Are all the 2015 R owners really shy or something?

As far as reviews go, there are very few that I actually pay attention to. The reviews Chris Ulrich does for RoadRacing World are top notch. Aside from his, I will pay attention to some of the reviews in the Euro magazines that are done by current/former racers.

You can't just take their words as gospel. You have to consider "what size is the guy?" (will I fit the same on it), "how fast is he?" (I don't need to hear from somebody riding around at 10-15 seconds off the lap record talking about how great/fast/agile the bike is), "what is his experience?" (how big is his sample base for comparison), "where was the review done?" (a Sportbike review done on the street is of little importance to me), "what other bikes is he comparing it to?" (when you say a bike is "fast" or "handles great"...compared to what?), "is he ONLY saying good things?" (it is too easy to talk about how great everything is, I want to know the downfalls so I can make an educated decision).

Oh, and I immediately disregard any reviews the Euro bikes do on Middleweights because as far as they are concerned, the Triumph 675 is the greatest of the greatest, year after year. A little "hometown" bias is to be expected, and in all fairness the 675 is a fantastic bike. It is the best "bang for the buck" MW bike (referring to the 675R). But still, the overwhelming bias the Daytona receives from the Brits gets old.

It is comical when people put so much emphasis or credibility into track comparisons or "showdowns". I don't know how many times I have seen somebody on a forum go on about "the ____ is a second faster than the _____, it was proven last month", or "I will probably get the _____ because it is faster on track", or something else along those lines.

1. How consistent was the test rider? (If his lap times vary 0.8-1.2sec every lap, even on the same bike, how can you ascertain which bike is truly faster?)
2. Did he get to adjust setup or gearing to his liking? (It is highly possible that one bike's OEM setup is more tailored to his riding style)
3. Did he get new tires on each bike for each session? (He could have been on new tires for one bike, then 20-lap tires for the other bike)
4. Did track conditions change? (Did the weather improve, was more rubber laid down on the track? etc)

So on and so forth. Unless all of the variables are removed and every bike was tested on equal terms (setup optimized for the rider, same track/weather conditions, new or like new tires every time, equal time on all bikes, etc) then how can you truly determine which bike is "faster"?

And the most important question...are YOU fast enough and consistent enough to extract the same performance out of the bikes, and to run lap times within 0.5sec of each other to truly notice a difference?

I love it when Novice track day riders will make purchases based upon which bike is "better" because a Professional Racer was able to go 0.6sec faster on ____ bike. No disrespect to Novice group riders, we all started somewhere. I am just saying if you are riding around at 30sec off the lap record, a Professional Racer going 0.6sec faster on a particular bike is of no importance to you.

And as far as peer reviews, I like reading them because I like to hear about what people think about the same bike I will be getting. But you also have to be careful with those because everyone feels the need to justify purchases. And new is ALWAYS better.

Everybody talks about how their new bike seems to pull harder, or feels lighter, or the brakes are better, so on and so forth...even if the specs are the same.

Mutt1979 said:

I'm no journalist, but I'm merely comparing last years R to this years and sharing my experiences with the machine for others information and helping where I can......... that's all

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Dude I know, I wasn't really replying to anybody or referring to anybody (I forgot which thread I was even replying in, haha).

I was just commenting on reviews in general. Basically I am bored at work and just on a soap box.

I'm no journalist, but I'm merely comparing last years R to this years and sharing my experiences with the machine for others information and helping where I can......... that's all

Chaotic said:

Dude I know, I wasn't really replying to anybody or referring to anybody (I forgot which thread I was even replying in, haha).

I was just commenting on reviews in general. Basically I am bored at work and just on a soap box.

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No, but I do see your point. I am far from any form of racer, but I enjoy my track days.

In a way I have to hold my hands up and say I'm guilty of some of what you're saying, at some point.

Having just got the 2015 R, I will absolutely never exploit what this bike is capable of period. However, this bike was a personal choice for me, given that there are no credible reviews yet, I bought it based on previous models and preference.

But there's more, it's not just the performance that sets it apart for me, it's the looks and that noise! Nothing comes close to that noise!!! Someone has said it elsewhere, but I could just sit and look at this thing. It just puts a smile on my face from every aspect. An appreciation of the engineering underneath, it's phenomenal.

The R is also the epitome of the Ducati brand. I do get some pleasure from owning one and a piece of exclusivity. I've always liked being different and on something you don't see a lot of.

Do I care for that 0.5 seconds, no, never have. Am I relatively inexperienced on track, yes. Will I ever ride this bike to it's full, no. Have I bought the wrong bike? Hell no!!!

Mutt1979 said:

But there's more, it's not just the performance that sets it apart for me, it's the looks and that noise! Nothing comes close to that noise!!! Someone has said it elsewhere, but I could just sit and look at this thing. It just puts a smile on my face from every aspect. An appreciation of the engineering underneath, it's phenomenal.

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THAT is what matters...and you can't get that from any review.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying a bike based upon what you said in that paragraph. At the end of that day, personal happiness is what matters; that is the whole reason we ride and buy these things.

My comments were more towards the "I bought my bike because the guy in _____ magazine said it was........" and/or "I bought this bike because it is faster...because the reporter went 0.6sec faster on it". Of course I am paraphrasing, but you know what I mean.

And like I said, I was just commenting on reviews in general. My comments weren't directed towards anyone in this thread (or even on this forum). It was just about reviews and their credibility (in my opinion). I don't think I had even read any of your posts before making mine. I just saw people steadily talking about magazine reviews and jumped on my soap box.

I know what you mean, and the guy who stands in the bar and quotes figures, my bike can do this and blah, blah, blah!!

Mutt1979 said:

I know what you mean, and the guy who stands in the bar and quotes figures, my bike can do this and blah, blah, blah!!

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Exactly.

Mutt1979 said:

Having just got the 2015 R, I will absolutely never exploit what this bike is capable of period. However, this bike was a personal choice for me, given that there are no credible reviews yet, I bought it based on previous models and preference.

But there's more, it's not just the performance that sets it apart for me, it's the looks and that noise! Nothing comes close to that noise!!! Someone has said it elsewhere, but I could just sit and look at this thing. It just puts a smile on my face from every aspect. An appreciation of the engineering underneath, it's phenomenal.

The R is also the epitome of the Ducati brand. I do get some pleasure from owning one and a piece of exclusivity. I've always liked being different and on something you don't see a lot of.

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This about sums it up perfectly for me. Love my bikes, and love something different or slightly rarer. I ordered after seeing it at EICMA and thought "what the hell, I havent had a new bike in 3 yrs, lets do this."

I ordered the first of the 1199s Tricolore's, but after getting a test ride I felt it didn't stir the soul enough to chop in my 1098R. I subsequently cancelled the order. This year I've been lucky enough to be able to keep the 1098R and afford the panigale R too.

Do I think the panigale R will make me a better/faster rider? Nope
Do I think the panigale R is significantly better in any area than my 1098 R? Nope again.
Do I have the talent to exploit either bike to anywhere near their full potential?
Nope x 3.

Do I grin like f@+k every time I ride either of them and generally feel like "this is exactly what life is about"? OH YES!!!
Neither of these bikes will ever be chopped in. They are keepers. I suppose at 48 I still have plenty time to make a decent collection before its pipe and slippers time. Wonder what the next gen R will be like

Still trying to sell mine so I can get one.

We don't have any of them down here yet so still waiting to speak to someone about them or see them. But judged on what people seem to be saying about them they have to be sharper and more refined. Just that little bit better anyone that rode their 2014 R should notice and appreciate.

If I feel a difference well who knows but I can't wait to find out.

I really want to read a review from someone who changed from a 14R to 15R

Just seen the 1299 base and S and Panigale R at MotoCorsa today. They look sweet and there were demo rides going on but it was booked full. I'm not looking to buy anyway as I still love the looks of my Tri over them all. I know the new best thing is out but sheeot...I'll never exploit the 1199 let alone the 1299.

Fresh out of the crate.

Nice Will. Very nice!

Congrats Will..

Picked it up tonight.

A bit rushed, but a snippet of me on the R after first service.

Nothing really full on the throttle, but the gears are endless, it just keeps pulling, you can just about hear it in the video. I'll try to produce something a bit better soon enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwong_TqNok

This thing truly is something else. If you have your eye on an R or a 1299, I'd take the R, but I've had previous R models and know what they're about.

If you have last years R and are thinking of upgrading, you must, this is a completely different machine to last year it really is.

ahhhh, "la dolce vita"

Finally saw this at Ducati Indy today.

Sexy thing but had the same feel for me.


Onto the next generation !!!