I quite like the exhaust. Really doesn't bother me and don't see what the fuss is about. The underbelly one has been done to death now anyway and the 959 is a better bike than the 899 so would gladly take the exhaust and the improvements.
nicely put mate as long as your happy your cash your choice like I say love the pannis had 1199 before and by all accounts 959 is cracking bike no doubt some aftermarket cans will come along ,
What's actually been changed from a 899 to 959? Apart from the revised fairing and exhausts. Didn't I read a thread a while back where the 899 made a more power or something ?
Congrats on the bike. The 959 is a great bike but I don't think it is particularly better than the 899. I've done approx 11.5k on my 899 and test rode a 959 ( along with a 1299) last week. It was noticeably heavier ( you immediately feel this when switching bikes) , marginally less flickable, no quicker to stop (prob obvious) , no extra grip ( prob obvious ) , I struggled to 'feel' the extra grunt & my heel continuesly caught the exhaust. That is just my real world opinion of the bike. Would I buy one? Probably (at the right price - there are deals to be done) with a US spec (1299) exhaust conversion because the 899 is no longer available. Aesthetically, exhaust wise , I simply love OEM 899/1299/termi/Akra, the full underbelly look nailed it as far as I'm concerned and any type of stubby/sticky outy pipe is going to be a compromise. Unfortunately it's the future..
I simply was picking up on the "better" comment. Is it better in terms of looks or ride? So power to weight is the same because of the cannons strapped to the side weighing the 959 down. I'd imagine a 899 fitted with termi is even lighter as mine weigh loads less than the oe ones but sane could be said if cans or system fitted to 959. So can we agree it's a draw on this point. I understand the 959 has a slipper now which I've never thought the 899 needed if I'm honest. I wouldn't turn it down though. 1 point to 959. The 2mm pivot difference I doubt anyone is good enough to notice if we all being honest. Fairings , I actually prefer on the 899/1199 as I like the nose better , and the tail. Plus folding mirrors are great. This is just personal preference though. All this aside , the exhaust it still always the talking point when someone mentions 959. So it can't be just a minority who doesn't like it and I wouldn't buy one for that one and only reason. If EU regs hadn't forced Ducatis hand I'm sure we would of still had the "done to death" underbelly ones. It'll be interesting once the 959 has been released a year to compare its sales to the the first year of the 899. I know which my money is on which has sold better and it doesn't include a "5" in the name. And don't take my comments as a 899 fanboy just because I've got one. As the 899 leaves me colder than any bike I've owned.
I do like the 899/ 1299 exhaust don't get me wrong but it's not so important that it bothers me not having it. I bought my bike on its merits not on what others want. I was interested to see the 959 with the 1299 exhaust fitted which is good to know how easy to do but for me I wouldn't want to go to the hassle really. I've always preferred 'proper' exhausts - I remember when I had my gsxr and these stupid 'megaphone' likes were just out and all the rage. I bought the looked naff and just rocked the full akrapovic up he side instead. Also when I had my blade everyone was putting hidden Taylor made exhausts on which were crap at gas flow and got so hot they destroyed themself. I stuck with an up the side pipe... I think the 959 gives manufacturers more room to be creative. I'm sure within a year there will be lots of nice options out there to choose from. I do intend to remkve the euro 4 sound deadening inside the fairings. Obviously the engine sound deadening can't be changed or removed! If I do decide to swap the exhaust that should make the weight between a 899 and 959 pretty much the same.
I agree - Ducati were probably really pissed off when they had to adapt to these regs. I'm sure they wouldn't have by choice. I'm not denying that. As for sales figures, that really doesn't bother me. its not a factor that would ever effect my reasoning in Buying a vehicle. The fireblade was the biggest selling sports bike last year but does it make it the best? Audi TTs or Porsche boxsters probably outsell my lotus 100 to 1 but I wouldnt swap it. The way I look at it is this - I nearly bought a used 899 (never bought a used bike in my life and didn't fancy it TBH) For not a lot more money I could get a brand new bike - new model, nicer fairing (IMO of course), stronger engine, slipper clutch and a few chassis tweaks over the older model and if I dont like the exhaust I can change it easily. To me it was a no brainer buying the 959 over a used 899
I merely referenced sales figures as its the ultimate gauge of whether the buying public like the overall bike or not. 899 and 959 are very very close in terms of what they are so if one has outsold the other in the same market place and a very similar price it will show what people think. People on the Internet may or may not like them but it's irrelevant unless they parting with cash. I'd expect a "better " bike to sell more or at least the same. Compsring a fireblade is a bit irrelevant as we not talking overall sales for sports bikes. Same goes for comparing similar sports cars. Some are mass produced and some more niche. put a 959 and 899 to a normal non bike person and they would say it's same bike. Would they do that for a TT and a lotus?
Thanks. That's my focus cayo. It's a few years old now but still a good bike. Was going to change it but just upgraded a few bits instead like the wheels and carbon cranks etc..
