Today I rode an 1199s Panigale! Wow! Although the weather was far from ideal for a test ride, and I left the ECU set to “wet”, I did learn enough to know it’s a fantastic bike. As those who know me will realise I need a real world bike, so today’s conditions weren’t unrepresentative of my riding! So what did I think? Well everything that’s written about it is true. The riding position is relaxed compared with my 748 which I went over on. All the controls etc come instinctively to hand, and I felt immediately at home. The quickshift is awesome, giving totally secure clutchless changes in today’s slippy conditions. You can see everything in the mirrors and the dash etc are clear and easy to use. But above all the engine is fabulous. Obviously I didn’t try for 0 –100 times, but it is so smooth and flexible. Much easier to ride in traffic than my 620 Multi. And I have no doubt it has far more performance in the dry than I can handle when the time and conditions come! The only real niggle was that my fingers kept catching the dip switch which meant full beam kept coming on! But then the indicator switch is a joy! Ducati Wolverhampton had turned the EBC off, as they felt it was a bit disconcerting when first encountered. So it looks great, sounds fantastic and is a real joy to ride! What’s not to like! Thanks to Tony and Dawn for letting me ride the bike in such grotty conditions.
You must be one of the first to have ridden the new bike, I think I am going to have to wait for a friend to get his before I can try one as our local dealer is not exactly very forward in offering test rides. Looks good though
The trouble is my misses has given me to go ahead, but I don't use the bikes I've already got enough as it is, and I've got plenty to do around the cottage to keep me occupied for years :-(
Douglas, when I first saw the pictures of the Panigale I did comment, on the Ducatisti forum, that it looked like it had mirrors that worked. I was soon put in my place by a 1098R owner who said they would not be any good as the vibration in the mirrors would be even worse due to the long mirror arms. So who was right, did they vibrate badly?
Major, no the mirrors were very good, and I could see a great deal in them. Far better than those on my 848, 999 0r 748. The 1199 engine is quite different to the 1198 one. It is so smooth and doesnt vibrate like they do. I also expect that Ducatis engineers understand the physics of longer arms, and design accordingly! Any way I was impressed by the mirrors!
Hang on, it doesn't vibrate, it has mirrors that work, has wet clutch and next thing we know it will cover 150 miles on one tank of fuel? We've all been duped, it's a Honda!
Thanks Douglas. Really looking forward to test riding one soon and making my mind up then, not before!
I also tested one on saturday, very comfortable riding position compared to my 848, was stuck in 30-40mph traffic for a while and did not suffer with the usual wrist/back ache. also made my 848 feel heavy and lethargic in comparison (although my 848 is still a superb handling bike ). i agree on the mirrors tho, good rear vision and dont shake. only decision is that i would like to try the base version (just have the suspension set up for my riding style) as i dont think i'll need the £4k extra s model .otherwise virtually everything is the same as the s. decisions decisions Hmmmm
Actually, the Multistrada is VERY comfortable! But yeah, I know what you mean, a comfortable Ducati SPORTS bike? Shurely shome mishtake?
Dont worry, if you are wanting an uncomfortable Ducati sports bike buy a 916. At least you have a choice now. First Panigale test ride for me on Wednesday. Praying for a window in the weather, just long enough to give it a proper test.
