1299s first impressions

speedy14 said:

I totally agree. " Sport mode" is for ....... !

Speedy

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"Sport" mode on my bike is configured as "Highway" mode. Everything set to softest. This is the mode where I kick in the cruise control and just ride the slab

If there's any turning, back to Race mode. If it starts raining, Wet mode. Simple!

there is a shock recall incase that hasn't been said already .

also if you have another person(or two) lean the bike over while you measure the different parts of the bike in spatial relation to the ground you may decide if the exhaust is clear of touching.
I have had things rub the asphalt on certain tracks that should not be even close to touching . this usually happens in off camber turns especially if it is a G'd out section.

my 02 ¢

Shock has been changed via warranty. Obviously touchdown happened in some bumb in a bend. Still the evidence is clear. Luckily that was the first thing to hit the ground, I'm just assuming anything else would be a lot more expensive.

I did not mean to be offensive, I a Finn . One of us said to his race engineer: "leave me alone, I know what I'm doing". That same guy participated yesterday to a motocross club race in at the same club where I'm a member. And also yesterday released his next year contract with that red Italian car he's driving as a profession.

It's been a long time since my last post. First of all, I am still more than happy to my 1299s. Absolutely faultless. But it is a big twin, with almost race tuned engine. So I still avoid commuting. Did again a trip to Alps and as many track days as I could.

Alpine: [youtube]N3prY6Kab8c[/youtube]
Track: [youtube]jyHXkvl1O-I[/youtube]
Track 2: [youtube]kPKBO7LriJc[/youtube]

Other impressions. In the beginning I had some trouble with rear tire shredding. That's all sorted out. In front suspension I had to use comp between 5-7 clicks, and that caused excessive wear to front tire. I had forks re-valved, adding more comp and rear shock rubber cushion changed into 5mm thick one and also had valve springs replaced into competition ones (both being 30Nm, now 15 and 50Nm).

I forgot DDA stick into bike for a month and no battery drainage or any other trouble. Clutch lever suddenly became very heavy and started squealing, but that sorted out with a drop of oil into lever axle.

I have no other issue with the bike except a bit too much wheeling at the track. I think that even in DTC one, ECU is restricting the power until bike is almost vertical, then it gives a bit more power and upsets balance causing wheelies. It is a street bike ECU, so this is such a small thing that I don't count that as a minus.

Quality 10
Usability 10 (where it counts)
Appearance 10 (I would give 15, but the scale ends in 10)
Durability 10
Maintenance and value cost 7 (but who cares)
Overall 10+

A good write up and update. Thanks

FWIW, I have drug the pegs on my 1299S on more than one occasion (yes, I have good BP).

I actually wish it had more ground clearance.

Over the course of the season we have had to soften the rear and stiffen the front. Im currently at 1.10's in both forks and .85 on the rear.

The Panigale doesn't transfer weight to the rear very well at all. You have to keep it loaded up. If you are too stiff in the rear, it will sit at the top of the stroke and spin.

One thing is for certain, there is not "a setting" that works all the time. Setup changes from track to track, even from day to day or morning to afternoon at the same track. Setup is a living thing that constantly changes as needed.

Chaotic said:

FWIW, I have drug the pegs on my 1299S on more than one occasion (yes, I have good BP).

I actually wish it had more ground clearance.

Over the course of the season we have had to soften the rear and stiffen the front. Im currently at 1.10's in both forks and .85 on the rear.

The Panigale doesn't transfer weight to the rear very well at all. You have to keep it loaded up. If you are too stiff in the rear, it will sit at the top of the stroke and spin.

One thing is for certain, there is not "a setting" that works all the time. Setup changes from track to track, even from day to day or morning to afternoon at the same track. Setup is a living thing that constantly changes as needed.

Click to expand...

I totally agree. I also have had minor ground clearance issues. As pictured before, muffler screws are touching and also gearshift lever has hit the ground. No often and always there has been a bump in the track.

For me the setting is +- 1-2 clicks from base setting in all tracks I drive. Bu I go slow 1-1,5s/km off from lap record. And not competing with any rival. But I play with preload. Stop n go track I increase spring preload in front and soften rear. Nowadays rear spring preload is close to zero.

And while I am 10-12kg fatter than in racing days, I still think I would need softer rear spring.

Ah yes, the gear shift lever...I have drug that damn thing many times.

The Panigale for sure needs a softer spring. I am running 2 rates softer on the 1299S than I do on the R6 or RSV4.

I am 68 and just love this cornering 1299s that I bought After the 959 This baby
Out does my bmw 1000rr and the gsxr liter bike by far and it will frickin jump
Out of your hands if you let it. Unbelievable Power!!!
One run at corners is more fun than all the days on the others I had
Hot on the legs though. But that's bearable Will find a way to get that
Fixed
Rocket Man

up it goes

How do I know if my 1299 needs the shock recalled? Dealer can tell or?

Anyone get the suspension setup w/ Dave Moss?

The Tman said:

Anyone get the suspension setup w/ Dave Moss?

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I di. Dave got it pretty much spot on and most certainly got the sag adjusted correctly. I actually preferred the active mode to the manual set up, because it has anti-dive and anti-squat. Only you can determine which is best, but I stuck with active mode and Dave's sag settings. I ran medium at the rear and harder at the front, if that helps.