It's not surprising that the Panigale was slower when they fitted a non standard sized rear tyre to keep the test sponsors happy. Didn't make any sense to me if it was supposed to be a fair test.
I hadn't clocked that .. I think with the panigale you need to be in tune with the bike and to be brutally honest you need to be a pretty damn good rider to get the best out of it. The others are far easier to ride.. The BMW for instance is ridiculously easy to ride, as is the kwak, can't speak for the new blade but the old one was a doddle to ride. The panigale is hard work!
It's in a magazine's interest to ingratiate themselves to certain manufacturers. It's how they butter their bread and ensure themselves an invite to the next launch.
Its Bauer Group, who also own BMWnews, oops sorry MCN. They say they have no bias but thats bullshit. The evidence is in all their publications. I dont value their reviews.
On a similar theme theres a programme on telly called supercar megabuild and one of the episodes was they had to build a themed bike to beat a McLaren P1. They chose a 1299, knocked about 25 kilos off it, stuck a few decals on it and took it to Rockingham (in the wet). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercar_Megabuild Season 2, episode 7.
Some of the Supercar build programs are available on U Tube. eg: Unfortunately I cant see the Pannigale one though!
Probably a good thing as it was utter horse shit, those times just don't stack up, and the end result was a really good bike ruined IMO. Should have left it naked carbon and not put on the stupid fake exhaust !!!
Yeh i looked for it too they havent got season 2 up yet, And agree with Wayne it looked shit with the McLaren makeover (it did look rapid though)