You should try an early V4S if you like mental and rampant. Sure, the 1098R ticks those boxes too, but runs out of puff way before the V4S does. The electronics definitely makes them different beasts though….
Not into V4 Stu. As for Puff, I'd run out of both talent and bottle before a 1098R even began to stretch its legs.
2015> 1199 R, if you've never experienced one I recommend it. That engine is truly epic, for a twin to rev like that was astonishing. That is also the only bike I have ever regretted selling and I will have one back in my garage at some point. Pretty much before the Germans started making changes.
I feel more and more like this as time goes on. That was a big factor in why I kept my 1098 over the 959 and despite dribbling over a V4S and test riding an S1000RR, I’m not sure I can see myself owning one anytime soon.
I feel that way about cars - I owned the latest version and found it boring and lacking in engagement, so I went for a much older version (32 years old) and I love it. As I was coming back to biking after a break of probably 25 years I went for the latest and greatest, on the basis that having the electronics would be a good thing. Maybe I'll regret not getting the SPS that was my dream bike. The one I bought is surprisingly easy to ride, feels like a much smaller bike and is tremendous fun, plus it still sounds great. I'm sure that litre+ bikes back in the day were far more lethal than my new bike, despite having half the power. That V-Twin sound was certainly a huge attraction of Ducatis when I first noticed them. When I think of Ducati I still picture a 916 with Termignonis.
After seeing my first 916 shortly after it was released I was smitten, but being skint there was no way I could afford one at the time. Then for a birthday someone bought me a 748 experience day around Cadwell and once I'd stopped trying to ride it like a Jap 4, something clicked. The way they go, sound and feel are unlike any other motorbike I have ridden, and I've had a few - I haven't ridden any of the recent stuff (the 748 is from 2000, the S2r from 2006) so don't know what they're like and to be frank, nothing takes my eye. Me and the teenager play stupid games like what 5 bikes would you buy when you win the lottery, and I have 2 of them already.
20 year old 748 Numerous strangers come up to me on track days and say just how awesome it sounds ( in spite of being surrounded by modern, cross plane / V4 exotica ) Women wave at me from the street, female passers by flush up ... missus didn't believe me.. but they still wave even with her on the back. And to be clear and PC, never had a bloke wave. Dont get that on a Honda
I can relate to that. I took my RD YPVS F2 in Kenny Roberts colours to the island in 98, people all over it whenever I parked up, it was only a paint job!!!
I like the bespoke/hand-built mentality of older bikes (lets see what's in the parts bin! ). It's like taylor made suit vs high street chain or in car world a Lamborghini Mura vs RS Ford focus, sure the Fords faster/cheaper more practical but it's not a work of art to me. The Japanese stuff is like a 1990s shell suits, whilst I float around in my Sergio Tacchini.
Sergio Tacchini? omfg a footie casual bollox. I'll be in my PoW check suit, 5" side pleats and 3 bottons. ice white harrods shirt and a nice pair of black Lobbs oxfords. Sergio tacchini? Chav.
Sergio Tacchini was favoured along with a few other sports brand by kids in the teens in the early 80s. I don’t think the term Chav existed back then, but it was nothing to with class or football, it was kids fashion. Given your preferred attire, are you Jacob Rees Mogg?
