My 998r has gone to new owner after just over 20 years in my custody. Some great memories of rides with friends and solo adventures in the UK and in Europe. Trips to WDW, the South of France, the TT, track days in the UK and a lap or two of the Misano circuit. Ridden in all weathers including snow on the way to WDW going over the tops nears Val d’isere. Ignoring a road closed due to snow sign wasn’t a great idea, and after riding over some patches of snow 200 or so metres long, turning around and finding a different route seemed like a better idea. Being welcomed to park up in all sorts of places that only a Ducati rider would in Italy and Monaco. Shared the roads and tracks with some great people and bikes, following an MV Augusta 500 round Donnington park getting bombarded by the exhaust sound was just one highlight. Niall Mackenzie took the bike for a spin for TWO magazine, making far more use of it’s capabilities than I ever could. The bike was far more at home and fun on long distance rides and track than it ever was around town or congested roads. Just over 800 miles in one day was the PB, Ashford (an overnight halt) to Nice, via the Eurotunnel. Just short of 30k miles of riding in total, in some years nearly 6k miles, others zero miles It got parked up for about 8 years, simply no time to use it, but just over two years ago it was woken up from its slumbers and recommissioned. Had some great local rides out over the last two years or so with a mate who got himself a very inexpensive high mileage Ducati ST4. . It was time to get something with a bit more upright riding position though. A Ducati UK provided monster S4rs was something I had ridden round cadwell park years ago and was a hoot to ride, the bike I told myself would perhaps one day be something that would replace the 998r as being for the more mature rider. But times change, the current top of the pile Ducati is a 240 bhp V4r, but now the time has come, a Monster 1200 looks more attractive than an S4rs. Not quite time yet to throw the towel in with Ducatis or motorbikes in general.
Great bikes but sometimes we've to say goodbye sooner or later with these toys, so who was the lucky buyer then,
The buyer was not someone into the Ducati community thing as far as I know. They intend to use it, not cosset it from what they said. The spares package including bodywork is good insurance against any mis haps or can be fitted if the garage queen, show and shine desire is there.
I remember some good times over the years. Especially the Ducati meet to olivers mount in the rain.only me and you turned up, but the sun came out and the view was spectacular.
Hi E, good to hear from you, yes some good rides, even had a desmosedeci turn up at one when the first deliveries started. Had a few visits to squires on Wednesdays in recent years on the 998r but tended to go to the motorist more often than not. Still riding? Might see you about when I get sorted with another bike?
Yeah still at it. Currently Riding a 2022 Supersport 'S', Still have the ST3s 53k on her now (wont ever sell her) Bought a Triumph 1050ST Sprint to do the touring on now. Did Spain last year, TT again this year with more to come. Sold the 916, wrote the 999 above off :-( Remember this pic? Haven't seen Clive for a while, don't remember the guy on the ST2/4. Often pass through Horncastle reminiscing. Hope to bump into you soon.
but now the time has come, a Monster 1200 looks more attractive than an S4rs. [/QUOTE] Hi Ray. Try a Monster 1200R - it might just be what you need. My 33k mile 748SPS sits in the back of the garage mostly these days, because the Monster is just so good - and easier to live with. There is more room so you can change position when you need to, plenty of grunt and brake, proper suspension and it's fun where the 748 is demanding. After wiping the bugs off following a good few hours ride, the Monster is the one I want to jump back on straight away; the 748 is more like a work out - I've enjoyed doing it, but now I need a rest. {I suppose that the fact I'm 25 years older than when I bought it might also have something to do with it.) Have fun choosing!
Hi Ray. Try a Monster 1200R - it might just be what you need. My 33k mile 748SPS sits in the back of the garage mostly these days, because the Monster is just so good - and easier to live with. There is more room so you can change position when you need to, plenty of grunt and brake, proper suspension and it's fun where the 748 is demanding. After wiping the bugs off following a good few hours ride, the Monster is the one I want to jump back on straight away; the 748 is more like a work out - I've enjoyed doing it, but now I need a rest. {I suppose that the fact I'm 25 years older than when I bought it might also have something to do with it.) Have fun choosing![/QUOTE] Been trying to get a late, low mileage Monster 1200s over the last week or so, they don't hang around.
Managed to get on a 2018 Monster 1200s. So much less effort to ride compared to the 998r. Even tempted to do a track day to get up to speed with it or more importantly see what it can do in the corners, not something I'm too keen to do on the public highway. I've moved over to the monster section now but old habits die hard, I'll still pop in to the head down ar5e up section from time to time
