Fabulous bike. Still a looker and absolutely iconic. Fantastic engine which gets smoother the harder you rev it while making the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end! It is tiny as it feels like you are perched on the handlebars and it generally goes where you point it unless you are dawdling, at which speed it can run wide e.g. roundabouts. Very hard ride and bumps can kick you out of the seat. Heavy clutch making slow speed work a chore when combined with lumpy power delivery at low revs. Quite different in nature to the standard 996 which does not have as many trick bits not least of which is the engine - Pankl titanium con-rods, valves, forged pistons etc.
You have to be on a track to get rid of the chicken strips and even then you have to be very brave with the lean angles but once you click with the bike it can make you feel invincible - this is the bike's natural stomping ground.
One of the best mods for the bike is lighter wheels e.g. Marchesini. Improves turn in and everything else. It must be serviced by a Ducati specialist if you are a caring owner. Cam belts must be changed every 2 years and servicing costs are high but the bike is worth it in every way.
Posted: 29/07/2009 at 08:49
