MCN Group Test, 7th June

[CPJS]

*edited - Also, I've got a fun budget of £10K burning a hole in my pocket to either change bikes or buy another, but I can't work out whether I want a pure touring bike to supplement the 899 (think twin cam R1200RT, tried a MTS950 a couple of weeks ago but didnt get on with it) or to pex mine and go for something as an all in one bike. At the moment I think Im better just doing nothing and enjoying the 899.

RBW.

Get yourself a Yamaha tracer then put on proper suspension, a full system and a remap then go play.

 

[patzx12]

Just to say, you can now extend warranty on Ducati's (maybe only at point of purchase - its relatively new) its called the 'everRed' or some marketing strapline. I think its up to 4 years.

I've had a Ducati 899 Panigale for 3 years, done 20K miles on it and the dealer has been awesome, even out of warranty (Italia Moto in Lincoln). I also dropped into a Ducati dealer in Luxembourg as had an issue with air in the clutch and they bled it without charging me.

Ducati for me has been an awesome ownership experience. The Valve clearance service was a little pricey at 15K miles (with a chain and sprocket set just over £800), but I can cope with that for all the other joys every 15K, also when I had that done they noticed slight wear on a rocker arm, and got that replaced as a goodwill gesture even though it was technically just out of warranty.

Cant speak highly enough of Ducati, and everyone likes Ducati riders . On tour in Germany with some friends recently in the black forest (1290GT, 1200VFR, 800XCX), in the restaurant one of the (female) relatives of the owner wanted to know who owned the Ducati... bet you dont get that on a GS . Funnily enough the next night in a different hotel the KTM rider was wearing his Ducati t-shirt for dinner (he previously owned an MTS) .

*edited - Also, I've got a fun budget of £10K burning a hole in my pocket to either change bikes or buy another, but I can't work out whether I want a pure touring bike to supplement the 899 (think twin cam R1200RT, tried a MTS950 a couple of weeks ago but didnt get on with it) or to pex mine and go for something as an all in one bike. At the moment I think Im better just doing nothing and enjoying the 899.

RBW.

A well written response, we do have a good Ducati dealer in NI about 200 miles from me.
More posts like this and I will run out and buy an S or an Enduro.

 

[yofi]

Ride magazine, September 17.

GS
- plusher and more comfortable
- better wind protection
- better economy
- shaftdriven, no chain faff
- smoother low down revs
- telelever accomplished but less feedback than ktm
- quickshifter better at higher gears and higher revs than at low gears, low revs
- vario panniers are a great touch
- dated clocks (clearly, printed before the tft release)
- bike looks slightly dated


SA-S
- tft,, but sloooow to load ("the screen take - and this is no exaggeration - 6000 years to load")
- fuel gauge unreliable
- seat harder but ergonomics better
- suspension firmer and sportier
- front end dips more into corners but still accomplished
- speed is gained in a more expressive, entertaining way; beyond 5k has the spirt of a superbike
- quickshifter needs a lighter touch
- makes every journey feel like an event; crisper engine, accessible performance; in terms of sheer riding pleasure wins hands down
- the bike to choose if going on a long trip with your mates; incredibly capable all rounder (inference - GS is a wifey bike)

KTM would be the two tester's choice.

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The next GS better have a engine, else they might be in trouble.