Panigale 1299S road test ride

[Perkles]

embrace the hairy torso ,it was all the rage in the 70,s

[Kwacky]

I'm embracing nothing, you hairy homo.

[rocket]

You get so many conflicting reports about suspension but it could be down to riding style tyres etc. I'm not overly convinced with the standard suspension on the zx10 feels far away from the gsxr or even the 899. i have spoken to reactive suspension regarding my forks and asked if there was any decent upgrades i could do with them while the fork seals were being done. He said that the bpf on the zx10r 2011+ are not that great and the older 2009 were a better setup. To get them decent they want gutting but this is £1100.I explained i think the bike is skittish and the front end is hovering all the time and said it was the forks. With regards to the rear he recommended a hyper pro road shock he said if i put a race shock in there i would not feel the benefit from it and a decent road shock would be up to the job unless I'm pushing lap records. Also since putting the 200 section tyre on the back it feels lazy to turn in especially the last 3rd unless I'm fully on it. He mentioned that he had similar reports and the way to get round it was to drop the forks through the yokes. Going to try this and hopefully it will turn in better.

[Perkles]

Weird isn't it the forks feel great to me and khais also said they were good
When k-tech did my gsxr I was ready to buy an aftermarket shock from them but they said don't bother a reworked standard one is just as good

[Blade]

Shim the rear or drop the front Rocket both will help turn in but you may need to change preload as you will have more weight on the front and less on the rear. Also may have a slight effect on damping but probably not noticeable.

What about the wilbers shock I suggested at 500 notes for a custom set up 3 way race shock.

[Blade]

Duke just seen a 15 plate 1299 with 700 miles on clock for £14500 in MCN classified. Even less with haggling.

[rocket]

Shim the rear or drop the front Rocket both will help turn in but you may need to change preload as you will have more weight on the front and less on the rear. Also may have a slight effect on damping but probably not noticeable.

What about the wilbers shock I suggested at 500 notes for a custom set up 3 way race shock.

I asked about shimming the rear and he said to not and drop the forks. regarding the rear not sure what I'm going to do but if i do invest the wilbers will get serious consideration

[Blade]

Did he give a reason as normally preferable to raise the rear to dropping the front as obviously dropping the front has the same effect on turn in but also reduces ground clearance.

[rocket]

Did he give a reason as normally preferable to raise the rear to dropping the front as obviously dropping the front has the same effect on turn in but also reduces ground clearance.

No but i will ask when i go. His words "No you want to drop the forks shimming the rear will not have the desired effect".

[Monty]

You get so many conflicting reports about suspension but it could be down to riding style tyres etc. I'm not overly convinced with the standard suspension on the zx10 feels far away from the gsxr or even the 899. i have spoken to reactive suspension regarding my forks and asked if there was any decent upgrades i could do with them while the fork seals were being done. He said that the bpf on the zx10r 2011+ are not that great and the older 2009 were a better setup. To get them decent they want gutting but this is £1100.I explained i think the bike is skittish and the front end is hovering all the time and said it was the forks. With regards to the rear he recommended a hyper pro road shock he said if i put a race shock in there i would not feel the benefit from it and a decent road shock would be up to the job unless I'm pushing lap records. Also since putting the 200 section tyre on the back it feels lazy to turn in especially the last 3rd unless I'm fully on it. He mentioned that he had similar reports and the way to get round it was to drop the forks through the yokes. Going to try this and hopefully it will turn in better.

It's magic!

Have you checked the suspension linkages have been greased? That's the next job on my sorting out the suspension job list!

My preload is wound right off and I'm getting about 5mm of static sag and not a lot more when I sit on it. I'm guessing as I haven't measured it properly though, still waiting for Blade to come round

[Blade]

Did he give a reason as normally preferable to raise the rear to dropping the front as obviously dropping the front has the same effect on turn in but also reduces ground clearance.

No but i will ask when i go. His words "No you want to drop the forks shimming the rear will not have the desired effect".

Be good to hear what Gareth says as he knows his stuff. Hope the recommendation works out.

[duke63]

Duke just seen a 15 plate 1299 with 700 miles on clock for £14500 in MCN classified. Even less with haggling.

Cheers Blade but plans are now being hatched and made.

[Blade]

Sounds good Duke. Enjoy the new stead.

Work hard, play hard and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

[C00kiemonster]

I saw one of these on the road yesterday (1299S), came past me slowly on a dual carriageway, spotted me looking, so dropped a gear and caned it sounded and looked great. My god it disappeared quickly too

[Perkles]

They are the most beautiful bikes

[StMarks]

They are one of the the most beautiful bikes

I do like the Panini, but I just had to correct you there Perky.

[Perkles]

Yep that's nice but not panni nice nowhere near it I'm afraid ,sorry

[Blade]

What he said

[StMarks]

Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so we'll have to agree to differ.
I see the Panigirly & it has "lots of lovely bits"
I see the D675 & the overall image is achingly beautiful (IMHO),

But hey, it would be a very sad world if we all had the same taste..

[Perkles]

I agree but there again I like hairy muffs