Panigale 1299S road test ride

[duke63]

Had one day hols left so rode over to JHP on the 748 to test the Panigale. Needed to make sure that a new Panigale wasn't what i really wanted rather than looking at changing the Multi. but it would mean selling the 748.

Nice cool journey over and usual twisty roads round the back roads to JHP where the 748 works really well.

Signed the papers and took out the 1299. Just starting the bike it sounds like thunder. Its a lovely noise. Not much fuel in so i put a gallon in for playtime.

Rode back on the roads i had just rode in on. This bike is a beast..but a manageable beast. It still has good road manners for a 205bhp bike and its only below 30mph it starts getting a bit hot and pissed off. The bike is very agile yet still stable with it and just winds round the bends with ease. As i got towards the end of the road towards Tamworth i opened it up and felt the full force gets thrown at you. Turned round at the end to have a quickbreather only to see blue flashing lights and plod speeding my way. Thankfully he went straight past so i wasn't the reason for his sirens

Took at part way back and then headed towards the A5 then out towards Mallory. Had some fun on the roads and the bike is so manageable, not what i was expecting at all after the trackday the other week. Still fun at more sane speeds too. The autoblipper is brilliant and makes riding into bends at speed so easy and the quickshifter makes coming out of them just as easy and faster. The brakes are immense, so much feel and power and easily the best brakes i have ever used. Stops the bike very quickly and in a completely controlled manner.

Stopped for a few piccies and then headed back as i needed to get back home. Have to say its a very physical bike to ride and after that hour i needed a drink and a rest. It does still get hot under the seat but this bike had the comfort seat which prevents much of the heat getting to the arse but can still feel it on the inside of the thighs. Not as bad as the first 1199 i rode though and i believe it improves as the bike gets run in.

Once i ad a drink i set off home again on the same roads and have to say i wasn't a lot slower on my 748, as it seems so well set up for me.

The test ride did make me realise that a new Multi is the better option for me and my type of riding. The Panigale is a beautiful animal though and every ride would be an event.

[rocket]

nice review duke they are a gorgeous looking bike and sound like thunder have you tried a 899

[Kwacky]

Nice right up.

I guess the decision will be based on what you intend to use the bikes for and how often. The multi is a very accomplished all rounder and you've got the 748 for when you want to ride a sports bike.

[Blade]

Nice write up Duke but personally I would have to have the Pani at least for a year and then swap back to a new Multi. As good as the 748 is it is not the full bore missle that the 1299 is. For me I would want that ownership experience ticking off on my biking CV.

Just my 2 scents which means absolutely jack squat granted but just giving another view point.

Whatever you do I know it will be rightly for you as you always look into these things throughly and rightly so. Glad you enjoyed the ride.

[duke63]

I intend looking for a s/h one in a couple of years, Blade.

I would want to take it on track now and again as that's what it was designed for and where it works best and i'm not sure i would want to do that with £17k+ of 205bhp sportsbike.

[Blade]

I get what your saying Duke but I'm not sure there is such a thing as a cheap Panigale unfortunately especially the full fat version

[duke63]

You are right there, Blade.

[Blade]

Do they get written off easily Duke?

Not sure how they would crash with no frame and just a stressed airbox.

[duke63]

Not that i am aware of. They get crashed a fair bit in the 899 race series and i don't think they have too many issues.

I have also considered a 1098/1198 if i want to go down the trackday route.

[Blade]

Do they struggle with noise limits ?

[duke63]

It seems tracks will let them on as long as they have the standard exhausts fitted as though they fail the static test, they do pass the fly by meters.

[Perkles]

does the S have the elecy suspenders Duke ?

[duke63]

Yes it does, Perkles.

[DaytonAndy]

That is one good looking bike! Did you not fall in love with it or is it head over heart at this stage?

[Perkles]

Yes it does, Perkles.

what you think of the ride ? im very disappointed with my ohlins ttx I dont think its worth the money over a standard aftermarket shock tbh

[duke63]

It works really well but it's hard to ascertain the benefit without trying the standard bike too. I still think that for a sportsbike you might be better off with decent manual forks and shock as you are unlikely to change it much once set up for you.

A Multistrada style bike might be a bit different though as it could be asked to do a number of different jobs.

If I was going to buy the Panigale it would have the manual suspension.

[duke63]

That is one good looking bike! Did you not fall in love with it or is it head over heart at this stage?

I would love one Andy but probably not as my main bike. If I were 10 years younger it might be different.

[Blade]

Yes it does, Perkles.

what you think of the ride ? im very disappointed with my ohlins ttx I dont think its worth the money over a standard aftermarket shock tbh

Surprised to hear this Andy. Personally I find mine perfect. I have had two regular ohlins shocks, a wilbers race shock and a revalved oem item and by far the semi active Ohlins is the best I've ever had. Whether on track, smooth or bumpy road the suspension is so good I never notice it. Sounds weird but you notice issues more obviously imo eg. Bumpy, bottoms out, runs wide, chatter etc. If you don't notice any problems with suspension it's pretty dam perfect imo and I'm a sensitive, fussy sole

What do you weigh with all your kit on ? I know Kais told you the spring was spot on for your weight but I thought you mentioned your quite a big guy (muscles not fat) and I'm a skinny 74kg or 80kg with kit on so maybe a different spring could be worth a suggestion. Speak with Ohlins direct if you want a second opinion.

If you bought it on my recommendation sorry if I have mislead you it is obviously not intentional as I'm clearly happy with mine and would never recommend otherwise.

Hope you get it sorted and find an improvement.

[Perkles]

im 93kg without kit on ,I bought it because I wanted it mate so dont worry about that,ive ridden my bike quite a lot the last few weeks and came to the conclusion today that I cant see what all the fuss is about them.
Maybe I am not a rider that is good at getting feedback from a bike but it doesnt feel any better than the cheapo standard shock to me.Again maybe I need to get it on track to evaluate it properly and get the sag set up correctly,I spoke to K-Tech today and will get them to set my bike up as they are a lot closer to me.
The bloke at Khais had an ohlins spring chart he showed me ,he said if i was racing or just doing track days I would need to go one spring stiffness harder.
The best bike ive ridden for suspension was my old gsxr 750 that K-Tech revalved, re sprung and re oiled ,then I rode it in and then set it all up for me.It felt amazing afterwards ,firm but very plush and controled,tyre wear on track was also much better

[Kwacky]

im 93kg without kit on

If you could keep your kit on that would be very much appreciated.