For Sale 2009 Ducati 1198s, Termis, Fully Serviced With Belts And Valve Clearances, 11,650 Miles, £8900

I've only had my 1198S for three months but have had it fully serviced by Pro Twins and taken it around Europe for 2,000 miles where it didn't miss a beat. I'm only selling because it appears a child is arriving in January and I'm just not going to have time to ride it, which is a pain because it's easily the best roadbike I've had.

The bike has these things:

• Custom PPF kit applied by Auto Curators in Hook. It also had a full detail and ceramic coating for £500 back in September
• Slash-cut Termi end cans and ECU upmap. It's the loudest bike I've ever had…
• 2,000 mile old Power RS tyres with loads of life left
• Rizoma footpegs (originals included)
• Seat cowl

The new owner will probably want to put a new fuel tank on it in the next couple of years because it's expanded, but it's not touching anything it shouldn't be.

Open to sensible offers around £8,900.

Aaand forgot to say – the bike's near Dorking, Surrey.

 

I know, it's unfortunate. Actually I bought the 1198 knowing that I'd have time for one last trip around Europe with mates and wanted something suitably inappropriate to do it on. I had a 2013 Multi 1200S a few years ago which was awesome, but this has a rawness and front-end feel that very little else I've ridden matches.

I'm not completely desperate to sell it, it just doesn't make a lot of sense to keep it.

It feels like any gear at almost any rpm and it does silly things. Also the throttle connection is just incredible – there's something about the way it tells you what's happening at the back wheel. The throttle-by-wire bikes can't quite replicate that yet…