Cbr '13!

keep the ape mate ducatis are ***** 748 ? would rather take the bus lol :thumbup

I assume you've developed some sort of inferiority complex about Ducatis mad biff :confused (although I understand your opinion of Harleys and GS's !!!!). :thumbup
My 999 rides very differently from my RSVR and i have found both have good and bad points. And I enjoy both.
However I think I'd rather take the Aprilia on a long trip like you're planning estranged..... it is a bit bigger and a little more comfortable in my opinion.........
....... just my two penneth worth.

sorry m but i have found most ducati riders to be up there own arses they seem to think there the elite riders on the road just like the harley bunch ,well not true most of them have too much money and buy them to impress and i would also say theres many that cant ride them either its just a look at me kind bike to own . im sure the bikes are great (ive never been on one to date) but im sure i will never own one just like the harleys uke we all have our own wee hates lol .
just a wee short story , i was out on my 02 mille R which is mega loud and came up behind 3 guys on bikes 3 dukes dressed in nice new lethers not sure what types they were anyway they heard me flying up behind them heads all over the place trying to see what was making all the noise lol so i slowed down for a few secs to see if any of them were up for a scrap ,then BLARF!! off i went flew past all 3 hoping i would get a chase well ? fannys all of them 3 dipshits with too much money and chicken strips you could rest the wifes tits on. everyone to there own i guess . but why do we ride sports bikes ? . i bet any one of them could have blown me away to lol my old mille R handles like a drunk donkey with 3 legs if its pushed hard lol (its not been griff d yet)
hope i did not upset any folks with my rant lol END :thumbup

It pains me to say it........ but I know you're right. And no - i wasn't one of the three although the chicken strips are quite embarrassing
My only defence is that I saved long and hard and the wife was told not to get birthday, christmas or fathers day presents for about 3 years so that i could save for the 999. And it, like my RSVR factory are much much much better bikes than I am a rider. Personally I think the ducati and Harley dealeers do all they can to promote that elitist attitude. dealing with them is always the worst thing about having one.
From the earlier comments I have a real problem now....... should I ditch the Ducati leathers ????? :blush Are you saying they're not appropriate for a middle aged bloke !!
Back on topic - that canonball bike run looks fantastic. If only I had £1700 to spend on it. And if I was going I'd probably take the Ape.

I have always loved the look the 748 except the tubular frame.

Underseat exhaust, single sided swinging arm and they still manage not to look dated 10yrs on cept for the framw.....love it

Was considering trading my mille in for one then thought - naaaaahhhhhh

The 848 is pretty sexy too but the panigale *puke*