The triple 8 is here......
 

WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYY :D:D:D

Picked the T8 up from Forza Italia this morning and left the ST with them so they could sort it's dragging clutch.

First impressions:

Well the footpegs are a lot higher than I'm used to and although I didn't stall it leaving the dealers, I did have an ungainly moment trying to find the footpegs as soon as I set off. Then I found my leathers had ruched up round my nads and had to stand up on the pegs sharpish to prevent mucho pain :lol::lol::lol:

All this before I left the forecourt! I'd like to think I looked like Rossi pulling my leathers straight, but I probably just looked like a fat bloke who needs to be a lot more supple limbed.

The bike feels wonderfully taught and smooth for a twelve year old and the fuelling is spot on. The bike actually felt slower than the ST at first, until you look down at the speedo! It seems to do the speeds the ST does with far less fuss which is why it felt slower at first. The other reason it felt slower was that I was riding it like a two valver, surfing the torque and changing up around 8K, errr no... got it onto one of my favourite roads and turned the wick up a bit and 8K is where it starts getting into it's stride, the last 2000 rpm is where it starts to fly and make all those gorgeous airbox noises.

The bike is a lot smaller than the ST and fits me quite nicely, although my legs still feel cramped. I'm still getting used to the riding position and find changing gear a bit of a problem, especially downshifts where I have to lift my foot off the peg to dab the lever. It's actually a lot easier to ride with 'duck feet' - with your instep on the pegs, but towards the end of the ride I was getting used to my normal style of riding with the balls of my feet on the pegs.

Haven't got used to the new body position enough to start hanging off the bike with any great confidence, so I haven't really banged it onto it's ear into corners yet, the front tyre is new as well so scrubbing that in means I've been a bit more careful....well, I got a bit enthusiastic a couple of times, enough to know that it turns in quite a bit quicker than the ST, seems to steer more accurately and it feels far more planted and less wobbly.

Oh yes, I'm going to need new neck muscles as well because I have to hold my head up more....

Other than that, I think I can feel the first flush of love and a long term relationship with her coming on.

Nice one Jools - your experience sounds much like mine when I brought the SP2 home on Saturday (before the fire !) The power delivery is very deceptive, and doesn't feel at all fast (compared with my 750SS) until you check the speedo and realise your're doing 10-20mph more than it felt.

I was surprised that it was easier to ride than I thought it would be - the noise it makes scares you into thinking it's going to be a temperamental headcase with on/off power, but I was amazed how tractable the engine is. It must have been great to race these glorious bikes.

Come on then, post some piccies !

Matthew

Jools,

Welcome. WRT that neck thing; you just need to allow your body to adapt. It's nothing that you can't solve with 2-4 hours 888 riding 3 to 4 times a week.:D:D:D

Regards, Rob

Congratulations Jools......I am sure that you will have those tyres scrubbed in later today and will then begin to explore the performance of your new steed!

Well chuffed for you Jools:D

There's no going back now Jools, you're hooked :D Well pleased for you.
Regards,
Gary.

Thanks guys, just come back from another ride and my necks still aching but so is my jaw from the ear to ear grin :D

Oh, and here's a funny thing....

Paying for the bike this morning I hit the debit card with the thick end of 5K and it went through without a whimper.

Got down the road ten minutes later, used the card again to put a tenners worth of fuel in it and got the 3rd degree from the authorisation police. 5K, no problem sir, but don't you dare think of spending a tenner :lol:

Mrs Jools was shopping in Milton Keynes at the time and got the authorisation hit every time she tried to buy anything....was she miffed or what!

Maybe that's the answer...the more bikes I buy the less she'll spend

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

That`s great Jools,best you start finding a good chiropractor:rolleye:
Don`t turn quite as easily as the old ST then mate:lol:
90% of your awake life will now be spent thinking about the best bikes Ducati ever made;)

well chuffed for you m8
also hate you
:frog:;)
see you sunday

[Edited on 29-9-2005 by Glyn]

[Edited on 29-9-2005 by Glyn]

Nice write up jools..brings back memories of the first time I cocked my leg over a 888 !!

Nat