First Ride, the verdict!
 

Hi All, was going to pick up the 1098s yesterday but it ended up being today.

I've just had an 05 999s from new for the last 18 months, did 6500 miles in the Uk and Europe, track days etc and rode it pretty hard. Loved the bike, it was my third Ducati, however I have to admit I had a short fling with an 05 GSXR600.

So my expectations of the 1098s were just that I wanted a faster lighter bike. I rode a GSXR1000 before getting the 999 and loved the 'rip your arms off' power and lightness but thought it was a bit flighty and I much prefer the predicatable power delivery of a twin and the stability.

So what's the verdict? 100% absolutely amazing, better than I expected. I've only just done 70 miles on great roads but mediocre conditions and the bike is nothing short of breathtaking. One of the most impressive things is the quality, the gearshift and engine are so silky smooth, dare I say almost japanese! The whole bike is so well finished and feels so well put together. Next the performance: i'm running it in but took it up to a sensible level, the power delivery is awesome and there is a noticable surge from around 5-6000rpm and it has that 'rip your arms' off feel, god help me when it's run in and the weather is good!

Position is great (i'm 5ft8), I thought i'd miss all the adjustability of my 999 but it seems more comfy, slightly shorter. I think they could make the bars a tad higher but i'm sure on the track it's going to be perfect. I also had so many layers on to keep warm that I probably wasn't that able be as flexible as normal. The screen is very low though, I think most people will opt for a taller screen, it does bugger all, like the mirrors.

It really feels like a japanese 600 in it's flickability, way more sensitive to change of direction over the 999, it makes the 999 feel heavy and unresponsive. For the record though I still prefer the innovative look of the 999.

Brakes are supposed to be amazing but as some of the roads were damp I was using the engine more than the calpers to control the speed so couldn't give an opinion. The rear brake actually works though, surely a reveleation for Ducati

All in, an amazing bike, can't wait until it's a bit warmer, less damp, run in and with the termis fitted.

Any criticism? Yes, the screen, mirrors and upper fairing supports wobble a lot more than on my 999 due to the fact that there is less material there. Not really a problem but I might put an aluminium spine between the fairing and brace to stiffen it up. I also think the swigarm should be painted black.

Big thanks to Motorapido who went out of thier way to get the bikes on the road including sending staff on a 200 mile round trip to get the tax discs sorted. Thanks Wilf, Chris and Steve.

Nice write up - enjoy!!!

You lucky devil

jealous

You lucky lucky begger!

Dallas made the same comment when we were looking at the one in Ducati Aylesbury earlier today.
Hopefully we will pop down and see Steve and Wilf in a couple of weeks around the time of the Oxon/Berks Monthly meet

Nice one,...keep those reports coming.

Ditto to Keefy`s comment.

...
 

.....am also now getting excited about the 1098 so thanks for posting your initial thoughts :-)

Red or Tricolore though ????

enjoy.better check my loto numbers.

Thanks for the report.
Congrats and enjoy :)

Great bike & writeup - agree re swingarm

Well I'm still confident my wifes taken the hint (picture of 1098s stuck to the fridge door)

However, just checked under the tree & it's too big for a set of keys, too soft for the owners handbooks - Oh b******s I think it's a jumper!

Maybe next year........

did you see that nice big fat torque curve on the Motorapido dyno comparison. THat is mugnificent! Must be really a gas to punch out of corners with this thing!
Enjoy!!

All sounds awesome .... enjoy.

Sounds good enough to make me consider swapping my 749r for a 1098s at some point in 2007 :o

Enjoyed the write-up - hope you'll continue to enjoy the bike as much. Looking forward to hearing about the more mundane aspects of it - reliability, finish, etc. Having read some of the mag reports (Bike, PB), they agree what a fantastic ride it is, and looks beautiful, but to me, from the photos it does look a little Japanese - what do you guys who've seen it think ? After 3 years or so, I'm just coming round to appreciating the truly unique lines of the 999, and the 1098 does seem a little like back-peddling, but I suppose if it had come out after the 998 it would have been seen as a natural evolution. Ducati can't win I suppose ! But I have no doubt that if it goes half as well as it looks, it will sell loads.

I pity the poor 999 owners who are trying to sell or trade in their bike now - but I reckon it could be a wise move to snap up a mint 999r or FILA rep now or in a couple of months. In 10 years, it will be seen as a classic, adventurous, unqiue design - I think I'm going to get saving for a 749R now, and snap up a bargain when all the money is after a 1098.

Anyone got a 1098S yet ?

Matthew

"Anyone got a 1098S yet ?"

I think you'll find that Gossa's IS an 'S' mate-don't think any standard bikes have come through yet.

John

Bastid, as in jammy bastid in the nicest possible sense:D

Yes, mine is an S as no standard models will ship until next year. I agree that the looks are a little japanese but that's mainly the headlights and i'm warming to them already.

I think Ducati gone forwards by going backwards. The perfect bike for me would be the 1098, with the same new sleeker screen and nose but keeping the twin vertical lights of the 999. I'd like the swingarm in black and I would have also likes to see them retain a box style exhaust rather thanthe twin cans BUT MUCH sleeker than the 999 unit (maybe like the 999 WSB Akropovic).

However seeing as how they didn't consult me on what I wanted in my next bike, I'm very happy with what they've done!

As for the 999 owners, I just sold my 05 999s with £6K on the clock for £10K, about 30% less than the price I paid so I think that's a pretty good return? The older 999's dont fetch that much (grey frames/wheels) but the later ones seem to be doing OK for now. I think they'll hold OK and I am readying myself for a tirade of abuse by saying that I think they'll be as desirable as the 916's in future years as people realise how innovative they were.

Very interesting comments there gossa.:)

The Reliant Robin was innovative too!!! ;)

I loved my 999, I think they were ahead of thier time and in future people will appreciate them more. If Ducati had launched the bike in the same colours/specs as it is now I dont think it would have got he initial negative comments that dogged it all it's life.

The original 999 should never have had silver frame/wheels, they should have looked at the hot 916's to see what turned punters on.

I can't wait for mine to arrive :)