Rode a couple of more bikes over lunch hour yesterday.
The Triumph 955i Daytona, Ducati 749S, and the Ducati ST2 (again). I've ruled out the ST2 - just too much vibration. The 955i had really good handling, and a very strong motor but it still had some unwanted vibration (it's a triple). A good candidate but I wasn't convinced that I wanted to give up on the Duc.
So I asked to ride the 749S. It's supposed to be basically the same bike as is used on the World Superbike circuit (albeit with different tires and pumped up motor). Absolutely wonderful. Great handling, crap mirrors (absolutely useless), very quick with a lot of torque. Great brakes.
I really loved riding this bike.. and the sound.. Incroyable. A wee bit expensive at 10,500 but boy... so tempting. Seat got a little hot, as did my left leg. I think were I to buy it I would have to rework the seat (a bit thicker with a better heat shield as the pipes run right under it) and add a heat shield for the left leg.
But I see why Ducatis have such a reputation.
Posted by artandscience at September 27, 2005 07:02 AM