Yes it is semi active but it has more magic than the BMW. Ducati call the suspension on the 1299s 'event driven' and uses the Bosch Inertial Measurement Unit to measure pitch, roll, g-force and general black magic stuff to adjust the suspension when braking into corners and other 'events' rather than . From what I can see with a quick google the HP4 only measures roll and rear spring travel and also uses the ECU to detect acceleration and deceleration. So similar but the 1299s is more advanced as it has more sophisticated inputs from the Bosch IMU, as has the new R1.
Interesting, MCN have just declared the R1 the best bike for road and track and the 1299 too harsh for road riding which is exactly opposite to want they said in initial tests of the Panigale. Fickle bunch those journos. To me the the Panigale is a true work of art, the others are just very good superbikes, you only have to look at the rear subframe structure on the S1000RR, nothing different to all sports bikes of recent past. I am girding my loins for a 1299 purchase, the 899 is dismissed at this point, so 1299 but is it the S I go for? All demos seem to be the S model at the moment so here we go....
I'm in much the same opinion. I was actually glad about the results because if they had made the Panigale soft enough to win the road part then I know it wouldn't be for me. I'm happy commuting on a 250 two stroke dirtbike and for me the Panigales 'physical' ride is just right and feels quite relaxed compared. It's impressive that the R1 has managed to win both track and road but its no where near as sexy.
This might seem like an odd comment, but why do so many people want the best bike, rather than the bike they like the most? The Baron made a good comment in one of his videos once when he pointed out that any litre bike offered far more than you could use on the road, and the little differences in performance and handling wouldn't really show up there. So you might just as well get whichever one you fancy the most. And on the track, well, once again you might as well get the one you enjoy riding the most, even if it's not the fastest, seeing as what is preventing you going faster is more likely to be you, rather than the bike, and you're not in a race anyway.
I agree entirely, which is why the Panigale attracts me and not the rest. I run, among others a 2006 ZX10R, which is obviously miles away from the new ZX10R but mine has some nice bits on it, 165bhp at the back wheel and you're right I struggle to get anywhere near it's full performance on the road (it does 140 in third gear!). Which is why I wouldn't go for a new ZX10R. The Jap bikes and the Beemer are just very good in line four superbikes. (the ZX will be turned into track bike) I say this of course having not even test ridden the Pani, 899, 1199 OR 1299 yet. I wouldn't mind a 1199S but they are going for around the same price as brand new 1299 and there's the warranty on the new bike. Anyway, test rides next and then a possible purchase in time for my 50th in June!
its just like goldilocks and the three bears...... one is a "meh and slow" , one is a 205hp ego trip and the other is just right (1199)
No the 1199s doesn't have any of that. It just has traction control, ABS, etc and the ability to electronically change the suspension settings from the switch gear on the handlebars/dash. It has preset modes Race, Sport and Rain and you can go into them and adjust all the rebound, compression,etc to whatever you want. Personally mine hardly ever comes out of Race mode other than using the Sport mode for really heavy rain. One thing thats worth mentioning is that it's not at all true that an 1199 in rain mode is anything like an 899 in the slightest. Choose depending on your bike riding mentality. If you like the bike to be a bit of an animal and a challenge everytime you ride it then go for the 1199. If you want something equally stimulating but a bit easier to handle then go for the 899. Chances are you'll be quicker around corners on the 899 if you are more confident on it, and everyone knows that corners are where it counts. I'd much rather be quicker in the corner and slower on the straight than vice versa as it's much more satisfying. Outright speed is an itch that is soon scratched once you learn to pull the throttle!
I'm not implying the bike is faster around the corner, I'm implying that the rider might be if he is more confident with the bike. I dont find the 1199 the animal that some of the reviews seem to imply but I guess some people do?
I wonder how much frame of mind due to hype/reviews/marketing/forums has to do with it. It would be interesting to see how we would get on without preconceptions on debaged bikes. I suspect the outcome would be mixed based on experience levels, tyres, conditions and types of corners.. Don't think its a case of one size fits all.
1199 is a pussycat below 7k revs. Its so easy to ride and flatters a riders ability compared to the trellis bikes. However above 7k revs its a different story and anyone saying its not a handful i admire you as you are a much better rider than me.
The Trellis framed bikes aka 1098R etc have far better low down grunt than the 1199 and this appears to be 1 of the points that Ducati addressed with the 1299. As the SL and the 1299's engine share several components then I would agree the 1299's have better Torque below 7K revs than the 1199's. Neither are know slouch, but we all want different things from bikes we buy. At Jerez last weekend I had the 1098R out and through all the tight corners 3rd gear ended up being the best option. Only really used 3rd/4th and 5th down the 2 straights. Whilst the 1098r may have had a little more low down grunt/ Torque than the SL it wasn't a huge difference. RWC is quite right tbh, anyone can twist the wrist down the straights, but going round corners is just as fun too. Having a couple of 899's circulating in the Inters group at Jerez, they were more than capable of holding their own against the 1199's or anything else for that matter. Sometimes the smaller/ lighter bikes can give you more confidence than the bigger heavier 1's. Its horses for courses.
...although 1199 is lighter than the 899, just to put a spanner in the box ...I love my 1199s after Jerez last week, it felt so good to ride and really worked well.
A lot of the weight is down to the wheels I believe Put some OZ's on and it would feel different again I guess.
Interesting points,yes the 1199 is slightly lighter than the 899,i have done a fair bit of weight saving on my 899,lightweight rims,ally subframe and tank so it now weighs a fair bit less than a 1199 and its shod with Ohlins and supercorsa sticky rubber,but alas it is all wasted on me cause i am a shit rider,put me on a 1299,1199,1098 ect and i will be no faster,as far as i am concerned its all down to the riders ability,a fast rider will ride any bike fast.
On the bigger bike you arrove a bit quicker, stop a bit harder, square the corner a bit more, sand it up a but quicker then power. On an 899 (if like an 848) you brake a bit later, and just as hard, carry a little more speed thru the apex, get on the gas earlier. Hence imho most will probably corner faster than a 1299. Probably marginal....and will feel faster because you can twist the throttle harder
