rockjock620
New member
The thoughts of Joe Public.
OK went out today and had the full monty 1098 test ride, got about 100 miles in all told.
Went out Sunday afternoon for a quick warm up, not having ridden for nearly three months and put the miles in on my favourite roads, the A6108 to Masham, Leyburn, then the A684 to Hawes. It felt good to be out there in the sun and although the Monster was going to be radically different to the 1098 it got the old juices flowing again and ensured I was ready to tackle corners, speed, braking etc. once more.
Arrived at Ducati Leeds Monday morning to see the bike sat there looking pretty and poised – more than can be said for me, I felt distinctly apprehensive. On my last “demo” bike rides (at Cadwell DOC track day) I had a decent session with the 999 but promptly stuffed the 749 into the straw bales after two laps! Sorry Derek, forgot to mention that! Still, these things happen, don’t they? Don’t they?
A request for the pillion seat was granted, got to give my lad a trip out for a while at least, but then no footpegs to be found and apparently it takes a while to install them. My fault, should have called ahead. Little fuel in tank but then the local gas station is not far away. Great – an hour and a half or so, he said. OK, off to get gas, call in back home, show the beast off, then go for a blast. Except everywhere there seemed to be road works, why is it always the same when you want to get a move on?
First impressions – the bike felt cramped, especially compared to the Monster (not been on the 996 since September). The brakes are VERY strong – couldn’t use a full grip, even two fingers lead to a really sharp, instant feel, so resorted to the old mountain bike technique of one finger braking and managed proper modulation thereafter. The monobloc construction and radial mounts DO work well. I reckon more people will bin it on the brakes than will by opening the throttle. Speaking of which, as you might expect, throttle response was instantaneous. The mirrors can be made to work, if by means of pulling the elbows in, but for some reason those on the test bike seemed to wander downwards all by themselves, as if the mount needed tightening – no big problem, I hope. It felt quite short and needed a proper move of the head to be able to see the clocks – the digital readout for speed therefore was difficult to keep a close eye on. Be careful!
Riding – awesome on all counts. Braking, standing starts, wheelies, roll on acceleration in any gear, turn in, power out, stability, roadholding, full lean to full lean in combination corners, no weaknesses noticed anywhere. I have to admit I WANTED to like it, but was equally prepared to accept flaws – fuel tank range, harsh suspension, cramped and ungainly riding position amongst others – which might mean I didn’t after all, want to buy one. Fat chance.
Within two miles of leaving Harrogate on the A61 North I got into my stride and the bike felt alive, eager, ready to perform – asking what I could do for it, with it, about it! I had been very steady for the short ride from DL to home. Now I was in my playground and the 1098 was in it’s element. Awesome doesn’t begin to describe the experience. It’s no wonder Bike run the 440 Test Route up here, the two roads are ideal for finding out what a bike can do when you ask it. Before long the riding position felt ideal, just like the old well worn feel of the 996, but the bike was youthful, eager, more powerful with tauter suspension (but not uncomfortable) and wanted riding properly. I did it as best as I could.
Corners came and went, straights evaporated, crests and dips added to the fun, gaps in traffic could be found anywhere, the mid-range acceleration is solid and reassuring. Stop in an instant? No problem. Turn on a sixpence? Easy. Get round the next bend? Don’t even ask.
Take some photographs, turn around, do it all again on the way back, it was over all too soon. Met a guy at the chippy as I was stood, catching my breath, gawping at the beauty of the thing, and he asked the questions – Is it yours? How does it go? How much? He rides a Mille apparently – I tried to persuade him to at least go to Ducati Leeds and book a test ride. I reckon he might.
Still not convinced? Ask Charlie or Derek for the keys, get out for an hour – then say you don’t want one!
OK went out today and had the full monty 1098 test ride, got about 100 miles in all told.
Went out Sunday afternoon for a quick warm up, not having ridden for nearly three months and put the miles in on my favourite roads, the A6108 to Masham, Leyburn, then the A684 to Hawes. It felt good to be out there in the sun and although the Monster was going to be radically different to the 1098 it got the old juices flowing again and ensured I was ready to tackle corners, speed, braking etc. once more.
Arrived at Ducati Leeds Monday morning to see the bike sat there looking pretty and poised – more than can be said for me, I felt distinctly apprehensive. On my last “demo” bike rides (at Cadwell DOC track day) I had a decent session with the 999 but promptly stuffed the 749 into the straw bales after two laps! Sorry Derek, forgot to mention that! Still, these things happen, don’t they? Don’t they?
A request for the pillion seat was granted, got to give my lad a trip out for a while at least, but then no footpegs to be found and apparently it takes a while to install them. My fault, should have called ahead. Little fuel in tank but then the local gas station is not far away. Great – an hour and a half or so, he said. OK, off to get gas, call in back home, show the beast off, then go for a blast. Except everywhere there seemed to be road works, why is it always the same when you want to get a move on?
First impressions – the bike felt cramped, especially compared to the Monster (not been on the 996 since September). The brakes are VERY strong – couldn’t use a full grip, even two fingers lead to a really sharp, instant feel, so resorted to the old mountain bike technique of one finger braking and managed proper modulation thereafter. The monobloc construction and radial mounts DO work well. I reckon more people will bin it on the brakes than will by opening the throttle. Speaking of which, as you might expect, throttle response was instantaneous. The mirrors can be made to work, if by means of pulling the elbows in, but for some reason those on the test bike seemed to wander downwards all by themselves, as if the mount needed tightening – no big problem, I hope. It felt quite short and needed a proper move of the head to be able to see the clocks – the digital readout for speed therefore was difficult to keep a close eye on. Be careful!
Riding – awesome on all counts. Braking, standing starts, wheelies, roll on acceleration in any gear, turn in, power out, stability, roadholding, full lean to full lean in combination corners, no weaknesses noticed anywhere. I have to admit I WANTED to like it, but was equally prepared to accept flaws – fuel tank range, harsh suspension, cramped and ungainly riding position amongst others – which might mean I didn’t after all, want to buy one. Fat chance.
Within two miles of leaving Harrogate on the A61 North I got into my stride and the bike felt alive, eager, ready to perform – asking what I could do for it, with it, about it! I had been very steady for the short ride from DL to home. Now I was in my playground and the 1098 was in it’s element. Awesome doesn’t begin to describe the experience. It’s no wonder Bike run the 440 Test Route up here, the two roads are ideal for finding out what a bike can do when you ask it. Before long the riding position felt ideal, just like the old well worn feel of the 996, but the bike was youthful, eager, more powerful with tauter suspension (but not uncomfortable) and wanted riding properly. I did it as best as I could.
Corners came and went, straights evaporated, crests and dips added to the fun, gaps in traffic could be found anywhere, the mid-range acceleration is solid and reassuring. Stop in an instant? No problem. Turn on a sixpence? Easy. Get round the next bend? Don’t even ask.
Take some photographs, turn around, do it all again on the way back, it was over all too soon. Met a guy at the chippy as I was stood, catching my breath, gawping at the beauty of the thing, and he asked the questions – Is it yours? How does it go? How much? He rides a Mille apparently – I tried to persuade him to at least go to Ducati Leeds and book a test ride. I reckon he might.
Still not convinced? Ask Charlie or Derek for the keys, get out for an hour – then say you don’t want one!
Tim's doing really well for me so far................
