1299 base model for Daily Commute?!

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RexD

Joined
Aug 1, 2016
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Location
Copenhagen
I would like some experience based input on the base model 1299.

Currently, I'm riding an XDiavel S but made the mistake of testing a Panigale 959 for a few days. Man, the Panigale is awesome. I rode it on twisty back roads, on the highway, in the city and sat in traffic. It was really great to be able to test all these different conditions after reading reviews about people saying how it has flaws in various departments. The biggest issue, I experienced which has been mentioned broadly, was the heat issue. But for me that's not a problem since I ride in leathers.

The 959 is great in my experience. However, I'd like a bit more power than what the 959 can provide. While the 959 has plenty of speed, I'd like some more 'oomph' - and I'm guessing the 1299 will do that.

Here's my question: The base model is within my budget. The S is not. Some people mention how the S model is needed for commute since it means riding on uneven surface etc. Also, some say that the chassis is so stiff so that you need to make up for that in suspension. A problem which some say requires new suspension all together for riding on road and track. Is that your experience?

Would the base model be fine as a daily commuter on uneven roads or should I wait another year and save up for an S model?
 
I commute my 1299, 125 miles/200 km every day :) It's brilliant! :) I even got R forks and shock, and although it's pretty stiff I absolutely love it! I even took it to Denmark for a service job last week, worked a charm there aswell :)
 
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Nobody, and I mean NObody, "needs" and S for commuting. The base suspension is more than capable. People forget how far suspension has come along. The base suspension is almost like WSBK technology from 10-15 years ago.

I have taken tons of long distance trips, as in 2500 miles one-way, on a 550lb Triumph Sprint ST with conventional (right side up) forks that were WAY undersprung with .... valving...and they were perfectly fine.

People commute on everything from Harleys to Scooters to Vintage bikes. The idea that someone needs top shelf EC Ohlins suspension on the street is insane.

If you plan on racing it and want the upgraded suspension and lighter wheels for that, then it makes total sense. But on the street, it isnt necessary nor needed, by any stretch of the imagination.

If I was going to just ride mine on the street, I would have opted for the base model for sure.
 
I have a 1299S that I do a daily round trip commute of 100km's. Compared to my old Ducati's, this bike is brilliant. Although it's probably not as easy to ride as my BMW S1000RR.

Saying that you don't need Ohlins EC suspension for commuting. The only place that you can really experience the bike's and suspension' capabilities is on the track.

Although i'm not complaining having a 1299S for road riding.
 
I wanna say, being stuck in traffic with the 1199 sucks. It roasts your nuts. I got a 2014 636 and I barely feel the heat. 85F ambient temp.
 
I absolutely love my 2015 Diavel (not X). I bought a Panigale beacause I want to spend more time on the track, I missed sport bikes and had a great opportunity to buy the Panigale. Having said that, the Panigale is definitely not my first choice for a commute. It is a race bike with lights. I am amazed at how well the Panigale handles country riding and the occasional commute, it is a truly incredible bike, but so is the Diavel. If you can manage it, my thoughts would be to keep the Diavel for street and as a commuter, and trreat the Panagale as an open road / track day bike :)
Good luck in your decision, they are both amazing bikes!
 
I daily my 1299S the only thing I did to mine was have the techs flip the suspension from flat to progressive (roads are bad and flat setting beats the .... out of you, progressive makes it feel like a completely different bike on the street) and I bought the Comfort seat for $280 (stock seat is horrid for daily driving) after the bike gets warmed up to about 180-200+° 200° is common for in city, the stock seat starts feel like hard plastic. The comfort seat is thicker and helps reduce a lot of the heat you feel through the seat.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
I commute on mine most days, riding on fast B roads, dual a brief section of dual carriage and narrow country lanes, all with different tarmac / surfaces.

Its awesome. Like everyone says, it gets a bit warm if you are filtering through the traffic but that for me is a small price to pay.
 
Hmmm...
Today I've seen a base 1199 from a commuter guy, and the (black) fork tube's surface was completly grinded away. Wouldn't happen on TiN Oehlins forks.

So I asked the Ducati master tech which replied: "Ahhh yeah, that's normal." :(
 
Gecko said:
Hmmm...
Today I've seen a base 1199 from a commuter guy, and the (black) fork tube's surface was completly grinded away. Wouldn't happen on TiN Oehlins forks.

So I asked the Ducati master tech which replied: "Ahhh yeah, that's normal." :(
Click to expand...

well, that can be taken care of in advance, i guess, with proper maintenance and just general cleanliness.
my forks have 20000 km on them and they still look great.
if the coating is damaged like that, i would doubt that the TiN would hold up...

here's another thread touching the topic.

for commute? heck, go base and spend the rest on good tires.
 
I've semi been debating on trading my 2015 1299 S I picked up in February for a XDiavel S but can't make my mind up because I love the Panigale...

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
I commute on my 1299S sometimes. My route is a combo of back twisties, highway and some city. The bike is fine for commuting however I think it has two limitations.

1) Luggage Options: If traveling light, I just use a backpack, but any more than 8 lbs sucks on your back. If I need more gear (eg rain gear, heated gear, beer transport) I use a 10l Kreiga tail bag. So in the end it works so long as I don't need much stuff.

2) Traffic & Slow Speed Riding: Self explanitory, but the Pani isn't very much fun in traffic or at speeds under 45 mph. It has a heavy clutch and tends to surge @ low RPM w/ the stock fueling.

My other bike is a GT1000. It's overall the better commuter b/c its easier to haul stuff and its perfectly happy @ 25 mph which in Boston the normal pace in traffic.
 
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cpettit said:
Get a monster. The panigale might be the worst commuter bike of all time. Its made to race.
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more. I've said similar on here in the past and some people like to argue about it and talk about how they commute on theirs all the time.

Yes you CAN commute on a Panigale. You could slap lights and mirrors on a MotoGP bike or Street tires etc on a dirt bike and commute on them. You "can" ride anything anywhere, that doesn't mean it is good at it or meant for it.

There are several qualities that go into making something a good street bike. Comfortable sitting position, neutral reach to the bars, good wind protection, good down low fueling, light clutch feel, good fuel economy, luggage space, compliant chassis and suspension, etc.......a Panigale has none of those.

The only bike that would be a worse street bike than a Panigale is one of the old 1x98 bikes because their ergos and .... were even worse.

If I didn't race, i wouldnt own a Panigale. I would have a Monster, Diavel, Multistrada, something like that.
 
RexD said:
I would like some experience based input on the base model 1299.

Currently, I'm riding an XDiavel S but made the mistake of testing a Panigale 959 for a few days. Man, the Panigale is awesome. I rode it on twisty back roads, on the highway, in the city and sat in traffic. It was really great to be able to test all these different conditions after reading reviews about people saying how it has flaws in various departments. The biggest issue, I experienced which has been mentioned broadly, was the heat issue. But for me that's not a problem since I ride in leathers.

The 959 is great in my experience. However, I'd like a bit more power than what the 959 can provide. While the 959 has plenty of speed, I'd like some more 'oomph' - and I'm guessing the 1299 will do that.

Here's my question: The base model is within my budget. The S is not. Some people mention how the S model is needed for commute since it means riding on uneven surface etc. Also, some say that the chassis is so stiff so that you need to make up for that in suspension. A problem which some say requires new suspension all together for riding on road and track. Is that your experience?

Would the base model be fine as a daily commuter on uneven roads or should I wait another year and save up for an S model?
Click to expand...

The base 1299 suspension is as good or better than what's fitted on the 959, so if you found that one to your liking then the Base 1299 will certainly be as well.
 
I commute every day on my "S".. No reason you can't do the same on the base. It will make your testes resemble hard boiled eggs on occasion though...
 

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