Last Saturday I went to test ride the 1098s. This was kindly offered to me by my dealer AFTER I had placed a deposit for the 1198R. I arrived 1115hrs. Weather was dry, temp 13c. After the the hellos and paperwork, out we went to start up Italy's finest. After the intial wurr from the fuel injection, one press of the starter button and I thought i'd died and gone to heaven! With the termi race system on this beauty sounded like my old 996RS corse bike but with more terror! She warmed up for a few minutes and we talked about the controls and the bike in general. Then the time came for me to go for my ride - I felt like I did when I did my first race - nervous, excited, pulse racing, all eyes on me.... "don't stall her - FOCUS". "Take your time - don't rush back" said the dealer. I let the clutch out til I felt her bite and gently opened the throttle and glided off onto my chosen route. I had not ridden since stopping racing in 2003, so was relieved not to make a prat of my self! Just up the road, traffic queued - and so did I patiently. The duke was fairly civilised and I was enjoying blipping the throttle. Finally I got out of the t junction and I was off. I went from Winchester to Alton via the back roads and whilst I took it steady and sensible - I was amazed at how the 1098s performed. The acceleration was stunning and the brakes a revelation! I found she steered slower than I would like and later found out the bike was on its lowest ride height - so no worries there for me. Changing down gear quickly was impressive also considering no slipper clutch - I remember my 996 locking up very often before the slipper clutch - so well done Ducati. On my return journey I became a bit more naughty and coming out of a roundabout in 3rd she power wheelied nice and gracefully. Round the twists and turns she was steady as a rock. On the straights - simply ballistic. The smell, feel, look and performance make this one heck of a bike and a marvel to how Ducati have developed the fantastic V twin!
On my return to the dealer I simply stated the bike was incredible, power amazing and brakes awesome. He replied - I shouldn't tell you this but we spoke to the 1198r test rider for Ducati and he has lapped round the Ducati test track on the 1198r quicker than the motogp bike..... Is this possible I thought... on reflection I would not be surprised! Long live the V TWIN! :naughty:
On my return to the dealer I simply stated the bike was incredible, power amazing and brakes awesome. He replied - I shouldn't tell you this but we spoke to the 1198r test rider for Ducati and he has lapped round the Ducati test track on the 1198r quicker than the motogp bike..... Is this possible I thought... on reflection I would not be surprised! Long live the V TWIN! :naughty: