Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > 996R vs 996SPS Performance Touring Test! and DYNO CHARTS.

[Steve M]

D996 - D999 sounds a whole lot better than the A50 - A46 to Cadwell

another top write up Judith

[John W]

True, bits of the 996 can be a bit tight, but that means you get more opportunity to leave the others behind blasting out the corners

Henners, not done the D3 (infact can't even see it on my map !!) but we stayed just outside Le Mont Dore last year, so did bits of the D5 every day. Would have been good if it wasn't for the resurfacing crew working on it

another favourite of ours is the D538 east of Orange and the D94/D994 across to Gap. I can picture some of it now...
Also, if you like hairpins, try the Petit StBernard, up through LaRosiere. This time in 2 weeks we should be very close to it and I can't wait !

[BDG]

The whole area is crammed with good roads but Henners has got it spot on with his choice.

the D5/D983 loop from the top, (bit like the Devils Beeftub on steriods in Scotland) is spectacular, old volcanic area with some great views but the D3 a better ride IMHO.

There is one road in Northern Spain i found that starts with a sign, bends for 50km!!!!!! and there doesn't seem to be a straight longer than 1/2 mile anywhere.

Wish i'd taken a photo at the start when i saw the sign, but did get one part the way along...bends for 25Km.

[John W]

You must have taken the same route we did through the pyrenees then (south of Pau through Laruns?)

Don't suppose you did the pass de tossers too ??

Out of interest where did you head for in Spain ?

[BDG]

The road of a million bends in Spain is indeed the Pass of Tossers which sounds a bit better than the N152, but we didn't do it this time, that was a couple of years ago.

I'll carry on with the rest in the main story, gotta do a bit more work now.

[yorkshire pud]

bdg write up . you should work for a bike mag. always wanted to go abroad on my bike. what was tyre ware like. what time off year is best to go, lovely write up, cheers bdg

[BDG]

Originally posted by yorkshire pud
bdg write up . you should work for a bike mag. always wanted to go abroad on my bike. what was tyre ware like. what time off year is best to go, lovely write up, cheers bdg

Thanks, glad you like it.

Tyre wear and grip was fine with standard Pirelli Diablos, did a trip once with the stickier Corsa's and they were dead by the time i finished.

Best time of year is NOW, sat in the office, depressed and want to go back, roll on July.

Being serious, best time depends on where in Europe you want to go, but anytime from May to Sept is normally fine, but of course August and the further south you go the hotter it gets.

When we do Morocco we only go in Spring or Autumn, you'd be mad to go down to the Sahara in summer IMHO.

As for riding abroad its great fun, don't worry the worlds a small place, you can either do it on your own, with a group of mates or there some good tour companys i know that will organise everything for you.

France still remains my favourite destination, easy to get to, great roads and even better food.

If you need any advice i'd be glad to help.

[yorkshire pud]

cheers bdh ill be in touch. just sorting 996 out. a few little things, .

[BDG]

Just for Rattler i've finished the actual bike comparison rather than the holiday bit.

[BDG]

Just posted Dyno charts for both bikes.

Excuse the handrawn lines on one of the graphs, i did this because

a) the colours of the individual lines did not show up very well

or

b) i wanted to produce a dyno chart with the results i wanted to see