[h=5]Panigale 899 first ride. Nice little bimble on the 272. Panigale 899 is definitely a better "road" bike than the 848 out of the crate. Suspension is much more compliant over the rough stuff than the 848, but reckon it would need a bit of adjustment for the track. Motor spins up freely although I was in running in mode :wink: . Even though the bike is no lighter than the 848 it feels lighter and turns very quickly. Ergonomics are good bars high and wide pegs felt just right but not very grippy. Seat well padded and comfy and didn’t have any heat issues from the zorst. Gearbox light and smooth quick shifter seamless although maybe the cut time could be a bit shorter. Race mode my favourite and wet mode useful around town. The sound around 6k> is lurvely Now the big one......would I change to the 899 well yes and no. If I hadn't spent so much £££££ on the 848 Corse SE extras then yes without doubt, but I have, so for now it'll have to be no but watch this space :biggrin: [/h]
First thing I am changing on mine is the foot pegs, there slippery in the dry so must be bad in the wet and they feel a bit "bendy" when you put weight on them. i felt the suspension was a bit hard and so was the seat but I'm used to driving a BMW Looking forward to giving it a proper work out!
All sounds quite positive...sounds like you prob wish you had it for longer ? Id really to like to have one for a week, geta real feel for it. Its a serious bike, trellis frame or not.
He'll be referring to the rear cyclinder pipe that curves up towards the riders ass mate, the 1199's had a huge issue with the heat and they ended up having to design a new heat sheild after they'd starting shipping them
yeah i must admit i would miss the old trellis frame and dry clutch..two of the Ducati hallmarks... In a few years i wouldnt be surprised if they abandoned the twin altogether and went for the V4....when that happens, i hope im too old and knackered to care about bikes anyway.
I would quite like to take one out for a test ride to see the difference between the 899 and the 1199. I wonder if a lot of the 1199 problems on throttle control/engine control and instability on the gas would be better on the smaller less oversquare/aggressive 899 engine? Worth a look to see. I presume geometry et al will all be the same so would be a good comparison..... Once there are Demo bikes i might go for a quick razz to see.
I suspect this will be the case, but as long as there is something 'different' an unique about them I will still love them. I still think a 800 V4 would be a great road engine, anyway... I am thinking about staying away from the 899! Would be too dangerous having just bought the 848evo.
I reckon bikes will head towards a more economical route in the future which would not make a V4 the best way forward as they seem very heavy on fuel regardless of who makes them.
There is quite a bit of difference in the geometry the 899 is shorter and has 1degree steeper steering angle, higher position bars and of course the 180 rear tyre
Pictured next to the 848 the 899 to my eyes just looks a little anonymous, it could be a CBR 600RR or a Daytona, at least with the 848 the red trellis frame gives it that definitive Ducati look.
Good point that....thirsty buggers. I had a vfr1200 & a crossrunner out for a "loan" from Honda. Drained the 1200 in 110mls and the crossrunner in 90 mls. They sound great though, really. Also a valid point. If Ducati take the radical step and change their hallmarks of bike design we could end up with bikes called a Ducati but resemble nothing like what we know now.
