Tank Slap - Motorcycle Forum

I had a test ride on this bike this morning whilst the Multi was having a service.

I did test ride one very briefly last year but that one had only 7 miles on it and i was a bit intimidated on riding a brand spanking new £20k bike plus i got caught up in loads of school-run afternoon traffic so go nowhere near riding it like it should be ridden.

This time was different. Bike had been run in, the roads were muhc quieter and i kept to routes i knew.

The modes were all explained to me - Wet=120bhp, Sport=195bhp with a slightly reduced throttle reactiona dn Race is full on 195bhp 'kin 'ell mode.

Anyway after riding away from the dealer in Wet mode, i did turn it up once on an open road but turned it back to Wet mode a few miles later as it just has way to muhc power for road use.

The bike is so planted and agile and even fairly comfortable compared to my 748...and the noise even on the standard can. it really doesn't need the race can.

I did about 60 miles on it on various roads and had the best ride I have had on a sportbike in a long time. The motor does need working a little in 120bhp mode but then i like that ( and its still no slouch by any means) but it is just so easy to ride fast.

Rode back with a huge grin on my face. I was talking to the service manager when he brought my bike round and he asked how i got on with it. I said that the 899 must be epic as has a bit more power than the 120bhp mode but not the silly 195bhp. He reckons the 899 is more agile than the 1199 but with the same stability. Not really muhc more to say than it was just huge fun and it got looks everywhere especially with the noise barking out from the cans.

If you have not ridden one, try and get a test ride just for the experience.

The 899 seems tempting but I can't see me ever wanting the 1199.

899 has to be the best of both worlds. Power of a 1000 agility of a 600.

Seriously fancy test riding a 899 if I ever get a spare minute. Rsv4 is my dream bike just wonder if an 899 could change all that.

thats the only good review ive read about an 1199

Perkles wrote:thats the only good review ive read about an 1199

Thats true, good point

Nice one :-) there was one in a few bits and piece on the back of a truck when we were in wales sounds like a bit of an animal.

Perkles wrote:thats the only good review ive read about an 1199

i don't think the motor makes any sense on a road bike unless you are very very talented.

It didn't like being under 50mph at all in Sport mode and the throttle was very sensitive even then. If you did a lot of track riding then maybe it works better but personally i wouldn't want to spend that money on a 195bhp bike only to use it in 120bhp mode all the time.

That's why i just left in in 120bhp mode and enjoyed everything else about the bike instead. It felt much like a modern, more powerful and more comfortable version of my 748 then.

duke63 wrote:

Perkles wrote:thats the only good review ive read about an 1199

i don't think the motor makes any sense on a road bike unless you are very very talented.

It didn't like being under 50mph at all in Sport mode and the throttle was very sensitive even then. If you did a lot of track riding then maybe it works better but personally i wouldn't want to spend that money on a 195bhp bike only to use it in 120bhp mode all the time.

That's why i just left in in 120bhp mode and enjoyed everything else about the bike instead. It felt much like a modern, more powerful and more comfortable version of my 748 then.

and probably why the 899 is getting rave reviews its more real world ?

I would guess so.

Unfortunately they don't have a 899 demo bike as they sell everyone they can get before they can register it as a demo. They cannot get another until most likely September now.

duke63 wrote:195bhp 'kin 'ell mode.

Am I the only one who really really wants to try "195bhp 'kin 'ell mode"? Just for a bit. The 899 makes just under 150hp. Roughly the same as a gsxr 750. That 1199 must be an animal!
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DaytonAndy wrote:Am I the only one who really really wants to try "195bhp 'kin 'ell mode"?

Nope, I'd love to try it.. Just not on a UK road, somewhere like Silverstone it might make sense..

Yeah I'd give one a go, imagine I'll highside myself to Alaska tho but be fun up till that point

I still think somewhere between 100 and 120 it perfect for the road. Any more and I don't think many of us mortals can get the extra power down. I never really see much difference in speed on the road ride outs between 600s and litre bikes.

I think with traction control becoming the norm now the gap between the 600's and the 1000's will open out again. I've never ridden a litre bike so I have no idea how hard it is to get the power down? On the 899 which I think had traction control I had no problem at all getting the power down!

It isn't so much about getting the power to the tarmac, Andy, as what warp speed you will be travelling at in a few seconds and the fact its keeps on pulling and pulling and doesn't run out of pull.

I suspect you are right, Monty. Up to 100mph i doubt there is very much in it between a decent 600 and a new litre bike.

I have said for a while if Ducati brought out a lightweight road-friendly sportsbike with about 120 bhp i would be first in the queue.

Yup, I reckon 120 / 130hp is great on a sports bike. It's the lower down torque that makes the difference on the road IMO.

Agree With Duke below 100 mph there is little difference between a 600 and a 1000 but the litre bike keeps pulling like an animal where as the 600 doesnt.

Not sure the gap in performance can widen any more tbh Andy the gulf is already 70-80bhp.

I have tried the 195 kin ell mode and its bloody hard to get out of 3rd gear tbh the power is not only huge the delivery is brutal.

Give me a 100BHP, 140kg bike and a decent B road and I'll be a happy Monty.

Monty wrote:Give me a 100BHP, 140kg bike and a decent B road and I'll be a happy Monty.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZw2J9zzymM[/video]