I can see why people would want an Ohlins 'S' version of the 899 but tbh I can't see it. The Suspension even at cost must be around £1000 for both front and rear; then there is the cost of the electronics to go in them and the wheels must be £300 cost so that makes it £13,900 without making any extra money. TBH I don't think that the mid-range stuff is where Ducati can do loss-leaders. They need solid profit margins on there high volume bikes. Plus, I think the BPF's will be very good for the road. Ducati have made a bike with an extra 5mm of seat foam, doesn't make me think that they are going for trackday focus.
I could see myself on an 899, just need to wait a few years until the price drops and I can buy one out right
I do love the look of the 899 and have been tempted to trade in the 848 and have one. However my 848 is the only bike I have every not wanted to sell. Its been the best bike ever. Seeing me through good and bad times. Always being there when I needed the escapism and making me feel special. I wish I had the vocabulary to convey what the bike means to me. Its a little sad I know but from a motorbike perspective I found my soul mate with my 848 evo and it would have to be something rather special that came along for me to even consider parting with it.
I wish I had that pride of ownership thing, but there's just too many great bikes around to stick with one. Most of my bikes are gone within a year; only the fuglystrada and TL1000S lasted longer.
I'm the same the longest a bike has lasted me is 12 month except for mx bikes. I got the 848 cos I've always wanted a ducati so I thought go for it, it will be worth the extra money if I get a few years out of it. Turns out this was the worst idea ever as I love the 848 and don't want to part with it but I still want a different bike next year and can see myself ending up with an extra bike and no petrol money :/
I had the 749s loved it, mates and locals slaged it off.....I bought the 848, love it currently. But.........i have a boner for the 899...seriously. That vid of the journo and this review sold it to me. Great read by Visordown. Ben Cope has raced 848's so he knows exactly what he's talking about ! So i think this is a definitive review ??!! 2014 Ducati 899 Panigale review - Road Tests: First Rides - Visordown
You know, it has to make you wonder who's stupid idea it is to keep doing these launches at this time of year at Imola and which numbskull it is that thinks the footpegs are a good design. i mean last year when they launched the Hyper / SP it was the same story with the conditions, very few journos came away with a full appreciation as to what the bikes potential was and as such the world had very little in the way of solid reviews prior to launch and had to wait for months before they could get them on the roads. its the same with the footpegs, it's not like it's never been reported on before, even back when they launched the 1098SF I remember exactly the same reports, I mean c'mon, they're footpegs..... Why not just fit some that have grip? Its little things like that which can ruin a first experience and I just think Ducati need to consider stuff like that as it comes across as either lazy or just plain arrogant as though they're right and the entire biking nation is wrong. other than that it sounds promising doesn't it? I think it looks great, The swingarm isn't a problem for me, I'd have preferred a slipper clutch fitted as standard because I don't think it should be aftermarket tech. but yep looks and sounds good so far.
