I have had four years now with an RSV4 Factory aPRC. 23,000 trouble-free miles on a bike that worked perfectly for me straight out of the box. Prior to that I had a 1098s for four years, which was very nice, but flawed. The rear suspension was harsh (new softer spring helped), the seat was slippery (foam race seat helped) and what ever I did to it, I could not stop it from tending to run wide exiting corners on the gas (even after Ducati Coventry set it up for me). Did I mention the agricultural gear box? Termignoni cans with weld splatter on the pipes, headers that cracked with the heat. Despite all of this, it was a great bike. What an engine! Anyway, it's time for a change. I may go for a Tuono 1100, but I miss having a big red bike and so I might also go the other way and get an 1199s. It all depends. So this is where you lot can help me out. Some of you must own or have owned both Ducatis... Does the 1199s Panigale turn easier than the older bikes? Does it work pretty well as standard or will it require extra spending to improve its manners? How is the gearbox on it? Better or same old same old? I sat on a Pani at the NEC when it first came out. On my RSV4 my outer knee snuggles into the lip on the tank and locks in nicely when cornering. On the Pani it was four or five inches below (I am 5'8"). Is the tank on the Pani supposed to provide an anchor point or is it normal for the outer knee to be elsewhere? Any other pearls of wisdom that you would care to offer? Thanks Dave (Hi Nelly! Remember me?)
I've owned a 748, a 848 Evo (which had the same issues u describe in always wanting to run wide) and now a 899, I've ridden a 1199s back to back with my 848 Evo also. In a word.... Opposites... The panigale is like a 250 compared with any other traditional ducati, some haven't liked the change and have reverted back to older models, for others like me, the panigale is the missing link and I'm much quicker and more confident on it. The 1199 isn't quite as good on the road, the 899 has the updated geometry like the 1299 (lower swingarm) and the engine is quite peaky so if u are expecting 1098 like explosion of thrust from no revs u may be disappointed. That said the step in power at 7k Revs on the 1199 is phenomenal and top end its impressive. The panigale seat/tank feels unnatural at first, u used to really lock in behind the 848/1098 but again it becomes easier to move on because it's not as 'square' at the back. Also... No Cambelts, and longer service intervals, just pricey if the engine needs to come out but aren't they all!
Well in the end I got talked out of buying an 1199S. I went after an ex-demonstrator 1299S from Riders in Bristol with a ridiculously small number of miles and £3k off the list price, but was a day too late. So instead it's a new 1299S from Coventry. Next Saturday. Just as the next storm rolls in off the Atlantic...
Yo Dave Just over a year ago I bought a 1199 and its been the bike of my dreams. Then 8 weeks ago I bought a 1299 They are just so brill !!!!
