So I've been thinking......and looking........ok, drooling over many a modded/resprayed Panigale this last few weeks. The problem is that i reckon its an 899 i want (perhaps) and theres not many to test ride. When the 899 first came out i sat on it and thought it just felt too small so didn't even bother. However when i sat on a 959 the other week in Ducati Nottingham (Pidcocks) it kinda felt bigger, maybe wider? Was i imagining it? are they all exactly the same size the 1199, 1299, 899 & 959? Issues: Ive been used to a level of comfort for my big frame this last few years. Having gone through a range of super nakeds (SF1098, Tuono v4, S1000r) and also sports tourers (Muti 1200s & BMW XR) I'm a little hesitant as to whether a test ride on a 959 will produce the same egos as an 899 would? At 6ft 3" (and a bit) I'm not a small bloke and cramming myself uncomfortably on to something just to be able to open the garage and look at isn't what I'm after. I know its ok for some but i don't want to be put off longer rides overseas etc I 'think' i want another sports bike , but not at the expense of riding pleasure (comfort). Currently the best sports bike I've ever owned for Ergos and my size was the KTM RC8 & RC8r. The BMW s1000rr i tried wasn't too bad and so thats in the mix, I also know what I'm getting in terms of refinement and gadgetry (and its good) As another super naked choice I'm also eyeing up the glorious Aprilia Tuono Factory 1100....good lord its an Ohlins shad V4 rocket for a start (and now has a comfy seat wouldn't you know) Having owned the previous V4 aprc my main complaints from that were the ride harshness and the slightly bug eyed look. Both of which have now been rectified and then some..... its very very tempting so a test ride is booked. But the 899...... what do we think, 6ft 3" too big? 959 the same size so will give reasonable comparison ? Easy fix comfort mods that don't add £1000's ? Answers on a postcard please to: PO Box Damodici Imamotorbikemagpie Ifitsshinyiwantit Zerowillpower 1100899 UK
Yeah, the 899 and 959 share the same tank shape etc, it's only the front fairing that's wider so it's a bit of an illusion. The comfort seat raises u about 1.5 inches which will give u some valuable leg room, but I am 6ft and honestly wouldn't want to be any taller as my legs already touch the fairings. Your next option is to get adjustable foot rests so you can bring the pegs back and down a touch. Should give u leg room. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have both the 899 and1299 ( same fairings as 959) sat next to each other in the garage, the 1299 is way wider than the 899 front and rear, the 899 is a slim supermodel in comparison, I much prefer the looks of the 899 over the bloaty 1299, I am of the larger build variety 5,11 and 15.5 stone from the side you get away with a larger body size it's from the front that a larger frame makes the bike look like a 125, I found the dp screen makes a big difference over the standard screen allowing plenty of clean air at high speeds,riding position is a bit cramped that first time you lift your foot off the floor the peg seems a long way up but that's soon becomes second nature after a few miles, I think that switching between the multi and the panni makes the panni seem small, out of them all my personal opinion is that the 899 is the best of the bunch , that may change when the 1299 is run in, I also feel the 1299 rear sits higher than the 899 pushing you towards the tank, not sure if this is the same on the 959 or it's the 1299 adjustable rear linkage, ps my 899 is regrettably up for sale and you may test ride befor you buy I know I will regret selling the 899 it's really pulling the heart strings.
I'm 6ft3 and around 15 stone athletically built and have no issues on the 899. As sportsbikes go the panigale's have lots of leg room
Mines a 1098 and I think the pannis are bloody tiny! I'm 6ft 4 and 16 stone. Sat on both 899 and 1299 and i couldn't live with either I am afraid. The issue for me is seat to peg, way less than my 1098.
I don't think 6ft 3" is too big for one , comfiness is subjective , however I always think tall riders give the whole panigale range that 'riding a grom look' (Watching some folk sitting on the pani's at the NEC last year was cringeworthy) I'm 6ft ( just over 12 st - cycling background ) , so probably borderline. However as I've previously mentioned, my Mrs says I look a bell end irrespective of what I'm riding..(wearing, saying, breathing..)
Crap picture, but at 14stone and 6ft I made the bike look like it was a wedgie so yes I agree they probably look smaller than they actually are Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
@damodici - Ducati 959 vs. 899 Panigale – what’s changed? | Visordown | The UK's No.1 motorcycle news, reviews and road tests resource
As the worlds population becomes taller the bloody motorcycle industry continue to make the bikes smaller :Banghead: Surely this is heightism?
In terms of leg room - seat to peg distance - the BMW is quite a lot worse than the Panigales as the BMW pegs are further forward under your hips and the seat is low like on a gsxr. Whilst the BMW is one of the best road bikes it gives me bad knee pain after long distances because of this. I bought some shiny HP rearsets and it's better now I've moved the pegs back but still not as comfy as the Pani. It's a compromise in that it requires more abdominal muscle support when you have the pegs back racer posture if you are riding slower so I guess it depends on your riding style. 899 and 959 are exactly the same in most areas as far as I'm aware other than the slightly wider nose which is basically the same as the 1199 with the side extension plastics (not sure if the 899 came with those?) . Very little difference compared with the big bikes either.
Maybe it was the front fairing that made it feel bigger then, to be honest I think I prefer the wider look but I'll see if I can find a 899 to try. They're small though, or they seem to look it with anybody of a taller nature on them.
Yeah, I prefer the wider look myself as well, I've used the side extensions on the 1199 for quite a while.
So what are the side extensions ? Forgive the ignorance but up until you said that i thought it was just a front fairing that was actually wider . Are these side extensions something that can be fitted to the 899 to widen the look?
Forget that, think I've found pics here - Panigale Aero Kit - Ducati 1299 Forum They seem to add quite a bit of width actually, look pretty good. So i presume they're only available in red
I'd say I'm bang on the same, well 6ft 3" & 15.08 stone to be exact according to the scales in the gym yesterday morning. You don't happen to have any pics of you riding it do you? From a track day maybe?
