Extrapolator, do a Google search of 959 vs 1199/1299, the 959 is a much easier bike to ride fast according to all accounts road or track. I've heard over and over again that the big Panigales will tie themselves up in knots, junior is well behaved to a fault. BTW, they're pretty much the same bike, same fairings, monocoque frame etc., just the engines are different. I thought about the 1299 but I already have two literbikes and the ZX-14, don't need any more big stuff.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 2/14/2016 @ 5:45 PM *

Hi Kruz.
I tried to post yesterday but for some reason either the site was down or my computer wasn't cooperating.

Apologies for failing to mention that the Craigs list add that I posted was in Vancouver Canada. So the asking price of $16,500 = approx $ 11, 900 .

Having just read your recent posts it's clear you have your heart set on a new bike, so with that in mind I think the only advice I can offer you is "BUY THE RED ONE"

Rook should I go for it?

I think the test ride will answer that for you. I'm sure you won't ride the hell out of it but you will be able to get a good idea of just how different it is from what you have already. If it's at least as good, go for it. I think you will enjoy riding it. Keep the Ford running. Justify it by not buying a new car for another 6-7 years. Makes perfect sense to me.

Redboot, he's asking above list in Canadian dollars. I went to the website for Ducati in Vancouver BC and list is $15,995 Canadian. 1 US dollar =1.38 Canadian so bikes are way cheaper up there for reasons unknown.

http://www.vancouver-bmwducati.com/ducati-new-view?item_id=50

That link is for the 899 actually but it's the same price as the 959. You guys are lucky, like you said maybe $12,000 US.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 2/15/2016 @ 8:54 PM *

hi kruz,
i had a brief love affair with a 998s years ago when the opportunity came along to get a damaged one which i spent the winter putting right, couldnt wait to ride it but in the end i couldnt get on with it at all and never really enjoyed the ride. this experience put me off ducati for a long time but in 2010 i went for a new generation ducati in the shape of the multistrada 1200s! that bike was a revelation! superb in almost every respect....ultimately its downfall was more to do with me than with the bike, i just couldnt get the same buzz as riding a sport bike, despite it being quicker almost everywhere except the track!
i now have a streetfighter S, a 1098S and a 1299 pani on the way to replace the 1098s.
last year on a trip to italy and croatia, i got to ride the superb 'dripping in gadgetry' s1000rr back to back with the 'no rider aids whatsoever' (almost stone age in comparison) 1098s.
myself and the s1000rr owner both agreed that the while the beemer was superb and confidence inspiring, it seemed tame, clinical and well, a bit boring to be honest (sorry BMW) when directly compared to the rawness and spine tingling excitement while riding the duc.
its hard to explain really and i think when you ride one, you either get it or you dont. i guess thats why you get only 2 camps when it comes to ducati, the lovers and the haters lol
by the way the s1000rr owner has now ordered a 1299 pani to replace his beemer!

if i were you, id test both the big and small panigale and then decide which you like more, my guess is you'll go for the big one. but be prepared, it also may make your litre bikes redundant lol
good luck my friend, and bst wishes from Ireland

Hi Jafo, I didn't realize you were a Ducati officianado. So you have a 1299S on the way? Man those are pricey here, about $27,000 USD drive out. The base model 1299 is a bit easier on the wallet at $19,750 + tax, title and license.
The 959 is pretty reasonable by comparison at around $16,500 out the door. OK, I'll get a test drive on both and compare. From all the road tests I've read the 959 is more user friendly whereas the 1299 is a bit brutish in the way it lays down the power. I completely get the BMW comparison, from what I've heard the Ducatis give you the tingles whereas the S1000RR is a bit too clinical, nice bike but not going to really get your blood boiling like a Ducati would. Also side by side, the Panigales are works of Latin art, the Beemer is a bit funky in the styling department, at least to my eye. So, I'll test ride both a 1299 base model and the 959 and see which one I could live with.

Are you getting the S or base model 1299 Jafo? One word of warning, I hear all of the Panigales will roast your man bits from the under seat exhaust, nice in cooler weather but brutal in 100+ F Texas summers.

I for one can't get past the Beemer's asymmetrical headlights. It's such a perfect looking bike in every other way ... except the part you see first!

I was quite surprised when I realized this forum made a smilie of the Beemer's front end ... Actually, I think I'll call this smilie "Beemer" from now on:

* Last updated by: extrapolator on 2/20/2016 @ 9:35 PM *

I've never really warmed up to the BMW, rode a '12 model and my thoughts were top heavy feel, buzzy, all top end power band, weird styling and nut crushing TC as in it slammed my family jewels into the tank with the intrusiveness of the TC. I heard some BS story from BMW about justifying the asymmetric styling and that really turned me off. If they'd just been honest and said "yea we went asymmetric just to standout in the styling department, I would have had more respect. To me they copied the hard development work of the Japanese factories. Too clinical, boring IMHO. The Ducatis are 100% original, they go there own way and I like that.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 2/20/2016 @ 8:56 PM *

I have an old 748 that is so much fun. Nice and light with decent power. Awesome in the curves. I'm 6' and 220lbs and it's cramped for me, but not bad. I can do 150 miles or so before I'm wishing I took the ZX14. My daughter also likes riding it. I haven't had any mechanical issues... I use Belray oil and get my valves checked on schedule. About 15k miles now.

hi kruz,
has to be the 'S', i know its pricey but if its any consolation, they are €29,000 new here, thats about 31000 dollars!! maybe my plan should have been similar to my zx14 plan, go to USA and buy one and then i get to visit texas again! :)
yes they run hot, but the solution i found while riding the 1098 in warm climates was very simple......ride faster!! haha
by the way, the 'brutish' power delivery is one of the things i like about the ducati, i enjoy the twitchiness of the rear when going on and off the power hard! but like anything, its easily regulated by your right hand, if you want an easy sunday ride, you can have that too!

Jafo, dang it man, now you have me looking at the 1299. I really have to test ride both the 959 and 1299 back to back. I think I would go 1299 Base if I do decide to go that route. This is supposed to be a cash buy, the 959 isn't bad, the 1299 Base is also doable at about $5000 more but the 1299 S is just too much, pushing $30K out the door, just can't justify that. Do you know if there is any weight difference between base and S models, I've heard around 420 wet, very light for a big bore sportbike. My only concern with the base is the Marzocci forks and Sachs shock. I think the Ohlins off the S would be superior but maybe not even that noticeable in most situations. It sounds like you're getting over your crash demons, I still have trouble throwing it in and really loading up the front end. Also, I'm a lot more careful on the throttle now on corner exits. That part may never go away, I used to think I was invincible in a corner, not any more.

If you want a showoff bike, go with 1299 and don't cut corners on the S if you like the upgrades.

I'm getting excited to see what choice you make! No pressure!

You're smart not to finance, IMO ... kinda adds insult to injury. Now if we could just figure out a way to keep our bikes from depreciating

LOL by used. BUt if you really want the whole experirnce, you have to go with new!

Kruz, ride the 1299 and if you like it, go for it. It's gonna be like a busa or a 14. Can't be all that much different in performance. If the 998 (or whatever it is) really impresses you with handling get it. I have this feeling your looking for a machine you are very proud to own and I think that's going to be the 1299. Nothing is going to be worlds apart from what you already own for 8-10 years. You always bring up the Kool-aid analogy. Koll-aide's Kool-aid but a high quality beautiful bike is in a class to itself.

Still no rush to buy anything.. Your clock is the only one that is ticking but the bikes will always be there.

Realistic numbers I'm hearing for the 1299 are 420 lbs with full fuel and 174 rear wheel HP. By comparison, my '06 ZX-14 has 170 rear wheel HP and weighs right at 525 lbs with full fuel. If I do go with a 1299, I'll go base model for sure, almost $30K for the S is more than I could justify. Agreed that a new bike is the way to go as part of the total ownership experience. From what I've read and heard, the 1299 is not winning the shootouts, that's the R1 and Beemer's territory but the 1299 wins hearts and minds, it's a really fast bike with tons of soul and a few rough edges.

When you ride, how do you decide between the CBR and ZX-10?

Can't remember reading if the Ducati acquisition will involve selling any current bike(s)?

Oh, I have them in a rotation pattern, each get's it's turn to ride and maintenance events all come up at about the same time.

No, not really planning to sell anything, you take such a beating on Japanese bikes it's worth it just to hang onto them.

I'm really torn between the 959 and Base model 1299, only a test ride of each will settle it.

Here's a 1299 base model tested against the base model R1.

http://44teeth.com/2015-yamaha-r1-v-ducati-1299-panigale/

Alistair Fagan from FastBikes says the base Marzocchi/Sachs suspenders are as good as anything on the road. I've heard the same thing about the original 1199 as well, base suspension is not bad at all.

Kruz

Someone is selling a 2013 Ducati 1199 with 1900 miles on it. It's listed on a Subaru WRX forum. Asking $15500.
With some gear.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2776111&highlight=ducati

Thanks Jet but from everything I hear, stay away from the 1199. Two stroke powerband and nervous handling, Ducati fixed all that in the 1299 and it's supposed to be a much better machine now.

I did not buy a bike this weekend but made another trip to the dealer. I think I'm going to go with the 959 if I do this, everyone is telling me that's really the bike to have out of these two. The 1299 is a bit too much over the top for the street, 959 should be just enough, fast without being too hard to handle.

You ... better ... ride ... them ... both ... first

Never ridden a single duc myself, so the only thing I can add is, "There's no replacement for displacement"

I decided to go with the 959, pick it up at 9:00 tomorrow morning. I hope I'm not making a big mistake but we'll soon see.

I plan on doing a long ride back in the twisties on the way home from the dealer and will do a first ride report.

Anyone on the forum ever bought a Duc new, I'm wondering about break in? I've always broken in my bikes by just riding them, stay well away from the rev limiter, vary the rpm, lots of engine braking to gas load the rings and don't let it overheat.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 3/4/2016 @ 5:58 PM *