I've owned a few bikes, ranging from 1960s Brit icons to modern sportsbikes. The wife cant quite understand why one bike can't "do it for me", and I often confuse myself trying to imagine if one could or would... then after this It helps me realise there is a gap in the herd and the next purchase soon rolls up the drive! And this year I have been transformed into the world of "DUCATI" ownership in purchasing a low-mileage 1 owner 998 Biposto. I must admit its been a bit of an eye-opener coming to the world of Ducati.. and thats just meeting the ducatiforum.co.uk members! Only kidding, a really helpful bunch who've been there and done that and supportive of new ducati'sts like me. I had always imagined trying to find a 1 owner low mileage example so I could have an un-buggerised Ducati as close as it was to leaving the factory. After some time deciding on models and sourcing I got the bike. I had already said to myself I would be more than happy with a standard 998 in its basic form. I didn't even long for any "S for Swanky" versions as I usually do with vehicles.... as just a clean tidy 998 ticked so many boxes. I wanted her in stock form and had imagined keeping here that way. After getting to know her a bit and riding 700-800 miles I realised what an uncomfortable and tiring bike this was to ride in its stock setup. Was I just not cut-out to ride a Superbike and had those Jap bikes made me all soft with weak wrists? I gave her a few more miles hoping with time my body would instantly transform into Foggy and become battle-hardened for the task…. however I just got increasingly frustrated.. especially anything under 4K with numb and sore wrists! First of all.. she sounded like a Moped.. and I had paid all this money for a DUCATI with that sound??? Hell, my lawnmower sounded grungier that this, so first things first I had to get some slip-on cans on the bike. In doing this I went from a moped to a Superbike tone with a beautiful low (V8 Style) grumble on engine overrun. Yeah maybe not 50mm full system but I reckon the neighbours would petition me off the street with those as the slipons are just right for a better sound. I opted to get a second ECU to go with the second hand cans.. so I could keep the original with standard settings. Then for comfort came a Double Bubble Screen. This provided a great improvement for Motorway and higher speed travel. Whilst the old screen fixings seemed ok, but I got a set of new ones to ensure I had originals put aside. For the wrists.. I had to have some Adjustable Clipons.. These were a great addition to making the bike more comfortable for Road work. These required longer brake tubing to re-position the reservoirs so they cleared (the really low) fairing and I fitted bar end weights which helped with vibrations. (Now I realise why these items are just about on every second-hand 998 on the Market!) Then It was time to do a bit more to personalise her up.. so I fitted clear StompGrips, removed the passenger foot pegs. Umm.. better mirrors, clutch covers and adjustable rear sets next??? So Ive not carboned her all up (YET) and the items changed to date are all easily reversible to stock which is important for my piece of mind and possibly re-sale.. however I have surprised myself how much I have wanted to change this bike already (some items out of necessity to use the bloody thing) but they all help to personalise it into "My Bike" which I really had'nt figured as a consideration pre-purchase. I appreciate the helpful advice shared on ducatiforum.co.uk which has helping me make informed decisions into the world of Ducati ownership.
I always say there is 7 days in the week .... that's after she has said cant ride them all at the same time !
I had to mod up my 998s mono for road use; screen, grips, bar ends, levers, rearsets. Then I wanted to make her look more sexy. Then it all went into a blur, fingers punching in pin codes, credit card melting and SWMBO frowning. I did keep all the original parts.
haha someone whos lived through it and survived to tell the tale... Ive never made so many ebay purchases as I have lately!
Yep, you've caught it bad. Your neighbours will think you are dealing with all those deliveries. Just make sure you spend as much time riding (or more) as you do modding
The faster you go the comfier they are. Towns I avoid like the plague. Motorways also get avoided at all costs. She is a race bike on the road.
I've set aside a monthly budget for 'bike mods' all of which are completely necessary. When things are tight I make the wife and kids eat beans on toast (one slice only) and I turn the electric off at 7:30 so I can afford that vital carbon fibre belt cover that hides behind the fairings. It's all about priorities, bike mods just have to be done.
