959 or 1299 Base?

34685 Views 53 Replies 14 Participants Last post by msdss, Oct 25, 2016

Kruz

Discussion Starter · Feb 26, 2016

Hello All,

I'm a bit torn between the 959 and the 1299 Base Model. The 1299S is out of the question due to the high price tag.

Anyone ridden both the 959 and 1299 and can comment on the differences?

Thanks!

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avigil

· #2 · Feb 26, 2016

3

Kruz said:
Hello All,

I'm a bit torn between the 959 and the 1299 Base Model. The 1299S is out of the question due to the high price tag.

Anyone ridden both the 959 and 1299 and can comment on the differences?

Thanks!

I have a 959. My buddy bought a 1299S. Both 2016's. We've ridden together several times. I included a couple pictures of our bikes together and a picture of my bike recently (with more mods done). Of course they look pretty similar.

My personal perspective is that the 959 is more rideable (for the street). And I've heard that underseat heat would be more of an issue for the 1299. The 1299 does have more power. But for me the 959 has plenty of power. I tried to talk my buddy into buying a 959 because of the big difference in cost. If I was going to spend the extra $$ for the 1299, I probably would go with the S version. But that's just my perspective. And I think the 959 is an amazing value.

That's just my perspective. Feel free to reach out if you want to ask anything more. Since my buddy has a 1299S, I'm in a position to compare both.

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dougo1199

· #3 · Feb 26, 2016

Hi Kruz,
This will be the fourth season for my 1199. It's a base model with the ohlins suspension. It's a track only bike so I've never ridden it on the street. I have a 959 on order which should be in next month. I purchased the 959 for street duty although I may do a track day or two with it, but as I mentioned the 1199 is my dedicated track bike. I contemplated getting another 1199 for the street but eventually decided on the 959. From my experience with the 1199 and the type of street riding I do (curvy backroads of south eastern Ohio) I felt the 959 would be more street friendly. The big bikes have a ton of power and I would imagine it would be difficult to make use of it on the street. My current street bike is a 2001 Monster S4. Great fun, but with 35k miles on it it's getting a bit long in the tooth. Also looked at getting another Monster, (1200) but for the money I think the 959 is a no brainer. Hope that helps.

Snow

· #4 · Feb 27, 2016

I have an RSV4 RF that I use for the street and the track. I picked up the 959 as a middle weight bike to do double duty. I looked at the MV F3 and made my mind up after a test ride, it seems to be very nimble like a 600... so I think you are comparing apples and oranges.,.. the 959 is no liter bike... it's a 600 on roids...

Reactions: 1

mike in o.c.

· #5 · Feb 28, 2016 (Edited)

avigil said:
I have a 959. My buddy bought a 1299S. Both 2016's. We've ridden together several times. I included a couple pictures of our bikes together and a picture of my bike recently (with more mods done). Of course they look pretty similar.

My personal perspective is that the 959 is more rideable (for the street). And I've heard that underseat heat would be more of an issue for the 1299. The 1299 does have more power. But for me the 959 has plenty of power. I tried to talk my buddy into buying a 959 because of the big difference in cost. If I was going to spend the extra $$ for the 1299, I probably would go with the S version. But that's just my perspective. And I think the 959 is an amazing value.

That's just my perspective. Feel free to reach out if you want to ask anything more. Since my buddy has a 1299S, I'm in a position to compare both."
____________________________

Exactly my take.
Additionally, I test rode both today; 959 and 1299S. 1299S is a great bike but definitely out of my league. Scary fast and intimidating. In fact too much power for street or track that I'd never use. Ergo's are the same. Engine heat is the same too but okay. 959 just has better usable power for me and won't jump and bit me in the a**. I'll miss the quick shifter down but that's okay. Very light clutch pull on the 959. You can actually quick shift down on the 959 at lower speeds. It locks you out from doing so at faster speeds. I plan to buy mine in a couple of weeks and use it for track duty. I have a Monster 1100evo for the street. :smile2:

Reactions: 1

corsa

· #6 · Feb 28, 2016

Better power delivery on the street is a key one especially in comparison to the 899 from what i've heard from many sources. have yet to test it myself... that's been way over due.

Kruz

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 28, 2016

OK, thanks for the input to all, talked to several people today that have ridden both and suggest the 959 is better for the street and back roads due to it's user friendliness.

Kruz

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 28, 2016

so I think you are comparing apples and oranges.,.. the 959 is no liter bike... it's a 600 on roids...

Thanks, guess I should have explained I currently ride a ZX-6R, ZX-10R and ZX-14 so I'm use to all sizes of sportbikes. I was thinking the 1299 might be a bit redundant, similar power to the 10R and 14 but the 959 would slot in between the 6R and the 10R nicely and give a different kind of ride.

mike in o.c.

· #9 · Feb 28, 2016

While at the dealer today my sales guy, who is a straight up person, said that he's seeing people with 1199's coming in and trading in for the 959 (and not the 1299) because the 959 is more manageable. He's not really seeing anyone coming in with an 899 and trading for the 959. They're considered just too close in performance to do so.

Kruz

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 28, 2016

I think you guys have convinced me to go with the 959.

VroomVroom

· #11 · Feb 29, 2016

:grin2: When do you plan to pull the trigger?

Kruz

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 3, 2016

Picking my new red 959 up on Friday morning.

Reactions: 1

RexD

· #13 · Jul 31, 2016

Kruz said:
Picking my new red 959 up on Friday morning.

Kruz, are you happy with your 959?

Best
Rex

Kruz

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 1, 2016

Yes, the 959 was the right choice, no issues thus far with about 1300 miles except for an annoying whine coming from my rear wheel left side. Trying to get the suspension setup to work for me now.

Reactions: 1

Kruz

Discussion Starter · #15 · Aug 1, 2016

Here's my take so far on the 959, good brakes, a little soft at first pull but good modulation and stopping power. Great transmission, snicks into gear like a Jap bike. Great clutch, light and good feel. Decent low end power, soft midrange but revs out well. I'd put it half way between a liter bike and a 600 Supersport in the power department. Good handling, a little slow on initial turn in but good mid-corner stability and finishes corners well. Decent suspension, still working on the settings.

Pros:
Gorgeous looks
Excellent fit and finish
Great twin cylinder sound track
Nice engine character
Good power but not overwhelming
Good brakes, clutch and gearbox
Good traction control
Good OEM tires
Excellent quick shifter

Cons:
Butt roasting exhaust
Slight surging in on/off throttle transitions in Race mode
Slight bucking when easing away from a stop in first gear
Useless rear view mirrors unless you like looking at your elbows
Kickstand is hard to get down with your boot

So far I've had no starting issues like some have had and really no problems at all other than the aforementioned whine coming off the left side of the back wheel when rolling across the garage floor.

So my take so far is I'm satisfied with my 959. It takes me about 4000 miles or so to really gel with a new bike so I have a ways to go yet but it could become my favorite once I get used to it and get the suspenders dialed in the way I like them.

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dougo1199

· #16 · Aug 1, 2016

I agree with Kruz's assessment. Not being my first Ducati I'm very used to their unique characteristics. What I think stands out on this particular model (aside from it being a Ducati) is the following:

Trasmission / DQS: As Kruz mentioned, this bike has the smoothest transmission out of any Duc I've owned / ridden. Butter smooth! The DQS is excellent!

Smooth predictable power: Unlike it's bigger brother, this motor is perfect for street riding with no real crazy boost anywhere in the power curve. Very easy to ride fast.

Brakes: Powerful with a smooth initial bite and great lever feel. With the ABS setting on 1 I only feel it intruding into the lever under extremely hard braking.

Ergos: To me the bike is very comfortable to ride at speed, but not so much fun under 60mph.

Agility: Aside from a little hesitation with the turn-in, (which can be tweaked) the 959 is very confidence inspiring mid corner, and especially on corner exit.

Still may do some tweaking with the fork height, but over all I think I have it dialed in pretty well.

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Kruz

Discussion Starter · #17 · Aug 2, 2016

Ergos: To me the bike is very comfortable to ride at speed, but not so much fun under 60mph.

Ditto, there are a lot better machines to ride slowly, this one is about going fast and there it excels.

Kruz

Discussion Starter · #18 · Aug 2, 2016

Haven't ridden my 959 in a few weeks and took it out this morning after returning suspension back to standard settings.

Sometimes it's good to take a step back and look at things with a fresh perspective and that was what this ride was about. Here are my thoughts:

Returning to the standard settings took some of the sharp edges off the road bumps compared to the race settings I tried a few weeks ago but left me with a bit of a floaty sensation like the bike is taking too long to settle down after a bump. This is especially disconcerting as you set up for a turn and it's bobbing up and down like a hobby horse, not good for confidence.

The speed was there but I came back from the ride feeling a bit whipped, like I had been fighting the bike rather than flowing with it.

I'm beginning to think that the 959 is going to have a narrow band setup window for the suspension due to the rigid frameless concept Ducati has chosen and I might have to compromise some comfort for control.

The bike is quick no doubt, carrying a lot of speed in the turns and coming off the corners like a bottle rocket despite the suspension not exactly working with me.

The bike sticks like a cat on Velcro in the corners so traction is not a concern, just need to find the sweet spot on those clickers where things are in the groove and allowing me to feel confident.

No worries, there is a setup that will work for me and then this bike should be epic.

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dougo1199

· #19 · Aug 2, 2016

The suspension settings were my first priority as was the case with all my bikes. I think you're spot on with your assessment, Kruz. I found I had to take out quite a bit of rebound on the rear to keep it settled. This bike has a naturally firm disposition so I think most will find it necessary to loosen things up quite a bit. Especially us light weights! lol!

Kruz

Discussion Starter · #20 · Aug 2, 2016

Hi Doug, you went with less rebound on the rear shock and this settled it down? I was thinking I might need more rebound back there but must admit suspension tuning is a bit of a black art to me....lol!

When I get it right , I'll know it immediately as I get that Zen moment where I feel like I'm one with the machine and it's working with me. Not quite there yet but will keep trying, it's amazing how much difference one turn here and one click there can make.

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