I love my bike, it looks and sounds bloody awesome, but I have some niggles with it. My first little niggle is the seat height, it’s not really a problem and is manageable, but it’s a niggle nonetheless! My biggest niggle is the shear speed of the thing, it’s bloody mental. I like that about it along with the noise, but by Christ it scares the bejesus out of me sometimes. My other niggle is that it’s difficult to go fast, you really have to man handle the thing to get it to turn and when coming out of a corner and you pin the throttle you better be holding on or else its leaving you behind! It’s definitely a thrill but sometimes I wonder if it’s too much for me? Through winter and lockdown I’ve been giving this some thought and questioning the RSV and it’s 214bhp, do I really need that much power on the UK roads? Added to this I’ve been watching reviews of the Ducati Panigale V2 and how manageable it is, less power but still way quick enough for the UK roads. The sensible me was telling me that maybe I should let the RSV go and get a V2? I actually liked the V2 so much I persuaded a good friend of mine to buy one! We collected it a week or so ago now and I’ve not stopped thinking about it since. My mate was kind enough to let me have a ride on it and first impressions were mixed. I really liked how small it was, how low the seat height is and how fun it was to ride. It gave me so much confidence and I was throwing it around the twisties in no time, something I’ve not done on the RSV yet. I was however disappointed in the lack of power, or maybe that was the mapping or the fact I was keeping it below 8k revs or it was that easy to ride it felt slower than it actually was. The brakes weren’t terrific but the RSV has the Stylema’s and the suspension wasn’t great but it wasn’t set for me. I therefore came away with mixed emotions, I had such a good time riding it but I was missing some of that raw speed. I thought at the time that I’d stick with the RSV. But now I’m thinking the V2 is a much more sensible option. I’m waiting to hear back from Chris Walker Ducati on a test ride as I would like to have another go. I can’t make my mind up, should I sell the Aprilia and go for the Ducati? The Aprilia...... 2019 RSV4 1100 Factory registered in May 2020 Dream machine motogp replica paint job (paint not decals) Akrapovic exhaust and carbon fibre hanger with Aprilia race map R&G tail tidy R&G aero crash bungs R&G engine casings R&G radiator grille R&G swingarm bobbins R&G front axel mushrooms R&G carbon fibre brake protector ASV brake and clutch levers Carbon fibre rear hugger Carbon fibre chain guard Carbon fibre lower chain guard BDS keyless fuel cap NGENCO paint protection film (spray applied) to all the fairing PPF to light cluster and tank (major wear areas) Aprilia performance race shift lever All standard parts except OEM akra pipe which I sold on. See https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/new-bike-rsv1100-factory-motogp.79372/#post-1674292
I was however disappointed in the lack of power, or maybe that was the mapping or the fact I was keeping it below 8k revs or it was that easy to ride it felt slower than it actually was. Definitely comes alive further up the rev range at about 8k as you say. Also has a flat spot about 4-4.5k revs. I've not done it, but I'd expect a full system and map would sort that out to some degree and give it some more grunt lower down. The brakes weren’t terrific but the RSV has the Stylema’s and the suspension wasn’t great but it wasn’t set for me. Thing with the brakes on the road is how often do you use them even close to full potential? I use one finger most of the time, but then I ride even more like an old lady on the road than I do on track and that's saying something . I actually like both bikes though. I've not ridden the RSV4, but it is a looker, well kitted out and sounds good, but I can imagine is a hell of a lot for the road. I wouldn't be sad with either though....which is really helpful
Well, there is your answer. If changing to the Panigale V2 disappoints, you have less than a year to put up with it ..... because you’ll be changing it in less than 12 months anyway. Andy
Interesting thread this, as I've been flirting yet again with the idea of changing my V2 for a RSV4, but only a RF-1000cc one (2018) as I rode the 2017 Euro 4 updated one and the thing was so fast I know the 1100 would be totally unusable for the road. Anyway, one thing the 899/959/V2 have in common is slightly conservative pad selection from the factory, bite and power are easily improved with some SBS pads. The two BIG things with the V2 for me, is that i wished I had got a deal on the Akrapovics, because the standard bike has a horrible torque dip around 4krevs where the bike feels like it slows down, all down to standard mapping for Euro5. I mostly try to run higher gears to not be down there but apparently the exhausts fix this and fill in that area below 7k nicely, as well as ditching a fair bit of weight. I also think it would benefit from slightly shorter gearing like the 899 had, just to help pep up that lower end a little, so +1 at the rear might be enough I also think the heat is an issue in the summer, again I'm told helped by having the Akrapovics, bringing it back nearer the level of heat from the 899/959 which was manageable. I'm going to try removing my engine side covers as recommended by a dealer. Generally I'm happy with the V2 though, I've upgraded my rear shock to a Ohlins TTX GP as I had an opportunity to buy one from mate for really good money but it wasn't terrible as standard.
Both great bikes, difficult to buy a bad bike these days , had my 899 six years now and like it probably more than when I first got it.. I’ve just slowly been adding more nice parts to it as time goes on... It will feel slow if you’re only using it up to 8,000 revs, just starting to wake up there, it has a very short powerband, a bit two stroke like really, I have to put in probably twice as many gear changes on this compared to my other bikes, plus it’s a twin so it will sound slower revving than your RSV4 so it’s a bit deceptive, your actually going faster than it sounds if you see what I mean? More than fast enough for the road, it’ll get you to a prison sentence in about 5 seconds really! The thing is, you have to work it a bit for it to get you up to silly speeds, it won’t do them “ accidentally “ I was after a third bike last year and I tested 1290 GT, V4 1100 Tuono and a 1050 Speedy RS and was not disappointed at all to get back on the 899, in some ways I felt like I had more accurate control of the 899 which made me feel confident and you always ride quicker on a bike you’re confident with rather than one that shreds your nerves. You need another test ride before you push the button.
Hmmm. I found the v2 a bit uninspiring on the road. It’s really fast but it’s so capable it just doesn’t feel it. I was going to get one but in the end I would have had too many v twins. I bought a 765 Moto2 instead. Best road bike I have ever owned. Having said that I would keep the RSV for sure and buy a v2. But not before testing a 765 first if you can find one (less hp but feels so much faster). Nice issue to gave.
I went to the exreme, I used to have a 2008 ZX-10R which I doted over and one day I came back from a ride (to be honest I had been riding a bit too fast) and had a bad case of thats it its got to go. A few days later a 2009 Harley 1200C Sportster was in my garage. I would love to say that I hated it, but I didnt, me and the handbrake had some great times two up going to places on that bike. Sold it 18 months later and got a 2009 Hayabusa, and now the 1299 Panigale. So I suppose ive come full circle. Try the V2 out on a test ride, if it doesnt give you the fizz keep the RSV. Beautiful bike by the way.
