Finally Bitubo suspensions for my Pani S

Finally Bitubo has developed the rear shock for Pani.
With the 1198 I have had all Bitubo suspensions (fork cartridges, rear shock and steering damper). I want to fit the same products on my Pani S

BITUBO - RACE SUSPENSION

Duke (properly named too btw!)

Hey man could you please post some info on this setup you got (unless not received yet) but even a synopsis of how it felt and all on the 1198? Pics would be absolutely bitchin to post up as well. I am specifically interested to hear about the Bitubo Steering Damper and how well it worked> Thinking of going to one on my Tri.

Thx!

What is it that you prefer on the Bitubo vs. a ttx? There aren't too many people that i know that run anything other then RactTech or Ohlins. I love the diversity for sure but i am curious why?

Thanks

Matris has a nice set up for the Pani as well.

I know a few guys running it on their SF and they're quite happy.

ducducgoose9987 said:

What is it that you prefer on the Bitubo vs. a ttx? There aren't too many people that i know that run anything other then RactTech or Ohlins. I love the diversity for sure but i am curious why?

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My last bike was a Crossplane R1 with Ohlins FGRT808 forks and a TTX Mk2 rear shock, professionally built and set up for me by a certified Ohlins tech and racer. For my Panigale, I just wanted something different, for the sake of doing something different and the Bitubo components have features different than the Ohlins alternatives. Bitubo has been making a name for itself in World Supersport and Superstock racing, and that is what is closest to our off-the-shelf bikes. So I decided to go Bitubo since my bike will see a lot of track duty in the near future. With the Forum discount through Gunny Fitz and Bellissimoto, the rear shock is about the same as an Ohlins TTX Mk2, and the gas-charged ECH fork cartridges are considerably less than the Ohlins TTX25 equivalent.

I have the Bitubo Gas Charged Steering damper to replace the non-adjustable one on my base, and on setting 6 of 18 it provides a very smooth, light steering feel but quells the shimmy's and shakes that were inherent in the bike (although now with 2200 miles on the bike I may have adapted and now concentrate on a light touch with the steering).

I just received the Bitubo XXF61 race shock, after waiting 4 weeks for Bitubo Italy to build the shock to my specs. The Bitubo XXF61 has low- and high- speed compression damping (the TTX has only one compression damping adjustment) and it also has adjustable length to -10 mm from OEM. Running a shorter length flattens the bike setup a bit and I've read that it can add some stability to the bike at track speeds. This version has a ring-type preload adjuster vs. others available with remote preload adjuster. I prefer this one because it is lighter and we all know how easy it is to adjust the ring-type preload on the Pani due to the side-mounted shock location.



I like the OEM Marzocchi forks but I'm considering getting the Bitubo ECH Cartridge kit, which are nitrogen pressurized and assymetrical like the Ohlins NIX forks with separated compression and rebound damping. Plus, they just look cool:




Bitubo ECH Cartridge Kit Details

Steering Damper

TheDuke said:

Finally Bitubo has developed the rear shock for Pani.
With the 1198 I have had all Bitubo suspensions (fork cartridges, rear shock and steering damper). I want to fit the same products on my Pani S

BITUBO - RACE SUSPENSION

Click to expand...

After some deliberation and discussion with my "Boss" Randy at Bellissimoto, I decided to try one of these out and ordered one in Black! I will be glad to do a review of it and feedback since it is quite new to me as well. Always had either Ohlins or GPR on my bikes so this will be all new.

TheDuke said:

Finally Bitubo has developed the rear shock for Pani.
With the 1198 I have had all Bitubo suspensions (fork cartridges, rear shock and steering damper). I want to fit the same products on my Pani S

BITUBO - RACE SUSPENSION

Click to expand...

Ok gotta ask..... Why buy an S then junk the suspension????

Stw said:

Ok gotta ask..... Why buy an S then junk the suspension????

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You know the Ohlins you get on OEM bikes, even the TTX and NIX forks, are not nearly as good as the real race stuff, right?

Some people see Ohlins and just think automatically it is the best stuff on the planet. Maybe the stuff they supply to MotoGP and SBK teams, but their catalog is huge. The Ohlins OEM stuff is definitely nice, and good enough for 99.8% of the buyers of these machines, but if you have the skills and/or must have the "best", people like K-Tech and Bitubo are filling more and more of the grids at National- and World- level events.

JeffD said:

You know the Ohlins you get on OEM bikes, even the TTX and NIX forks, are not nearly as good as the real race stuff, right?

Some people see Ohlins and just think automatically it is the best stuff on the planet. Maybe the stuff they supply to MotoGP and SBK teams, but their catalog is huge. The Ohlins OEM stuff is definitely nice, and good enough for 99.8% of the buyers of these machines, but if you have the skills and/or must have the "best", people like K-Tech and Bitubo are filling more and more of the grids at National- and World- level events.

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Of course I know that dude... but then shouldn't people in the "know" buy the base and modify that??? Otherwise you are spending $5k for fancy headlamps a carbon front fender and some Brembo wheels...

Gunny Fitz said:

After some deliberation and discussion with my "Boss" Randy at Bellissimoto, I decided to try one of these out and ordered one in Black! I will be glad to do a review of it and feedback since it is quite new to me as well. Always had either Ohlins or GPR on my bikes so this will be all new.

Click to expand...

I described my Bitubo damper compared to the base non-adjustable OEM piece in my post above.

Frankly, since you already have an Ohlins adjustable, I don't think there is anything to be gained by getting the Bitubo. If you didn't like the damping curves on the Ohlins you could get it rebuilt which would be less than buying the Bitubo.

Stw said:

Of course I know that dude... but then shouldn't people in the "know" buy the base and modify that??? Otherwise you are spending $5k for fancy headlamps a carbon front fender and some Brembo wheels...

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All of the above and additionally for some people having the "S" after the Panigale is worth that cost...

JeffD said:

All of the above and additionally for some people having the "S" after the Panigale is worth that cost...

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Expensive sticker then.... each to their own...

Has anyone installed these fork cartridges yet?

I got mine this week and it seems to be missing the plug to shut the hole left by the original compression adjuster on the bottom of the Marzzocchi fork.
The Ohlins cartridge kit comes with a plug and I'm a little annoyed that Bitubo has forgotten that.

I've got only one track day left this season and really want to get these installed this week.

Thanks for any feedback.

JeffD said:

You know the Ohlins you get on OEM bikes, even the TTX and NIX forks, are not nearly as good as the real race stuff, right?

Some people see Ohlins and just think automatically it is the best stuff on the planet. Maybe the stuff they supply to MotoGP and SBK teams, but their catalog is huge. The Ohlins OEM stuff is definitely nice, and good enough for 99.8% of the buyers of these machines, but if you have the skills and/or must have the "best", people like K-Tech and Bitubo are filling more and more of the grids at National- and World- level events.

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Sorry but this makes no sense to me. The stock S suspension properly valved, sprung and set up could hold its own among the best off the shelf stuff you can buy. These are not my words but of racers and suppension guys. Nothing wrong with having trick stuff but people come on here to get good info. This is not correct in my opinion and of many others.

the ohlins oem stuff that comes on street bikes is also only a fraction of the price of the race ohlins stuff too.

I think all the top tier teams run ohlins in motogp and wsbk don't they?

JeffD said:

You know the Ohlins you get on OEM bikes, even the TTX and NIX forks, are not nearly as good as the real race stuff, right?

Some people see Ohlins and just think automatically it is the best stuff on the planet. Maybe the stuff they supply to MotoGP and SBK teams, but their catalog is huge. The Ohlins OEM stuff is definitely nice, and good enough for 99.8% of the buyers of these machines, but if you have the skills and/or must have the "best", people like K-Tech and Bitubo are filling more and more of the grids at National- and World- level events.

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This is going to be one of those threads where ones says "your fat!" And the other says "your ugly!"

I've seen moto 2 riders, namely Anthony West, and Mishal Niami pull 2:03s consistently on beat up Hondas that look like they were dragged on their sides from the parking lot to the track. Literally with wires everywhere and tape holding a cheap Casio digital watch for a lap timer.

The brakes and suspension was stock except for one had a TTX rear shock. My point is, that anyone on this forum that thinks the OEM Ohlins isn't up to snuff and needs the "extra" adjustability then your a ....... moto GP God!

For those with factory connections or are dealers here can go get th lap times from COTA when Hayden and spies, and the Ducati test riders, along with all the magazine editors riders, put down pretty respectable times on the track with the OEM Ohlins.

For those with the base model, I truest believe the rear needs to changed out ASAP and get what works for you.

For everyone else maybe a different spring, or maybe a new valving, or maybe a different oil/air ratio in the forks, but the need for and S or R upgrade to suspension, that if the bike isn't ridden hard and fast will be hards to ride and even feel like a step backwards for slower guys isn't the way.

Spend 5 grand on getting one to one instruction, get really really fast and then spend on suspension.

My 0.02 cents.

Thamer said:

For those with the base model, I truest believe the rear needs to changed out ASAP and get what works for you.

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The Sachs on the base is workable. Any serious amount of time on track and I'd look to switch it out. But for most street riding, some attention to setup on it and it's adequate.

If I were to switch mine out, I'd look into a high(er) end Penske 4-way. Swapped some of these in on some race bikes and liked the way they were dialed in.

Thamer said:

Spend 5 grand on getting one to one instruction, get really really fast and then spend on suspension.

My 0.02 cents.

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+1 on this. Get the skills first, then you'll know what you'll need to do for the suspension.

I have a penske triple with AK gas forks on my r6. I love the way the thing feels but it is sprung 35lbs to heavy for me. The 1199 is sprung right for my weight but feels to soft, but maybe I just need to get used to the softer feel.

Why would you need a 4 way. Why would you need high speed rebound on a street bike, I just dont see it.

MrKO said:

Sorry but this makes no sense to me. The stock S suspension properly valved, sprung and set up could hold its own among the best off the shelf stuff you can buy. These are not my words but of racers and suppension guys. Nothing wrong with having trick stuff but people come on here to get good info. This is not correct in my opinion and of many others.

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If you read my reply to STW in context, you'll understand I'm not saying the Ohlins NIX and TTX stuff is bad, or not more than adequate for anyone riding the bike. STW simply asked "why junk the S suspension?"

My reply is that those who are looking to spend their money and have the proclivity to mod their toys with the best available parts would have opportunities to purchase and replace most parts on an OEM bike, even the S model.

No one on this thread attempted to justify anyone's ability on here to actually use that additional performance, so all the smug posters of "get better skills" and "spend the money on instruction" (both obvious answers to a question that wasn't even asked here) can calm down and un-wad their panties.

Using that idiotic logic then begs the question - why do you "need" an 1199 anyway? A properly ridden Monster 796 will smoke a noob on a GP13 around any track or mountain road... Or why even a premium-priced Euro-snob brand? Any 4-year old CBR1000RR has more performance in the right hands than anything made today... Heads-up: It's not your money or choice so STFU!

The preachy nature of many users here is pretty damn annoying. Yet another Ducati-owner stereotype proven true on this forum.

zvez said:

the ohlins oem stuff that comes on street bikes is also only a fraction of the price of the race ohlins stuff too.

I think all the top tier teams run ohlins in motogp and wsbk don't they?

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Of course the OEM Ohlins stuff is much cheaper than the race stuff, and as several posters so inclined to point out the obvious said, it is sufficient for the overwhelming majority of purchasers of the products they come on.

Showa is also very active in MotoGP suspension (Bautista's RC213V for one). In SBK (STK 600/1000, Supersport, SBK), there are ton of different companies that provide suspension to different teams, Showa, Kayaba, Bitubo, Marzocchi, WP, FG Gubellini, etc.