking the same thing. those big piston forks are excellent and really plush feeling so perhaps with those, the dssa and 180 rear they might well of dialled in a well planted feel.
