I can’t explain that mate, either they’re pulling your leg or you’ve got a freak of a motor and you’ll have Paul Bird on the line to you tonight offering you silly money for it. 209bhp is around what the British superbike motors make and they’re fully breathed on factory engines
The power figures are a little disappointing, but as we know, it’s all about how it shifts around the track and road. Based on the inital reviews, the V4 is something special. Ducati have done amazingly well with the launch hype, and understandably so, it’s likely to be the best performing superbike (and so it should be) money can buy. The real test will be when the new BMW arrives on the scene. Although I don’t ride Superbikes at the moment, I love the competitive nature of the class, it’s like a perpetual space race!
BMW powers in a Pani chassis that doesn't understeer will do me nicely thanks I think the reported handling changes regarding the understeer are going to have a huge effect on how well the bike rides. There's nothing wrong with the handling on the current bike but I have always noticed how long it takes to turn. You have to crank it down to full lean as fast as possible and get a fair chunk of rear wheel spin to get it around, in the mean time an R6 or similar will be turned and back up powering down the next straight. If Ducati have made the Pani turn like a 600 then it's going to be incredible.
How many miles on that V4? Lets see a back to back with all bikes on the same day same dyno. Both bikes broken in. From that I can tell the V4 will leave my 1299 in the dust on a canyon road, let alone a track. My tuono is every bit as fast up as the 1299 up the mountain. The useable power makes all the difference. Can't wait for the v4sp. Two different runs with close to 200 on the ground and then 188.7, lets wait for the back to back.
I was impressed with the power and torque of the v4. But then I wasn't expecting it to put out 200bhp.
With all the willy waving BHP numbers aside. I heard last night from a reliable and impartial source- The Panigale V4 is a game changer. He told me it's extremely good and will not disappoint. Let's wait and see. I believe him and I'm dead excited about getting mine- Eeeeeeeek!!!
That is a bit of an over simplification Ash. Target swingarm length on the BSB Panigale varies from around 580mm to 610mm depending on circuit but that is only one variable that tunes the handling. The V4 with a 600mm swingarm length has race bike geometry, admittedly without the adjustability of the race bike, which is a huge step forward for a Ducati main stream production road bike and probably for other manufacturers too. I really cannot get my head around some many subjective opinions from people who haven't ridden the bike and in a lot of case people who have stated that they aren't going to ride the bike. Andy
I've had all 3 S1000RR models. They are super quick, and the 2015 flatters an average track rider like me, so I can go reasonably fast, not get in anyone's way and still enjoy myself. If I'm a bit quicker than the next guy but stuck for a safe overtake, the power means I can typically use a straight to get past. Fun not fear is what its about for me. The V4 is claimed to be 9Kg lighter (wet) and if the power is similar that's a nearly 5% improvement in power to weight ratio. With the improved electronics I can maybe go a bit faster and still enjoy myself. If I get a bit tired hooning about, I can stay in the pit garage and admire its lines and details. I honestly haven't been as excited to get a new bike for years. If it doesn't win the dyno race it doesn't matter to me. Its still a bloody fast, gorgeous motorcycle.
I've had all 3 S1000RR models. They are super quick, and the 2015 flatters an average track rider like me, so I can go reasonably fast, not get in anyone's way and still enjoy myself. If I'm a bit quicker than the next guy but stuck for a safe overtake, the power means I can typically use a straight to get past. Fun not fear is what its about for me. The V4 is claimed to be 9Kg lighter (wet) and if the power is similar that's a nearly 5% improvement in power to weight ratio. With the improved electronics I can maybe go a bit faster and still enjoy myself. If I get a bit tired hooning about, I can stay in the pit garage and admire its lines and details. I honestly haven't been as excited to get a new bike for years. If it doesn't win the dyno race it doesn't matter to me. Its still a bloody fast, gorgeous motorcycle.
179bhp from a 1299? We dyno'd the 1199S when it first came out. 183-186bhp fairly typical with the bikes run in, standard exhaust and a decent road tyre on. Wonder why the 1299 was so low? Bad Ducati map v exhaust?
Please bear with me, I’m just a rider ;-) To change the effective swing arm length there is an adjustment at the frame end of the swing arm? If it is changed by 10mm is that considered a huge change, or not? I mean would the rider notice it if the change was made?
The 1098R didn’t have the adjustability of the later 1199RS, you just a got a fix length (but longer) swing arm. Andy
You’d need to discuss that with my boss. He is very knowledgeable and happy to talk technical but sometimes too technical for me to understand. Andy
