Why the hate??

I have one, and have put thousands of miles on it, so have a reasonable view. I also have several other Ducs, and so again have some points of comparison - including with the Desmosedici.

It's not a bad bike, but it's not a good one either as there are some significant positives over earlier models (agility, engine is phenominal for a twin, spins up really quickly, is very light), but there are some significant negatives (electronic throttle/engine control is awful, chassis is unstable, little ground to rider "feel", it is very vague) - and the bike has been like this since the day it was released. Some upgrades (new engine map) have helped, but zero other development and the bike is therefore much the same as it was when I got it. It's a flawed or unfinished genius design - so it doesn't make a brilliant bike in my view. But I was of the view when I got it that Ducati would work out the flaws. They haven't.

The design works far better on track than on road, as the flaws are less relevant (electronic/throttle control works better if you trust it and let the crappy throttle control be addressed by the TC system et al, you don't worry as much about stability on track, you need the agility), but it is hard to ride well on the road. Even the Desmo is easier to ride on road, and that thing is hard work. My (well setup) 848 runs rings around it as it has excellent throttle control and a relatively soft engine character.....

I am not sure people are "hating", but I think there are those that appreciate the significant steps forward with this bike (including me) and those that realise that it is not actually finished in terms of development and it needs work to make it a good bike (also including me). I am glad that most like them, they are pretty and are an engineering marvel, but I wish Ducati would get around to developing better electronics packages, a better throttle for road use, and someone work out the chassis instability issue......

 

well said my good man no feel from the front what so ever ,don't know how much you have left ,for grip swapped a few times with my mates big bang r1 and the front is planted ,as with other jap 4,s ive had gonna have a good look down the show and could be a cheap panni going on here

 

I know, I have often just thought about selling mine. I thought hardest about letting it go when I first got it, but the loss would have been very high after 500mls, especially as mine is fully loaded, full system, DP accessories, the lot! Having kept it and used it for 3,000mls I am no keener on the bike, but have got used to riding around some of it's issues. But it was phenominally expensive for what it has turned out to be..... a pretty average bit of kit in my view for what I use it for. Awfully tempting to just swap it out for an RSV4 or a Blade and move on. Neither of those are as pretty, but the chassis/throttle issue bugs me every time I ride it for any distance. So, whilst a lovely bit of kit in some ways, the flaws are too much for me for the price that it is relative to it's peers. And just because I have spent a lot of money on something doesn't mean I am going to then evangelise about it to make myself feel better. It is just an "undeveloped" concept bike that was not ready for release in current form in my view. It could be magnificent, but it isn't (yet).....

 

It would be interesting to know how many with "vague front end" issues were early bikes. I have read reports that the newer bikes are different animals and the handling issues much improved.

If they are on the level, what changed ?

Someone with a bike that has this issue should have a test ride on a latest demo bike and see if it is different.

 

my bike is a 2013 / 4mths old the front feels shit,put 2 turns of ride height on to try and load it a bit more but still no feel,

 

Can't comment on the early bikes but mine is an 05/2013 and has excellent feel / feedback - (now at 1,100 miles). However, I am running tyre pressures at max end of range, bog standard shock settings F and R, and rear fulcrum set to Progressive. The other differences that may be significant is that it's a base model not S (therefore different suspension) and I am 80kgs / 6ft but have not yet optimised setup.

50 years bike experience, including trials, has taught me that individual criticisms (my own included) often have simple explanations that boil down to small details that are easily corrected / learned. When an advanced piece of kit has so many parameters to fine tune, it is very easy to get lost and that is before factoring in the all important riding ability, positioning and sensitivity.


hope this helps

 

I like the look of the bike, however I was disappointed when I first rode my tricolore.

The bike is missing the mid range I love with the 1098r.

Maybe I did not give the bike a chance selling it after 6 weeks.
I was tempted by the Superlegerra, however despite all the trick parts it's still a 1199.
A V4 would have been nice:wink:

 

the bike seems to loosen up quit a bit after 2K miles... and yes, that SL will not be the same... but again. it hard to compete with a mighty 1198R if the focus is on grunt...

 

yes but the sl is about 50k so you would expect it to be good for 20k the panni s is not good in my opinion , no better in fact, worse than a 10 k jap 4, offers please get your self an xmas bagain

 

and none of my previous or current bikes have attracted that much attention from ladies. every single girl at work demands to seat on it or touch it when arrive. so it cannot be ugly,right?

 

Yes this is true! I rocked up outside tesco's once and thought my nob was hanging out of my leathers from all the smiles and waves I got from random women!. You could argue for evermore whether the bike any good performance wise, but if you're looking for a bike that's got women pulling power then nothing else comes near! If was single I would be cruising round like a dog with two dicks!:biggrin:

 

I dont 'hate' it. I'm just a bit indifferent to it and ambivilant. It hasnt set my pulse racing like the Desmo did/does or the 1198 Corse. I quite like the 899 though. The swingarm makes the bike a bit nicer looking.

Hate is too strong a word. Its still nicer than most other marques and if I had one I am sure i'd be happy. But my indifference means I am in no hurry to 'upgrade' my 1198.

 

that

 

Amen brother, Amen.

 

Indifferent applies to 75% of the bikes on the market for most people. It's a big ask to expect Ducati to inspire all the previous owners with each new model.

I'm indifferent to much of the 9xx series Ducati's to be honest, they really never did anything to me and most i couldn't fit on. I don't doubt they were great bikes for those they did inspire.

Personally i don't do brand loyalty. If it rocks my boat and ticks the boxes i need ticking i'll buy it. I came from 2 Aprilia's to my Ducati because Aprilia no longer had a model for me. Just like political parties, i'll base my choice on the individual put in front of me, not on what they did last year, last decade or what it could have been if xxx = yyy.

Ducati probably gained some new audience with the Pani and lost some of those that they had already, nothing new.
I am not convinced by the 1199 mainly because i prefer the smaller capacity but the 899 has raised an eyebrow. In red of course and not white with wheels like a tarts knickers. :biggrin:

 

I know you shouldn't have to but get the fuelling professionally set up and any problems you are currently experiencing will disappear.

With regards to the handling its probably just a matter of opinion and individual expectations - I cant fault mine but I haven't taken it WSBK racing yet.........

 

Getting the fuelling professionally set up is completely unnecessary. Just get the main dealer to upload the latest map and that way you don't invalidate the warranty. There are no fuelling issues with mine at all following the upload in May this year.

hope this helps

 

I find the Panigale underwhelming to look at. It's nice enough, but it's not "Wow! I must get one of those!"

As regards handling and feedback, I only have the following anecdote:

After my 916 I bought a brand new 749. I never got on with the handling. It always felt as if the front was going to tuck in a corner. Don't ask me why. I had no confidence in the front at all. Then I got a second hand 999S (early model). It was a lot better, but it still wasn't great. Then I got a brand new 999 black swing arm model. The total confidence in the front returned. It felt every bit as planted as my 916 and handled even better.

Now there can't be that much difference between these three bikes, so was it all down to some minor suspension adjustments? No idea.
There is an awful lot of stuff to play with on the Pani. Perhaps it's very sensitive to set-up.