1199 Upgrade !

Wassup ! - Pick up my Panigale 1st March 2013. Not ridden one yet. Any advice / pointers ? Current bike is an 848. Previous include ZX10R , FireBlade, R1 (fun that) GSXR 1k - dipped the Aprilla & BMW - SS

Congrats. Get the race seat for sure. The stock seat is too slippery.

Race or comfort seat is a MUST! I have taken some long trips when I had my 848 and I didn't think it was possible to make a harder seat, but it looks like Ducati did the impossible... they made a harder one. Could not ride for more than an hour on it and be comfortable, soon as I switched over to the comfort seat it was a HUGE difference! Are you looking for performance upgrades as well?

Also, talk to your dealer and make sure yours has the new fuel upmap. All models and exhaust versions for Termignoni have them as well. INCLUDING STANDARD EXHAUST FROM FACTORY! Anyways, yours SHOULD have the upmap already in it, but have them check it before you leave the dealer, it only takes a couple minutes to upload it into the bike. That'll make a big difference in the power output and low rev cruising. Won't hurt your peak HP either.

If you are going for biggest bang for buck with an exhaust, Austin Racing Company makes a few different types of exhaust systems for the Panigale that are second to none over Akra and Termi. If you do go with the Termi we have seen that the slip ons have proven to be much more effective this year than the full system. Read the thread "Austin Racing Exhaust Taster Possibilities" Everything you want to know about comparison is in that thread.

Otherwise, congratulations on your new bike and enjoy the ride!

Another item to look at is replacing the stock slippery pegs. Of course you have two options based on what you want to spend, the cheaper option would be to just replace the pegs or you can go all out for new rearsets.

Other than maybe the taller windscreen and some crash protection almost all other accessories are bling items and not a must have IMO and I have spent my share on bling.

I'm sure your aware of all this with the many other bikes you've had but this is just my 2 cents.

There is tons of great info on this forum all you gotta do is search for it or ask and there is plenty of good people on here to give lots of advice and opinions on things.

Welcome to the forum!

magzx12r said:

Congrats. Get the race seat for sure. The stock seat is too slippery.

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Whats the difference between the race and comfort seat? Also does anyone have the carbon fiber covers that are suppose to keep the radiator heat off your legs an if so do they actually work?

Thanks

Lawenforcer said:

Whats the difference between the race and comfort seat? Also does anyone have the carbon fiber covers that are suppose to keep the radiator heat off your legs an if so do they actually work?

Thanks

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I have the race seat and it is taller than the stock seat, the major difference is in the non-slip material. Significantly better than the stock seat. I have seen the comfort seat and it's a little wider and taller than the race seat.

With regards to the heat shield. I have only had the termi full exhaust and it came with a larger CF cover. The loop was also heat wrapped. There is still a tremendous amount of heat, most noticeable in traffic. Of course, I've only had the bike a month or so and I'm sure when July roles around I'll probably be whining about it. Update supposedly coming from Ducati soon, hopefully it will also include the termi system.

apparently you can fix most of the heat with some carbon fiber covers for the radiator and Ducati should be releasing the new heat shield shortly...

flobrandx said:

Another item to look at is replacing the stock slippery pegs. Of course you have two options based on what you want to spend, the cheaper option would be to just replace the pegs or you can go all out for new rearsets.

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Welcome to the forum.

I second flobrandx's suggestion. The pegs are quite possibly the single most dysfunctional components on the entire bike.

LSL or Rizoma replacements are a quick fix for 75-sheets

Definitely upgrade seat. I have race seat, but I don't think is it all that much different than comfort seat. Either should be fine. I plan on changing out shock spring, the stock spring is for like 200lb guy, I'm 160 with rocks in my pocket, so suspension is too stiff even at full adjustments. I also plan on Rizoma rearsets, just not enough adjustibility on stock. Oh, and I'd suggest getting a radiator guard on pretty quick, I think Evotech is the best, easiest and cheapest.

Xbox said:

Welcome to the forum.

I second flobrandx's suggestion. The pegs are quite possibly the single most dysfunctional components on the entire bike.

LSL or Rizoma replacements are a quick fix for 75-sheets

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I swear they are the same ones on my Kaw 200 dirt bike! That and the oil are probably the only things truly wrong with this bike.