Guess I will be beaten to it as I'm going on the 15th and the first day is the 14th, still a trade day so should be able to get up close

It's probably way too late but, Ducati - if you're reading this:

Make the bodywork easy and quick to remove/replace.
Make the fuel tank bigger.
Make the mirrors work.
Have little bit of storage under the seat, easily accessible - just enough for a lock or similar.
Make it lighter.

Beauty is in the eye etc.... it's funny, the exposed rear cylinder is the ONLY part of the 999 design that I personally like. But that's just me.

Anyway, it's getting close now. Fingers crossed everybody.

Spin

Why does everyone have a beef with the mirrors? I just dont see what the problem is or what the difference is between the 749/999 and other sports bikes I have ridden such as the ZX6R and the RSV1000R. yet only the 749/999 comes in for criticism in the press.

Its simple, wear a very tight fitting jacket, which works for me or just flick your elbow out and look thru the gap, which also works for me. You can see fine.

Same about the fuel tank range.....its a sports bike not a tourer.....

sometimes we can all be a bit too picky...design inevatibly means compromise, those good looks dont come for free I am afraid.

Removing the panels from a 916 or 999 is a doddle in comparison with a ZX6R, which has 13 allen bolts per side.749/999 has 4 DZUS clips, 2 studs, 2 allen bolts and 4 half turn clips total. It takes all of 5 minutes to get both sides off.

So come on give some credit where its due, Ducatis have some fantastic desgn features!!

I agree, my R6 mirrors were useless ! & UGLY unlike the 749R ones
just flick your elbow out when you need to, you can still hear sirens over a termig !!


Buy a 749R ! bigger, nicer tank.....sorted !


I once again, agree, the panels on my R come of real easy, the R6 took ages ,I'm sure there were more bolts in just the bellypan that the whole 749R fairing !
you could always velcro on all your panels to make it quicker !!! LOL


Design & style is one thing the Ducatis have in bucketloads !
748/9** vs 749/999 aesthetics arguements aside

they look better than any other bike

btw - I prefer mine !

and they make me grin when I ride 'em ! that's what's important isn't it ??

Spot on Sharpy,

Mirrors, great, just look through the gap under your elbows.

Tank range, fantastic on the 749R, best range of any bike I have owned.

Bodywork removal, easy, 4 allen bolts, 2 dzus fasteners, total removal time per side about 30 -40 seconds, jesus how fast do some people want the panels to come off !!

Looks, I have never owned a bike that attracts so much attention, there is always a crowd looking at my bike and no negative comments from any of them.How some people say that they are 'ugly' is beyond me but everyone like different things I suppose.

WE can't help being the "younger generation" of Ducati riders now can we Ian !

Soon to be the middle-aged generation!!!

Christ Graham, I am the 'middle age' generation as is Andy R.

I should be riding a harley by now !!!

I said younger ! not young !! don't go ageing yourselves !! LOL

youre as young as you feel......my 749R makes me feel like I'm 17 on my first LC again (without the jeans, flying jacket & hitec high tops)

just been out for a blast and some dinner at Boxhill

feeling good

Rykas Burgers
 

ventured out tonight too. thought about going to Box for a bit of grub, but with the dark visor turned and headed for home.

tipped it into a tightening bend at 80ish on the way home.That used to feel fast.....after my first TD at Cadwell, it seems a bit slow now

Aren't track days just plain evil? :-)