'We've got something a bit special for you H, don't worry, but we're not telling you what - we think you'll be pleasantly suprised'.... So, you've just spent your dosh on a 999 Biposto, had Termi's fitted straight off (well you have to don't you?) and you're not quite sure what to expect... yellow? Please no.
Turned up on Saturday at Ducati London South to pick up the new 999 and walked into the showroom expecting to see it occupying pride of place ready for me to gingerly ride it back through the damp streets of Croydon, Merton and Wimbledon.. Except there isn't a biposto to be seen. Three bikes lined up in the middle of the showroom - an R, an S and another Biposto S... all shiny with fat Ohlins forks to differentiate them form the normal Biposto...
'So what do you reckon?' asks Martin..' Yeah, nice bikes, shame I'm not prepared to fork out for anything other than a BP thanks mate - where's mine?'
'You've got you hand on it' says Martin.
'No, this is an S - Ohlins forks and a double seat - bit weird, but there you go'
'No, H; that's a Biposto - one of only a few in the country that Ducati have seen fit to place Ohlins forks on. It's yours - told you you'd be pleasantly suprised!'
'*@... me!'
So, cutting a long story short, it seems that I have walked away (well, wobbled) with a 999 Biposto fitted, courtesy of Ducati, with a sexy set of Ohlins - the difference is amazing between my 998 and the Showas it had, and the Ohlins on this bike
So what's going on? Are Ducati about to launch the 999 with Ohlins as standard? Why fit a set of Ohlins to a BP for no particular reason?
Got to extend my thanks to Martin, Marcello and the boys at Ducati London South for sorting this bike out for me - it's fantastic, even without the Ohlins; but they just make a great package even better. I'm really, really, really chuffed.