Which ‘r’?

1st gen had Öhlins electronic suspension which “the purists” hated. 2nd gen reverted to the time honoured manual Öhlins which you had to play with and get someone to set up instead of just selecting an option from a menu Andy

 

I see the MonsterR comment. Fair enough and not saying this purely on the basis of owning one.
It is though the only practical R.
The number of uprated components, engine upgrades and model R specific components and tweaks make these a bit special. IMO unlike many Monster specials over the years, this one really is a very usable future classic R.

 

I’ve just bought a used monster r for the very same reason. Also hoping it will be a ‘forever’ bike that I can use for years to come. I’ll be 48 sooner than I’d like and my back is shot which would rule out a Panigale

 

I have an 888SP4, 996 SPS and 1098R ( amongst other bikes) , it's the 996 I doubt I'll ever part with.. had it 18 years and counting, the one I don't have but would like more than the 1098 is a 999R

 

Are you intending to ride it, maybe on a sunny Sunday or use it as a regular bike? Is it an investment?

If it's to ride you're probably better off getting something as new as possible, if it's a sunny day/investment I'd go for something older.

Personally for me R's became less special with the 1098 (I know some may protest), the 996R, 998R and 999R's all had full carbon bodywork (OK the 999R had a plastic tail unit), they all had lots of bling, magnesium, titanium etc but the 1098 didn't... just a carbon seat unit from memory and from then on to me personally they became less special (although I would have a Bayliss), the first Panigale R didn't deserve the R title, but the second incarnation did.

I think the 996R would be my first choice if I was in the market for something.

 

749R is a good bet.

 

Nice problem to have

not sure what I’d go for. Probably an old school pre panigale job like a 998R

bit different and cool

 

The best of the best that model but i prefer running the 96r out of the two bikes.

 

Never ridden any of them. I’d like to though.

 

I seen how you track boys treat your bikes, so you ain't coming near mine.

 

I’m saddened to hear this.

What about the missus ?

 

I've got a 1098R and a '16 pani R. The 1098R is the keeper.

 

Let me grab a ice lolly and pull up a chair......open them curtains up.

 

Thanks Andy

 

I don't think that the Pani Rs are numbered. Certainly awesome bikes, but I am not sure that they will maintain the value like the earlier 996 / 998 / 999 / 1098 for this reason. The specials in the Pani were the superleggera, but prices are untouchable.
I kinda went through the same process and went back to 888 here.

 

the pani r is a special bit of kit bud.

 

There is no question about this. Of course it is.
And we should look at the bikes for the riding experience more so than collector assets. I am sure that the Pani R is every bit special. And to that matter even a Pani S.
As a collector asset, I am not sure that it will reach the appreciation of 996R / 998R and other 888 SPx

The Ducatis that seem to hold the value seem to be the numbered ones.
If you look at 888 SPO or 916 Senna, they fetch much money despite having very little special over the base model.
If you look at a 1098s (I have one that I don't ride enough), they are very little money but IMO a great bike to ride. Probably the biggest bargain Ducati that you can pick up at the moment.

 

The first owner of my 1299S was supposedly a collector, and the bike did 37 miles in the 4 years he owned it. Perhaps he realised it would be many years before he'd even get his money back, and collected something else. I do wonder though, if a Pani R would be significantly faster than a 1299S, on track days or the road.

 

It is always nice when a collector's loss is an enthusiast gain ;-)

 

I guess you win some and lose some. Are there decent short/mid term gains on any R model now, if you actually ride it?