So now that I've been a Ducati owner for at least 24 hours I've got some complaints, some praises, and some WTF comments to make. Here are the obligatory pics and video
Lets start with the WTF category
Single sided swing arm? really cool but was it remotely necessary? had to have yet another rear stand incase i need to change a tire.
so the "choke" is just a button you press that slightly opens the throttle a bit more....
The riding position? seriously I want to see the human that they used to mock the bike up.
Complaints
second worse seat i've ever sat on (seriously a peice of partical board with some "leather" stretched over it) (worst was a stock zrx seat that i could swear felt like sitting on the frame tubes)
shifter lever is wrong, not sure how yet just wrong.
dry clutch clatter noise.
bike feels heavy to steer
Praises
Looks (i mean come on it's drop dead sexy)
Sound it's really really good!
cranks easy being fuel injected
I'm split and not sure what I'll either use the bike for or sell it. The problem is that the ZRX seems to be able to do everything the 916 can better and faster with more comfort....
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171120/7cdff586353c8e2950a7759d6765976c.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171120/164db4b09bb1a77e7864112a45d8a2cf.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171120/3d5922d08e0b98018e4187accefa1145.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171120/b9894420b9727fec9cfc4c6d890e875c.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171120/3e568255a26fe7fd9e1b480c040cf06c.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171120/bd2f0442189495a9cf99050a70a33bcb.jpg)
Track bike?
It's a possibility. I dunno. I honestly think I need to lose 30.lbs before I could ride it in any meaningful way.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPS02EFgdfE
Clean looking bike! I remember when I could tuck behind my ZX6 windshield, it was a comfortable bike, then. 10 years later, I can't tuck in on my KLR. I feel ya, bruh.
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I bet a rubber mallet can fox that tank!
see what I did there ?
Single sided swinging arms are a product of endurance racing, but serve a very practical purpose now when it comes to tire changes, as any person who has experience installing Honda Gold Wing 1800 rear tires versus any other big rig can tell you.
Consider that choke a rare moment of design simplicity.
It's a hard edged sportbike, what kind of seating position should it have. Besides, have you seen the difference between the body type of the top tier racer?
As the bike was designed around homologation for racing, the seat follows the theme.
Perhaps the shifter design is "an Italian thing"?
Get used to the chatter, no dry clutch is quiet, regardless of manufacturer.
It's high speed stability is the payoff for the heavy steering. You can have quick steering at the expense of being high speed twitchy, you can't have both.
The 916 was the original example of "sex on wheels".
Well tuned V twins are famous for their sound.
That's technological advancement for you.
The 916 was a major step forward and is now a significant piece of history, well worth keep on that point alone. As far as that ZRX comparison, you've only slowly ridden that bike on the street. Take them to the track and you'll see just how lacking that ZRX is when it steps into the 916's turf. That said, I'd never consider turning such a classic into a track only bike unless there was no hope of bringing it back to it's true original glory.
As far as thinking you need to drop weight to ride it "meaningfully", I've seen guys your size (and larger) who can flat out fly out there on track days.
It looks like you've got yourself a nice example there. Considering it's age, I have no doubt that it needs a good going through, but the basic foundation for such a project as that seems to be there. Do get ready for it to be an expensive affair, but one that will be totally worth it when done.
Quote from: IceCold4x4 on November 20, 2017, 06:41:02 AM
It's a possibility. I dunno. I honestly think I need to lose 30.lbs before I could ride it in any meaningful way.
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Yep, must of us guys over 40 need to lose a few.
I now I feel 100% better since I lost my weight. 260# - 180#. (in my underwear, both weight ins)
Did it by eating better. A serving of lean red meat...not a big serving, fruits, and veggies. (Very little white potatoes, sweet potatoes much better for you) Of course that is changed up depending on the time of day. Mornings I substitute eggs for the protein but I take out the about 1/2 the yoke, fruit, and a veggie.
I also exercise every day. Walk, ride my bicycle, lift weights and/or calisthenics. Feel much better than a did a couple of years ago.
56, will be 57 in a few months.
So I've ridden it some more since fixing the tire pressures and it make a lot more sense but still feels so foreign. Going to go over it this weekend and pull some fairings and see what all I find lurking under the skin.
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Quote from: springer on November 22, 2017, 09:59:40 PM
Yep, must of us guys over 40 need to lose a few.
I now I feel 100% better since I lost my weight. 260# - 180#. (in my underwear, both weight ins)
Did it by eating better. A serving of lean red meat...not a big serving, fruits, and veggies. (Very little white potatoes, sweet potatoes much better for you) Of course that is changed up depending on the time of day. Mornings I substitute eggs for the protein but I take out the about 1/2 the yoke, fruit, and a veggie.
I also exercise every day. Walk, ride my bicycle, lift weights and/or calisthenics. Feel much better than a did a couple of years ago.
56, will be 57 in a few months.
Ya I really just need to control how much I eat and when. Guess my problem is I love food about as much as motorcycling....
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This is a really interesting thread. While I'm not planning to buy a superbike, I appreciate the thoughtful evaluations brought forth by each contributor. Thanks to all of you!
Ditto the challenge of improving my eating habits :( Why does it have to be so hard???!!! :'(
Quote from: renchinrider on November 23, 2017, 11:13:15 AM
This is a really interesting thread. While I'm not planning to buy a superbike, I appreciate the thoughtful evaluations brought forth by each contributor. Thanks to all of you!
Ditto the challenge of improving my eating habits :( Why does it have to be so hard???!!! :'(
I swore 10+ years ago you'd never get me a a crotch rocket. Guess I should never say never...
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It's a torture device... but it's so dang sexy. Sounds like every Ducati sportbike owner ever.
If you want a better built, less expensive, easier to maintain, easier to ride fast sportbike then get a Japanese sportbike. If you want one of the sexiest machines around you've already got it. You just have to decide what you want from your sportbike.
Quote from: Mulley on November 23, 2017, 09:45:29 PM
It's a torture device... but it's so dang sexy. Sounds like every Ducati sportbike owner ever.
If you want a better built, less expensive, easier to maintain, easier to ride fast sportbike then get a Japanese sportbike. If you want one of the sexiest machines around you've already got it. You just have to decide what you want from your sportbike.
Yup I never really know what i want lol. Other than more green machines. Had a guy ask me if it was a Honda earlier today at a gas station.... Felt like I should have slapped him.
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Quote from: IceCold4x4 on November 24, 2017, 04:10:55 PM
Had a guy ask me if it was a Honda earlier today at a gas station.... Felt like I should have slapped him.
He may have thought it was the Honda that Ducati copied with the 916... ;)
(http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery/Honda%20NR750%20%203.jpg)
Quote from: IceCold4x4 on November 24, 2017, 04:10:55 PM
Yup I never really know what i want lol. Other than more green machines. Had a guy ask me if it was a Honda earlier today at a gas station.... Felt like I should have slapped him.
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I've been asked countless times what my Aprilia Tuono Factory was. It's obviously not a cheap bike, yet some folks thinks it's a crappy Chinese product. I even had one person ask if it was a hardware store bike. How do you respond to that without violence?
Quote from: KevinB on November 24, 2017, 04:48:18 PM
He may have thought it was the Honda that Ducati copied with the 916... ;)
(http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery/Honda%20NR750%20%203.jpg)
While possible... anyone that knew about that bike would know the difference between a Honda and a ducati.
Just one of things I guess. Better than people asking me why the zrx speedo only goes to 170....
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It was tongue-in-cheek. I agree...anyone familiar with an NR750 would probably also be familiar with the 916/996. :)
Quote from: IceCold4x4 on November 24, 2017, 04:10:55 PM
Had a guy ask me if it was a Honda earlier today at a gas station.... Felt like I should have slapped him.
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backhanded, with vigor, turn you hips with it, spin his ass around
Quote from: IceCold4x4 on November 24, 2017, 04:10:55 PM
Yup I never really know what i want lol. Other than more green machines. Had a guy ask me if it was a Honda earlier today at a gas station.... Felt like I should have slapped him.
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Maybe they were thinking of the VTR 1000 or RC51 ? You should have gave them the Foggy stare.
(https://i.imgur.com/Jz8c1FKl.jpg)
??? Please move hacksaw away from the Ducati.
(https://i.imgur.com/vt0zOxnl.jpg)
Quote from: Mulley on November 24, 2017, 04:48:42 PM
I've been asked countless times what my Aprilia Tuono Factory was. It's obviously not a cheap bike, yet some folks thinks it's a crappy Chinese product. I even had one person ask if it was a hardware store bike. How do you respond to that without violence?
laughter I guess.
them thumb that winch to life and ask them if it sounds like anything they've ever heard, at harbor freight.
Quote from: merc16 on December 01, 2017, 08:33:12 AM
??? Please move hacksaw away from the Ducati.
(https://i.imgur.com/vt0zOxnl.jpg)
Hidden by the bike is the Sawzall hiding on the floor....
Also I might actually use the hacksaw to clean up the rear fender....
Lol
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Quote from: IceCold4x4 on December 01, 2017, 10:50:30 AM
Hidden by the bike is the Sawzall hiding on the floor....
Also I might actually use the hacksaw to clean up the rear fender....
Lol
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Sacrilege!!!
I see a Ducati riot in your future! :D
I was being sarcastic. But now that I know......
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I rode it. I liiiike it.
So keep in mind what you spent on the 916.
Then keep in mind what you have spent on extras on the ZRx.
The 916 is not a power house by today's standards. It was however a powerhouse for its day.
It is the father (with it half sister MV F4) of all modern sport bikes.
Now if you get the suspension and your body position correct it will stomp most bikes on the streets. The chassis of that bike is so adjustable you can mess it up real good.
First thing I would do is check the rebound and sag. Make sure the bike comes up evenly when you push it down in the center. If it seams like the adjusters don't do anything. It probably needs serviced. Especially the forks.
Then put a zip tie on one of the forks. See how much of the travel You are using.
Try to get the bike neutral then adjust one thing at a time from there.
Quote from: LawnmowerRG on December 01, 2017, 10:46:27 PM
So keep in mind what you spent on the 916.
Then keep in mind what you have spent on extras on the ZRx.
The 916 is not a power house by today's standards. It was however a powerhouse for its day.
It is the father (with it half sister MV F4) of all modern sport bikes.
Now if you get the suspension and your body position correct it will stomp most bikes on the streets. The chassis of that bike is so adjustable you can mess it up real good.
First thing I would do is check the rebound and sag. Make sure the bike comes up evenly when you push it down in the center. If it seams like the adjusters don't do anything. It probably needs serviced. Especially the forks.
Then put a zip tie on one of the forks. See how much of the travel You are using.
Try to get the bike neutral then adjust one thing at a time from there.
I'm. Definitely going to need to take some time to actually learn about suspension stuff now. Got a few books I've been meaning to read on the dynamics of. M/C suspension. Going to. Try and flog her around a bit tomorrow on 25 and see how it feels being pushed, the new rubber already feels much better on the way to work and back. Might even run the go pro to see if i can capture what the forms and shocks are doing...
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Thoughts about 6 months after selling it.
Damn am I glad I did. And DAMN am I mad that I did. I made a bit of money on a Ducati a rare thing for someone to do, I definitely respect the 916 for its heritage and beauty however it just never grabbed me by heart. A 996 may have been enough to keep me happy but it was honestly just not the razor edged sword i expected. So much of riding I've learned since taking keith codes class is the rider that a machine like that is lost on me at the moment. Finesse and style have never been my way, I just seem to be the big dumb oaf who screams power tosses it into the corner and it generally seems to work it's way out through skill / sheer determination not to go down.
Mixed feelings about the 916 happy to have owned it, but still can't be sure I'd rebuy unless it was another screaming deal. The limits of the street are far lower for me than the technical limitations of a bike like the zrx, so I guess I'll continue to enjoy the power / comfort / and uniqueness of the zrx until such a time that one of these "crotch" rockets becomes a path to being faster. Still can't be sure, and to quote hunter s thompson "some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them - but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one." this line perfectly sums up my feelings on the bike I guess.