It has rained every single day since I've bought the bike. I've managed to get 86 miles riding in between storms. I'd hoped to be about 10 times that amount by now.
Some random thoughts in no particular order from a first time Ducati owner, and first time twin owner. I've owned two inline 4 bikes, a V4, and a couple singles.
I really like the engine, I hadn't spent much time on twins, and I was really concerned about what I'd think. So far I love it. It builds revs VERY fast. The engine braking control works great.
I started in Sport mode and I only made it 30 miles before I swapped to race mode. I tried "wet" for about 2 miles earlier yesterday. While sticking to the break-in revs limits it doesn't really make any difference other than it doesn't seem to fuel quite as cleanly in wet. I rode another 20 miles in wet mode today...because it was a bit wet.
The dash is absolutely brilliant, can't think of anything that I'd change. I'm amazed at all the information that is available on the fly. I wish I could get that much information on the VFR. So far showing an average of 30mpg. I love that the scale of the tachometer switches when you enter the "track" display.
The riding position isn't nearly as harsh as the old Duc superbikes. The Panigale is more comfortable than my F4i (I had the split seat version, not the comfy banana seat version). I think that with the foot pegs moved an inch forward it'd border on perfect. With where your knees hit there's really nowhere to put stomp grips or similar, not sure how that will work out on the track. It's been a couple years since I sold my last bike that had a fully "committed" riding position. The VFR has spoiled me but I don't think the Pani is bad.
The brakes are incredible and I'm sure I've not even remotely approached their limits. I'm past the 61 mile brake pad break-in that they recommend so I'll probably start exploring more.
I can't believe how easy it turns and how well it holds a line. I immediately felt at home on it.
I like that it has a mechanical Ohlins steering damper. You can definitely tell a difference with adjustment and you know exactly what you're getting.
The quickshifter works perfectly up and down. If it ever seems to not work perfectly I usually realized that I was trying to downshift without having the throttle all the way closed or trying to roll off on the upshift the way that you would when trying to do a well timed clutchless upshift. It'll still shift for you in those situations but it's not as smooth. It seems that the harder you work the shifter the better it is. I think it'll be brilliant at pace.
There's a lot more CF than I'd gathered from all of the Ducati information on the website.
The Ti pipes look great and it sounds great. I don't have any desire to swap spend money on exhaust upgrades.
I didn't get around to cleaning all of the OEM chain grease until I'd ridden 66 miles. Don't do that. You'll save yourself an hour of cleaning if you just bring it home and degrease the chain and relube it with something that doesn't fling. I like Maxima Chain wax.
The wire connector for the DDA plug would be MUCH more user friendly if they'd made it an inch longer.
If I went out into the garage and looked at it I'd think of more but that's all I've got at the moment.
Some random thoughts in no particular order from a first time Ducati owner, and first time twin owner. I've owned two inline 4 bikes, a V4, and a couple singles.
I really like the engine, I hadn't spent much time on twins, and I was really concerned about what I'd think. So far I love it. It builds revs VERY fast. The engine braking control works great.
I started in Sport mode and I only made it 30 miles before I swapped to race mode. I tried "wet" for about 2 miles earlier yesterday. While sticking to the break-in revs limits it doesn't really make any difference other than it doesn't seem to fuel quite as cleanly in wet. I rode another 20 miles in wet mode today...because it was a bit wet.
The dash is absolutely brilliant, can't think of anything that I'd change. I'm amazed at all the information that is available on the fly. I wish I could get that much information on the VFR. So far showing an average of 30mpg. I love that the scale of the tachometer switches when you enter the "track" display.
The riding position isn't nearly as harsh as the old Duc superbikes. The Panigale is more comfortable than my F4i (I had the split seat version, not the comfy banana seat version). I think that with the foot pegs moved an inch forward it'd border on perfect. With where your knees hit there's really nowhere to put stomp grips or similar, not sure how that will work out on the track. It's been a couple years since I sold my last bike that had a fully "committed" riding position. The VFR has spoiled me but I don't think the Pani is bad.
The brakes are incredible and I'm sure I've not even remotely approached their limits. I'm past the 61 mile brake pad break-in that they recommend so I'll probably start exploring more.
I can't believe how easy it turns and how well it holds a line. I immediately felt at home on it.
I like that it has a mechanical Ohlins steering damper. You can definitely tell a difference with adjustment and you know exactly what you're getting.
The quickshifter works perfectly up and down. If it ever seems to not work perfectly I usually realized that I was trying to downshift without having the throttle all the way closed or trying to roll off on the upshift the way that you would when trying to do a well timed clutchless upshift. It'll still shift for you in those situations but it's not as smooth. It seems that the harder you work the shifter the better it is. I think it'll be brilliant at pace.
There's a lot more CF than I'd gathered from all of the Ducati information on the website.
The Ti pipes look great and it sounds great. I don't have any desire to swap spend money on exhaust upgrades.
I didn't get around to cleaning all of the OEM chain grease until I'd ridden 66 miles. Don't do that. You'll save yourself an hour of cleaning if you just bring it home and degrease the chain and relube it with something that doesn't fling. I like Maxima Chain wax.
The wire connector for the DDA plug would be MUCH more user friendly if they'd made it an inch longer.
If I went out into the garage and looked at it I'd think of more but that's all I've got at the moment.
