I just posted a question on the Tech part via handlebars and then wrote this yesterday there. Perhaps better in tyhe 848 section.
In any case, here's what happened last Monday. Since then parked as its been raining ... ! I think clears up today or tomorrow for a nice weekend !
Ok, got the call on Monday - the guy in front of me ... his financing fell through or something and the Pearl White 848 was up for grabs and I was next in line. Ran down and in 1 hour I was on the road, Monday December 17th.
I'm 5'8, experienced rider all my life - but far from a track day "professional" -
to date I've never really had a Duc, just Kawasakis - Ninjas.
First, I was amazed at how light and nimble and balanced the bike felt. I did 125 miles or so here is Southern California but I did keep the bike under 5,500 RPM's.
While its "winter" here (60 f) I did not feel any excessive heat from / under the seat. Even at under 6K rpms, the power delivery at this point feels very linear and smooth.
I am not used to the L Twin but it really felt cool and pulled nicely. Picks up speed deceptively fast but at this point its not like my eyebals were plastered to the back of my head. Its a smooth, linear, exciting pull and rev of the engine. Its not going to launch you to the moon and the torque felt good, but again I'm coming from an inline 4 world and I'm at 5,500 RPMs as I'm breakin in.
I think the Duc compared to an inline 4 is a much sexier, "mature", fine wine type of rush (so to speak) versus a steroid - shot gun a beer - inline 4, which is more of a eyeball plaster sort of thing. I don't know hard to describe, both hve their place and time but all I can say is so far the Duc has been an intoxicating experience and I've only been to 5,500 RPMs over 125 miles.
Did hills, tight turns, fast back roads and its unbelievable in its agility. I'm serious. Its amazingly agile. I think Chetah (sp) for you animal planet watchers out there. Had no issues or negative feeling on brakes and adjustible Showa forks and suspension are perfect for me at this point - ie - non professional rider, but yes I am experienced, have taken riding courses and its hard to outrun me on any type of road but track days - I'm in the "Intermediate" group.
For me, the riding position is aggressive, overly so, so one of my first mods is handlebars or whatever I can do (advice anyone on best bar mod...heli, convertibars, etc?), but then again in my opinion this is not a every day go to the store and work 5 days a week motorcycle. Also, I may just not be used to the position as of yet. At 37 I'm no spring chicken.
Please note, that I totall agree with the several reviews provided by / on MCN "motocyclenewsdotcom". I think those write-ups and interviws are exactly accurate from my initial "real life" street riding, non professional rider, but on bikes since I was 12 years old, etc guy.
Its absolutely beautiful. Wow, I mean talk about sex appeal for a motorcycle. 10 + rating
Lastly, I find myself intoxicated by the bike. Sounds, feel, look, the ride (even with my wrists). Its one of my best motorcycle experiences to date and I've been on bikes since 12 or so, all kinds, all over the place.
Its been raining now here 3 days so I've just been polishing it up for the weekend sun ... ! Even polishing it, I get excited. My girlfriend thinks I'm pathetic and I agree, pretty much am when it comes to two wheels. But that what the Ducati has brought out in me.
NO regrets and once a few mods are in place, this bike already and will even more so get the juices and excitement going just like your first memorable xmas eve and xmas when you were a kid. Heart starst beating fast, anticipation builds and I think thats what riding is all about.
Long post, sorry, but FYI for those on the fence perhaps. Lastly, for me FYI, with shipping, setup, license, registratoin, taxes, fees, etc - OTD = $15,505.00. Base price here is So California - $13,120, not the $12,995.
My two cents only ...
