2015 Ducati Panigale R Pictures

Chaotic said:

There has never been a more senseless waste of money, or a bike with more overkill for the street than the Panigale R.

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More senseless waste of money? Please. In 1500 miles I've already felt like it's well worth my money. Even to just stare at it in the garage it's worth more as art than what some people pay money for. I've been at every track day in my area and ride it to work. It's getting more valid use than the thousands of lifted 4x4s rolling around that no one uses for anything than driving to and from work. It isn't any more overkill for the street or less user friendly than any other open class bike on the market. 205hp isn't any practical amount different than 195hp on the street. Not to mention that it's still a whole lot more practical than something like a Desmo (I'd buy one if I could), Superleggera, or RC213V-S.

990Glen said:

Bikes are what you make em. And if folk enjoy something different and it suits their personal needs, then thats absolutely all that matters. Not everything has to be pigeon holed by suitability, cost or anyother criteria.

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Yep, I did 6hrs of touring Idaho/Utah back roads on mine last week. It wasn't as comfy as my VFR but it sure it handles better in the good stuff! I even mounted a RAM ball for the trip. Pani R Touring Edition.

Once again, i don't know how many times it has to be said, the bike was designed and built as a race bike, then made street legal, with a sole purpose of getting Homologation for WSBK racing.

Of course you can do what you want with it. You can put mud tires on it and use it for hunting. That doesnt change anything regarding what the bike was designed for.

But by all means, don't take my word for it. Take it from Ducati, straight from their site...

Born to race, the new Panigale R brings a thrill to the track. 205 hp react instantly to a twist of the throttle thanks to ultralight engine components. Track-optimised geometry and racing suspension ensure responsive racetrack behaviour. Electronics are tuned to deliver maximum performance. A lithium-ion
battery and a titanium Ducati Performance by Akrapovič exhaust will take you and 162 kg of racing technology straight to the chequered flag.

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Homologated for use as Ducati's platform in World Superbike, the Panigale R's Superquadro is the closest thing available to a dedicated race engine

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The Panigale R has one goal - simply to dominate the track. Every feature is oriented in that direction; no compromises are made. For dedicated enthusiasts who seek the purest experience on track, the Panigale R delivers a shot of racing adrenaline directly to the heart.

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Having owned over a dozen dukes and multiple R models, I a well aware what a homologation special is primarily made for. It is not solely limited to that however, nor should it be because of internet forum opinions, usually from folk who don't own them in the first place.
To formulate your opinions of the limitations of anything from press junkets and other PR is no different to the guys who buy everything on the strength of the magazine reviews each year. (The same guys who have spent hour after hour on here justifying why their model choice is better than everyone else's, instead of just getting out there, buying what they want and enjoying the bloody thing). Its a rather sad game to be playing, when really we should all be congratulating each other on having great taste in bikes and patting ourselves on the back for living the dream.

I don't even know what you are arguing about. Nowhere in any of my posts did I say the R model is limited to anything. I even specifically said, on multiple occasions, that you (read: anybody) can do whatever you want with this bike or any bike.

This whole thing started because somebody was bitching the R didn't come with LED lights. And our point is that is because it is built as a race bike, and only the minimal street gear was put on it just to make it legal. Ducati left the LEDs off on purpose, because it is intended to be a race bike.

Those things are facts.

As far as me personally, I feel the R is a complete waste of money and senseless as a street bike (compared to the Base or S model anyway). The primary difference in the R is the lighter motor internals for quicker revving. That is neither needed nor necessary on the street. Having a motor that revs from 5k-10k a second or so quicker isn't going to get somebody to grocery store any quicker or through the mountains any quicker. Nobody is timing how fast someone gets from red light to red light.

So in my opinion, getting an R instead of the base or S when it is just a street bike is ridiculous and a huge waste. But like I said, that is just my personal opinion. Others may vary.

I've got a 1299S and am extremely happy with it,
Could have had a R but my use is primarily only for street use, however I do like to look at the R

There are those that want the best, nothing wrong with that if its for track use,
for street use, well they got it wrong, 1299 is king!

Ahhhh damn, thats 2 people now.
After 30 years plus of riding bikes I can now see that I've never actually known which bike was right for me. :-(
I'm off to sell both of my Rs now and hang my head in shame..................... NOT!

I lol'ed

ScrapperX said:

To drop 14 lbs is really hard to do without spending a lot of money. Trust me I did it to my base 1199 which is 396 lbs wet 100% full tank and its very expensive to do if you pay retail price. The cheapest biggest savings is the battery retail @ $165 saves about 4 lbs but I heard the 1299 comes with Li batteries?? I may be confused with the SL not sure about that one.

But after that, the exhaust is the next biggest weight savings (5-7 lbs) at $4K, CF Gas Tank $3K (4lbs) , wheels (3 lbs savings to the forge Al wheels a lot more to the Cast wheels) at $3-4K, DID chain sprocket and carrier group (2 lbs), CF fairings $4K (2 lbs). After that every thing else in nickel and dime in ounces in savings. Of course you can get the Magnesium Air Box @ $5K, Mag Triple for $1200. Remove the ABS saves about 10 lbs.

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Think about how much money we could save and weight we could remove if we just stopped eating. Concentration on the bike weight is silly. You want 14 pounds, put the double cheeseburger down and step away from the table.

Where bike weight is concerned, one should think of the overall benefit the modification can have. While a lighter pipe alone is great for starting and stopping, wheels will give a much greater benefit over all aspects of performance. If you don't believe me, try riding my 97 YZF with the stock wheels vs. the cast magnesium.

I had a choice when I came back into the market and for the first time could afford an R (2014). No based model will every be an R; when you buy it or when you sell it, regardless of the changes you make. All the mods are freebies to the new owner. My YZF has about 15k of mods from back then and it's current value is $1200 at best.

I love my 2014R, but it sucks as a street bike; especially with the upmap and pipe. It absolutely hates part throttle, has stalled two or three times when I've been downshifting on the street and transition off to on throttle. HOWEVER, as one rider once told me when I was considering which bike to buy, BMW or Panigale, the Panigale has a soul and character and I love this. It reminds me of a horse I once had. All it wants to do is go, and that my friends is character.

I will never race my R, but when I want to get on the gas I have no complaints. Well that's not true. If I could, I would have an 899 as well, and a track only bike to replace my aging '97 YZF (we maybe).

Chaotic said:

I don't even know what you are arguing about. Nowhere in any of my posts did I say the R model is limited to anything. I even specifically said, on multiple occasions, that you (read: anybody) can do whatever you want with this bike or any bike.

This whole thing started because somebody was bitching the R didn't come with LED lights. And our point is that is because it is built as a race bike, and only the minimal street gear was put on it just to make it legal. Ducati left the LEDs off on purpose, because it is intended to be a race bike.

Those things are facts.

As far as me personally, I feel the R is a complete waste of money and senseless as a street bike (compared to the Base or S model anyway). The primary difference in the R is the lighter motor internals for quicker revving. That is neither needed nor necessary on the street. Having a motor that revs from 5k-10k a second or so quicker isn't going to get somebody to grocery store any quicker or through the mountains any quicker. Nobody is timing how fast someone gets from red light to red light.

So in my opinion, getting an R instead of the base or S when it is just a street bike is ridiculous and a huge waste. But like I said, that is just my personal opinion. Others may vary.

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When I need to go the the grocery store, I felt the titanium internals were important, that extra second did in fact help me cut in front of the mom with 5 screaming kids in line with a buggy full of groceries.

P.S. From light to light, I run deez streets.

So R model all the way.

Chaotic said:

I don't even know what you are arguing about. Nowhere in any of my posts did I say the R model is limited to anything. I even specifically said, on multiple occasions, that you (read: anybody) can do whatever you want with this bike or any bike.

This whole thing started because somebody was bitching the R didn't come with LED lights. And our point is that is because it is built as a race bike, and only the minimal street gear was put on it just to make it legal. Ducati left the LEDs off on purpose, because it is intended to be a race bike.

Those things are facts.

As far as me personally, I feel the R is a complete waste of money and senseless as a street bike (compared to the Base or S model anyway). The primary difference in the R is the lighter motor internals for quicker revving. That is neither needed nor necessary on the street. Having a motor that revs from 5k-10k a second or so quicker isn't going to get somebody to grocery store any quicker or through the mountains any quicker. Nobody is timing how fast someone gets from red light to red light.

So in my opinion, getting an R instead of the base or S when it is just a street bike is ridiculous and a huge waste. But like I said, that is just my personal opinion. Others may vary.

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....and they do for sure

Where is Mutt?

Even for trips to the grocery store "just get the R"

I'd like to have a new Lambo Huracan for my grocery getter btw

TadaaaaaaaRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

My dealer couldn't get me a Saturn 5 rocket, so I settled for the R instead.

As for useless on the street I disagree. It's perfect. I'm hearing a lot about snatchy throttles and jerky round town on the 1299. That will happen because of the gearing and low down torque. The R is geared for top end and where it's power is, so for round town the R is very well mannered, sure, heavy on the left arm, but I can deal with that.

It's not just the performance with the R, it's form and function. It's about having something differen't, something unique that not many others have, to quote a journo "It's a very special piece of exotica" yes, indeed.

Grocery store on it? I wouldn't dream of letting my butler near it!

I'm buying it because it is finally a Panigale with the right suspension! After owning a Tricolore and a 13 R, I'm done with electronic suspension!

Go rave about how diff the 1299 S electronic is, I don't care. Give me suspension I can dial in to my liking and then leave it alone!

R all the way!!!!! And to help me to get there, someone buy my 13 R!!!!!

AKKutz said:

I'm buying it because it is finally a Panigale with the right suspension! After owning a Tricolore and a 13 R, I'm done with electronic suspension!

Go rave about how diff the 1299 S electronic is, I don't care. Give me suspension I can dial in to my liking and then leave it alone!

R all the way!!!!! And to help me to get there, someone buy my 13 R!!!!!

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I couldn't agree more. I was raised a bit old school, I have no problem with technology but I just prefer the mechanical suspension of the new R like you.

I took me four years and three bikes, I finally have the Panigale I want, the 2015 R is truly amazing, you will not be disappointed!

Mutt1979 said:

TadaaaaaaaRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

My dealer couldn't get me a Saturn 5 rocket, so I settled for the R instead.

As for useless on the street I disagree. It's perfect. I'm hearing a lot about snatchy throttles and jerky round town on the 1299. That will happen because of the gearing and low down torque. The R is geared for top end and where it's power is, so for round town the R is very well mannered, sure, heavy on the left arm, but I can deal with that.

It's not just the performance with the R, it's form and function. It's about having something differen't, something unique that not many others have, to quote a journo "It's a very special piece of exotica" yes, indeed.

Grocery store on it? I wouldn't dream of letting my butler near it!

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Tie a basket on the front.....it'll be fine for milk/cheese/butter

Mutt1979 said:

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Mutt how do you like the 15 R? Is it everything you were looking for in terms of performance etc?

Litening1199 said:

Mutt how do you like the 15 R? Is it everything you were looking for in terms of performance etc?

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Yeap. Bikes insane.

My Pani R Pics

Just a few pics of my 2015 R!

The bike is extremely unreal on track...that being said, I'm still trying to get use to riding it....coming from a 4 Cyl BMW!

FYI- I will also be posting a few OEM parts in the 4Sale section (Full Fairings w/headLight unit, Rearsets, Clip-ons, mirrors)!

Cheers,

Awesome pics!

FYI. Test rode this beast this weekend... huge mistake. I am now fully in love. The power delivery is exceptional. The bike setup out of the box is miles better than my '13 R. I agree with a previous statement about it being well behaved in traffic. It is soooo much better than my '13 in that respect. The 13 is just plain painful to deal with traffic and slower speeds. The fueling on the '15 solves that as well as just a mad amount of power on tap. I was lifting the front wheel with ease out of every corner... in a canyon... oops. My intention is to finish out the race season on my base, ride this in the canyons and prep it for next season... My opinion having rode both the 1299 and the R... not even in the same ball park.