Pardon the title, some could be forgiven for thinking I was talking about something else. I am married so it is possible! :wink: Thought I would put a few things down on paper after my first experience of getting back on a bike after 24 years. Not just any bike mind, a Panigale S. So, I’ve been hankering after a bike for a while now, maybe more seriously for the last year, call it a mid-life crisis if you like. I guess it’s down to my previous biking buddies getting back on two wheels, listening to their experiences and reminiscing. Anyway, the idea of looking at Ducati’s came from an unlikely source, it came from a friend who’s more of a car person and has never even sat on a motorcycle never mind ridden one. Anyway, over the last few months I’ve been working on getting kitted up in readiness for my first venture on a bike after nearly quarter of a century and it all came together as I arrived at Ducati Manchester yesterday. These were my initial observations and take on how things have changed over the years and how surprised I was at how different the Ducati was to ride when I try to rely on my memories of years gone by. As I left the rear of the dealer the bike, a Panigale S was sat there ticking over and I immediately thought to myself, oh dear I have not got any ear plugs! It’s loud. These apparently are all the rage nowadays... Martin from the dealer gave me a quick overview of the controls and then it was down to me. Think I’ll leave it in the Wet setting for now! Lid on, gloves followed and I climbed aboard, feeling surprisingly calm I have to say, other than hoping I didn’t stall it with a number of onlookers nearby. It has been a long time. My guide for the day was Martin from the Ducati Owners Club who stepped in to help as I didn’t know the area at all and I’m glad he did as I would never have experienced so many different roads had I gone out on my own. So, initial thoughts. I immediately thought the seat was rather hard bordering on uncomfortable, but as the ride progressed it wasn’t as noticeable, maybe because my mind was on more pressing things like not falling off, my speed, have the indicators been left on am I in the right gear etc. etc. but that initial observation didn’t seem to bother me for the remainder of the test ride which lasted over an hour. What did bother me was the new boots which made my feet feel like they weren’t mine!! I didn’t experiment with the suspension settings at all and left everything as it was handed to me. The ride comfort was quite hard, not jaw breaking hard but fairly rigid not helped by the seat I’m guessing. However at no point did I feel the bike skip over white lines or bounce me out of the seat but I assume the comfort is typical of sports bikes today. I do ache a bit today though. The riding position was fairly comfortable and I was sat more upright than I would be if I had been on the 848 for instance. The instrument panel was easy to read even on what was a gloriously sunny day, yes they do get them in Manchester. A quick glance down (which I did a lot incidentally) and I found all the information I needed, even the fuel light which was on when I left and when I came back after putting a tenner in. I learned very quickly that this particular Ducati doesn’t like to go slow as I struggled with the phenomenally sensitive throttle response and which gear to choose for the differing speed limits. I will say though that the blip of the throttle on the down shift is so addictive? I couldn’t help but do it on the approach to every roundabout and junction. Martin didn’t seem to mind as he just grinned every time I pulled up by the side of him. As the ride developed I did find that I was struggling to balance the throttle because the slightest movement of it and the bike was either on its heels or in complete contrast slowing down to fast, a bucking bronco if you like. Anyway, 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] in a 30, 4[SUP]th[/SUP] in a 40 seemed to work for me albeit I did feel like I wasn’t being sympathetic with the mechanicals. I did get better as the ride went on. Putting the aching wrists aside for one minute (cue the jokes) and the fact I forgot all about the quick shift which would have helped my left wrist for sure, riding the bike briskly is when the bike came into its own. After a while I switched it into Sport to see if there was any difference low down the rev range and didn’t notice anything. Once confidence grows and I explore the rev range more and don’t ride the bike like half scared novice that I am, I’m sure it will be a different story. Brakes were brilliant, very sharp and would stop you on a pin head if you wanted to I suspect but what was more surprising was that you didn’t really need them as much as I thought. The engine braking was and is a new thing for me as back in the 80’s I was a sports 2-stroke rider which had virtually no engine braking characteristics whatsoever. It was just a case releasing the throttle a bit coming up the bend and the adjustment in speed due to the engine braking was usually sufficient. It will take some getting used to though. I loved the bike, but that feeling could have been the adrenaline of being back on a bike again. It was great being out in the fresh air and I soon realised riding with my visor up as I did all those years ago doesn’t work. I don’t remember there being so much crap on the roads either. The noise is addictive. I must confess I’m a fan of a screaming IL4 engine, but having literally been in control of a L-Twin with that responsive throttle, I do believe I’m just as please with the audible result. The answer to my question posed a while ago on the forum – Do I have a new base Panigale with ABS or a second hand Panigale S? For someone like me, I don’t need the S, I really don’t. If you get a good deal on a second hand S then that’s certainly an option but the base model is plenty for me.
Well done mate, big balls spring to mind. Guessing you're in your 50's then, what bikes did you ride way back then? I'd get a s/h bike if its right price. Owning a virgin bike is nice but the 1st scratch is a real pisser.
I'm 45 and aching like an 80 year old today. :wink: It was funny actually. When Martin was asked to accompany me on a test ride after having not been on a bike for so long, you could see the gulp as he was told the bike was a Panigale. Confidence inspiring for sure, NOT... lol All two strokes, RD125, 250, 350's, NS400, RG500 and that's about it. Might nip out to Squires as the sun is out and I'm obviously a biker again.
Nice one. I can relate, being 41 and just bought an 848, though with no previous sports bike experience. The power is intoxicating and they don't like to go slow do they!
Brill job. Throttle goes both ways, and a bike you can learn over the years rather than get bored with after a few months.
Just remember that you've 24 years to catch up on. And you've now bought a missile to scratch the itch with. :wink:
Welcome and good for you. Go for S, if good second hand specimen. I did similar, bought Speed Triple 1050 after 28 yr break. There was plenty to (re)learn!
the 'trouble' with Ducati sportsbikes is that they are utter, utter purgatory to ride at normal speeds..my 916 is jerky, uncomfortable (pins and needles in my feet after about 15 minutes), lumpy, horrible gear changes, snatchy fuelling, wont turn on cold tyres, unresponsive, wooden brakes, mental vibration everywhere, useless mirrors..you name it..however, when youre in the zone and in ban territory they just seem to get better and better...they urge you on..the handling becomes sublime, the engine note becomes intoxicating at any revs, the burble and pops on the overrun, that lovely Ducati drone as you roll off, the riding position becomes totally dialled in...in short, they like to be dominated and ridden with confidence and assertive, positive inputs...anything other than that, then they are the most horrific bikes on the planet..if you fight them, they will always win...you have to work together.. A Ducati requires..'commitment', thats what makes them so incredible when you experience those euphoric moments of motorcycle nirvana...
Other than the Triumph 675R, 848 Evo it's the only bike I've warmed to. :smile: Great piece of machinery, and I don't think they "do slow" no. :smile: Gotta buy it yet, then we can talk about style. That's so true. In fact I've used that saying twice today. Hope you don't mind. Thank you. Not so sure about that, the body ached a bit on Sunday. The missile bit kind of scares me. :wink: Thanks again. No intention of becoming a statistic. But I'll only be able to take stick about the chicken strips for so long. :biggrin: Well, it just so happens the S/H S may just happen, as I have had a blinding offer today which is hard to ignore. (no, it wasn't from the Mrs.) :wink: re-learning. It's like riding a bike! White is better in the flesh for sure. Red it will be though. Anyone would think you're trying to put me off! Nice try. :wink:
When I started to read the post, I assumed you were bordering on elderly. 45? Tha's nobbut a lad. Well done you for getting into Ducati's now instead of wishing you had when you are in a home for the terminally bewildered. I take it the reference to Squires means you are a Northern Gentleman?
The Ducati truck will be at Squires on 23rd June. There should be quite a few of us there (weather permitting). Will you have a bike by then?
I've had that in my mind today also. Depends if the bike is available as I was told 4 to 5 weeks but it could be earlier. I was originally hoping to have the bike by the end of June in any case so the timing was there or there about. It's unlikely I will have the bike by the 23rd, but I'll be as Squires in any case, albeit in the jam jar!
