Here you go Mutt. Left side view. One thing I did notice is the mounting points for the rear pillion pegs on the underside of the subframe. I'll wager someone produces a carbon cover that bolts onto these to cover the exposed fuel tank section under the seat. No doubt the aftermarket manufacturers are rubbing their hands with glee.
A close up of the business end. This is the S model at EICMA with some accessories thrown at it. Switchgear appears to have been improved to access the modes and the DMS system
This is a reasonably good video of the whole bike from most angles. In this instance, that same tricked up S model at EICMA.
I wonder what the 'racing kit' is? Certainly provides great looking extra torque pretty much everywhere and holds on to the power longer to a higher RPM, very nice:
It's unlikely they'd do that given the investment but your right, the bike still doesn't grab your senses by the scruff of the neck and scream buy me, hence why I want to see one up close and personal. Technically I have no doubt it's an improvement but the jury, as with any new bike, is out, especially when it has the xx99 series to live up to stylistically. No mean feat. I'm not sure they have ticked all the boxes but progress comes in many forms and this bike does represent quite a milestone, for a company so traditionally steeped in V-Twin heritage, I wish they'd stepped away from the Panigale lineage and come up with a fresh new design but saying that, this seems more an an evolution as opposed to a revolution. The very opposite of what the 999 set out to do and we know how divisive that was.
To be fair they could have just got their crayons out for that but time will tell. For me, low down torque is key. Which is where the 1199 failed (IMO) with it's over square design in chasing big BHP. It was the only way they could do it (achieve big power) but left the big V twin flawed. They dialed it out a tad with the 1299. The extra cc gave them a longer stroke which is where the umph is. I understand even the 1199R is a bit wooly low down and needs to be kept on the boil. I think Ducati have taken the V twin configuration as far as it can go (within cost restraints) and had no choice other than to switch to V4. For me the best and most dramatic V twin Ducati produced was in the 1098R. A masterpiece. Which is why I bought one. I've always admired the Panigale's lines but never fancied one due to it's fluffy power delivery. I'm pretty convinced the V4 will be a peach of an engine and I'm having one! Roll on test reports....
The performance is where it really counts. It seems they will have Aprilia covered in outright power, but to me, that torque curve looks quite lumpy. The smooth pradictibility of the Aprilia, combined with the best in class chassis, is one of the RSV4 stand out features. The proof will be in the pudding and I’m sure Ducati will have made significant progress. I can’t wait to try one, and see how it fairs in the superbike tests. It does seem like Akra have managed to design the first exhaust system them makes the OEM look better. At least they didn’t go all 959 on us!
I agree. Should of left the Panigale line and got a bit more creative. Also this isn't like going to be moving up from a '14 R to the '15 R. It's a completely different animal. I told Tony yesterday I would have to have a ride on one before pulling the trigger. Interestingly though, maybe it's just us sticklers for the V-twin not liking it. He's saying the uptake on the V4 has been impressive to say the least. Plus all of the Speciale's have gone, sold out, so if you didn't have your name down you won't get one.
Would love a Speciale but I can't run to that kind of money, and I am not sure it's worth the extra, given you can throw the Akra system on it and gain the same power, which just leaves the DP accessories (many of which I don't/wouldn't want) and the paint job. Not only that £3.5K for the mag wheels is insane. So I am thinking V4S with the Akras and my own paintwork plus mods. If you know anyone with a cheap set of OEM 1199S/1299S wheels for sale let me know, as I am hoping to keep the OZ GASS wheels to swap over to the V4.
Seastars of Norwich had 15 people down for them. Only the first 5 will be seeing one. If you had your name down your dealer should know by now how many he has been allocated
I'm not saying I've spent too much time talking about this this week, but I just sent a text to my wife letting her know what we needed from the shops (it gives her a sense of purpose) and my phone autocorrected 'Special K' to 'Specialé cost'. Perhaps it's a sign?
