Not everyone's favourite style ! but what a bike.
The nature of the bike make's it a good all rounder, plenty of torque, reasonable comfort for 100 - 150 mile trips, or, with a gel seat, all day. Great for scrathing when the suspension's been set up right, a good tourer with a 20 L tank, plenty of passenger space. It's even got a glove box !
Top end is a real world 135 ish, but why would you want more ?. Yes, it is a little short on horse power at approx. 95bhp by some modern standards but, it makes for a very "useable" real world bike, where worrying about traction and wheelspin are not an issue.
The open treliss frame give it a unique look that stands out from some other bikes, the front stoppers are excelent and the rear just about adequate. controls all fall to hand except fr the computor trip functions which requires you to take one hand off the bars.
Ducati finish and customer approach is still not brilliant, for instance why would anyone want to spend all that money on Ollins just to have road muck fired at them ? when will manufacturers twig that the cost of fitting a rear hugger can be charged for and it scores on the thoughtfull everyones happy front !
But most of the problems with finish, panel fit and electrics have now gone, and if you get a good dealer, any minor faults are sorted at the PDI, or, at a time to suit both parties.
Pro's
Lovely engine, with useable torque.
Good road pressence with a commanding position of view.
Good load lugger.
Comfortable.
Different.
Con's
Looks are not for everyone.
Ducati accessories require a 2nd. overdraft (£300 for heated grips, £1000 + for an ECU !)
Could do with a much higher screen for touring.
Posted: 28/07/2010 at 17:07
