899 Panigale - what's it like in real/mundane life?
Discussion
What an absolutely beautiful motorcycle. I think I could forgive it terrible road manners just for the looks!
However, I really would be interested to hear from people who do mundane stuff on it. Things like commuting to work, being in stop start traffic etc. Basically, all the stuff that the bike wasn't made for!
What's the riding position like? Is it quite extreme?
However, I really would be interested to hear from people who do mundane stuff on it. Things like commuting to work, being in stop start traffic etc. Basically, all the stuff that the bike wasn't made for!
What's the riding position like? Is it quite extreme?
Loved mine as a weekend toy, but definitely wouldn’t fancy commuting on it... For a twin it’s very peaky and not a fan of town riding, I found it very uncomfortable at low speeds but that all changes when you open it up.
I would add that my Triumph 675R was a far superior bike in every aspect.
I would add that my Triumph 675R was a far superior bike in every aspect.
She gets hot, like the 1199, like the 1299, like most ducatis actually, this is fine in the colder months, however..
When there's traffic and its 30° out, your balls will be burning and piss wet through with sweat, you will wish you opted for something else. Even filtering at slow speeds is not particularly comfortable. Some people have said the clutch is heavy, I've ridden a couple 899s, its not an issue unless you are particulary weak.
Motor is fine, rev it, it likes to be ridden hard, your balls will also be thanking you for this as revving hard you will go faster and enjoy the breeze.
Twisty road, highway, not having to worry about getting into work looking like a wet dog thats just got out of a river, yeah, its pretty awesome, more fun than most.
When there's traffic and its 30° out, your balls will be burning and piss wet through with sweat, you will wish you opted for something else. Even filtering at slow speeds is not particularly comfortable. Some people have said the clutch is heavy, I've ridden a couple 899s, its not an issue unless you are particulary weak.
Motor is fine, rev it, it likes to be ridden hard, your balls will also be thanking you for this as revving hard you will go faster and enjoy the breeze.
Twisty road, highway, not having to worry about getting into work looking like a wet dog thats just got out of a river, yeah, its pretty awesome, more fun than most.
montymoo said:
She gets hot, like the 1199, like the 1299, like most ducatis actually, this is fine in the colder months, however..
When there's traffic and its 30° out, your balls will be burning and piss wet through with sweat, you will wish you opted for something else. Even filtering at slow speeds is not particularly comfortable. Some people have said the clutch is heavy, I've ridden a couple 899s, its not an issue unless you are particulary weak.
Motor is fine, rev it, it likes to be ridden hard, your balls will also be thanking you for this as revving hard you will go faster and enjoy the breeze.
Twisty road, highway, not having to worry about getting into work looking like a wet dog thats just got out of a river, yeah, its pretty awesome, more fun than most.
What he said, that goes all the way back to the 9** bikes as well..... I have an 1199 and wouldn't go anywhere near town in it ...When there's traffic and its 30° out, your balls will be burning and piss wet through with sweat, you will wish you opted for something else. Even filtering at slow speeds is not particularly comfortable. Some people have said the clutch is heavy, I've ridden a couple 899s, its not an issue unless you are particulary weak.
Motor is fine, rev it, it likes to be ridden hard, your balls will also be thanking you for this as revving hard you will go faster and enjoy the breeze.
Twisty road, highway, not having to worry about getting into work looking like a wet dog thats just got out of a river, yeah, its pretty awesome, more fun than most.
Same with the 848. Shortened the gearing by 1 tooth which helped, but it still roasts yer nuts, has a hillariously bad turning circle (which makes filtering awkward), and while the clutch isn't crazy heavy if you're filtering through solid traffic for 30 mins, it gets distinctly tedious.
I had one briefly. Lovely looking thing and on the right road was fun but I never really jelled with it swapped it for a GSXR 750 which was a better bike in all ways (except for looks).
The exhaust annoyed me. Had the Termingnoni. Even with earplugs there was a constant thudding that gave me a headache. I bet it sounded great for anyone following me though.
Good, clean 899s seem to sell well. Didn’t have any problems selling mine onto my local dealer.
The exhaust annoyed me. Had the Termingnoni. Even with earplugs there was a constant thudding that gave me a headache. I bet it sounded great for anyone following me though.
Good, clean 899s seem to sell well. Didn’t have any problems selling mine onto my local dealer.
Completely the wrong bike for any mundane daily riding. You have to slip the clutch to maintain any speed under 20mph without juddering your teeth out. Pray you don’t have to filter through much traffic at these speeds, I had pins and needles on my left hand for 2 days after an m25 nightmare. The Termis are essential but they aren’t at all discreet and you’ll be wiping chain oil off the left can after every ride. The dash screen will probably crack if it hasn’t by the time you buy one, but that’s normal for any panigale. The gear indicator will do weird things when the engine gets hot until you replace the sensor. You’ll get more attention on one than any other bike, even other Ducati’s for some reason. They get hot, on the knees more than anything, need to wear leathers rather than jeans if you’ll be sitting in traffic. Riding position isn’t too bad really, not too much weight on your wrists, you don’t need to do yoga in order to look at the road ahead, but it’s no naked bike. I absolutely love mine, it’s one bike I will never, ever sell and I wish I was riding it right now
899 for daily riding in traffic with ambient above 10C?
Prepare for the HOTAS, and I do not mean hands on throttle-and-stick.
On a positive note - 899 is not as bad as 1199/1299 and smaller engine is easier to manage. :-)
Oh, and buy a hand strengthener a couple of months before, the clutch on 899 is heavy duty.
Prepare for the HOTAS, and I do not mean hands on throttle-and-stick.
On a positive note - 899 is not as bad as 1199/1299 and smaller engine is easier to manage. :-)
Oh, and buy a hand strengthener a couple of months before, the clutch on 899 is heavy duty.
Zakalwe said:
Completely the wrong bike for any mundane daily riding. You have to slip the clutch to maintain any speed under 20mph without juddering your teeth out. Pray you don’t have to filter through much traffic at these speeds, I had pins and needles on my left hand for 2 days after an m25 nightmare. The Termis are essential but they aren’t at all discreet and you’ll be wiping chain oil off the left can after every ride. The dash screen will probably crack if it hasn’t by the time you buy one, but that’s normal for any panigale. The gear indicator will do weird things when the engine gets hot until you replace the sensor. You’ll get more attention on one than any other bike, even other Ducati’s for some reason. They get hot, on the knees more than anything, need to wear leathers rather than jeans if you’ll be sitting in traffic.
Commuted on my V4 today and the juddering with town riding and the heat sound like the 899 multiplied by about 10!, didn’t enjoy it one bit.cant speak for the 899. But my 1199s is something that you need to be terrified of before you get within 6 feet of it.
it is utterly overwhelmingly intense. Completely stupid for any sort of "sensible" riding like commuting. Just dont.
But when you are in the mood, the 1199s is like being plugged into the mains
it is utterly overwhelmingly intense. Completely stupid for any sort of "sensible" riding like commuting. Just dont.
But when you are in the mood, the 1199s is like being plugged into the mains
Walter Sobchak said:
Zakalwe said:
Completely the wrong bike for any mundane daily riding. You have to slip the clutch to maintain any speed under 20mph without juddering your teeth out. Pray you don’t have to filter through much traffic at these speeds, I had pins and needles on my left hand for 2 days after an m25 nightmare. The Termis are essential but they aren’t at all discreet and you’ll be wiping chain oil off the left can after every ride. The dash screen will probably crack if it hasn’t by the time you buy one, but that’s normal for any panigale. The gear indicator will do weird things when the engine gets hot until you replace the sensor. You’ll get more attention on one than any other bike, even other Ducati’s for some reason. They get hot, on the knees more than anything, need to wear leathers rather than jeans if you’ll be sitting in traffic.
Commuted on my V4 today and the juddering with town riding and the heat sound like the 899 multiplied by about 10!, didn’t enjoy it one bit.I guess the "soul" in Italian machinery is just too much to give up, despite all the hassle. :-)
There is nothing sensible about any Panigale, but when the road is free and winding and it is not too hot, you know why you paid all that money. :-)
Ho Lee Kau said:
There is nothing sensible about any Panigale, but when the road is free and winding and it is not too hot, you know why you paid all that money. :-)
You only have to open the garage door to know why you paid all that money, the open, winding road just makes you glad you didZakalwe said:
Ho Lee Kau said:
There is nothing sensible about any Panigale, but when the road is free and winding and it is not too hot, you know why you paid all that money. :-)
You only have to open the garage door to know why you paid all that money, the open, winding road just makes you glad you didLooks are in the eye of the beholder.
Every time I see my 954RR I want to drain it and put it on the wall.
Ho Lee Kau said:
Numerous recalls, PITA in daily riding...you are still with that thing? :-)
I guess the "soul" in Italian machinery is just too much to give up, despite all the hassle. :-)
There is nothing sensible about any Panigale, but when the road is free and winding and it is not too hot, you know why you paid all that money. :-)
It’s not built with the commute in mind, on a Sunday morning blast or a track day I know exactly why I paid all that money and I’m glad I did.I guess the "soul" in Italian machinery is just too much to give up, despite all the hassle. :-)
There is nothing sensible about any Panigale, but when the road is free and winding and it is not too hot, you know why you paid all that money. :-)
I will happily give it up when Honda build a V4 superbike that’s priced in the same bracket.
upsidedownmark said:
Same with the 848. Shortened the gearing by 1 tooth which helped, but it still roasts yer nuts, has a hillariously bad turning circle (which makes filtering awkward), and while the clutch isn't crazy heavy if you're filtering through solid traffic for 30 mins, it gets distinctly tedious.
Yep, had an 848 evo, and all that is spot on. Zakalwe said:
Completely the wrong bike for any mundane daily riding. You have to slip the clutch to maintain any speed under 20mph without juddering your teeth out.
Yes and that too, in slow traffic/filtering clutch had to be slipped all the time.Edited by phil4 on Wednesday 24th June 14:14
I test rode one and really wanted to like it. The thing that initially struck me was that the bike was physically very committed in terms of riding position compared to most sportsbikes - I'm 5'9" and it felt uncomfortably small compared to the R6 I had at the time.
The other negative, which has been mentioned already in this thread is it isn't a bike to commute on. Town work is hot and uncomfortable.
However... At higher speeds it really starts to make sense. Above about 70mph it is far easier to ride. The gearbox is great - really positive action and no sign of Honda syndrome anywhere. When banked over there was absolutely no chatter from the front wheel at all.
So the decision is going to have to be based on how you'll use it. If you do a lot of commuting or slower riding, then it isn't the best bike for that. If you're mostly faster, it's absolutely the bike for that.
And as you mentioned, they are absolutely gorgeous machines.
The other negative, which has been mentioned already in this thread is it isn't a bike to commute on. Town work is hot and uncomfortable.
However... At higher speeds it really starts to make sense. Above about 70mph it is far easier to ride. The gearbox is great - really positive action and no sign of Honda syndrome anywhere. When banked over there was absolutely no chatter from the front wheel at all.
So the decision is going to have to be based on how you'll use it. If you do a lot of commuting or slower riding, then it isn't the best bike for that. If you're mostly faster, it's absolutely the bike for that.
And as you mentioned, they are absolutely gorgeous machines.
jock mcsporran said:
My old one popped up on my FB this week. 4 years ago at the Arctic Circle.
Missed it but it started having a problem with electrics in the rain. Probably a connector somewhere but could never be found. Had the usual with it, cracked screen, hot balls, etc.
How wonderful. Very well done! How did you get the bike up there? Missed it but it started having a problem with electrics in the rain. Probably a connector somewhere but could never be found. Had the usual with it, cracked screen, hot balls, etc.
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