Test ride: Ducati 749 & 999

deftones156 · 05-23-2006, 5:00 PM

Last Saturday I went out for a ride, and after a while I found myself wanting to stop by the Duc dealer to see if I could test out some bikes. I wandered around until I saw a guy I recognized.

Me: Hey, how far in advance do you have to call to schedule a test ride?
Him: You can take one right now if you want to.
Thinking to self "YES!!!"
Me: Oh, okay that's cool

So he more or less suggested the 749, and that was right along with what I was thinking. A few minutes and a few swoops of the pen later, and I was on my way. After I came back, I rode the 999 as well.
This was my first foray into the world of the twin, save HDs or Buells. I wasn't used to the unique sound of the motor, but I grew to like it quickly.

Positives of 749 & 999:
-both had more than ample power for the street--999 pulled like a freight train above 4k
-revs quickly
-braking, handling, and gearbox were all superb
-sexy as hell
-fun as hell--there's just something I can't put my finger on about the twins!

Negatives:
-seating position--really shitting for around town, but great for twisties
-price ($14k or $18k for 999)

Bottom line, there was just something about the whole package that put a big smile on my face and kept me in a good mood for the rest of the day!

Fin.

bwhip · 05-23-2006, 5:07 PM

Twins are definitely different and special, IMO.

My other observations to add to yours on the 749/999 that you may have noticed:

They're incredibly narrow through the midsection
Suspension feels rigid but focused
Great through the corners (although not so much on slow speed tight stuff)
Mirrors are a joke for actually seeing what's behind you, but cool looking
They definitely draw lots of attention due to looks and sound

Nice write-up. Thanks for sharing.

nhfirefighter13 · 05-23-2006, 5:39 PM

Great track bikes but, IMO, would suck on the street during longer rides.

luvtolean · 05-23-2006, 5:50 PM

Interestingly, all of the points mentioned are exactly how I'd describe the MV, except the pulls like a freight train above 4k...the MV it's more like 10k.

I call the handling "deliberate". The 929 is hyper, where the MV does as told, in a somewhat stolid manner. Not to say it's slow handling, just different.

The MV of course is designed by the same gent who did the 916 platform...I think there's more to all that feel (other than torque) than just the engine.

I've never ridden a Duc though, so I can't compare.

Nickelii · 05-23-2006, 6:40 PM

Being a former Ducati superbike owner I can say that they are great trackbikes, they burn the hell out of your legs on the street, and maintenace will make you buy a Japanese bike

abtech · 05-23-2006, 7:21 PM

Interesting to have watched the evolution of the 916 platform (and the 748) since their original release. Dave Knapp (local retired AMA racer) had a 916 and a SuperMono and both of them had more weight on the rear tire than the front when placed on a scale (by a couple of pounds). Even with a rider on board the bike only went to 50/50 front/rear. Over the years, the platform has changed to move more and more weight onto the front wheel and the latest 99X that I watched on the scales was damn near 60/40 front/rear (and the presence of a rider didn't change the ratio more than a couple of points).

When we measured Dave's 916, we also weighed one of our TZ's and it was 57/43 without rider, while it went to 61/39 with a 140 pound rider onboard.

Wonder how the MV is set up?

luvtolean · 05-23-2006, 7:27 PM

No idea. Any scales hanging around Grattan?

abtech · 05-23-2006, 7:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

No idea. Any scales hanging around Grattan?

Not unless SCCA leaves them again . . .

luvtolean · 05-23-2006, 7:34 PM

deftones156 · 05-23-2006, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwhip

Twins are definitely different and special, IMO.

My other observations to add to yours on the 749/999 that you may have noticed:

They're incredibly narrow through the midsection
Suspension feels rigid but focused
Great through the corners (although not so much on slow speed tight stuff)
Mirrors are a joke for actually seeing what's behind you, but cool looking
They definitely draw lots of attention due to looks and sound

Nice write-up. Thanks for sharing.

Yeah, I did a quick write-up right before I left work, and I did forget a few things. Though what I forgot bwhip remembered! The mirrors are an absolute joke, even though they can be adjusted a lot. They are narrow, and the seat would be horribly uncomfortable just sitting on top of it, but since your nuts are against the tank the whole time it's not that bad.

Oh, and Nickelli is right, there is noticeable heat coming up on your inner thighs.
It was funny posing at stoplights and seeing the stares those bikes drew...until people noticed the dealer plate

tigerblade · 05-24-2006, 9:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abtech

Interesting to have watched the evolution of the 916 platform (and the 748) since their original release. Dave Knapp (local retired AMA racer) had a 916 and a SuperMono and both of them had more weight on the rear tire than the front when placed on a scale (by a couple of pounds). Even with a rider on board the bike only went to 50/50 front/rear. Over the years, the platform has changed to move more and more weight onto the front wheel and the latest 99X that I watched on the scales was damn near 60/40 front/rear (and the presence of a rider didn't change the ratio more than a couple of points).

When we measured Dave's 916, we also weighed one of our TZ's and it was 57/43 without rider, while it went to 61/39 with a 140 pound rider onboard.

I never would have guessed that about the weight distribution. Interesting stuff.