Tank Slap - Motorcycle Forum

I thought I would stick up a bit of a on going review of the Ducati 899.
I'm really impressed with the suspension it is solid and stable through the corners. However over roads of poor condition its soaks up the bumps amazingly well. I'am impressed how easy it is going from side to side on a round about then picking a point in the road to exit, it is effortless and very precise.
The engine has a bit of punch to it but you really have to rev it. There's a surge at about 8000 rpm through to the red line. I've played around with the modes and race mode is good for open roads were as i have found putting it in sport mode for towns works quite well as the throttle in race mode can be a little aggressive from nothing to a slight opening.
I'am having problems with sliding on the seat into the tank. I visited Neil at Corner speed and had a chat with him regarding a different seat also I changed the engine braking setup. I went from level 1 to 3. On the way homeIi could tell a small difference at low engine speed but I was took by surprise approaching a corner at 8000rpm the bike had virtually no engine braking at all.

Niggles I'm having
You get a hot ass sometimes as that exhaust gets rather close to your bottom.
Want to get with some grip pads on the tank or maybe try another seat as there are a couple Ducati offer.

Loving the bike at the moment and even though I'm not 100% the bike is looking after me and making me feel rather special.

Good write up Rocket.

Pictures look stunning. The bike looks absolutely immaculate I really like the dark screen, really suits the bike.

What is the red line at ?

I think around 12k
The bike looks so much better in the flesh than in pictures. I think so anyway

Forgot to mention it's a known issue about getting a warm bum on a Panigale and I remember my test ride when I got stuck in traffic and nearly ditched the bike and got the bus back as it was seriously painful getting my legs slow cooked.

I know the issue is mainly in traffic / town which you dont ride in often but as a potential fix if it does become an issue I have seen some exhausts wrapped in heat wrap to try and reduce the heat soak into the riders legs and bottom. Might be worth a try if it starts to annoy you as not expensive.

rocket wrote:I think around 12k
The bike looks so much better in the flesh than in pictures. I think so anyway

That's quite a high rev limit for a twin. They have obviously improved since my SP2 which is topping out at 9.5 / 10k. If the power kicks in at 8k there is a good workable 4k power zone to play with. Does it have a shift light ?

Simply stunning,Ducati sure know how to make dream machines

If the hot arse issue becomes too much for you Rocket just put it on a boat and send it my way

Blade wrote:

rocket wrote:I think around 12k
The bike looks so much better in the flesh than in pictures. I think so anyway

That's quite a high rev limit for a twin. They have obviously improved since my SP2 which is topping out at 9.5 / 10k. If the power kicks in at 8k there is a good workable 4k power zone to play with. Does it have a shift light ?

Yes you get red bars coming on the dash. I have hit the limiter a few times as the engine note is the same and trying to tune my self into when I need to change gear.

Looks great. Good write up too.

kiwikrasher wrote:

If the hot arse issue becomes too much for you Rocket just put it on a boat and send it my way

Send his arse to you? I do worry about you sometimes

C00kiemonster wrote:

kiwikrasher wrote:

If the hot arse issue becomes too much for you Rocket just put it on a boat and send it my way

Send his arse to you? I do worry about you sometimes

I really should read my posts properly... I blame the sleep deprivation

Nice bit of kit that is.

Gizza go

I don't know what the special ingredient is, but ducati know how to make a special looking bike

It looks so nice Rocket I bet it's a great bike to ride too. Great idea with a live in review would love to hear your experiences good and bad

Lovely bike, enjoy - Deffo a bike to be parked up within eye shot while eating cake and drinking coffee, so you can just look at it before the next hoon.

Stunning!