I've just watched it. My impression from it is that the hardcore track day addicts won't be massively impressed, but that Ducati are trying to reach a wider audience by offering something slightly less track focussed, but easier to ride on the road. Suspect economics also come into it. The new engine probably being cheaper to build, and lots of part sharing between the panigale and streetfighter. Interesting to see whether that translates into lower prices, or larger profit margins for VAG.
The new Panigale V2 looks like a bastardized Supersport, much less focused looking than the outgoing model and a massive 35bhp less (though it is a lot lighter). The higher bars give off sport tourer vibes and the acres of plastic on it cheapen it further, even though the RRP is likely to be artificially high. Sadly, in the factory's quest to make bikes easier to ride, they have massively diluted some fundamental essences of their iconic designs in doing so. This bike leaves me with little more than a passing interest, as it aligns itself more and more with the Japanese mass market. Fewer and fewer of the features are available as standard with everything seemingly now only accessible as an expensive option. The SF V2 doesn't look any better (especially the side fairings which look like panniers strapped to the front and are totally disproportionate). IMHO they are heading in the wrong direction. I have no doubt they will sell well but they just don't have that WOW factor anymore.
I want a streetfighter to kick me in the face not a nice 120bhp that's going to hold my hand. And 5 less than my 996...... It's a no from me.
£16995 for the V2S is less than I thought and the Streetfighter version is £1000 less, Monster SP is only £1700 cheaper.
Smaller road biased bikes are the future. There are a lot of sub 900cc bikes being announced at EICMA this week. And many of them are sub 500cc
Interesting that no one is talking about the obvious cost saving, yes they have bought the S in under the current V2 price but if you look closely, no steering damper, basic top yoke, not nicely machined stuff, the Ohlins shock is now a ‘standard’ OEM type RSU Rather than a nice TTX. finally, I just can’t understand why they couldn’t take the exhaust pipe up through the swingarm rather than around it, and then on top of that, it’s not even a nice pipe, has seems etc in it, just looks crap. the Panigale V2S is pretty otherwise, although I think with the high bars the video of the Ducati test rider he just looks awkward on it. the Streetfighter is awful though, really really bad IMO. I’ll stick with the 899, and put some M50’s on it, some lightweight wheels and forks. btw, it’s ‘17 KG lighter than the old V2 but actually the V2 was up on the 959 and that was 7-8KG up on the 899….
I was chatting to a chap who works for ducati at the ducati day and even he said to keep your older panigales as there be going up in value now the new ones are out. Il definitely be keeping the R now.
My 1299s is for sale soon. Meh on Ducati for me. I'll still have my 916 and that'll do. Im jumping ship to BMW.
Completely get this. Buying/owning a Ducati is (or actually was) a heart over head thing for most without significant disposable wealth. The new Ducati bikes and “branding”, for me, remove a lot of the emotion making it head v head. In which case there are a lot of very good alternatives to be had for a much lower cost of ownership.
This sums it up exactly EPJ, going back a bit to the late 90’s early 2000’s , seeing a Ducati was the equivalent of seeing a Unicorn to anyone interested in bikes, they had a rare and special Aura about them, the Audi influence seems to be totally diluting that certain mystique that they used to have and they are somehow less emotive than they were and that’s without the endless churning out of “ limited edition “ models that are just a different paint job and a couple of trinkets from the accessories catalogue. Definitely hanging on to my 899, the first shape is still the best looking of the Panigale’s in my opinion
Ive been doing more track miles than road miles for the past few years plus Ive gotten the bug. My old 1299 cant do UK tracks (110dB measured), plus its at 15k miles now (desmo done). Time to sell. So, as I note a lot of S1000rr's and R1's as track bikes, it just makes sense for me. I'll buy a new M Sport and use the savings (lol) for more trackday time. I'll use the 916 for road trips as its frankly more fun, despite being infuriating at times. I liked the 1299, but it was a brute and awkward on the road and it burnt me. Just got to OEM the bugger so some parts will be for sale soon, like full ti akra, dp rearsets, sigma slipper etc. Just have to remember how all the oem parts go on.
So has anyone seen it and gone “ooh yeah that’s a bit of me?” genuinely interested as we all say “well I’m sure they will sell loads” but I haven’t seen anyone say they like it. I’ve had 6 mid range Ducatis, and yet I’m not even sure I’m fussed to go look at one let alone test it. it’s not even the power that’s the issue for me, it’s the fact they have cut costs all over the bike and still trying to present it as premium. One big example being the Ohlins rear shock which is a base model RSU (or Showlins) as some slightly crudely refer to them. if it was £1k more but had the exhaust routed up through the swingarm (as was possible on CBR’s, Daytona’s etc for years) and had a steering damper and retained some of the premium finished around the cockpit like the nice top yoke etc maybe I’d be more keen. It’s certainly pretty
The Termi full system is through the swingarm and looks so much better, I don’t see why they couldn’t do that with the standard system.
