1199R trackbike project.

I agree, raising the rear is not the way to go, in fact it's the wrong way on a Pani. However I needed to try something. It's not the protector plate I'm worried about it's the Termi as I've almost (one side is through) ground through one of the steel bands that hold the Termi silencer together.
Settings are more or less on standard settings for the track (Race from factory or whatever it's called), apart from setting sag and increasing spring weight in the front.
I'm wondering if it's maybe just the rumble strips and I need to keep out a bit....not sure or my home track has a few bumps, maybe that.
I'm at Almeria for 4 days in Jan so I'll get a chance to see what's what. I was just wondering if you had experienced it and had the answer.
I will have a couple of suspension pot's fitted by then so I'll have data to work from.
Cheers
Davy

 

The 899 challenge bikes have the same issues with the termi's,they are welding plates onto the end cans,so i guess its a problem that cant be overcome.

 

Your avatar would suggest the exact opposite of this view...

 

I have the same problem with grounding out. Ive increase preload front and rear but it makes no difference. I can't work out if theres anything else I should be doing.....

 

Yes it can.

 

That looks surprisingly good

 

I'm not keen on the big gap between the wheel and engine.

 

Has it got an extended swing arm do you think? I see what you mean but I suppose it's a means to an end

 

Kope,

Just catching up on this thread after being rather out of action for a few months with work and such like. Sorry to hear about your spate of crashes at the end of the season - that seems to have averaged down your earlier luck a bit, but in overall terms, you seem to have had a fantastic season and experience on the Pani - and it is a work of art - if a bottomless pit of expense!

Was interested in how you would find the Desmo by comparison. Not sure if I commented earlier, but they are so different it was always going to be a bit of a shocker. Also, the Desmo has taken me ages to get setup well and they are incredibly sensitive to setup - but I have never tracked my Pani.

In terms of tracking the Desmo, they are really hard to ride, but thrilling. You have to simply ignore the expense of it all in order to enjoy it, but if you "ride it like you stole it", it will sling you off, rather than most bikes which flatter you to some degree. I can absolutely thrash my 848 by comparison, and that has a "stiff" frame. Well, not compared to a Desmo it doesn't! The Desmo is brutal, but gives astonishing feedback. However, I don't really feel like I can even get it into it's real operating zone - but I love the sheer experience on it.

The only time I didn't enjoy it at all was earlier this year when I was at Valencia with some of the other boys on here, and it was a total crash fest of people doing stupid things. That meant I spent more of my time on the bike making sure I was in space and clear of muppets - which didn't do anything for confidence or interest in riding. The idea of me dropping the bike is one thing (like you say, it's not really the money, as much as the fact the parts simply aren't available if you crash it, even if you are prepared to spend a fortune putting it back together), but the idea of some racer wannabe taking me out after 3 corners like happened to you, and the bike being gone for good just made it no fun at all.

So my Desmo is now up on stands in the garage and hasn't been out since about May this year, which is a shame, but I took the 848 the rest of the time. I did however ride an almost standard RSV4 Factory back to back with my Desmo earlier this year, and on only my 3rd lap on the RSV4, was comfortably 2 seconds a lap quicker than on the Desmo - even taking it easy as it wasn't my bike. So, I would probably be a good 5 seconds a lap quicker (on a 1:55 lap on the Desmo) on the RSV4 with a bit of practice. So, they are really hard to ride. You won't even get close to the times you can put down on your Panigale.......

But if you want my advice (place whatever value you like on free advice!), don't bother putting the Magnetti system on the desmo. They are 20k, and you aren't going to use it. I got the Competition Systems one on mine for 2k and it is the TC system you need as a bit of a comfort blanket. You don't need the rest, honestly. I have a HM quick shifter, the Nemesis Comp Systems TC and that's it. Works fine. And you can't grab a big fistful on this bike as it will high side you into the middle of next week (I have seen a few people do it!).

Anyway, I would enjoy the Desmo on nice quiet tracks from time to time, or turn it into track prep state as mine is and thrash it, knowing that you will eventually just write it off. But you need cheap, sturdy bodywork, different wheels and you need the GP7 system with a custom map to sort that fuelling and throttle control. Mine is flawless, makes the Panigale seem agricultural by comparison.

But I would be miles quicker and happier tracking a Pani. Which is probably the way I will go when I get back out there. Might just sell my 848 track bike, keep the Desmo for posterity, and convert my Pani into a track bike.

But a bit busy at work for all this at the moment, sadly. Still, next year eh......

Best to you and yours and hope you have a great Xmas break at the end of a brilliant year.

 

One previous careful owner ? . Andy

 

Sorry Koen, I recognised Kuba's bike and made a poor attempt at being funny. Did you have an opportunity to see the new bikes ? I think Davide is smaller than Kuber so it will be interesting to see how the team set the bike up. Looking forward to the new season with high hopes for a few more front row starts. Andy