Advice on Panigale-R journalist demo

When the Panigale-R was unveiled to the motorcycle journalists at COTA a few weeks ago, Ducati brought about 24 Panigale-R's to the event, so the writers could ride the bike and formulate opinions on the new iteration and write about it in their respective magazines or blogs.

I have the opportunity to get my hands on one of these demos (it actually still has a "2" on the inner fairing for the press corps) for a substantial savings. (about $4K off of retail) My question is, and I know it's going to be a biased-answer coming from the Panigale forum, but do you think it's a wise decision to buy a bike that you KNOW has had the snot run out of it on the track, instead of a proper breakin? Since the bike is still untitled, it will qualify as a new bike with a full warranty, and the dealer I'm speaking with also says it qualifies for an extended warranty (additional cost to me) through Ducati.

What sayeth the beeb here? Would you pull the trigger or pass? I can also find a brand-new Panigale-R for about $2500 off retail, so it's not a big savings over a new one, but it's still about a $1500 difference. Oh, and the demo in question has about 450 miles on it, and has one small scratch on the upper edge of the right side fairing where your knee tucks in, nothing serious, but it is noticeable. What do you guys think? New, or demo? Both will come with the full standard Ducati warranty.

For $1500 I'd buy brand spanking new.
For $4k Id probably get the demo but that scratch would bother the hell out of me....
Hey, it might be Anti Heros demo bike! Lol

Cobra700 said:

For $1500 I'd buy brand spanking new.
For $4k Id probably get the demo.
Hey, it might be Anti Heros demo bike! Lol

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+1, +2 if Antiheros

I think those were all "broken-in" on a dyno before the press event. I was also told breaking it in following the manual has caused lots of fouled plugs and carbon build up on the valves. Not sure how true that is, but I do think this motor needs to be ridden a bit harder than others, so I wouldn't be worried about the flogging.

I might be more worried about the scratch, and there may be others you won't find until you give it a proper cleaning.

I'd have to agree with above. 1500 difference, I'd probably get a new one. 4K - the demo. The demo getting the snot run out of it would actually be a benefit for me. I like for the bike to be hammered on in the first hundred miles to set everything. It's under warranty for two years anyhow - so anything that comes loose is covered.

If get the scratch repaired by the dealer then take the 4k discount. That's a hell of a deal. Guys these bikes were designed to be raced. All the issues of burned thighs and clutch issues are from dinking around town. I would have zero issues buying a 1199 tracked bike. There are 4 including mine at track days I go to. Never seen one have an issue at the track. They just perform.

Thanks, I'm still torn on which way to go. I've ridden it once but it had the 'evo' tune on it but had to be shipped with the stock pipe on it, for DMV reasons, so it ran like ...., especially in lower revs. They were going to put the evo pipe back on it so it would match the map on it, and I'm going to take another ride on it tomorrow. I guess I'll have a better idea of what to do then, but I wanted to hear others' opinions too. Thanks so much!

CaliDuc said:

Just so you know at a $4K discount the dealer is making approximately $4K profit as Ducati is supplying the bikes at around $21-22K. I have access to the demo bikes at $21-22K with no dealer. Some useful intel to help you get a better deal.

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Thank you very much, that is very helpful to know.

CaliDuc said:

Just so you know at a $4K discount the dealer is making approximately $4K profit as Ducati is supplying the bikes at around $21-22K. I have access to the demo bikes at $21-22K with no dealer. Some useful intel to help you get a better deal.

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This is true. They are going to dealers at just south of 22K. . I understand the pricing for 4k off for the demo bike as that gives them a decent profit margin. . I don't understand a dealer offering 2500 off a new R(with no profit margin) as those bikes haven't worked through inventory yet. .. I don't know of any/many dealers offering that much off while people are still clamoring for them. So there might be some funny math there ? Are they really offering the new one at 1500 difference, or are there other ticky tack charges (destination/freight/etc etc) that they are adding on that makes the difference more than what we're talking about ?

BTW, 2500 off is pretty close to the entire dealer margin. So not sure why a dealer would discount to that point to not make anything on a bike that they could be making money on.

Duke- I was offered one of these same bikes for 23k and those thoughts passed thru my broken brain at one point as well.

CaliDuc said:

Remember this is a used track bike, you will be the second owner (technically) and if your only getting $4K off the bike then I would walk away as your not being offered a good deal at all.

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+1.... Not nearly enough discount to make it a good buy Imho...

Gunny Fitz said:

Duke- I was offered one of these same bikes for 23k and those thoughts passed thru my broken brain at one point as well.

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I would jump at that. Huge value (unless wrecked).

yeah?

gatti man said:

I would jump at that. Huge value (unless wrecked).

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How do you think thats a huge value with all thats been said above?
You want it?

You're also saving on the setup fee, correct? Mine cost $1200 to set up out of the crate.

How is that not "huge value". . . If you get 7k off a bike with 450 miles on it, thats pretty good value if you subscribe to the "hammer on the bike out the door" philosophy. ..

You can't argue that you should ride the bike "like you stole it" or hammer on it as it should be used, but then complain when someone or a group actually did it for 450 miles. .. Oh - you must not have meant /really/ hammer on it, but just roll on the throttle from 2k to 6k rpms and stay under the break in period rpms ??? because then I would say you are concerned about what might have happened to the engine and perhaps your philosophy dictates that it isn't worth that risk.

Gunny Fitz said:

How do you think thats a huge value with all thats been said above?
You want it?

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Its an R. The S and R are track ready out of the box. Its what they are made for. How is it not a value? The bike would be more suspect if it was owned by some commuter putting around at 3k rpm all its life.

gatti man said:

Its an R. The S and R are track ready out of the box. Its what they are made for. How is it not a value? The bike would be more suspect if it was owned by some commuter putting around at 3k rpm all its life.

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Why is the S any more track ready than a standard 1199???

anthem said:

How is that not "huge value". . . If you get 7k off a bike with 450 miles on it, thats pretty good value if you subscribe to the "hammer on the bike out the door" philosophy. ..

You can't argue that you should ride the bike "like you stole it" or hammer on it as it should be used, but then complain when someone or a group actually did it for 450 miles. .. Oh - you must not have meant /really/ hammer on it, but just roll on the throttle from 2k to 6k rpms and stay under the break in period rpms ??? because then I would say you are concerned about what might have happened to the engine and perhaps your philosophy dictates that it isn't worth that risk.

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He is only talking about a 1500 difference between this bike and a new one. When spending 30K for a bikle, to have a brand new one that I know what it's been throuigh, and no scratches, I'd spend the 1500 - I think you all would as well.

I once bought a Lotus Evora press car as their press cars have their own mechanics who ensure the cars are working properly for press tests. If that situation is the same for Ducati's then $4K off maybe worth considering. Or, try $5K off.

Trauma said:

He is only talking about a 1500 difference between this bike and a new one. When spending 30K for a bikle, to have a brand new one that I know what it's been throuigh, and no scratches, I'd spend the 1500 - I think you all would as well.

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Yes and no. Gunny was using 23k which is another 3k down from where the OP was discussing from. The "value" statement went from 26 to 27.5 (and I question that as well ) but from 23k to 27.5 or 30. Do you think 23k on a 450 mile 30k demo bike is good value ? I certainly do