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Talk about the craziest trade ever. I saw a used Pani 959 Corse at Seacoast with only 490 miles on the clock on sale for $15,200. That less than the sticker for the base model. Knowing it was owned by a responsible older dude, with other bikes, yet he couldn't take the riding position had me want to check it out. I called Seacoast and talked to Jim and asked if they took Harley's in trade. Sure do, was his reply. The next day was Saturday so I decided to suit up in Dainese textile sport bike gear and ride the big lardy HD Road Glide up to NH. AGV Project 46 helmet and sport bike gear had all the "bikers" confused. Listen, I like all motorcycles. Been riding street bikes since 1978. I always a Harley in the garage from 1995 to present. Fun low and slow rides and H-D events used to be fun. But riding one around lately had me feel like everyone on a Harley is acting like a want to be Sons of Anarchy actor. I guess I'm getting old as I have no time for those tudes. Plus my K1600GTL has me spoiled. The HD is a good looking machine but it rides hard with its 2 inch travel rear shocks.
I pull into Seacost and see the lil Panigale Corse in the flesh. That paint much like the Ducati 1299 Superleggera and Dov's race bike. It is stunning to look at but what about the ride? Can I do this? A plate is found and I take it on the loop. Whew the clip-ons are down near the front axle. Dang that seat is super hot... Um ya you need to rethink this... I have them take a look at the HD and they come back with a deal that has me leaving with the Pan and a decent check in my pocket! Shoot let me take it for another ride. This time I go longer and take it up on the highway. I start to bond. I'm digging the commitment to ride this thing. It can pull out of the hole at 3 grand and the fueling is spot on. The bike can be ridden slow but on the highway the wind blast takes some weight off the bars and the bike is actually quite comfortable to my 5'9" frame. The intake honk and exhaust sound is intoxicating at +8 grand on the rev counter. It pulls hard like my old, worked on 996S that dyno'd at 129 rear wheel bhp. I got rid of it when the fluids started leaking out of aged cooling system plastic parts. It really feels like my old 996S in size as well. Tiny!!! I love it. OK let's do this. Papers signed and a few hours after pulling in I rode out on the 2018 959 Panigale Corse.
The 80+ mile ride home was a feeling of "specialness". Seriously this bike makes me happy. The sounds, peaky character of the motor, light feeling handling, not overly intimidating power... It really makes for a super fun sport bike. The last two sportbikes I owned were a late model R1 and Aprilia Tuono Factory. Both were amazing bikes. The power of them both was insane. There is enjoyment out of wringing a bike out and rowing through the gears that gets lost in the league of giants. This SuperMid size is a fun place to be.
Well what did you expect from a guy with a screen name of Ducatirdr?