Hiya, just thought I’d do a bit of a write up on a session i had on track on my missus 899 at Cartagena compared to my very tricked 600 which i race in club level meetings. I have never written anything about anything, but was impressed that i wanted to share my thoughts. Also I’m not a racing god but some poor bloke(because of racing) who does some club level race meetings in mid pack. Brakes: the 899 brakes are good and do not fade. The feel of the lever is different from my race bike or other Ducati’s I own - in fact any other bike. It seems there is resistance on the initial travel of the lever like a sponge absorbing the pressure but without actually engaging the brakes. However, once the brakes engage it is good and allows smooth and controlled trail braking around the corners. I don't know if the sponge feeling on the initial pull is due to the abs or what not - took a few corners to get used to - Ideally if it can have a more direct response would be better so that the lever doesn't have to sit as far out wasting travel. However, doesn't affect the braking at all - but something i would look to change if it was me. Footpegs : Unfortunately the rear sets my missus ordered didn't arrive in time so using the stock pegs. Yes - it is slippery but not as bad as i thought from reading the forums. However, I would definitely change them. Reason is they are slightly too low - not low enough that you'll deck them on track - but enough to get your toe sliders down too easily. On normal corners, stock pegs were ok but on quick change of directions, my outside foot did slip off the pegs couple of times so definitely change the stock pegs if not considering a full rear set change. Suspension : I don't know what settings they were on as it was new from the dealer and my missus hasn't changed anything - i would presume stock settings. Very very very good. I was expecting nose dives under braking and uncontrollable wheels out of corners. None of this happened and everything was controlled and smooth. I believe that i can use the stock suspension to race at club level with these settings. My missus was originally thinking of getting the ohlins ttx rear shock and some ktech kit - that’s now no longer needed. That’s how good i think the stock suspension on stock settings are. Quickshifter : My missus complained a few times that the shifter failed to engage. I believe this is down to correct pressure of clicking the pedal - I didn't experience shifter failing to engage. However, the shifter is adequate and does a good job. It doesn't give as smooth shifts as some aftermarket units but considering it doesn't cost 500gbp, it’s as good as it gets. I wouldn't bother changing it. Engine : Tbh, it feels a bit like my 600 bike even though this has 20 bhp extra. I spent a load of time trying to find the correct gear into some corners. I don't believe the bike is geared correctly for this particular circuit so i was often left in too high a gear. It definitely doesn't have the torque i am used from a v-twin but was very pleased with it. Easy to handle - not a crazy animal where you need to be too conscious of the throttle. But would need more time on the bike. The bike has a full system and easily pulled away from my 600 on the straights. Expected though. TC/EBC/ABS : Don't know much abt TC and ABS. Bike was on race setting whatever they are. I can talk about EBC as my missus who is riding a v-twin for the first time was mentioning that the engine braking was too severe causing the bike to judder too much. I was reading that some people changed it to EBC 2 or 3 which technically keeps the throttle slightly open and thought of trying this. When i took the bike out - it was on EBC 1 stock setting and with quick downshifts and everything - it was perfect. It was so similar to my race bike - able to back the rear in without unsettling the bike. Ofcourse - the engine braking is say similar to bikes without a proper slipper clutch - but some may find it too strong if they are used to riding say blades or other bikes with very good slippers. I went back and told my missus not to change anything EBC wise - if she wants - she can consider getting a proper slipper clutch - but personally i use engine braking a lot. Just to sum it up. This is my missus’s brand new bike and using road shift (i only use race shift) on whatever tyres she had so you can understand i did not want to crash the bike or push the bike to get me anywhere near trouble. Therefore in the 1 session (15mins) i took this bike around - it has astounded me leaving me genuinely impressed and of the opinion that if i took off the fairings, i could race it. Maybe not to win much but defo in mid pack without much modification. The only thing i would change is the brake issue (spongy initial travel and rear sets. From my 15min session at Cartagena, i was doing 1:54s which although 10+sec off the time i do on my 600, I easily felt that if the bike was mine *winks i could go faster than my own. If i bought this bike for occasional trackdays - I wouldn't change anything.
