Want an 899 panigale so bad!

[donnyj08]

I've decided my next motorcycle will be a Ducati 899 panigale. I'm absolutely in love with that bike. It's beyond beautiful, and not much more money than a Japanese liter bike. I've already set aside a special savings account for the bike. Hopefully I can pay cash for a new one in 2 years.

I plan to keep my FZ6R also, and have both. Anyone else love the 899?

The last couple days I've already started researching what oil I will run in it when I buy one. Any Ducati guys here with recommendations too feed my itch!?

 

[weasley]

I was on a group ride-out a couple of weeks back where one of the guys, who I know well, surprised everyone by turning up on a brand new 899 Panigale, in white (we were expecting him to be on his black 848 Evo).

Nice enough bike, but I fear I have outgrown them.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

The ducks are torture racks even compared to the Japan offerings. Exotic ? yes expensive ? yes, comfortable NO.

please, by no means let my opinion sway you, It is a absolutely stunning bike. Ive ridden rockets since 2003.. for my money, comfort, performance id stick with the japan offerings..

OIL ? stick with the Mobil 1 20-50 unless you just want to pay more for more exotic oil..

 

[MoreCowbellAz]

I know I'm not really answering your oil question, but I bet your manual will already do that. But as an editorial.............It's certainly one heck of a piece of machinery, even art. I just googled it again in fact, wow. On your acquistion plans, I've found creating a savings account for my latest object of lust, as you've described, is good for a number of reasons included forcing myself to think it through for a period of time before taking the plunge. Especially with purpose built bikes which for me are sooooo seductive but can also be sooooo short lived once practicality sets in. Keeping your FZ6R is a great idea as well, you'll appreciate it's "friendliness". It's ying and yang, good way to go.

Not to dissuade you one iota, I'm a full believer in going after whatever trips your trigger, but man I remember years ago being soooo fired up in every way for the Yamaha R1. It kept me awake at night. I bought it, and it really was "all that", but I learned in about 20 miles that holy cow this is hard on the wrists. Pure pain. Thought I'd get used to it. Nope. I'm stubborn, so rode it to San Diego and back, Grand Canyon, always half the trip all I could think about was getting off of it. Eventually sold it just because it wasn't useful for that type of thing.

However...............in the middle there I got into roadracing and I raced it for a couple seasons. Now THAT was the ticket, never once did I want for something else. It was just the bomb-diggity.

It was a good perspective builder.

So my advice is to do you your savings just like you are, and if you still want that bike once you have the money go get that baby and enjoy the experience. You'll remember it forever.

 

[OneEyeJack]

If you every try to use it as a daily rider and have to spend any time in traffic you'll be back on your FZ6R in a heartbeat.

I rode one for 5 days and there were 2 happy days, the first day and first rid and the last day and the last ride.

To get the bike to handle you must ride hard. To take it easy gives you an uncomfortable ride with punishing suspension and stiff brakes.

Keep your FZ6R and save the Duck for Sunday morning blasts into the countryside.

 

[KernelK]

donny,

As a bit of counterpoint to all the naysayers here, check out this site and read the ride reports.
http://antihero-x.com/read-me/

He rides an 1199 Panigale and has gone round the US, toured the Pacific northwest and has ridden pretty extensively in Europe. Well worth the time spent for the gorgeous photography, interesting philosophy, and inspiration.

 

[02SE]

I haven't ridden an 899 Panigale. Last fall I rode from the LA area, up the PCH into Oregon, and back on a couple bikes owned by a friend. We took his 1199 Panigale R, and BMW HP4.

The Panigale felt lighter, had a more committed riding position, became uncomfortable for me after awhile, put out more heat felt mainly in your butt, and wasn't as quick in multiple head-to-head acceleration runs.

On a roadrace track, I think it would be in it's element. The somewhat peaky power delivery wouldn't be as noticeable as it is on the road, the generally higher speeds would dissipate the heat better, and the more committed riding position wouldn't become uncomfortable in half-hour stints on-track.

The HP4 was more comfortable, had better acceleration, but was more high-effort to turn in quick side-to-side transitions.

They fixed that higher effort turn-in on the '15 S1000RR's. They also reduced it's weight, gave it more power, and made DDC an option, which is why I bought one. It also has heated grips for cool days, and cruise control, for those long days on the bike that might include some mostly straight-line riding in-between good, twisty stretches of road.

The 1199 Panigale R is a more track oriented bike, that can still be ridden on the road. The 899 Panigale might not be as committed to all-out track performance, and might be more user friendly on public roads.

I imagine there are Ducati specific websites where someone that has ridden the range of Ducati Sportbikes, could give you an opinion.

 

[donnyj08]

I do love my FZ6R, and I will definitely keep it as I can ride it all day with minimal fatigue. I didn't buy a supersport when I was first looking for a street bike because I wanted comfort.

I raced dirt bikes as a teenager and have spent countless hours riding 250 2-stroke dirt bikes. I knew eventually the FZ6R would not have the power or the handling to satisfy my weekend blasts, but I also knew a supersport is best served as a second motorcycle. For this reason I want to keep the FZ6R and save up for a supersport. The 899 panigale is my favorite by far.

I don't really want a 600, and the liter bikes are great, but i love the sound and style of the Ducati, it's also not really much more cabbage than an ABS and traction control optioned liter bike from Japan. I love Japanese motorcycles, but ducs are fascinating, and resale value is excellent.

 

[MoreCowbellAz]

Originally Posted By: donnyj08

I don't really want a 600, and the liter bikes are great, but i love the sound and style of the Ducati.


You've pretty much described the business model of Ducati, they've stuck to the 90 degree desmo twin for a reason. I like the fact they've stuck to it.....variety being the spice and all that.

 

[donnyj08]

Originally Posted By: KernelK
donny,

As a bit of counterpoint to all the naysayers here, check out this site and read the ride reports.
http://antihero-x.com/read-me/

He rides an 1199 Panigale and has gone round the US, toured the Pacific northwest and has ridden pretty extensively in Europe. Well worth the time spent for the gorgeous photography, interesting philosophy, and inspiration.


Thanks so much for the link! very very cool!

 

[BusyLittleShop]

Duacti have that sex and high heels thing going for them... they look aggressive and you
feel aggressive riding one... just enter your favorite bendy bits and this mild manner
milestone will give you the confidence to suck up the bends and blow them
out as bubbles... all you need is a titanium arse...

 

[02SE]

Originally Posted By: KernelK
donny,

As a bit of counterpoint to all the naysayers here, check out this site and read the ride reports.
http://antihero-x.com/read-me/

He rides an 1199 Panigale and has gone round the US, toured the Pacific northwest and has ridden pretty extensively in Europe. Well worth the time spent for the gorgeous photography, interesting philosophy, and inspiration.


So I'm a couple pages into that guys journey, and it's a good read. Although I take exception to his saying the S1000RR only appeals to adolescent boys..

LOL

 

[weasley]

Also, on the "Ducatis aren't comfortable" thing, about 5 years ago I rode to Germany and back in a weekend. I was accompanied by some friends, one of whom was on a 999. He rode from Scotland to Germany and back (something in the region of 1,800 miles). And he's no spring chicken. And he now has a 1098 Panigale which he has ridden around Europe.

The 899 Panigale-riding friend of mine also did about 500 miles during the weekend ride-out mentioned above.

Comfort is what you make it.

 

[donnyj08]

Originally Posted By: weasley
Also, on the "Ducatis aren't comfortable" thing, about 5 years ago I rode to Germany and back in a weekend. I was accompanied by some friends, one of whom was on a 999. He rode from Scotland to Germany and back (something in the region of 1,800 miles). And he's no spring chicken. And he now has a 1098 Panigale which he has ridden around Europe.

The 899 Panigale-riding friend of mine also did about 500 miles during the weekend ride-out mentioned above.

Comfort is what you make it.


From what I've been able to gather from online reviews it seems the 899 is "comfortable" by Ducati standards. One tester praised it as more comfortable to ride than his R6 and another saying it was more comfortable than his GSXR 600.

I know it won't be a calm and tiresome-free tourer, but that's ok. I'll have my much slower, upright positioned, and soft riding FZ6R for that.

I'm thoroughly enjoying the guys journey on the 1199, but man that takes forever to read. I'm 8 pages in and it took me an hour last night. Very cool though!