SELLER SAYS: Reluctantly selling my pride and joy as I just don’t ride her anymore. My loss, your gain – just in time for perfect Autumn riding weather. Immaculate condition, no damage. Well looked after and maintained by Ducati with service history. Always garaged. 12,500km. One of the last L-twin models with multiple extras like Akrapovic slip-on exhaust, loads of carbon fibre upgrades and near new tyres. Almost brand new battery and trickle charger. Rides like a dream. Also included is all the original parts replaced as well as the genuine Ducati rear wheel stand and tank bag, and a front wheel disk lock. Contact Deon on 0449 184 041 (Hillarys, Western Australia)
EDITOR TERLICK SAYS: From 1974’s first Ducati 750 Super Sport right through to the 1299 of 2015-2018, Ducati relied on the L-twin engine to power its high-performance superbikes. After more than 40 years of evolution and development, Ducati’s top-bike power output grew from 70hp in 1974 to 202hp when this bike of Deon’s rolled off the production line. When Ducati announced its shift from the L-twin to a V4, many Ducati fans were ecstatic. But some people, including me, were devastated. Yes, I guess I’m a soppy old romantic who doesn’t like change. But I also believed that Ducati had copped out. Given up. Surrendered to the dark side. (Read my rant here.) For me, the L-twin engine was the very heart of the Ducati brand name. It’s what gave Ducati it’s originality and it’s personality, making it different from every other brand on the market. What’s more, the 1299 was a rocketship. Of course, when Ducati made the call there was no going back. The V4 is now the engine of choice, and it’s a sensational thing. But the twin was a sensational thing too, and the 1299 Panigale now holds its place in history as the greatest twin of them all. This bike is still fast and modern enough to appeal to a rider capable of making the most of such performance, but it will be remembered as an incredibly significant machine in motorcycle history, and definitely worthy of collector status. Superb.
