I'm a huge fan of Ducati homologation specials. I love everything about the SP, SPS and R models. Their exclusivity, their WSB rule stretching raison d'etre and money no object construction all appeal. I love the way Ducati sticks components on these specials that have little to do with the 'stock' road bike models and simply shrug their Italian shoulders, smile and point out that they only need to produce 200 to be allowed to race them so what the hell. Who else could get away with bikes with different capacities, bore and stroke, head design and even frame and still qualify for a 'production bike' race series.
Lean, mean, noisy and rather uncouth - lovely!
So in the grand tradition of Ducati R models, the Panigale R should be something special. Yet as an unashamed fanboy when I first saw the R's spec I was a little disappointed. Aside from titanium con rods, a lightened crank/flywheel, an adjustable swingarm pivot, race screen and some carbon bling the R is pretty similar in spec to the
Panigale S or Tricolore
. It gets a full titanium Termignoni system (like the Tricolore) and a neat brushed aluminium tank but for £26,550 you might hope for more. When asked about this at the Milan bike show the man from Ducati said "the base bike is so high specification we couldn't add anything else" which is a fair point. The WSB rules have changed now and this is probably the closest a Ducati homologation special has ever got to the actual race bike, but is the R that different to the S or Tricolore?
Hang on tight!
When PH2 tested the Panigale Tricolore last year I remarked how easy it was to ride at low revs. Unlike the 1198, which is a complete animal with a brutal throttle response, the Panigale was relaxed and controllable at low revs before going absolutely bat-excrement at 8,000rpm. Well scrub this impression if you are thinking of buying a Panigale R, this bike has a completely different character...
Carbon 'heat shield' looks trick, is useless
Despite having the same claimed 195hp and 98lb ft of torque, the R is far more harsh and aggressive at low revs than the lower-spec models. As well as lightening some of the engine internals, Ducati has added two teeth to the rear sprocket, taking it from a 39-tooth item to a 41-tooth one on the R. What this does is make the R feel like you are riding an argument! At low speed it is awkward, continually surging forward like a dog straining on a leash and basically a massive pain in the backside. Ride through a 30mph limit and you have to drop to first gear with the engine ready to explode forward as second means the bike is continually stuttering as the revs are too low. Add to this a raucous exhaust note and there is no way you can ride the R with any kind of subtlety.
Also, and I didn't spot this on the S, the frame (ok, monocoque) on the R gets really hot by your right knee and the seat gets seriously toasty as well. The carbon shield may look flash, but it doesn't seem to deflect much of the heat from that truly enormous snaking bend in the pipe. Also, and this is so typical Ducati, if you fold the mirrors in to fit the Panigale in your garage they scratch the double-bubble screen...
Trick bits throughout, as you'd hope for price
Well here is the problem, irritating and awkward as the Panigale R is, get it moving and it is simply stunning to ride. Just like the other models, as soon as the motor gets above 8,000rpm it goes completely bonkers, Keep it on the boil and not only is the speed staggering, the handling is also amazing and the quickshifter one of the best I have ever used. To be honest on track I know I'd be faster on a
BMW S1000RR or HP4
as it is so much easier to ride. But the Panigale has the 'Ducati' factor.
Everywhere you park the Panigale people come over to stare at it, sit on it and ask to hear the engine revving. It is an object of desire and lust as well as frustration and that's why we love it. The other models of Panigale are far easier to live with, but they aren't R models and that's the problem. I own the 916SP pictured alongside the Panigale above and it is equally as frustrating to ride, it stalls occasionally for no reason, stutters at low revs and is horribly uncomfortable. But I absolutely love it and every time I open my garage door and see it sat there I smile. The Panigale R has exactly the same effect. The Tricolore may be £3,000 cheaper, but it's just a Panigale S with a flash paint scheme. The R is special, it is exclusive and it turns heads. Frustrating yes, but it is also sublime when going fast and equally as delightful to sit and look at. It may not have the uniqueness of older S/SP/R models but the Panigale R has all the same philosophy, attitude and stance that makes it a true Ducati homologation special - and God bless it for that.
DUCATI 1199 PANIGALE R
Engine: 1,198cc V-twin
Power: 195hp@10,750rpm (claimed)
Torque: 98lb ft@9,000rpm (claimed)
Top speed: 175mph
Weight: 189kg (wet) 165kg (dry)
MPG: Do you really need to ask?
Price: £26,550