Going from R6 to 959

20371 Views 16 Replies 7 Participants Last post by bryo, May 8, 2020

Damon Brisson

Discussion Starter · Mar 26, 2016

I currently have a 2012 WGP 50th R6, I ride it a lot and the posture / fit doesn't bother me a bit. I am looking at the 959 for daily duties and keeping the R6 for track days schools etc.( all though could trade if dealer majes it a good deal)

I thought I saw a couple of posts from previous R6 owners (think victoria or aus) so i was looking on thoughts about the upgrade.

Whats the biggest plus or minus between the 2?

How is it going from a bike with no electronics to the computer controlled Ducati?

Do you feel as comfortable with abilities of the bike? More or less?

I hope to purchase in a month or so. I am just finishing my maint on the R6 and taking it out to play now ( probably visiting a few maryland dealers)

Thanks for your time.

D.Brisson

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

SixShock

· #2 · Mar 26, 2016

I came off the the 2008 R6, I can give you the comparisons.

Whats the biggest plus or minus between the 2?
The biggest pluses besides the fact that you own a Ducati is the useable power at the lower/mid ranges (giving the throttle a slight twist will pull you further and faster than an R6). This makes the 959 a better bike for the street.

The negatives would be the heat that protrudes at your right thigh, prices of parts, and that working on a ducati is slightly harder than the R6.

How is it going from a bike with no electronics to the computer controlled Ducati?
Honestly, I like the ABS since I have higher margins of error when hard braking. The Engine Braking Control is kinda annoying since the moment you untwist the throttle, the bike slows down harder than if you were to coast in the R6. Traction Control is pretty neat since I see less slipping of the bike. As for the electronics as a whole, tweak the setting that you want, and it'll most likely feel better than the R6.

Do you feel as comfortable with abilities of the bike? More or less?
Going from the R6 to the 959 was almost a seamless transition. I'm still breaking the bike in, I have my 959 on sport mode which purposely makes the bike less responsive and more street friendly. The seating position is almost the same as the R6, I like laying on the tank but you may feel differently (ultimately the reason why I choose the 959 over the S1000RR).

I think you'll be extremely satisfied owning a 959, I do not regret selling my R6. It's better that somebody buys my R6 and turns it to a track weapon.

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Damon Brisson

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 28, 2016

Now on the fence

Thanks for the info, I found a red 959 for 14599, no deals after freight tax, build etc its $17,216

Just anxious about pulling trigger, I love my R6, the simplicity, feel etc.

DB

SixShock

· #4 · Mar 28, 2016

Damon Brisson said:
Thanks for the info, I found a red 959 for 14599, no deals after freight tax, build etc its $17,216

Just anxious about pulling trigger, I love my R6, the simplicity, feel etc.

DB

hmmm... Get GAP insurance, you don't need the prepaid maintenance if you work on your own bike and you can always pay for extended warranty towards the end of the initial warranty.

Dingo

· #5 · Mar 29, 2016

SixShock said:
... Get GAP insurance...

What's this all about? can you explain please - I see it often but really don't get it.

SixShock

· #6 · Mar 29, 2016

Dingo said:
What's this all about? can you explain please - I see it often but really don't get it.

What Is GAP Insurance? Definition And Examples | RiskHeads Insurance Magazine

Gap insurance will cover what the insurance payout will not if you still paying into your loan.

Damon Brisson

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 30, 2016

Well I picked it up today, took a little bit to get the levers sorted, aka brake lever to much pull before a good engagement, and clutch full dis with half finger under. I am impressed with how quickly this thing turns and how stable it feels. Only out for about 45 minutes but great ride, doing some reading and then back out

DB

Reactions: 2

Renzo520

· #8 · Mar 31, 2016

Nice! Where did you end up getting it from? I get mine delivered friday night. May go ride saturday.

Damon Brisson

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 31, 2016

I ended up just taking the Pete's price, the other discounts weren't enough discount to justify the drive. I am out of town this weekend but probably do the Reston town center runs during the next week, (work in Herndon)

I think i have my levers similar to the R6 with just a touch more pull on the brake. Figured if I left it to far out I may grab too much brake not being used to the Ducati system. Love the quick shift. Different getting used to the sound and the way the bike pulls.

DB

Kruz

· #10 · Mar 31, 2016

Hi Damon,

I can only compare to my '09 ZX-6R which is going to be similar to your R6. There is no comparison with regards to initial throttle response, the 959 pulls a lot harder down low, feels more like a liter bike than a midsize. That being said, gearing on the 959 is a bit on the tall side since it has a much lower rev limit, 11,500 vs. 16,500 rpm, so I do get a bit of stutter when pulling away in first gear, just add a touch more throttle and feather the clutch a bit as you pull away. I also notice the 959 likes fourth gear better in the typical 70 mph sweepers we have around here where the 6R will pull fifth. Fourth is better for drive off the corners but I hate to scream the 6R's motor on the back roads due to neighbors calling LEO if they get annoyed.

Powerband on both is about 4500 rpm wide, 12,000 to 16,500 on the 6R, 7000 to 11,500 on the 959 and I do about the same amount of shifting on both.

I'm not broken in yet but the 959 has significantly better poke at 6000 to 7000 rpm, the 6R really comes on at about 10,000.

Handling wise they both turn well, the 959 has more stability at lean whereas the 6R tips in a bit quicker, so a tradeoff of sorts.

Vibration, the 959 is surprisingly smooth, just that big twin pulse that many find intoxicating. The 6R is turbine smooth at all rpms.

Suspension is similar since they have the same Big Piston front fork and similar rear shocks. Stock suspension settings on both are adequate for my style of riding.

Ergonomics are similar, I really can't say one is better than the other, just a slightly different feel.

Speedometer error, both read about 5 mph to high.

Gearboxes are both equally smooth but the Ducati has quick shift and the 6R is manual shift.

Clutch feel is light on both, very similar.

Brakes on both are about equal in feel and overall power but the Ducati has the ABS safety net.

Of course the Ducati has 8 level TC and the 6R has none.

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gurneet

· #11 · Mar 31, 2016

Kruz said:
Hi Damon,

I can only compare to my '09 ZX-6R which is going to be similar to your R6. There is no comparison with regards to initial throttle response, the 959 pulls a lot harder down low, feels more like a liter bike than a midsize. That being said, gearing on the 959 is a bit on the tall side since it has a much lower rev limit, 11,500 vs. 16,500 rpm, so I do get a bit of stutter when pulling away in first gear, just add a touch more throttle and feather the clutch a bit as you pull away. I also notice the 959 likes fourth gear better in the typical 70 mph sweepers we have around here where the 6R will pull fifth. Fourth is better for drive off the corners but I hate to scream the 6R's motor on the back roads due to neighbors calling LEO if they get annoyed.

Powerband on both is about 4500 rpm wide, 12,000 to 16,500 on the 6R, 7000 to 11,500 on the 959 and I do about the same amount of shifting on both.

I'm not broken in yet but the 959 has significantly better poke at 6000 to 7000 rpm, the 6R really comes on at about 10,000.

Handling wise they both turn well, the 959 has more stability at lean whereas the 6R tips in a bit quicker, so a tradeoff of sorts.

Vibration, the 959 is surprisingly smooth, just that big twin pulse that many find intoxicating. The 6R is turbine smooth at all rpms.

Suspension is similar since they have the same Big Piston front fork and similar rear shocks. Stock suspension settings on both are adequate for my style of riding.

Ergonomics are similar, I really can't say one is better than the other, just a slightly different feel.

Speedometer error, both read about 5 mph to high.

Gearboxes are both equally smooth but the Ducati has quick shift and the 6R is manual shift.

Clutch feel is light on both, very similar.

Brakes on both are about equal in feel and overall power but the Ducati has the ABS safety net.

Of course the Ducati has 8 level TC and the 6R has none.

Reading your posts always reassures me i made an excellent choice in buying a Ducati for the first time. Thank you Kruz! I will definitely give feedback once i receive delivery on mine and finally ride a ducati for pretty much the first time ahaha.

Reactions: 2

Renzo520

· #12 · Mar 31, 2016

Ah good. Hope you like it, mine is getting delivered friday night.

Kruz

· #13 · Mar 31, 2016

gurneet said:
Reading your posts always reassures me i made an excellent choice in buying a Ducati for the first time. Thank you Kruz! I will definitely give feedback once i receive delivery on mine and finally ride a ducati for pretty much the first time ahaha.

You'll definitely like your new 959 Gurneet, post some pics when it arrives.

gurneet

· #14 · Mar 31, 2016

Kruz said:
You'll definitely like your new 959 Gurneet, post some pics when it arrives.

I'm expecting delivery either Saturday or Monday. The shitty thing is i won't be able to ride since the weather is pretty crappy here and i might get my wisdom teeth removed next week (god knows how long it will take me to recover from that, but i'm 24 so that should help)

Reactions: 1

Kruz

· #15 · Apr 1, 2016

gurneet said:
I'm expecting delivery either Saturday or Monday. The shitty thing is i won't be able to ride since the weather is pretty crappy here and i might get my wisdom teeth removed next week (god knows how long it will take me to recover from that, but i'm 24 so that should help)

You are lucky to have one of these machines at your age. At 24 I was starting a new family and buried in debt, last thing on my mind would have been a new Ducati.

gurneet

· #16 · Apr 1, 2016

Kruz said:
You are lucky to have one of these machines at your age. At 24 I was starting a new family and buried in debt, last thing on my mind would have been a new Ducati.

That's why i do not plan to get married for another few years LOLL

bryo

· #17 · May 8, 2020

I just rode my friend's 2019 Ducati 959 Corse. It was the most awesome street bike that I ever rode. I want to try the R6 and R1, but I think that I was spoiled by the easy Quick Shift and low end torque of the 959.
My friend also let me drive a Porsche Boxter S, Cayenne Turbo S and Tesla Model S P85. I would say the Ducati is more fun than the sports cars, but with the Tesla you can take friends to Starbucks and make them squeal with max acceleration that doesn't stop to change gears.

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