2016 Panigale

Hi guys, has anyone heard what the 2016 Ducati Panigale will be for next yr? I have researched and can't find that much about what will be coming out. I'm curious to see if Ducati stays with the twin vs. the V4. Also if it will be a 1299 or something else. Thanks in advance.

Probably because they just released the 1299. Can the buzz over the 1299 die or be enjoyed fully by owners and potential owners before Ducati works on announcing what's in the works for next year?

You'll hear about what's coming usually towards the end of the year when they start doing the motorcycle shows. Maybe just before that.

The product cycles generally move in 3 year increments. The 1299 is a minor model change (face lift). An all new machine will be due or shown late 16/17.. My guess is that next time around and having learned their lesson from the lack luster results in racing, the Panigale replacemnt will more closely adhere to some of the proven track machines.. V4 ala mass market desmocedici? Perhaps..

In any case design development and close study is going on now. And I guarantee there are more than a few R1. And RR1000 being dissected in Borgo..

CaliRosso said:

The product cycles generally move in 3 year increments. The 1299 is a minor model change (face lift). An all new machine will be due or shown late 16/17.. My guess is that next time around and having learned their lesson from the lack luster results in racing, the Panigale replacemnt will more closely adhere to some of the proven track machines.. V4 ala mass market desmocedici? Perhaps..

In any case design development and close study is going on now. And I guarantee there are more than a few R1. And RR1000 being dissected in Borgo..

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The 1299 wasn't a "face lift". It is a different motor, different electronics, addition of the IMU, Cornering ABS, and other rider aids and other small things like different footpegs, different bodywork, etc.

No, it isnt quite as different as the 1199 was to the 1198, but it is a new bike. Therefore, i dont see Ducati coming out with another new one anytime soon. I would be willing to bet we don't see a different Superbike model (replacement for the 1299) till 2018.

Lack luster results in racing? Since it came out the Panigale has been dominant in World Superstock (which is a true measure of the bike's natural abilities because they are raced in almost stock condition). And the Panigale has been on the Podium in almost every race in World Superbike this year...and that is without their main #1 rider being there most of the year due to injuries.

I don't see Ducati going away from their "bread and butter" Twin. But if they do, it will likely be a V4.

Gunny Fitz said:

I heard it was going back to a double sided swing arm, dry clutch, manual suspension, and air cooled engine again!

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You got some of it, you are forgetting that it's going to be a 3 stroke v5 with KERS. This is FACT.

2017 will be your best bet for a new bike. 2016 will be an iteration of the 1299 with maybe some minor tweaks.

Chaotic said:

The 1299 wasn't a "face lift". It is a different motor, different electronics, addition of the IMU, Cornering ABS, and other rider aids and other small things like different footpegs, different bodywork, etc.

No, it isnt quite as different as the 1199 was to the 1198, but it is a new bike. Therefore, i dont see Ducati coming out with another new one anytime soon. I would be willing to bet we don't see a different Superbike model (replacement for the 1299) till 2018.

Lack luster results in racing? Since it came out the Panigale has been dominant in World Superstock (which is a true measure of the bike's natural abilities because they are raced in almost stock condition). And the Panigale has been on the Podium in almost every race in World Superbike this year...and that is without their main #1 rider being there most of the year due to injuries.

I don't see Ducati going away from their "bread and butter" Twin. But if they do, it will likely be a V4.

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The shift was much more akin to 1098/1198
996/998 then it was to the large jump from 1098 to 1199!
Updated motor with more displacement but essentially the same..
Updated electronics but essentially the same..
Updated bodywork but essentially the same...
Yes some mild differences and new bits like foot pegs, but In no way an all new machine... In spite of what the p.r. and marketing dept would have us believe. The "all new" messaging is a very typical trick to bump sales. And I dont blame them. Our beloved company is up against some serious superbike completion in the marketplace this year!

And I'm sure Ducati had higher hopes for the Panigale in WSBK, I certainly did.. Yes-
Thankfully doing better this year but in no way as dominant as 998/ 999/ 1098 etc...

Totally agree with you on the v4 though.. Whatever replacement will be stunning weather it's a traditional L/twin or otherwise- and I'll more than likely get one whenever it shows itself.. Ultimately it will come down to sales and profit margins like all business decisions. As a group have been making more profitable moves lately.

Chaotic said:

The 1299 wasn't a "face lift". It is a different motor, different electronics, addition of the IMU, Cornering ABS, and other rider aids and other small things like different footpegs, different bodywork, etc.

No, it isnt quite as different as the 1199 was to the 1198, but it is a new bike. Therefore, i dont see Ducati coming out with another new one anytime soon. I would be willing to bet we don't see a different Superbike model (replacement for the 1299) till 2018.

Lack luster results in racing? Since it came out the Panigale has been dominant in World Superstock (which is a true measure of the bike's natural abilities because they are raced in almost stock condition). And the Panigale has been on the Podium in almost every race in World Superbike this year...and that is without their main #1 rider being there most of the year due to injuries.

I don't see Ducati going away from their "bread and butter" Twin. But if they do, it will likely be a V4.

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One of the reason the Panigale is one of the best handling and flick able litre superbikes is it's extremely tight centre of gravity and low weight, putting a V4 in it will effect that and putting a more traditional frame in it will also do the same. Ducati are aware of this.

To be honest I really hope they just stay with 90deg twins for the next superbike or at the least do a 999 Panigale with a V4. It's a great bike and not much really needs to be done to it for the next bike, just improve the spread of power, decrease the weight further and improve the electronics and the obvious update the look.

That's a long way away anyways.

I can't wait for the new 2018 Superbike from Ducati. I have already pushed my Panigale to its limit. I have a Gentleman's agreement with Rossi not to compete this year.

When I get it, I know it will be red and will more than likely have alot of electronic gizmos, probably stall and have an Akra exhaust that will be crazy expensive. It will also come in a base, "S" and "R" flavors.

Grayson said:

I can't wait for the new 2018 Superbike from Ducati. I have already pushed my Panigale to its limit. I have a Gentleman's agreement with Rossi not to compete this year.

When I get it, I know it will be red and will more than likely have alot of electronic gizmos, probably stall and have an Akra exhaust that will be crazy expensive. It will also come in a base, "S" and "R" flavors.

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Oddly enough, i am in the same boat... stupid bike is under powered and too heavy, how does one expect to ride this thing competitively?? I find it just over all a waste to me being its so low class...

And to add to your line up... I am going with a possible tri and maybe (if i decide to let ducati do it) another SL.

Grayson said:

I can't wait for the new 2018 Superbike from Ducati. I have already pushed my Panigale to its limit. I have a Gentleman's agreement with Rossi not to compete this year.

When I get it, I know it will be red and will more than likely have alot of electronic gizmos, probably stall and have an Akra exhaust that will be crazy expensive. It will also come in a base, "S" and "R" flavors.

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It will have winglets for sure, but sound will be terrible (at least in Europe because of new noise emission regulations ).

Gecko said:

It will have winglets for sure, but sound will be terrible (at least in Europe because of new noise emission regulations ).

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Just get a Japanese exhaust. The new bike will have Audi/VW influence and we can really see what has changed both good and bad.

Whatever it is, I can guarantee you that I wont rush out and buy the first year of production next time.
At least I don't think I will.

It's the first Ducati Superbike since the 916/996/998 that has been nearly perfect in appearance. I don't think Ducati is going to change much. The 916 went from 1994 to 2004. So I don't expect a major bike change until 2022. Ducati had to change from the 999 to the 1098 to the 1198 quickly because they all sucked and were a bit fugly compared to the 916 and 1199.

The bike is still competitive, and one heck of a great superbike. I'm not sure what I'd change. A V4 would have to be a separate complimentary bike like the Desmosedici was, not a replacement for the twin, but a different, more expensive option.

It still looks good:


This looks old and dated. They didn't carry over the timless lines technique Massimo invented. I liked the 999, because I liked the Kawasaki ZX7rr of that time. They have a similar looking (to me) nose and tail. But everyone hated the looks of the ZX7rr and Kaw sold maybe 3 of them to ugly people or something. A bad era for Duc and Kaw.:




And the 1198 was a "meh" reaction from many. Boring. Should have stayed with the more hidden 999 cans and just used a tail that covered them better, maybe even shrunk them a little:


Pure F'n ...:


Putting a 1199 and 916 side by side is amazing. They used many of the lines from the 916, but updated. Finally they figured it out. What took so long? It's startling how many pieces of the 1199's appearance seem to closely resemble the 916. At first the bikes look 100% different, then I look harder, and it's undeniable. When in doubt, go back to your roots.

Some people scoff and claim the different exhaust ends any similarities between the two bikes, but it doesn't. Go back to 1994 bike mags and you'll see words like "exhaust hidden under the tail for a clean fresh look.". Japanese bike of the time, even the aftermarket exhausts, were insanely huge. Blending the exhaust under the 1199 is the same style cleaning it up and hiding it, that the 916 kinda started IMO. Just centralized under the bike now, but same idea.

It's the best looking thing with a license plate IMO. Even a Ferrari 458 Italia doesn't turn my head anymore. But I crane my neck every time a Panigale goes by. Even though I own one and can look at it anytime. Weird.

I agree with you about the 916 and 1199/1299 having similar looks. The 1098/1198 were pleasing to me as well though.

Ducati will update this platform in the next couple of years, they will have to in order to stay competitive in racing which has always drove Ducati as a company. With Audi providing the financial backing that could change. I honestly hope I am wrong and will say that 95% of us agree that the L-Twin has reached its max potential for development vs cost efficiency to consumers.

I dont know if we will see the SP, EVO, etc models this go around because of the standard features that are already on this bike. Besides a V4 powerplant with less weight I cant really see what else anyone would really want in a superbike or Ducati. I can't use 135hp on the street, much less 215 claimed hp so if the HP wars keep escalating who knows what will really happen.

I just want better paint, definitely better paint.

It's great weather here and this thread just inspired me to make some pictures
Thanks Litening1199

What had happened in the last 15 years in the superbike business is really amazing!
When Massimo Tamburini presented the F4 in 1998, it was the most beautiful production bike EVER on the market, even presented in the Guggenheim Museum for modern arts in the exhibition "the Art of the Motorcycle". I just rebuilt mine this spring and took a chance today to compare it with the Pani. And the conclusion is devastating. It's a fat cow compared to the Pani, 100lbs heavier, no electronics at all (personally I like that, you can fix all pre-2003 bikes with electric problems with a single multimeter).

So, I can't wait to see the Panigales successor!

The 999 did better in wsb than that of the 1098, the demise was in the showroom, and crybabies wanted the look of a 916.

ed218 said:

The 999 did better in wsb than that of the 1098, the demise was in the showroom, and crybabies wanted the look of a 916.

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that is the irony - the 999 just killed in racing and achieved great successes, but no one bought the thing because they couldn't get over the headlights.....

- I really hope they don't mess with the styling. I understand styling has to "evolve", but they really achieved a certain perfection with the Panigale.

- The Panigale is finally competitive in WSBK; don't expect Ducati to ditch the twin anytime soon. But if it comes to a point in 3-4 years where a 90 degree V-4 is simply necessary to keep up in the horsepower competition, so be it. Please keep the frameless monocoque design though; fine, it didn't work in MotoGP, but it's working in WSBK and it sure as hell works on the street and with amateur racers/trackday junkies.