My two penny worth if you don’t mind… Currently have a 1999 748 track bike and a 2010 848 for the road. Despite the weight and performance difference I prefer the 748... Still not fallen in love with the 848... But too many track days where I've over taken the thous’ in the bends only for them to come past on the straights means a re-think. Was going to put the 848 on the track to see if we get on.... but then along came the 899 and an invite from JHP for a test ride… I’ve read the reviews and initial thoughts are… Not cheap, compared to a 675R… No Slipper clutch? WTF?? Lighter that my 848, and a lot lighter than the 748… I don’t want a less radical version of the 1199; I want something lighter than the big brother; on its nose and can turn a tighter corner. I want a bike with small man syndrome..… Seems that we may get cornering (to a degree [excuse intended pun]), but the extra weight over the 1199 makes one ponder; as does comments about a more conservative riding position… I’ll also miss the single sided swinging arm for loads of reasons… Going for a test ride anyway; and if I like it, chop in the 848; so long as I manage to win the battle with her indoors to justify why; when I do more miles each year on the track than the road. She’ll have kittens if I put a new 899 on the track; [despite only saying “Oh?” when I put the 748 on the track within her first year…] Women logic… Oxymoron… So, my heart says get one, but my head says I’ll immediately be looking to ditch some weight with an ally sub-frame and not so cheap magnesium engine covers; and go looking for an aftermarket slipper clutch… Deep down, you know [?], an 899 S version with these trick [or should be standard?] bits, must be in the pipe line… Two final points if you don’t mind… Oi Ducati !! Ditch the slippery foot pegs… they look lovely and are in just the right place; but how many of us wear out the soles of our boots getting them warm so they stick to where they should be… I look forward to the day when we can order bikes and accessories as we can with cars; instead of having to put brand new standard exhaust pipes, clutches and foot pegs on ebay. Bob
I find the comments about the footrests odd as I rode one for 170 miles mainly in the wet and found no issue with the footrests? PS saw a Ducati Preston Facebook post yesterday where their first test ride resulted in a sale from a customer who had an 848 Evo
Oh I don't know, it's not the first time Ducatis footpeg choice has been called in to question, the streetfighters for instance were horribly slippy and badly mounted because the exhaust heat shield pushed the ankle out in a very uncomfortable angle. I'm also quite astounded that they've not included a slipper clutch as frankly they're pretty much standard fitment from nearly every other manufacturer (nearly) within that sector (600's and 1000's) Saying that though I don't see the 899 being a track weapon, quite frankly for £12500 I'd be looking at far more capable machinery, in fact personally I'd look at spending a few grand less 2nd hand for far more capable machinery (s1000, rsv4, blade, zx10 etc) dont get me wrong, if it was my only bike I'd still take it on track but to run solely as a track weapon I'd probably just buy a different thou (as I have) i think the 899 will be a superb road bike, could well be one of Ducatis best 'sports' road bikes but we'll have to see. I want to try one but it would be based around its road feel, not track. A track bike 'thou' beater it ain't. in the right hands it would be, but so would a 5 year old 600cc R6, Zx6 etc etc
I think most have an issue with the Ducati foot pegs, never had a problem on any other bike but my feet have slipped off the 848's a few times. I just wouldn't know which ones to replace them with.
The test will be will 899 lap faster than a 600 superstock bike at BSB rounds next year with the front riders. They were close but no quite on 848.
Agree that I wouldn't buy one just for the track, and I was looking to get an RSV4 for that, but if I did get an 899 then the two bikes I currently have would have to be chopped in to pay for it... So with only one bike, I'd have to put it on the track [bound to create a domestic there...] On my 848 I find with even the slightest bit of moisture, my foot feels like it wants to slip off the peg... Not so much on the 748... On my first off [of many ] on the 748, the rear seat unit was saved by still having the rear foot pegs on; which made petty good crash bungs... Other than when doing the odd race, I leave them on just for that reason... Not sure if that was designed in, or a stroke of luck...
