The twin is dead? What sort of bollocks is this? The twin is by no means dead. In what way is it dead? Unless you've got a Desmo, what are you doing here? The twin makes a fantastic road bike (or race bike) with bags of character and loads of torque. If it's an electric hairdryer you want, there are a zillion things to choose from from the Land of the Rising Sun, not to mention all sorts of European manufacturers now. I don't want another bloody 4. If I did, I'd have deserted Ducati a long time ago. I might also wonder in what way the non trellis frame is superior on the road to what we have had up to now, and the dry clutch thing - there are models with and models without. Can't see much of an advantage one way or the other.
i was at Bike Magazine track day last year when Mike Armitage turned up on the Panigale they were road testing (late as it had broken down en route ....ahem). He quizzed me along the lines of "you'll be getting rid of your bike to get one of these then?" Well no actually. Of the many joys of biking: 1. The pace of development never slows .... I'm approaching 50 and every decade I've followed bikes has seen huge improvements. They all make their way onto road bikes. 2. By being a few years behind the curve we can buy a slice of exotica at seriously reasonable money. 3. None of us can ride these things to their limits (all due respect to the few racers on here) 4. Every model has its fan base 5. Secondhand bikes these days are more than likely immaculate with FSH. 6. Get to know your bike......put some serious miles on it to get quicker, rather than forever be upgrading. Although I need you guys to do so to supply me ;-) If you like the 848, get one. There's always something new along next year..... btw I imagine the product development cycle from model range concept to full launch would be three years....so plenty of people will know the launch plans for 2014 and 2015 already.
I ageree. I'm only considering getting a brand new bike if the deal is good enough. I like the idea of the fancy bits on the Corse but I'd be just as happy with another Evo. Even more so with the £1000's I'd save. The 1198S I tried had termis on it and to be honest when I was riding I didn't find it that much of a big deal. I'm more than happy with the stock cans on the Evo. I expect the same is true of the Ohlins shock. Doubt I could ride well enough to notice the difference.
Although to contradict myself a little.....I think I'm averagely quick but came back from my first ride on mine (999s) humbled by the handling. The Ohlins step up was a revelation (admittedly from Japanese machines). I've since spent time at Cadwell with training too to start to get somewhere. Last time there got moved up a group by Pete Boast (instructor and sometime journo' / contributor to Bike Magazine).....chuffed or what? I also had to move the foot pegs up for clearance (Charlie's 2......awesome bend). It has Rizoma rear sets fitted....not just for show now. The sting in the tail? The road feels a more restrictive and dangerous place. And I reckon my 999 is probably comparable to 848 in performance. Can't imagine where you would properly play with a Panigale or 1198 .... Aside from the usual roundabout surfing, mono wheeling overtakes. So for me an 8 yr old bike with the right bits and pieces aces a new model. If I keep my riding progressing I will get my (cheap) Panigale on track around 2020.
Exclusive: Ducati 1198-engined Monster spied - | Motorbike reviews | Latest Bike Videos | MCN So the end of smaller sports bikes for Ducati?
Could well be more than one model launched at EICMA, but now we know of at least one! The pics are here, if you want to see what will be in MCN tomorrow as they've blurred it on their website! www.motociclismo.it/ducati-foto-spia-esclusiva-ecco-la-nuova-super-monster-moto-55512 - Translator
Not sure if this has been talked about or not but will it happen? is there plans to do an 849 basically a smaller engined 1199? virtually every other model has a smaller brother why not this one
Well I think it all started at the mini panigalle thread where the majority said no it ain't happening to the more recent thread were the majority said yes it is Deffo happening
See: http://ducatiforum.co.uk/f2/848-production-finish-9729/ and http://ducatiforum.co.uk/f18/849-899-when-coming-11575/ and http://ducatiforum.co.uk/f2/mini-panigalle-8541/ for the full (ie, long-winded!) explanation.
