Have you tried the new Brutale - same engine and just as much fun ? Dragster is more £ and a bit more aggressive seating position but both are surprisingly comfy and bonkers fun ! Do you have a local MV dealer ?
Very kind. It's actually at Bernard Favre's place and he has been, up until now and for the past 30 years, the Ducati guru. But it's stumped him so far. TBH, he doesn't really want to spend his time fixing it. That wasn't what he retired for and he's been beset with ex-customers wanting him to deal with their machines. But apparently, he's now only left with mine, so I assume he'll sort it out. About time. I tried a Hyper. Not my cup of tea. I can't do that sitting over the front wheel thing, I don't pull wheelies, more's the pity, and I don't back it in to corners. I'm just not sufficiently hooligan for it to make any sense. And in a high headwind? Purgatory. I know, I tried it.
But riding the two, what did you think? Which did you prefer? Does the F3 have better brakes (as I suspect - I think it's in the Nissin master cylinder)? Handling? Motor? I'm very interested. The looks are somewhat in the eye of the beholder.
That could be very valuable information. I will pass it on to the bloke responsible for getting it back on the road! Thanks.
Ah yeah I know it. I'm often dragged to the spa at Saillon and it is just down the road from there. My 998 had exactly the same problem when up to temperature (testastretta), stop and fill up with gas, then wait an hour for it to decide to start. I didn't solve it either, but I have plenty of others so it just sits there looking nice. I ride my 1098R sitting over the front wheel, it's the only way to keep it on the ground!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Delphi-C...=item25f3ca2ba1:g:J9QAAOSwQRla1ecF:rk:12:pf:0 As recommended to me by Derek
I do have a local MV dealer, so that isn't a problem. If I got one, it would be an F3 and it would probably be the F3 800 RC because it looks stunning and is quite reasonably priced. There are quite a few around here that I could quickly get hold of. I tried a Rivale, but although it was amusing, I wouldn't have been able to live with it, nor would I have paid a lot of sponds to get one. The F3 is something that makes you want to wind it on savagely, which appeals to me. Unfortunately that appeals a lot less to the police. We will have to see. Frankly, if I got a naked bike, it would be in an effort to get me to chill out more, not behave like a complete hooligan. In the eyes of the law, I'm doing that already.
Have you considered smaller engines ? My wife has a 250 single sports bike styled bike. It’s a lot of fun on the right roads.
Now, that is a step too far. I'm happy to downsize to slightly sub 100 bhp, but I still want the thing to pull. I do have a plan C, though. And that is to buy my friend's Bimota DB1 which he keeps just for this eventuality. Not sure what he wants for it. It is seriously underpowered, but the handling is astonishing. It's about as big as a Smartie and it looks like one of the most beautiful motorycles ever produced. Perhaps it will keep me out of jail. Here I am, borrowing it.
Sounds like youve made your mind up..sportsbike fan then....id say keep the 999, upgrade it, and get something else...personally if you in the sportsbike vain then the MV....looks amazing.
Motocorsa lent me one of those when they serviced my Turismo. Same engine but a totally different experience and great fun without being a complete licence shredder. Would probably be my choice for a 2nd bike alongside the 1260 if I had the time, money and space. It's sufficiently different and great for solo day trips, ride to bike meets etc. Only downside to MVs, as I found to my cost, is that they need to be keepers. Try and trade one that's at the end of warranty and you'll take a serious beating, more than any other marque as most dealers just don't want to know.
I found the long wheel base took a bit of getting used to when entering and exiting corners, that and the feet foreword position. And as for speeding anything over 90 and your holding on, there’s little to no wind protection to be had. Great looker though!
Actually, the front brake was very soft - it would stop alright, but those first few milliseconds when you grabbed the front brake gave me a few heart stopping moments. I took the F3 on track (haven't had chance to take the 959 on track yet), and apart from the front brake issue (not insignificant), it was certainly thrilling, the triple howl even from the stock exhaust was magnificent. I'd say the F3 felt mildly more of an event, but I'm happy I switched to the 959.
grab the bimota, solid investment and will always draw a crowd, rare and lovely and all the power you need
Sidestand safety relay (on ST4) or ignition relay (on M900) - crappy yellow top thing that stops making contact when hot, replace or link out?
Definitely buy the DB1 if you get the chance, and if you can fit on it. You won't regret it. Not many of them about, exceptionally beautiful, and worth its price as a piece of sculpture alone. Also great to ride, but unlikely to lose you your licence. If you get too old to ride it, you can still look at it. Or auction it for more than you paid.
