Desmo, First Day's Experience

[royum]

My first proper ride out, so thought I'd post a little bit on the experience.

Wow!

The bike is sitting under the carport, the clouds show no sign of breaking, for either sun or rain so it seems like an ideal opportunity to take her out and warm the tyres.

First things, the noise, I used to warm the 1098 till the temp gauge had a good 50 degree temp reading, the Desmo takes half the time of the 1098 to warm up, but the neighbours aren't too impressed with the barking exhaust! I sometimes ride without ear plugs on the 1098, not on the Desmo. In truth, b*gger the neighbours cause the sound is addictive and worth having even if the bike’s performance was normal litre bike stuff. The turning circle is crazy big and you will trap your fingers, much better to get off and wheel her to and fro, just not very dignifying.

So out onto the country road outside our home, a gentle roll on to start in quite a high gear, she seems to settle at about 80 degrees on the temp gauge. The cars in the way are despatched without much notice from me, but they all look in their mirrors which is reassuring, the bike's bark obviously makes it inside the tin boxes. I hate the thought of a car in front not seeing a bike behind and then pulling out on you, so lots of respect, signalling and distance. Car drivers have a hard time understanding the immense performance differential of a modern sports bike and their vehicle, I can see it’s difficult for them!

The bike could be described as docile in everyday use, crack open the throttle though in anything other than 5th or top and the front wheel is grabbing for the tarmac, like a catholic priest in a boys brigade meeting! It is remarkably easy to ride after you've got used to the tall first gear and need to slip the clutch a little to pull away. There is a noticeable click each time I pull the clutch lever in and I've seen that referred to by other owners on this or other Ducati sites. The slipper as standard seems to be the cheaper ramp and ball type from the 748R or 749R so STM or another better quality unit would seem to be an obvious upgrade.

Underway everything is forgotten as I drop gears just to hear the engine at different levels, I don't know how long it takes until you're bored of this activity, but it's not yet. The first corner is a roundabout 3 miles from my house, steady in at about 40 mph and drop two gears to first, no drama, just a nice easy exit at 3 on the clock face; a handful of revs on the way out an snick back up the two gears before I'm back at the legal limit. The performance figures I've seen from the US are:-
Acceleration
Speed (mph), Time (seconds), Distance (meters)
30 1.54 9.98
60 2.96 38.62
70 3.41 51.80
100 5.53 133.34
140 8.99 321.84
180 16.59 874.03

Everything I've seen so far would confirm these, 0-180mph in less than 17 seconds (on a private runway of course!) More cars are despatched on the run out from Street to Bridgwater, not fully used to the throttle response so the front wheel is momentarily air born as I overtake a line of 4 cars and a van. Not hooligan riding just pressing on observing the double whites and getting past where clear to do so, but the front wheel will come up on this with incredible ease. Just before the right hand junction at BIBIC up Puriton Hill to Bridgwater and the pick up in front slams his brakes on as the car in front throws a U-turn, I see this with a good 20 yards to spare, but I’m a little keen on the front lever even with just two fingers, result: involuntary stoppie, only a couple of inches, but enough of a wake up call.

I haven’t touched the suspension since she was delivered so the next few roundabouts ought to be interesting as I’m getting used to the bike now. The first roundabout over the M5 is a leisurely affair as it’s a usual spot for your friendly neighbourhood wallet emptier, but not today, they’re obviously harassing the guys on the Somerset coast road. The exit towards Bridgewater from Jct 23 is a nice easy left hander with two lanes so lots of run off, 2nd, 3rd and just thinking of 4th when it’s either on the brakes for the small roundabout or drop her back into first and let the slipper work it’s magic. Now a choice of go all the way round and off or first left, no traffic, so all the way round it is in first, great fun and then let rip down the empty dual carriageway. The bike tips in easy enough with just a little nudge on the bars, very neutral in the corner and will benefit for being set up to match my weight. Otherwise no worries on the suspension, firm to very firm, but not a lot different to the feel of previous firm Dukes, perfectly OK with me. The seat is a revelation by the way, it doesn’t look too comfy, but is miles better than the 1098. The tyres are very good, better than Pirellis, don't know about the wet yet though.

I pop into Riders, but nothing worth seeing or doing, so about to get back on the bike when I start chatting with a couple of decent blokes, one on an 1198 and the other on an Aprilia, a bit of Duke/Italian babble ensues over the virtues of the 1198/1098 and the Desmo. Still I’m getting withdrawals so it’s back to Glastonbury via the A38 to Taunton and the A361, to those that know the area this is of course the most direct route! Time to post the letters that were my excuse for getting out on the bike over Bank Hols. Park up on the High Street opposite the post office and cross the road unzipping my leathers, trying hard not to let assorted brown envelopes spill on the road, very un-cool! By the time I’ve posted them and got back to the bike there’s a bloke asking if I mind him taking a photo, not a biker, just a regular bloke walking down the High Street, now that never happened on the 900ss or 1098S. More turning circle craziness as I try not to drop the bike on the High Street. So after the photo shoot it’s back to reality with a bang as I notice the little yellow light on the dash is saying ‘feed me’, now I didn’t set the trip before heading out, but the tank was 20 miles from full and I’d say that was a trip of just 50 miles, 80 miles to the tank (inc res) whilst pottering around not pushing it, gulp! This girl could have Oliver Reed and Mickey Rourke under the table such is her thirst.

Watching the MGP at the weekend I made the race distance at Indianapolis just over 73 miles 28 laps, times 4.216Km or 2.62 miles excluding warm up and slow down laps so maybe just over 80 miles to a tank from a full GP bike with a 21 litre tank, compared to the road bike’s 14.1 litre tank, 11 litres to reserve I think, now where can I get a fuel tank from one of the race bikes? I see Eti are promising a bigger tank soon, can’t wait.

[davefwr]

Good stuff, glad you're enjoying the bike, but you need to get it on a track, it's wasted on the road. Jerez with Tracksense 25-27 September. I'll be there with mine. You know you want to!

[Kenoir]

Sounds like a hoot Royum!

[arthurbikemad]

I have been lucky enough to have had a go on the desmo, twice now!! Thanks to my mate, the bike is out of this world, a true dream bike! You desmo owners must be very very happy with the bike. Very nice.

[SP2 Boy]

I noticed in Auto Trader , that 'Riders' had a Desmosedici advertised at their three stores, do they have one new one or three?

I also saw one being advertised in the mid £30k region, I must start saving up.

[royum]

Originally Posted by SP2 Boy

I noticed in Auto Trader , that 'Riders' had a Desmosedici advertised at their three stores, do they have one new one or three?

I also saw one being advertised in the mid £30k region, I must start saving up.

SP2, I've seen a team colours in Bridgwater and a 'standard' red one in Bristol, so I presume they have 3!

[998gsb]

Which leathers did you manage to squeeze in to - or did you get some new DDR ones for the occasion ?

Sounds like a hoot Roy! See you over the weekend no doubt

Gav

[Steve848]

Cracking write up, most envious....

Riders have (or had) three. There was one at each store a few weeks ago. Dunno where they are now.

[royum]

Originally Posted by 998gsb

Which leathers did you manage to squeeze in to - or did you get some new DDR ones for the occasion ?

Sounds like a hoot Roy! See you over the weekend no doubt

Gav

Gav, I can't find any in the right shade of red for the Desmo so just went out in my jeans and T shirt.

[royum]

B4 the all the gear all the time lot wade in I'd just add that was a P*ss take!

Let me know if you boys want a beer Friday or just meet Saturday at Pembrey.

[998gsb]

Speak to Rod - im just the guest and easy either way - but it'd be nice to catch up for a beer

[D16RR_Rich]

Royum

Nice to hear that your pleased with the bike.

Get the suspension set up properly, speak to Rob at ProTwins. Standard setup is poor and the bike just does not handle whilst ripping trough tyres.

Once your used to the bike, you'll be able to pick up the front wheel in 1st,keep it up in 2nd & 3rd and maybee drop down the front end at 130 - 140ish with a huge smile on your face!!

Living the dream!!

Enjoy!!

[royum]

Rich, thanks for the help and advice by PM before I took delivery, much appreciated.

Have contacted Pro-Twins as it's not too far from the office, I'll get her set up as I never got around to that on the 1098.

ATB Roy

[antonye]

Originally Posted by royum

Gav, I can't find any in the right shade of red for the Desmo so just went out in my jeans and T shirt.

With flip-flops?

[paulsant]

Gr8 post Roy awesome bike...............envious yes