Talking to a mate about going to Bridgewater next year, I checked out Fowlers stock in Bristol. They have this one, which is post-update, as Ducati did an update in 2023. So going to Fowlers just for a gander could be an option. And Fowlers have a good cafe! I really want to see if the 18' front wheel really appals me in real life, If it does, then I am unsure what I will do. The Multistrada is too heavy and the new monster I am having doubts about the looks. There is that carboned-up KTM Duke 890 in Fowlers to reconsider. And if I can get the turn-by-turn navigation retro-fitted along with the gizmo to get the number plate moved. this could be a better buy!
And that Ducati has most of the extras that I specified, plus spoked wheels, so knowing what it all costs, somebody had their pants pulled down when they sold it to Fowlers!
Useful to know. I don't want a quickshifter, but I know of the handlebar option. and I'll check out this one to see if I want it (if this one doesn't have it) I think that although I am worried about the 18 inch front wheel, there is so much else that is right for me, as well as no obvious alternate, I might just have to be ok with a bigger front wheel!
For as long as I can remember, I've only had bikes with 17" front wheels, and, if my memory is correct, may of even had a 16" front wheel on maybe a Honda VFR750, or CX500. I think that the idea is quicker turning. As I doubt that i would even notice nor care, it is just about looks. I wanna see one in real life, as photos can be deceptive.
Larger front wheel helps with 'soft' off road, nothing to do with turn in. On road, I defy anyone to notice any difference. Andy
But it is not really an off-road bike. Agree with the comments about allowing a softer off-road but as this bike is not really an off-roader, there is no need. Agree that most people would not notice the difference between a 17 or 18 inch front wheel and not sure that I would. I'll have to see one in the flesh and maybe ask for a test ride.
it's possible that you were thinking of a bike with a 16" front wheel Perry, as that was a worry. Early 851 comes to mind and i doubt they will ever do this again (smaller front than back) on any bike apart from a low-powered/low speed delivery motorbike or bicycle!
All this from the safety of my desk at home: I have not been to see the Ducati Scrambler in the flesh as yet, so may be talking out of my arse. The 18" front tyre on the Ducati Scrambler is not doing it for me. Then the plan was to buy something secondhand, so not have to wait for my compensation to ever turn up. B-B-B-B-B-B-But . . . . . I keep it Italien and buy an Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory new. I can either buy from Fowlers, or have Frasers of Gloucester nearer to me. We are talking around £10k. The reviews aren't great, but usually factually wrong. One in 'Bike' I think it was, criticised the bike for not having customisable anti-wheelie control. They expect the anti-wheelie control to be customisable just right, so that you are only allowed o pull 'perfect' wheelies. Turning the whole thing off and relying on your own skill is ruled out! Am I out of step with everyone? No plane anti-wheelie control, but only perfect 'anti-wheelie' control is allowed so that you can pull perfect wheelies and if you cock-up - which you will - you just blame the bike as the electronics are crap! Is this really where we are now with bike 'journalism'?
Still the plan . . . . . I have Frasers of Gloucester (my closest proper bike dealer) and Fowlers, so got two places nearby where I can buy from. A road bike with 17 inch wheels and not a road bike pretending to be a scrambler, which is just crazy. I can get the price up to £11k quite easily with accessories, but I won't wait until the year dot for my compensation to come through. Easiest to assume that it will be snarled up in the High Court, with the crazy judge, and will never happen in my lifetime. That's the healthiest way of looking at it! Weight is about 181 Kg and power about 99 bhp which is all fine. Motorcycle News reviewers think it is shit. They think it is a waste of time and you should just get the Tuono V4 at about 40 Kg heavier and stupid power. But you would "win" a track day. And that is all that counts. What a blocked toilet full of crap they speak! In early January, I'll go to Fowlers for a look, as Fowlers have the good cafe that Frasers don't. The only thing is that I am unsure of garage space, but my eclectic bike could go outside under a cover - I only thought of that whilst typing this! This place never fails to give me ideas!
you've reminded me of a joke - quite a good joke, pretty sure i've recited it on here somewhere. @Hugo Magnus EDIT:- The husband of an elderly departed Yorkshire lady asked for her headstone to be engraved with the words "Lord, she was Thine" but when the headstone was delivered it read "Lord, she was thin". The distraught husband pointed out to the Stonemason that he'd missed out the "e", who returned the stone a few days later with the amended script :- "e Lord, she was thin"
I miss typing keys and don't notice. The spelling corrector works a bit flakeyley on this computer and misses stuff. That's my excuse anyway! And this keyboard uses a bluetooth connection to the computer, that may possibly also be crap. I have many pathetic excuses and could go on!!!! I've got an outside bit of my house that is fenced off with a six foot tall wooden fence. There is only two of three lengths. I've got a guy coming back next year to finish off some stuff at the front. I'll ask for a quote to replace the fencing in question and put in a gate. Then I'll buy a cover and the electric bike can live outside under a cover. No steps to the road and there is a path I can use that goes to the front of neighboring houses.
I went out for lunch at the pub. They were not doing roasts this Sunday, but the normal stuff. I had a burger with cheese and a lot of other toppings. Brilliant as usual. They are still doing a Christmas beer. Dunno what it was, but about 4.5% and it went down well Although it was difficult to walk back. I checked out the other side of the fence that I was going to put a gate in. It really does need replacing! But, the path finishes before the fence starts, so the land on the other side is my neighbour's front garden, so that makes my idea a no-go. I think that I will just stick to the bikes I have and concentrate on getting the Ducati ST3 back on the road. Then I will have my KTM and ST3 on the road and that is plenty for me! Still going to go to Fowlers but just for a look and to eat their nice food. I am interested in the Tuano 660 and that new 457, but will probably wait for a few years! I worry for Ducati. Their range has some big holes in it. These days, you can easily make plenty of power from smaller engines and they should be able to match anyone on weight. They need something in the around 400cc space. Maybe A2 compliant, or capable of restricting in order to get new riders into the brand. Everybody is finding it difficult as young people seem disinterested in bikes. Places I go to, like Fowlers and Riders have no young people browsing, but just old ginters like me!
