Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 999 / 749 > How do you ride yours?

[fab]

I'm really missing being able to gof for a nice dry hoon around.

After owning the bike for 18 months, i still do not appear to have settled into a particular style and quite often attempt at reviewing my riding "style" see if i can do anything different, say more efficient/quicker/smoother. Yet i've still to get into a natural rythm. Despite having covered about 8k miles on this particular bike.

I attended 2 trackdays this year both at Mallory, on the 2 occasions i found myself riding differently the second time i was trying to vary my style too much and was making mistakes and barely getting away with some. Other than more and more practice, i'm not sure how to find my best suited technique. (perhaps go to an advanced riding school)

I have wondered in the past if it is the nature of the bike that means a slightly different approach is warranted. I regularly ride with 1 particular mate and both of us have progrssed somewhat, however he is riding a Triumph 650daytona, and on more oten than not quicker than i. Partly due to him not being quite as cautious, i do avoid taking as many "risks". He does seem to be able to throw the bike about a bit more, and having loaded both into vans previously the weight difference is particularly noticeable.

I have often wondered if there is a particular knack to getting it right on the 749 (or twins in general)? Slow in fast out? hold a steady speed and power out early, keep it slower and tighter in the real tight stuff? i know there isnt an exact science but ....

Does anyone have any theories towards this or is it just etting more practice/confidence?

[bike mad]

it's the wrong time of year to find you limits, the traction is 80% of what itis in the summer, and so inconsistent.
It's fast in and max lean and on the gas on tha apex, thats what ducats do best,
to be fast you have to feel the bike and tyres and know what it will do and what it wont and that means feeling and finding out the hard way, the best racer in the word still falls off to find out when it wont,
I know I fell of a few times to get where I am now,

[dickieducati]

Originally Posted by bike mad

it's the wrong time of year to find you limits, the traction is 80% of what itis in the summer, and so inconsistent.
It's fast in and max lean and on the gas on tha apex, thats what ducats do best,
to be fast you have to feel the bike and tyres and know what it will do and what it wont and that means feeling and finding out the hard way, the best racer in the word still falls off to find out when it wont,
I know I fell of a few times to get where I am now,

just goes to show how different people are. i would disagree with most of the above. not because its wrong just because i have a different style.

i dont think fast in is the way, for me better to go in slightly slower under total control and try to power on as early as possible before the apex generally speaking. if you are on max lean then there is no margin for error or correction if needed for any reason. i also dont think you need to crash to find your limits. you can explore and push your limits gradually without the risk of smashing either yourself or your bike up. IMHO

as for riding 'style' really just go for what you feel comfortable with. if you look at the top motogp riders there is a huge variation in riding styles, some of them really 'poor' according to the 'experts' bt they get round a track ok!

[dickieducati]

also winter trackdays are a great way to get the feel of your bike. yes it will have less traction, but its a good way to experience and understand how much difference rider input can make. and they are chirpy cheap too.

[psychlist]

It's coming up to the best time of year for learning about limits (yours and the bikes). So long as it's not sheet ice and freezing temperatures the road surfaces will have enough grip for you to practice, especially if you can get yourself a mid-size "rat-bike" you won't worry too much about, then just wrap up warm and ride through the winter for the experience

[fab]

Don't get me wrong, i've done a lot of riding in the most adverse conditions.

I was in france last year with the torrential downpours and have ridden in the 2 winters i have had my licence, and like you say unless it's sheet ice then its not really a problem, but i dont really get enjoyment riding in wet conditions, it used to be a lot "easier" on my sv650 with its relaxed riding position, but in supersport mode it aint great fun. I was considering maybe getting a 'strada for scratching in all conditions.

What i was really meaning in my post was getting the most from the bike itself more than the differing weather riding.

I wonder if i would be quicker or find it easier on something like a tuono, or a lighter 4 cyl bike.

But i don't want one of them, i want my Ducati but i want to ride it well and with style

[SlowLearner]

I am in a similar position to Fab i think.

Been riding for a couple of years, rode through both winters first on on a fazer second one on a brand new 999s :-O

Now after 9k miles i find that i am much more comfortable with the T9, but am probably horrible to look at, and slow... !

I am thinking that some advanced training will be the order of the day, especially if i am going to order that new Tricolore ........ ;-)

Steve

[dickieducati]

the main thing is to feel comfortable and relaxed on the bike, if you are tense you will look **** and ride ****. getting your knee down, having a good stye etc are definitely not prerequisits to riding fast. getting a mate to follow you and tell you what you look like and then trying a different style may be all it needs. i can get my knee down and look ok on a bike, but there are plenty faster than me out there

[chillo]

how do i ride mine???

like i stole it!

[booleys749s]

and mine........?!

nail it every where. make it av it !!!!!! and scare me sen SH*T less at the same time...LOL