Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 999 / 749 > Why does there appear to be this hatred?

[749er]

Originally Posted by rcgbob44

I actually like the 749/999 bikes but prefer the 916 series and in all honesty love to wind people up about there "ugly" bikes, but, the whole matter is subjective to each individual.

Quote from todays MCN

" From the moment the 999 hit the dealers in 2002 opinion was divided over the styling, with many Ducatisti shunning the new design"

Where better to gauge the opinion of the Ducatisti than websites such as this, so if people dont believe what they are writing why write it and create a false impression?

Sometimes I cant believe what is written a bout the 999/749 looks in the press. Its a long way from what I experience when out on the bike.

IMHO the 999 got a real raw deal form the press and they probably know it and will be trying to make up for it with the 1098 reviews.

I could spend all day picking holes in the 1098 review in MCN but will just leave you with one example.

page 33 at the bottom. "Once again Ducati has a track focussed machine that will make a fantastic road bike"

Kind of suggests they havent had one since the 916 doesnt it?

But then on page 34.......The 999's basic frame and chassis design was retained, as the handling was one area where the 999 succeeded"

Draw your own conclusions, but factor in that the 999 was the most pwerful litre twin before the 1098 came along and you basically come back to the fact that some people just didnt like the look......are most bikers really that Lawrence LLewlyn Bowen?

[twpd]

I've said why I didn't like it: looks and less focused.

Also, very time I rode one I had this sneaking feeling that all was not well in the front end dept. I couldn't quite put my finger on it though - just total faith in it was lacking whereas I have total faith in the 748 and indeed my 800ss road/race bikes.

[Loz]

I've owned a 2003 999S from new. Once I started pushing on the performance front, I did indeed have that feeling others have mentioned about the front being "vague".
When I eventually sorted out suspension settings and ride heights, the vagueness went completely away. However, people trying an "out of the crate" demo 999 from the dealer, or a friend's 999 that hasn't been sorted, will be left with the impression of a bike that isn't 100% in the handling department. You don't get the opportunity in these circumstances to tinker with the bike to suit your requirements.

From a marketing point of view, selling a bike that doesn't feel totally "planted", straight from the crate and under all circumstances, is not so great. However, most folks buying a Ducati based upon a WSB winning design shouldn't be afraid of having a little play with the settings to realise the bike's full potential.

End result is a bike where a lot of people "just don't get it", but for the owners - a hidden gem of a bike.

As for the looks issue - the 999 wowwed me in the publicity photos and magazine shoots, and when I saw it in the flesh, I couldn't resist it. The 1098 photos so far do nothing at all for me, so I'll be waiting to see it for real in due course. That's all subjective though, might as well argue the length of a piece of string.

[749er]

Originally Posted by Loz

I'
When I eventually sorted out suspension settings and ride heights, the vagueness went completely away. .

I found the same thing. A different bike once Rob at ProTwins had worked his magic

[gordonparker]

Re all Ducati's looking great, there was the Paso :eeK:

A really aquired taste

[Loz]

I love the Paso. Extraordinary looking bike in its day and still draws my eye when I see one.

[bradders]

999 is a different looking bike when you race rep it..and I think many buy on looks first, rest second

[djb]

Originally Posted by 749er

Quote from todays MCN

" ......are most bikers really that Lawrence LLewlyn Bowen?

Err, yeah. But it's not the whole story - love the 748's looks, but also their engineering, their sound, the looks it gets. All the usual stuff.

I can remember seeing a guy turn up at the GP when it first came out and the crowd was 10 deep before he even stopped. Swore then I'd get one and ten years later I did...not disappointed yet.

Think the 749 looks way ahead of any jap machine but just can't get to love that front end - butt ugly. Guess the 748 stays at least until they bring out a girl's version of the 1098