deathpulse
Pro
Posts: 1688
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posted May 10, 2007 08:02 PM
I LOVE THIS BIKE
Well - 250 miles on the clock... and going! I've been riding a nicely tuned 2000 zx-12r for the last 7 years... here are my thoughts on the new Ducati with that as a reference point:
1. Bike is COMFY! I'm 6' 2" tall about 210lbs now and she is more comfortable for me than my '12 (and my '12 has a Corbin seat). Basically, the '12 and my '11 before her have a tendancy to crack my nads when stopping or when riding 2 up. The Duc has a seat that is flatter and less prone to gonad crushing. In addition - leg room is superb for a bike of this style. HOME RUN DUCATI!!
2. Bike is BuZZZzzy. I LOVE it. The twin is MUCH more buzzy than an inline 4 (this is the first duc I've owned). When you are in top gears (4 through 6) and you crack the throttle below 4K - she shakes like Scotty's enterprise going warp 9. Its a cool feeling and very different from the Japanese inlines. Some may not like this - but I really do.
3. Bike can HANDLE. HOLY CRAP. I don't even have pilots on this thing (just the stock tires) and she EASILY handles as well as the zx-6 track bikes I ride. I haven't taken it to the limits yet, and I have some nice chicken strips still - but I'm still in the breakin period. Turn-in is CRAZY fast and easy though... .and I'm thinking this will be the best handling bike I've ever owned.
4. BREAKS ARE WAAAAY STRONG. Ok. These breaks are silly good. BE CAREFUL if yo uare riding one for the first time. DONT GRAB too hard. A nice easy 1 or 2 finger touch on the breaks will scrub off speed faster than an f-14 landing on a catch wire (ok - maybe not -but believe me the breaks are AMAZING).
5. CLUTCH IS REALLY REALLY STRONG. I got caught in traffic this afternoon and my left arm feels like Poppy. I think I may have to go after market on this puppy. Good news is that you really don't need the clutch to upshit. The gears are the smoothest I've ever had on a sport bike.
6. Tool kit is lame. Nuff said. Anyone compiled a nice list of Snap-on stuff to get to put in the glove box?
7. OK. I have an open cluch on her and.. .MAN it sounds and looks cool  . SOOO much cooler than the closed zx-12 setup . WOOHOO!
8. Gas milage is sketchy. I hate break in periods. More on gas mileage after 1000 miles .
9. LOVE the auto starter. Too cool. WOOT
10. I have the carbon fiber cans. Get them. They Rock. Really.
11. Harley guys actually LIKE this bike. A few buds and I went to a Harley dealer today - a litteral SWARM of harley guys came up to check it out. At first I thought I was gonna get a whole heap of crap - instead they all wanted to get on it and asked 1000 questions. Nice. My 12 never got that kind of attention!
12. Does the steering damper really do anything? I think a better model may be in order...
13. Idle is set too high - is everyones? In traffic idle got up to 2300 rpm. Usually its about 1700. I'll check the owners manual tonight and adjust.
14. Rear view mirrors are absolutely useless. Really. I'd chuck them if they didn't have turn signals in them  . Anyone put handle bar end mirrors on yet?  .
15. LCD readout is just amazing. WELL done.
OK - thats all I can think of for now. Time for more riding. ZOOOM!!!
  
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21893
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posted May 10, 2007 09:02 PM
 welcome to the club...
shoot me your addy in email and I'll git ya 1098desmo.com decal!
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21893
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posted May 10, 2007 09:15 PM
 Edited By: fish_antlers on 10 May 2007 23:21
btw... what I tell ya? You guys all think I was making this up or something? This bike kicks ass 
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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chris3232
Novice Class
1
Posts: 85
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posted May 11, 2007 07:28 AM
Thanks for the input. The longer I have to wait for this thing it seems like I am telling myself " maybe I should of waited". I feel much better about it today.
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deathpulse
Pro
Posts: 1688
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posted May 11, 2007 09:28 AM
No problem Chris - it is REALLY worth it. The bike is amazing. Overall - a great package.
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