It's even better in the flesh!!!
 

Hi all, went to Motorapido yesterday to see my 's coming out of the crate and and what can I say, no picture does it justice!

It's so well finished, absolutely stunning. A few points to mention, i'm 5 ft 7 with short legs and the high seat is not a problem for us shorties as it slopes down a lot. I could get both feet down easily. It also feels amazingly light when you're standing over it and feeding it left to right.

The wheels are an absolute manufacturing marvel, you would not believe that the minimalist spokes could support the rear rim with such an offset. the rear disc is almost in the centre of the rim. They are extremely well finished on the 's, they look anodized rather than painted.

Everything has been lightened to the max, my bike didn't have the screen or mirrors fitted yet and the nose cose sides were extremely flexible due to their thin material. They fired up the demo bike while I was there and the sound is sooo awesome, much throatier than my 999.

The exhaust guard actually looks less bulky than in the pictures, without the flash photography you don't notice it that much as it's black. I thought this would be an eyesore but it looks fine.

The front end loks wicked, not as japanese as I first thought, there are really cool little slitty eye lights as well as the main and dipped lights.

So, off to pick it up tomorrow and try and ride through the fog! I'll get some piccies up if I can.

Anyone else getting theirs this side of 2007?

You probably won't get many replies to your thread mate, as everyone will be seriously jealous and ****ed off they can't have one yet!!

Definately get those pics up...would love to see some of you picking it up from MR and your first ride...

[quote=Harv748]You probably won't get many replies to your thread mate, as everyone will be seriously jealous and ****ed off they can't have one yet!!QUOTE]

Yet ????

I'm too poor......I don't think I'll ever have one....... :(

You lucky lucky boy-enjoy the new toy-they are truly awesome.

John

I'll try and get some piccies tomorrow on collection but it's so foggy you won't see much!!

Not trying to be a show off BTW, just thought some people might like the actual view of a real punter rather than anything we've all read.

I was concerned about the raised seat height over the 999 but it's narrower towards the tank and slopes down so it's fine. I think even if you were around 5'5' you'd be ok as there is some height adjustment on the rear shock and you can drop the forks a bit.

The tank is plastic by the way, everything on the bike seems to weigh bugger all. Really impressive.

If anyones riding around Hampshire or Dorset tomorrow lunchtime and you see two guys riding 1098's around at sub 5K revs, that'll be me and me mate then. Roll on 1000KM run in, I wondor if we can do that in a day???!!!!

Ah well what you need to do see is come up to Yorkshire and take some photos up here. Not only is there no fog but it also gives you the opportunity to run it in sooner ;)

I rang up for a quote with my current insurers and they never called me back! Must have thought i was taking the mick? I really fancy one and cant wait to see one in the Flesh. However im likely to be waiting on the 848..(?)

1000km-thats only 620 miles-you can do that in a day if you really want to.
When I picked up my ST4S in 2001 it was the friday before a bank holiday weekend-I booked the service for the Tuesday and had to take it easy on the Monday cause I had already done too many miles.............
With a new 1098 I should think even with the fog the temptation to ride it will be very great.

John

How excited must you be....... I went to Coventry yesterday to see their demo...... mine in on the 5h January...... agree with all you said about the detail etc...... and at 6'2" I have to say us taller ones wont have a problem either, felt more roomy than my 749. One thing to worry yourself about though, notice the fitted tyres are Diablo Super Corsa's! Not ideal for running in on cold damp January roads!!!!!!!

Yeah I noticed the tyres, loads of tread on the sides then!!! NOT!!!!

I ordered termi's and a hugger which won't be here for a few weeks. I think we'll be riding just a little bit carefully with this weather, I binned a Gixxer with 8 miles on the clock before because of new tyres so i'm very cautious!!!

Think I'll look on BBC and see where the sun might be tomorrow and ride there!

Gossa, feel free to pop and have a coffee at my office in Poole if you are on the 1098..... ;)

Gossa

WE AINT INTERESTED IN RICH PEOPLE WHO ARE ABOUT TO GET A NICE NEW SHINY 1098....................GEDDIT!
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. Me Jelious........................Don`t make me laugh!

edited :(

Lucky bastid!

I wanna see one in the flesh too. Nearest dealer to me is Riders in Bristol. Called them today and they said they had received their demo bike(s) but wouldn't be unveiling them until Saturday morning....and I'm in work!!!

Rich? If you want it bad enough you'll find a way. I've done a long finance deal where i'm paying £100 more a month over the cost of a Jap 600.

I definately wouldn't call myself rich at all but is £14000 a lot of money nowadays? That's the price of an average family mondeo.

St.Neots Motorcycles have got their 'S' in the showroom-was in there this morning-but then again I saw and sat on one last Friday at JHP-and we fired it up................:devil:

John

And it sounds awsome doesnt it... fired up both the one with termi's on and the 'standard' S cans on at JHP and I have to say it sounds pretty damn good with the originals!!!!

Does'nt anyone fookin work around here???>:mad:

Hmmm...I'm going to hurl myself into the madness of Christmas shopping tomorrow and I'll need to be at the Goldington end of Bedford. With the new bypass I'll only be 15 minutes away from St Neots, so I might get along for my first real life look at the 1098 and see if it restores my sanity

Went to St Neots Motorcycles yesterday and the bike is just gorgeous, the natural evolution of the 916.

Hello Jools

will be waiting you responce/impression mate:)

I am yet to see . . . and I have time . . .

as no funds until maybe next year,

but would be intrested to hear what you think, if you make it.;)

regards


TopiToo

I say what i think and can take the heat, ok i guess you did not like the 749\999 versions but as this version follows on from them its the natural evolution of them otherwise it would have come first There is so much on this bike that is less Ducati looking than any previouse version, other than the fact it has twin head lights and single side swing arm, no doubt others have their own view this is mine. it looks nothing like a 916 ( nothing can it was an icon in the Ducati era) this is a totaly new breed of machine some will love others will hate.

If you have ridden it you would know it does not compair with a 916 but has more of the handeling of a 749\999 and then some.

Gossa,

Pop in for a coffee on the way home to Poole :-)

Rgds,

Rob

Evolution or revolution-you decide.

John

Well I popped over to St Neots today and what can I say... I know that some of my mates have reservations about it, but I am smitten.

There are bits of it that I thought I wouldn't like from all the photos. I thought that the front end was too Japanese, I thought that the back end was too MV and that the cans didn't fit properly, I thought that the swingarm was too big and clumsy and I didn't like the dogs ear shape of the mirrors. I reality the styling has definitely got more Ducati DNA than Japanese in my eyes and it looks much more together than it looks in photos. It is bloody gorgeous.

There are bits that I really like. It was stood next to a 749 and the bigger tubing used on the frame really stands out and is VERY cool. I love the big narrow track discs and the chunky calipers and the instruments are as cool as frozen cool pie. I also love the magnesium cam covers and the forged Marchesinis are a work of art (it was the S I looked at)

There are a couple of bits that I didn't like. The infamous exhaust shield/valve cover looks naff to me and is crying out for a piece of carbon to replace it and the forward section of the seat unit is finished in dark grey plastic which has a cheaper feel than you might expect or want on a 14K bike.

Overall though, I would still love one

I'm a bit like you jools, had reservations until I had seen it in the flesh. The singarm is a work of art in my opinion, looking at it from an engineering point of view. Its still very Ducati from the cockpit even with the new dash. I like the sprocket carrier and the calipers. Calipers remind me of billet brembo's
My one on only reservation is the ends of the cans? I just can't get my head around them, they look ab it too R1. I would like to have seen ends similar to the desmodecci :-)

I was there too, was going to ask if it was your " well used" example downstairs after al lit's the only one i know of with white wheels. Wonder if our paths crossed? ha ha!

Back to the 1098s they had in there! Amazing. I liked the first shots i saw but wasn't 100% convinced but now i've seen it in the flesh well! HOw to afford one without ruining the rest of my financial life is the other question ;)

Lookin at the MV's downstairs and nearly fell over the advertising hoarding?

ive just been into ducati bristol to have a look at a 1098s,i like certain aspects but personally dont feel its the jaw dropper it could of been, im sure its a great bike but for now its not enough to make me want to part with my 749r

I have been into M & S Motorcycles in Newcastle and had a sit on their 1098 S, It felt very light on first impressions the tank seems a bit of a ballcrusher !

The bike is very nice, there are some really nice parts to it but there are also some parts already mentioned that look a bit cheapish compared to the rest of the bike. I am tempted by one but after looking at the 1098 then my 749R sat near it on a stand with spotlights on it I do not know if it looked as nice as my R ?

People were coming in to see the 1098 but there were just as many looking at my bike and the spec sheet as it still has everything fitted, it looked that nice I nearly bought it myself !

If my bike sells I will buy a 1098, if it doesnt I am not unduly bothered, its not as if my bike is rubbish.

No i didn't speak to anyone whilst i was there, i was waiting to have a word with the sales man upstairs but he was on the phone for ages witha potential 1098 customer, i was mostly around the 1098 (short stocky, with black hair and glasses) gonna have to see how much they will offer me for mine aginst one next year though, i really can't be affording one at the mo whilst im house renovating!!

Well a 749R is arguably far more exclusive and upmarket. It is a homologation special whereas the 1098S isn't. The R is the only one of the 749/999 range I'd consider....mind you I'd still rather have a 998R ;)

twpd, get yourself into M & S next week where you can see my 749R, you never know you might be tempted !!!

Khu 996 is selling a 996R in January I think ?