Having not ridden one before, and having no Ducati for Silverstone, I took the plunge and rented a CSS one. As some may know, I have been struggling with track riding. Have spent the last two years trying to get my mojo back having bought a 170hp beast of a bike. So how was it? First impressions were its small and light, but no way I was going to tuck behind the screen! Also have conti road atttack tyres (new rear, used front) and being used to slicks, wasnt sure how they would behave. Plus road shift, when I run race shift on track, would be a challenge.. Well session one was a few mega slow sighting laps, then in and out again. Half hour session. Immediately, it felt 'right' just like my old Monster race bike. Flat wide bars, narrow tank, stomp grips and just an instant flickability seriously lacking in my own tool... By the end of the first sesion, I was over taken once, had my right boot and knee scraping and felt like I'd been riding it for a year! Session 2 and time to get on it a bit. Overtook loads and only passed by Rob Guiver (leading 899 fella) and the Heros team and a guy on a superleggera. All of which I could latch on to and, with the expection of Guiver, stay with (few bikes lengths by each corner) for a lap. Started quicker steering, hitting apexes, and importantly dragging my knee in most corners. Alas my toes too, so small readjustment and solved that. Now it was pegs... And so the day went on, other than the last session when I was a little ragged and the DTC was on at every corner and a out of seat moment (DTC is failsafe, right?! ) I felt back to my better self, ok slower but more accurate and was overtaking at will without hesitation. And I could get down most behind the screen too and stay low on the straights. The electronics worked well enough (last session excepted a little, although probably saved me a big bill and some pain) and the gearbox and shifter is sublime. I was able to tale liberties with the throttle and was flat just off the limiter in 6th on the hanger straight and not far behind on the other straight. This bike is a leap forward on a 848, not a step. Would I have one? For the road, no. Multi can do all that and more in comfort and less fatigue. As much fun? No way, the 899 would win that hands down but I'll live with my choice. On track? Not sure...Silverstone is a big track and even after session one it felt lacking in power. But I have been riding my track bike Friday and that could have had an impact. I'd like a crack on an 1199 now...but reckon I would be quicker now on an 899 than my Suzuki! If I had a few grand burning a hole, the gixer would go and I'd get a challenge bike for the track only. But I'd have to try an 1199 first! Now I get why people rave about them
If you can afford to fix it if you break it, mine is near Silverstone. 1199s tricolore with Race Up-Map & full bore Termi system. Puts out 184bhp at the back wheel. It cost me 28K to buy it and 3K to bring it back to retail condition recently when I thought my health was going to cause my demise. Got a lot better, but still not using it. My good friend Bill looks after it for me and rides it when he gets the chance, but if you can afford to fix it if you bin it..........?
Think I'll wait ril next year and rent one! Lol but great offer thanks. Plus I'd only end up needing one and spending 16k on a new multi didnt go down too well with swmbo...!
