M
MilesB
Guest
OK I know I'm not the only one with an M900ie, but no-one else has re-posted so here goes...
I have the Dark version, purchased in September 2002 from On Yer Bike at £5300 - which was £1200 off list for a brand new bike, plus a not bad part exchange on the Triumph T-Bird Sport I was trading in - a very happy result for me.
I must admit that I had expected to get a pre-registered model on that deal, but I turned up (en route to the Isle of Man
) to find out that I was to have a latest - and last - model M900ie.
Comparison to the old M900?
Well I test rode a second hand one (fitted with Termigoni's
) and it was pretty good. None of the anticpated clutch natch that I'd been warned about.
The M900ie had a few differences:
Sidestand - no longer a suicide stand, as it now has a 'in gear' cut out as standard, so the bike can warm up with having to sit on it...
Handlebars - these are lower and more forward than on the older model... it was a surprise when I picked up the bike, but the position is about perfect for me, putting you in a semi-sporty position that can be held for long distances.
I have the Dark version - in Stealth Bomber black - which does mean the front forks don't adjust, and you get a Sachs rear shock... Despite this, this is the best handling bike I have ever ridden, even before I got Pro-Twins down at Caterham to adjust the shock for me. The high spec ones must be awesome.
Brakes are great - strong but progressive. However I did get a warped disc on the front. This was sorted under warranty at the first service.
Motor is fun, a bit agricultural if in too low a gear, but it does keep going, chug-chug-chug. Sounds great and does exactly what I want. If you want to overtake or accelerate, don't even bother with the gears, just grab a bigger handfull. Engine braking is usefull.
Gripes:
1) Sidestand. It just doesnt sit flat on the ground, and hence if the surface is even slightly soft will dig in.
Come on Ducati, you've been making these things for 10 years, and you can't get that right?
2) Saddle. Good for 50 miles... after that, you need extra padding. I did 250 miles in a day last year (Kent to Exmoor), but only because I had a 1 inch thick pad of foam down the back of my trousers
Solution to this was to get a replacement saddle from Ducati, who finally do a gel option. I ordered it through Spareshack in June 2003, to have it finally arrive just in time to miss Christmas - ie January 2004.
Result - Monster miles and smiles.
I have the Dark version, purchased in September 2002 from On Yer Bike at £5300 - which was £1200 off list for a brand new bike, plus a not bad part exchange on the Triumph T-Bird Sport I was trading in - a very happy result for me.
I must admit that I had expected to get a pre-registered model on that deal, but I turned up (en route to the Isle of Man
) to find out that I was to have a latest - and last - model M900ie.Comparison to the old M900?
Well I test rode a second hand one (fitted with Termigoni's
) and it was pretty good. None of the anticpated clutch natch that I'd been warned about. The M900ie had a few differences:
Sidestand - no longer a suicide stand, as it now has a 'in gear' cut out as standard, so the bike can warm up with having to sit on it...
Handlebars - these are lower and more forward than on the older model... it was a surprise when I picked up the bike, but the position is about perfect for me, putting you in a semi-sporty position that can be held for long distances.
I have the Dark version - in Stealth Bomber black
- which does mean the front forks don't adjust, and you get a Sachs rear shock... Despite this, this is the best handling bike I have ever ridden, even before I got Pro-Twins down at Caterham to adjust the shock for me. The high spec ones must be awesome.Brakes are great - strong but progressive. However I did get a warped disc on the front. This was sorted under warranty at the first service.
Motor is fun, a bit agricultural if in too low a gear, but it does keep going, chug-chug-chug. Sounds great and does exactly what I want. If you want to overtake or accelerate, don't even bother with the gears, just grab a bigger handfull. Engine braking is usefull.
Gripes:
1) Sidestand. It just doesnt sit flat on the ground, and hence if the surface is even slightly soft will dig in.
Come on Ducati, you've been making these things for 10 years, and you can't get that right?2) Saddle. Good for 50 miles... after that, you need extra padding. I did 250 miles in a day last year (Kent to Exmoor), but only because I had a 1 inch thick pad of foam down the back of my trousers
Solution to this was to get a replacement saddle from Ducati, who finally do a gel option. I ordered it through Spareshack in June 2003, to have it finally arrive just in time to miss Christmas - ie January 2004.Result - Monster miles and smiles.