Hello All, Wanted to ask for your opinion around getting an 1199s vs a 1299 base. I used to have a 1199 (base) but then it was sold and replaced by a KTM Superduke 1290r but even if the orange bike was great and lots of fun, I miss the ducati and also spending more time at the track so having a superbike makes more sense. Have been scanning the market for either an 1199 or a 1299 as the V4 is too new and over budget. I have found at almost the same mileage and condition an 1199s and a 1299 base. (of course the 1299 is a 2015 model against a 2012 model for the 1199s) Price wise the 1299 is around 20% more expensive. For a normal bloke that spends 40% on road and 60% on track (top of intermediate or low end of fast with no slicks) does the 1299 worth the difference in money? I am aware of the subtle changes of the 1299 over the 1199 along with the advanced electronics but does it really worth it when we are not after the miliseconds for super pole? I do appreciate that a newer model is always better than the older but would you go more the electronic suspension at lower price or bit more cc and torque & newer electronics etc at a higher one? Looking for some real life experiences! Any insights highly appreciated! Cheers, Alex
You were happy with the base 1199 so go the base 1299, I don't have one but the 1299 had a lot of major upgrades that I'm sure you will appreciate. Ride them both and you'll get what I'm talking about. Don't get me wrong I love my 1199 and won't be selling but now the V4 seems so good a 1299 is now a good buy.
Thanks mate! Indeed was happy with the 1199 base but was always wondering if the electronic suspension is better for the track. Buying the 1299 makes more sense from what I read in forums etc but trying to see if anyone had a different opinion... probably 1299 it is...!
I used to have an 1199 base, but I now have a 1299 base. The biggest difference I found was on road use. The 1199 I found quite hard for road use, mainly due to the low rpm performance being difficult/jerky. Plus on the 1199 it really comes alive after about 7k rpm, which isn't great as your nearly always doing illegal speeds by then. The 1299 currently has been much more refined for road use. Gives you a lot more lower down the rpm range, throttle response is much better and smoother. all round a lot better. I've never used the electronic suspension so can't comment there, but I'm more than happy with the suspension on my 1299.
I concur with Sonic - the 1299 is much easier to ride on the road than the 1199... but its still not easy I don't rate the electronic suspension on s1000rr or Pani yet - too unpredictable: when what you want on a sports bike is predictability. its ok for touring bikes where you're not on the edge and its making the ride comfortable. Raceday users/avid track riders junk it. If the spring rates are wrong you have to fix them either way.
Hi I have a 1299 pure track bike with k- tech dds rear shock in and k- tech ids fork internals all set u for my weight etc. Never had an 1199 but rode one on track. Buy the 1299. Just my opinion.
I concur with what has been said here. The 1299 larger capacity make it a better road bike. The 1199S does not have the advantage of (active) electronic suspension that the 1299S has which makes it much better on the road. I would say that the Ohlins on the 1199S are better than the base model 1299 suspension but I would still choose the base 1299 over the 1199S for mixed track and road use.
IMHO the way to go here is to 100% buy the 1299 base and if you find the standard suspension doesn't give you what you want look to upgrade the fork internals and rear shock when you can. For what it's worth, that's what I did as I felt the rear shock was pretty poor and the forks had a very limited range of rebound adjustment. So for road use I went for a Maxton GP10 full rear shock and GP30 fork internals. I partly went for Maxton cos they're close to me but their kit is much better quality than OE Ohlins stuff and more equivalent to race spec' Ohlins which is very expensive. It also has a massive range of adjustment that you can really feel and is very well thought of by the TT paddock, so for my riding on our bumpy A-roads I went with them and am very pleased. Enjoy the Beaty & Beast !
Once more really appreciate all the answers! Exactly what I was looking for to feel better with parting way with more cash... Bike will be delivered today! @Advikaz Thanks for the offer mate but currently living in the Netherlands!
