Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 999 / 749 > continued 999 speculation in MCN

[Gizmo]

Originally Posted by doogalman

So would you want to ride an ugly bike as looks are unimportant????

looks are important but as i prefer a 999 in looks to a 998 etc I'm happy to ride one. i had the choice and went for it as it is a better road bike and i like its looks.

oh i also have a multistrada which isn't the prettiest of things and yes, i'm happy to ride that even though it has been hit with an ugly stick

[KeefyB]

Originally Posted by Gizmo

looks are important but as i prefer a 999 in looks to a 998 etc I'm happy to ride one. i had the choice and went for it as it is a better road bike and i like its looks.

oh i also have a multistrada which isn't the prettiest of things and yes, i'm happy to ride that even though it has been hit with an ugly stick

Ooh yes,a fine combo to have in the garage.

[doogalman]

Don't they say "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"? Why do we all have to dig about each-others preferance. I'm sure the replacement will be a great bike . I remember some people saying they did not like the 916 when it was launched. Race teams will extract the best out of anything they have to,
Isn't the MV doing well in european superstock at the moment!!!!

[iang]

I loved the 916 shape and still do BUT if you park one next to a 999 it looks so dated and not half as nice as it did originally.

Like others have said everyone has their own taste.

[Stu748R]

I hope the new one looks like a BMW GS1200 as Henners might buy one.

[Rod]

Originally Posted by Stu748R

I hope the new one looks like a BMW GS1200 as Henners might buy one.

I'd prefer it if the cylinders don't stick out the sides if it is all the same to you! They would be 'kin expensive to repair if you dropped it. Nothing that is coming out in the press is really a true taster of what will be revealed in November, but we can at least wish for something that is progressive in terms of styling but that echoes the trait of design cues from the past, as these are the characteristics that have set the brand apart from the plethora of bland Japanese mass produced offerings. Take the recent crop of ZX9R and 10R bikes. It is hard to differentiate one years model from the next such is their similarity. The new bike needs to be bold and yet unique such that it encompasses all the appeal of a 916 and the 999, but in a fresh package. If it were a cop out at all, I would still settle for a Desmosedici look a like though.

[spinoli1]

Here's a (long, rambly) thought,

Most of the comments on this matter have been directed at the appearance of the new model and the 998/999.

Not many comments on the serious loss of practicality with the 999 (accepted it is a little more comfy).

One of the things that makes me prefer the previous design is the ingenuity that went into it, such as:

The ease of removing/replacing all of the bodywork - 3 mins 20 seconds, including front mudguard.
There is actually some stoarage space under the seat, not much, but enought to be useful.
The rear shock is easier to access/remove.
The headlight mounting arrangement.
Mirrors that actually work (a little)

Also, virtually all of the component parts of the earlier model appear to have been designed by someone who wanted the item to look good, as well as function well, eg: the bracket/hing mechanism for the seat unit, the rear subframe (what were they thinking with the 999 subframe??).

I remember that in the release blurb for the 999 series, it was stated that the new design incorporated features to make it easier (cheaper) to service. Hmmmm.

I love working on my 998 almost as much as riding it, because it is so cleverly put together.

I've done enough twiddling with 999s/749s to know that this is no longer the case.

This will influence my decision regarding the purchase of the next model.

Plus it must look the bizz.

Spin