Not quite sure what to call this post? converted, yes pun intended, finally or just WOW!!! Thought I'd post this while my adrenal glands get a rest. First time this bike has been out since I rode it home in the wet when I bought it blind. Having carried out a few upgrades, I'm not sure if it's closer to resembling a 998 final edition now or a 996R. Wiki suggests this "s" motor is similar to that in a 996R . My forks are now the same and the "S" has the Ohlins rear shock and steering damper. This engine is making more power than a "998R" looking at dyno readings and after today I can believe it too... Either way, love it or hate it, it's how I want it and it's every bit the poster bike I remember the Ducati to be. It's not just for show either, that rumble, changes to a spitfire engine note then to a responsive angry deep buzzz. That noise is addictive. The grunt makes my Honda Fireblade feel lame and that's supposed to be something like 150 to 170hp if you trust the stats online. Too much electronic wizardry in modern bikes for my liking but I guess that is a huge plus at the track and in the wet. Today I had an MV F4 roll up next to me at some lights. We exchanged a few comments and the MV left the lights first at a good pace. I sat a safe distance behind without effort. I opened the taps and he moved over and past I went... Perfect end to a short ride on a sunny day.. What a bike, I don't think I have ever been so impressed not sure what words to use... it's only a bike. I still have some minor niggles to sort and it will take some getting use to but it will be worth it. I will just have to try not get too excited. I can see why a slipper clutch is not such a bad idea but at least the brakes work. Obviously everyone on here knows this, I am a Ducati Newbie. Sorry for usual poor grammar and spelling, dinners ready and I have visitors. Thanks for the help everyone.
Oh you lucky bugger. Welcome to your new drug lol. Beautiful bikeby the way. Take your time learning though as twins can be deceptive speed wise. .
Looks mint, mate. And it'll just get better especially when you get the suspension dialled in. They are fantastic bikes!
It is very clean I have put the stock settings on for the forks and shock (comp/rebound). They were not stock settings. Although I think I will probably end up running similar to how they were up front anyway. The new forks were not far off stock. The rebound on the rear shock was almost double.. I did not touch the Pre load. Not sure (looking in the FE manual) where you measure the 10mm from on the forks. The blue anodised nut is 10mm so I wasn't going to wind it out further. The rear spring is K tech. I have a part no so I can find out the spring rate so I can work that out without removing it and putting on a spring tester. I'm a bit heavy now but quite average weight when slimmer so I'm hoping that will be ok when I check it out.. I have a spring rate vs body weight chart. The pre load is roughly 25mm on the rear shock (so maybe softer) I was not going to compress it another 10mm because I don't know if the spring is stiffer. I'm assuming with the stock rear spring, 35mm of thread is the stock setting. Obviously it's semi irrelevant and will be altered when I do all the sag measurements anyway so not too concerned. I will check my tyre pressure with the one pressure gauge I used for racing as it's more accurate than trying to do it with a compressor gauge and to reduce the variables I only use one gauge. I am hoping the front tyre is a bit hard. I will do it all of this before I take it to be set up properly. I want to ride it a bit as I am not riding it confidently yet. I do think the rear shock feels stiff in compression as I have little feel from it. I felt this with my R6 too until I got it set up by a racer. The blade felt fine when I bought it. On that I can feel the grip, in fact that maybe too soft but that bike is another little project. I also just want to double check the front wheel with a dial gauge. Call it OTT, it's fine above 35mph but less than that it still has a slightly unsettling feeling... the easiest way to explain it is, it's the first bike I've not felt comfortable riding with no hands, unless it's moving at a good speed. It feels like it would wonder one way, and leaning it the other way to correct and it would get out of shape. I might get the front balancing checked, never had this issues before. I will sort it though. I have much less of an issue at round abouts now and I'm much more comfortable with it when it's moving faster... It rides like a normal bike so I don't have to stick my leg out like MX when I'm going slow. It had a very aggressive set up on it before. Clearly very track focused and the previous owner spent lots of money making it that way.. The Showa forks had different interrnals so I'm glad I put these forks and I can now work from stock. All good fun.
