'14 1199 R (1st ride) vs '12 Factory RSV4

Ducatiph1 · Dec 22, 2013

First I would like to say thank you to Sebastian @ Melillimoto for my '14 1199 R.
Took it for a first/short break-in ride this morning, as I'm waiting to meet up with EVO-L to install BSTs and carbon rotors.

After trading my '12 1199 tri for two RSV4s, one '12 Factory and a trackbike w/Ohlins 30 mil and ttx, I can say I haven't been happier and more excited to get off a bike. I'm very happy to have returned to the brand after becoming frustrated with the purchase of my Tri. My 1199 Tricolore (being my first Ducati) and reading all the negative statements said about the bike, I just felt was the "norm"/take it or leave it. After moving to the RSV4 factory and putting some miles on it, it didn't compare to the experience of the 1199. That experience is amplified on the R. The bike is just telepathic and I feel more connected with the bike than the RSV4. Yes, the rsv4 has more linear power, but I feel for sure I'm faster on the 1199. The gearing and current mapping make the bike feel night and day to what I can recall about my '12 Tricolore, had no issues with heat, and felt like better/ proper body position feels like a second skin.

It'll be nice when I don't have to think about "proper break-in" for sure, but that's all I have for now. Happy Holidays everyone!!!

kope999R · Dec 22, 2013

welcome back to the fold !

Prince Albert · Dec 22, 2013

What was your negative "experiences" with the Tri that you now believe has been alleviated with an "R", just the gearing and mapping ?

Ducatiph1 · Dec 22, 2013

Prince Albert said:
What was your negative "experiences" with the Tri that you now believe has been alleviated with an "R", just the gearing and mapping ?

Yes, I felt like it was always hunting or lurching when left to maintain a constant speed, no matter what rpm range I used, felt like mild/ intermittent versions of 1st gear. The "R" feels much smoother and more fun when rolling on than what I remember, but that just maybe in my head. The "R" feels awesome in its regard to the RSV4 when rolling on

Prince Albert · Dec 22, 2013

Fair enough, but i think some of those problems can be attenuated on any 1199 to get to a closer "R" responsiveness ..
Nonetheless, congrats and welcome back

Ducatiph1 · Dec 22, 2013

Absolutely. I don't feel that it's the R vs the Tri that makes the difference, but with the gearing and current map makes it a better bike for me coming off the RSV4

SOULRIDER · Dec 22, 2013

Told ya so ;-)

Duck41 · Dec 22, 2013

Congrats on the bike, Ducatiph1, and thank you for the great write up. The gearing and mapping are more than likely the significant contributors to the difference you feel between the Tri and R. I actually thought the stock base/S gearing was fine during the first couple thousand miles I had it on the bike, but eventually decided to try the 41T rear more out of curiosity than anything else and was fairly impressed with how much of a difference it made.

After test riding an RSV4, it seemed to me it was noticeably lacking both in power and braking performance compared to the Panigale. Is this consistent with your experience?

Marmoot · Dec 22, 2013

Ducatiph1 said:
Yes, I felt like it was always hunting or lurching when left to maintain a constant speed, no matter what rpm range I used, felt like mild/ intermittent versions of 1st gear. The "R" feels much smoother and more fun when rolling on than what I remember, but that just maybe in my head. The "R" feels awesome in its regard to the RSV4 when rolling on

Could it be the exhaust valve?
My S did that, then I disconnected the exhaust valve and it calmed the bucking horse muchly.
But, then again, Tri comes with Termies, don't they? Or just slipons?

And, uh, this crippled man passed RSV4 APRC round the outside on his first panigale trackday. That is a testament on Ducati's ride experience

Brad · Dec 22, 2013

Welcome back

They always come back

Once you feel the soul, then it's always with you

fireman1251 · Dec 22, 2013

Prince Albert said:
Fair enough, but i think some of those problems can be attenuated on any 1199 to get to a closer "R" responsiveness ..
Nonetheless, congrats and welcome back

Happen to agree with his highness.

My '12 base is a completely different bike after upmaps, 41t rear sprocket and Termis.

With the 4th set of Marzocchis I can feel an ant being squished by the front wheel.

Granted, it took some time to get there but by purchasing the A model of the series I expected some grief anyways.

Ducatiph1 · Dec 22, 2013

Duck41 said:
Congrats on the bike, Ducatiph1, and thank you for the great write up. The gearing and mapping are more than likely the significant contributors to the difference you feel between the Tri and R. I actually thought the stock base/S gearing was fine during the first couple thousand miles I had it on the bike, but eventually decided to try the 41T rear more out of curiosity than anything else and was fairly impressed with how much of a difference it made.

After test riding an RSV4, it seemed to me it was noticeably lacking both in power and braking performance compared to the Panigale. Is this consistent with your experience?

I would honestly agree. It's surprising that's what my opinion would be after how aprilia raves about it's linear power. I have the same opinion as you on the braking, I feel the aprilia felt like a tank compared to the 1199. The 1199 for me is just confidence inspiring.

Nikt · Dec 22, 2013

Ducatiph1 said:
....The gearing and current mapping make the bike feel night and day to what I can recall about my '12 Tricolore, had no issues with heat, and felt like better/ proper body position feels like a second skin....!

For those on any 1199 other than the R, I would recommend to switch from the 39 to the 41 rear sprocket (the R has the 41 as default).($400 all inclusive in rip-off-oztralia)

The bike becomes way smoother and picks up way faster...it makes the ride better between 2,000 and 6,000 rpm (when the torque is a bit flat) ...just be careful at the beginning when you roll full throttle in 1st gear...the front takes off pretty seriously..

fireman1251 · Dec 22, 2013

Ducatiph1 said:
I would honestly agree. It's surprising that's what my opinion would be after how aprilia raves about it's linear power. I have the same opinion as you on the braking, I feel the aprilia felt like a tank compared to the 1199. The 1199 for me is just confidence inspiring.

Whenever you hear or read about a "linear" powerband it really means weak. The RSV4 is down on power compared to the Pani and that's what makes the bike easier to ride.

Put yours on "wet" mode and you'll feel like Vale, or Stoner, or MM, or......

Ljuice26 · Dec 22, 2013

Ducatiph1, was that your white Aprilla race prepped bike at Melillimoto a week ago? And I agree with Nikt. once you upgrade that rear sprocket to 41T, it transforms the bike. I was at PBIR today and the bike just accelerates man. I love this bike....

Ducatiph1 · Dec 22, 2013

Ljuice26 said:
Ducatiph1, was that your white Aprilla race prepped bike at Melillimoto a week ago? And I agree with Nikt. once you upgrade that rear sprocket to 41T, it transforms the bike. I was at PBIR today and the bike just accelerates man. I love this bike....

Yeah that was mine.

mig1199 · Dec 22, 2013

Nikt said:
For those on any 1199 other than the R, I would recommend to switch from the 39 to the 41 rear sprocket (the R has the 41 as default).($400 all inclusive in rip-off-oztralia)

The bike becomes way smoother and picks up way faster...it makes the ride better between 2,000 and 6,000 rpm (when the torque is a bit flat) ...just be careful at the beginning when you roll full throttle in 1st gear...the front takes off pretty seriously..

Mine has a 42T sprocket...went up by 3...from stock's 39T...
With my new map and the 42T...the bike is a beast! Runs smoother at low speeds and has a demonic acceleration...just perfect for sunday blasts with the boys and ocassional trackdays... Yes! Go 41T or 42T..

Best inexpensive mod...

ddd269 · Dec 23, 2013

Marmoot said:
Could it be the exhaust valve?
My S did that, then I disconnected the exhaust valve and it calmed the bucking horse muchly.
But, then again, Tri comes with Termies, don't they? Or just slipons?

And, uh, this crippled man passed RSV4 APRC round the outside on his first panigale trackday. That is a testament on Ducati's ride experience

The Tricolore comes with slipons and keeps the exhaust valve. My friend with a Tricolore ended up getting the full Termi after a short while.

DucSyd · Dec 23, 2013

"They always come back"

Yes, but I went a different route. I brought the BMW S1000RR and although I can't say a bad word about it, the lure of Ducati was just too strong. This 1199 is an angry beast, and I love everything about it. The "anti" BMW. Every ride is an experience.

Do you actually own a Ducati, or does it own you? They really talk to your soul.

'14 1199 R (1st ride) vs '12 Factory RSV4

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