BSN's test @ Launch report: Ducati 1299 Panigale at Portimao - Bikesport News [no '1299' prefix available on the thread title drop-down...]
typical jouno bullshit, caught in the moment, every new bike ever tested is the best thing since sliced bread, so the 1299 is that much better , faster than the 1199, put chas davis on a base 1199 and he will piss all over fagen simple as, on his 1299. ,,, neavesy is the same with the new bmw, perhaps because he gets one to race,
"And even with its additional power and ability, will it have the outright pace of rivals? Questionable, although there isn’t anything on the market that’s more involving." What have we come to? 200 bhp is fast - but it might not be fast enough. Oh dear.
Ducati 1299 Panigale S review | Road Test Sounds like Ducati have listened to what owners were saying and righted the things that were not quite right first time round.
The neat thing is that all of us 1199 owners now own an "original" and "collectible" version of the Panigale. Happy days for all!
The video funny bits are the questions from those who have the top BMW but now might have to chop them in for this year's Panigale, which they may then chop in for next year's BMW... Or from those who have to wait for the R1 to see if it isn't better. I know it's always gone on... Except it hasn't, has it? When you bought a 900ss in 1980 were you really worried that you'd have to sell it the following year? But perhaps this is a good thing for two reasons: 1. It means that development is faster these days. The engineers are so full of ideas and capable that there is constant improvement. 2. Economic growth, we are told, is good for us. This is economic growth in action. This is what it looks like - rampant consumerism and the throwaway society. I wonder if there are now some Superleggera owners who feel a little sick because they don't have the big motor or the very best whizzbangery in every department? You know what this means, don't you? It means you'll soon be able to hold of a secondhand one - assuming you want an out-of-date also-ran.
I couldn't agree more. Virtually everything manufactured these days has obsolescence built in to it. It's a trick most manufacturers have been using for years and we, as consumers, fall for it. Just look at the rampant queues at Apple Stores when a new iPhone is released. Ducati are now employing the technique most Japanese manufactures have been using for years. Build a new model every four years with an update every two. That way the people who are the "must haves" dip into their pockets and cough up their hard earned cash. Sadly, too many of us are suckered into making this decision which isn't helped by the motorcycling press as they always seem to be overly positive in their praise of new models when, in reality, an average rider could barely tell the difference. Now, that's not to say new models don't offer improvements over their predecessors but they tend to be relatively small improvements with the odd exception (Fireblade, original R1, etc). Personally, I don't fall for it. I have a nice collection of Ducati bikes, none of which I ever intend to sell. I not into the following the "latest trends" unlike a lot of my mates who always have the latest electronic gear. My hi-fi consists of a valve amplifier (made recently but with original components from the 1930's to 1950's). I still have a turntable and a massive collection of vinyl records, use a reel to reel tape recorder and my tuner was made in 1972. I still use Leica & Nikon film cameras (I don't have a digital) and my favourite TV is a Sony Profeel from 1982. Sometimes, the old stuff beats the pants out of the latest gear !
Its called progress surely? No one forces anyone to buy a new model and i am certainly not one of those who trades in at the sign of new features but if you were choosing between an 1199 or a 1299 then, aside from the additional financial cost which is a factor for most of us, the 1299 definitely wins on most points. I haven't actually fancied a new sportsbike for years and only own my 748 in that department now but after riding an 899 last year, i am very tempted but if the 1299 handles as well as the 899 but with all the additional features that the bigger model brings then that might tempt me too.
Sure, it is progress and the comments made so far by others and myself aren't denying that. What is being said is aimed at those who already have an 1199 and may be thinking about changing it for a 1299. All I'm saying is the newest isn't always the best. My 1959 Leica beats anything they make today and my old Accuphase and Kenwood tuners beat the pants off the new stuff.
