First ride on the 1199

  I picked up my new ride this last Thursday from GP motorcycles. An 1199 panigale S, maybe the closest thing to sex on two wheels. I've been riding a KTM 525 EXC that I converted to a supermoto bike for the last 5 years and as fun as it is to fling around corners it isn't the most comfortable bike to ride for any length of time. So, I was ready for a new bike but nothing really grabbed me. I've been haunting GP for a couple years taking the occasional test ride but nothing ever excited me enough to open up the wallet. Other than the KTM I've only owned Japanese bikes, mainly Hondas. They're great bikes but kind of soulless, I really wanted my next bike to have some personality, a little attitude. I don't remember exactly when I first saw the 1199 but I've been obsessed with it from the start, the thing is so damn sexy, I had to have it. I went to GP to put down a deposit only to find out I wasn't the only one smitten, I got the last 2012 S model. All the Tricolores and  ABS models were already spoken for.

  Fast forward, I picked up the bike Thursday afternoon, rode it to work Friday and this morning rode it out to Banner Grade and back. My first impression was completely visceral, I had butterflies in my stomach just sitting on it. I felt like I'd just asked the hottest girl in the room for a date. Today, I only made it to second base with her, I'm trying hard to respect her break-in period and keep her below 6k. Can't wait to go all the way.