I've owned my 1199 for nearly a year now and haven't had any real problems. Maybe I'm tempting fate by saying this, time will tell. Forums are well known for culminating all peoples problems into one place and this one is no different. If I didn't already own a Panigale and were considering one and came to this forum in my quest for knowledge I would probably go and buy a Fireblade as many of the threads are about doom and gloom. Many of these grumbles are well justified. The Panigale is not just a new model of Ducati but it's a new design and a new way of thinking which breaks away from the norm, it incorporates the latest in both technological and mechanical ideas. Some may say we are lucky to be able to own the latest bike but we are also the test pilots who find all the problems that come with everyday use. There have been revisions to the design already and I'm sure they will be more. In a bid to balance some of the negativity, what is you like best about your Panigale?.
So first... on the mechanical side of things... I had my base Panigale ABS for only a couple of months before fate intervened... but... I bought it as a 1yr old with 600 miles on the clock. Then over last Summer I added a further 600+ miles, including two tracks days and it never missed a beat. What did I like best? 1. The sound it makes quick shifting under full throttle 2. Power wheelies quick shifting from 3rd to 4th under full throttle 3. Having the ABS save my arse when I outbraked myself on the track and got on the slippery stuff 4. The instant feedback from the suspension telling me when I was riding it well and when I was riding it like a twat. It felt like it would be a great development tool for me as a rider (others would call it unforgiving) 5. The leg room compared to other super bikes I've ridden 6. The glow of the Ducati emblem on the colour dashboard as I switched on the key 7. Owning something that felt like it was as much art as engineering 8. The smiles that came to me whenever I thought about it parked in my garage Ian
Getting the thumbs up from the most unexpected people, from kids to tryhard hipster single speed cyclists to van drivers. Even the two motorcycle coppers who stopped me on Old Street tonight (they were pushing the Bike Safe Courses) were admiring it. They even turned a blind eye to the small number plate... Neighbours are less keen on the sound it makes on start up at 6.30 am most mornings though..
Just walking past it in the garage - I even make excuses to pop to the garage for something just to take a look. The fact that Mrs T suggested I buy it!!! That so many people say the RSV, BMW etc is better but I don't care.....
The best thing about owning a Panigale? Owning a Panigale! I too have had very few problems. I have owned some exotica in car form in the past, but the Pani is the one that after 18 months still puts a big grin on my face each time I look at it and/or ride it.
The looks from any angle The noise It's agility That it reminds me of battle star galactica and I still can't work out why!
Yep! It's the front end of the bike, it looks like Ducati got their inspiration from the Cylons from the 80's series. (Google it, you'll see what I mean). I agree with all above apart from Bradders:wink:. The Panigale makes me grin from the moment I get it out to when I put it away and like SimonT says any excuse - glad it's not just me!. I particularly like in my sad own way the noise of the engine run down through the Termi's when in a built up area. The boom and reverberation off the buildings echo and shake everything , it's great!
Had mine now 12 months, no issues what so ever. What a buzz each time I ride it, makes me realise how lucky I am to own such a bike, the noise, the design, I still go in the garage just to look at it. The boom when you change gear, These bikes are just simply awesome, BIKE PORN. And I don't give a damn if I cannot ride it on the road to all its potential. lol.
I was going to buy an 848 Evo corse se and when I went to the Glasgow showroom I couldn't get the panigale out of my head I couldn't commit to buying the 848. I racked my brains as to how I could come up with the extra cash I had to have the panigale. To me it's the best looking Ducati.
Wish I could join in with this thread sentiment. I have never owned something so disappointing. Nice to see that some of you have had a rather better experience. Mine has been back at the dealers more than I have had it these last two years.
Well im a full on ducatist now didnt like mine at first but had suspension tyres sorted gearing 2 up sprocket and got to say now its the bike i expected it is mint and proper quick
I would like to say I enjoyed owning mine............. well I did for the first 300 miles of it........................... then it pissed all the coolant out of the engine spent 3 months in and out of the dealers and I took it back. It was lovely to look at though!!!!
