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128 Posts
I purchased by 959 on December 31st 2015, happy new year to me. I took owner ship of it a few days later (weather held me back) and I have not regretted it one day since. I love love love my 959.
A little background on where I came from. Been riding since 2005. Frist bike was a ninja 500, 1989. Rode it till it died. Purchased a slightly used sv650s, still have it. Over the years I have upgraded the exhaust, suspension and have done enough trackdays that I have lost count. I was riding that thing to the limit and needed something with more power and more goodies but had to still be a twin.
I had my eye on the 899 since it came out. I am a fan of the middleweights because they offer more flexibility as street and trackday bikes IMO. I wanted something with tech that would last me another 8-10 years too. The main reason I went with the 959 and not the 899 was the slipper clutch. Second reason, I wanted one in white (by the time I was looking to but no white 899’s were left).
I don’t go to and from work on my 959. I only ride it on the weekends and I only ride up and down twisty canyon roads. I live in southern California so we have our share of quality roads. So now you know my point of view for this review. With all that said I still love love love my 959.
Things to note:
Power from 3-5,500rpm is much different than that from 7,500-10,500.
The bike is almost 2 faced. The power at low rpm is usable and gets you up and going for around town riding. The power from 7,500 rpm and up is for serious riding!
Suspension is set up to heavy.
I am 5’8” 165lbs. The bike was set up way to hard for me. Made it hard to tip in on the tight turns. Made the bike a pain to flip left and right in canyons. I had to hang a cheek and leg off. After my first service I had the guys set the bike up for me and it was 10times better. Now the nose dives in and it flicks side to side like a dream. Well worth the $40. I will probably upgrade the shock and forks in the future. We’ll see after a trackday or two.
Rearsets leave something to be desired.
I had vortex on my last bike, maybe I just got use to them but I am not in love with these rearsets. They don’t “do it” for me. I will probably get aftermarket adjustable ones. I have plans on doing about 2-3 track days a year so I am setting the bike up for this.
Invest in earplugs. This bike is LOUD! The air box sounds like my de-snorkled SV, crazy loud. The Exhaust screams about 7,500rpm. You will probably get an exhaust at some point too. Save yourself the trouble and get earplugs now.
If this is your first Duc you will find out very soon that Parts are very expensive on average so just be ready for that. Make a friend at the dealership or a local Cycle Gear.
The Tech seems a little overwhelming at first but it really isn’t. Read the manual, play with the setting and you will be fine. Once you find a setting that works for you there is a good chance you will not even bother changing it. I have mine all dialed in and just leave it alone, until I hot the track. With that said I LOVE the DCT. It has saved my *** a couple of times now. Thank you Ducati.
You are going to have to take this bike in to get serviced.
I haven’t taken by bike in to a shop in over 8 years. I do all my own work. If it wasn’t for the service light on this bike I probably would still have a shop free record BUT it’s not the end of the world. $300 bucks for piece of mind and it helps keep that warranty (I purchased 72 months).
Tires. This bike eats them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Get use to it.
Comfort. The first long ride KILLED ME, but I quickly got use to it. I do about 70-150 miles a day when I do ride. I will probably get the comfort seat in the future.
Those are the main points I wanted to make to anyone looking over the forum on the fence about buying one. If you have any question I’d be happy to answer them. If you live in the LA area let me know and lets go RIDE!
Ride safe everyone.
A little background on where I came from. Been riding since 2005. Frist bike was a ninja 500, 1989. Rode it till it died. Purchased a slightly used sv650s, still have it. Over the years I have upgraded the exhaust, suspension and have done enough trackdays that I have lost count. I was riding that thing to the limit and needed something with more power and more goodies but had to still be a twin.
I had my eye on the 899 since it came out. I am a fan of the middleweights because they offer more flexibility as street and trackday bikes IMO. I wanted something with tech that would last me another 8-10 years too. The main reason I went with the 959 and not the 899 was the slipper clutch. Second reason, I wanted one in white (by the time I was looking to but no white 899’s were left).
I don’t go to and from work on my 959. I only ride it on the weekends and I only ride up and down twisty canyon roads. I live in southern California so we have our share of quality roads. So now you know my point of view for this review. With all that said I still love love love my 959.
Things to note:
Power from 3-5,500rpm is much different than that from 7,500-10,500.
The bike is almost 2 faced. The power at low rpm is usable and gets you up and going for around town riding. The power from 7,500 rpm and up is for serious riding!
Suspension is set up to heavy.
I am 5’8” 165lbs. The bike was set up way to hard for me. Made it hard to tip in on the tight turns. Made the bike a pain to flip left and right in canyons. I had to hang a cheek and leg off. After my first service I had the guys set the bike up for me and it was 10times better. Now the nose dives in and it flicks side to side like a dream. Well worth the $40. I will probably upgrade the shock and forks in the future. We’ll see after a trackday or two.
Rearsets leave something to be desired.
I had vortex on my last bike, maybe I just got use to them but I am not in love with these rearsets. They don’t “do it” for me. I will probably get aftermarket adjustable ones. I have plans on doing about 2-3 track days a year so I am setting the bike up for this.
Invest in earplugs. This bike is LOUD! The air box sounds like my de-snorkled SV, crazy loud. The Exhaust screams about 7,500rpm. You will probably get an exhaust at some point too. Save yourself the trouble and get earplugs now.
If this is your first Duc you will find out very soon that Parts are very expensive on average so just be ready for that. Make a friend at the dealership or a local Cycle Gear.
The Tech seems a little overwhelming at first but it really isn’t. Read the manual, play with the setting and you will be fine. Once you find a setting that works for you there is a good chance you will not even bother changing it. I have mine all dialed in and just leave it alone, until I hot the track. With that said I LOVE the DCT. It has saved my *** a couple of times now. Thank you Ducati.
You are going to have to take this bike in to get serviced.
I haven’t taken by bike in to a shop in over 8 years. I do all my own work. If it wasn’t for the service light on this bike I probably would still have a shop free record BUT it’s not the end of the world. $300 bucks for piece of mind and it helps keep that warranty (I purchased 72 months).
Tires. This bike eats them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Get use to it.
Comfort. The first long ride KILLED ME, but I quickly got use to it. I do about 70-150 miles a day when I do ride. I will probably get the comfort seat in the future.
Those are the main points I wanted to make to anyone looking over the forum on the fence about buying one. If you have any question I’d be happy to answer them. If you live in the LA area let me know and lets go RIDE!
Ride safe everyone.
