Finally saw in SL in person and...

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The AKRA that comes on the SL is not the same as the AKRA that you and I buy.
The SL has stainless steel head pipes, then turns to titanium after that.
 
Akillya said:
I am lucky enough to own each of the Panigale models. Out of the box the SL just works way way better in everything it does. Its dialled in like a race bike. The engine is better, it has gobs of mid range and the electronics are seemless! It's worth the money because it is basically better than a world superbike because it's much lighter and it's street legal with warranty! If you haven't ridden an SL you can't properly evaluated it's performance based on a spec sheet. It's the sum of the parts that makes it special. The thing is a jewel. Honestly.
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So in essence, you mean the aggregates that make up a gestalt:eek:
 
Tom yfz said:
The AKRA that comes on the SL is not the same as the AKRA that you and I buy.
The SL has stainless steel head pipes, then turns to titanium after that.
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Thats terrible considering the cost of the bike. Why would they not supply you with the same "Off the shelf" customer Full Titanium system. STILL one hell of a bike for the money and would have one in a second if had the cash to blow on one. ;)
 
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Material means less than shape does as far as power. My guess is it has to do with heat/durability issues.

Not sure I can agree with the OP, I saw several being uncrated with an R standing 10 feet away and I felt the attention to detail and components included on the SL were first trate.
 
I honestly didn't feel great about the fairings, they looked cheap to me. Maybe it's just the 'race bike' look, but it didn't seem sturdy. Again, if 65k for a race bike is your thing, then do it.
 
Saw a flat black 1199 and an SL near Meade Kansas of all places on my way to the FSAE competition in Nebraska. So bad ass! I really dig the color and that was the first time I'd heard the Akrapovič in person. Sounded wicked mean, I'm going to have to get that exhaust now. I was glad to see it was out on the road and not locked up in someone's garage.
 
If I had the money I'd get the SL in a heartbeat.

When I was a kid I tried o comfort myself by believing that my 75 Duster was way better than my buddy's brand new Z28. Then I grew up.
 
lance bro said:
Saw a flat black 1199 and an SL near Meade Kansas of all places on my way to the FSAE competition in Nebraska. So bad ass! I really dig the color and that was the first time I'd heard the Akrapovič in person. Sounded wicked mean, I'm going to have to get that exhaust now. I was glad to see it was out on the road and not locked up in someone's garage.
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Those guys where doing a 1200 mile trip from Arizona to Minnesota, they stopped by our store for an oil change on the SL and a few other goodies on their way.
 
Don't Knock it till ya try it...

gigantor said:
I'm glad I have just an S. It's nice, and I love the color (like really LOVE the color), but 65k for a bike without electronically adjustable suspension, fairings that while are carbon look kinda flimsy and cheap, and a gargantuan heatshield on bastardized for market akra pipes, I'll pass. To each their own, however :)
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Have you ridden one?? I'm a bit like you in that I love the red on my R and also enjoy the convenience of the electronic clickers. I also have been curious as to if I would feel that the SL would, in my mind, be worth the relatively high asking price compared to say, the R. I've been fortunate enough to get to take one for a spin back to back with the R on the same stretch of road. I really love my R and was figuring the SL would be nice, but not too much different on the street. NOPE! Holy Mother of God! That SL lets you know right away what it's up to. It makes the R feel clunky and heavy. The reduction of mass is extremely noticeable with each input you give the bike. The engine is super smooth, pulls like the last thing it'll ever do, and sounds absolutely amazing! I tried to convince the wife that I needed one in our garage, and guess what, I rode home on my R lol. Oh, and for the guys that whine about the heat, that full Ti Akra radiates heat much more than the stainless Termi. At least the rear cylinder head covers are proper carbon though! :D
 
Ditto. It has a different level of everything to it that most people won't believe until they've experienced it. You wouldn't think, given how many parts are common, and the common architecture, but its good. It also seems to run very cool compared to the R, like literally the coolant temp hangs about at like 153 when riding, compared to 170 running the same stretch on an R. It must have a very cold thermostat, and you don't notice much heat coming off it. It has no low-end torque, (only complaint), but it feels 899 smooth. You kind of ride it a gear lower everywhere due to the lack of low-end, but it's happy spinning up, and it doesn't have the big hole in the power curve over 5k, so as long as you keep it spun to 5k or better, it's game on. The R could run backroads between 4 and 5k, but then you get that hesitation between 5-6k that seems to stop you in your tracks.
 
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I'd rather buy the corvette c7 for that kinda cash. I bet I can have loads of fun with that car.. along with the panigale base.
 
Had the offer and declined. Bought a Try instead and then dumped another 10 or so into it. Just me but I cant use but 50% of the Try and the specialness of the SL just not enough for me; personally. I would certainly not fault anyone else for their purchase.
 
I finally saw an SL in person and was taken back by how ugly the paint color is. [emoji33] Trick piece of machinery but...
 
topolino said:
I'm not sure why it is that the human psyche needs to console itself by finding fault in an unattainable material object, largely by criticizing it in order to give themselves or their possessions, more apparent worth and/or to qualify a choice.......Or to put it in simpler terms, they are envious.
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I'm envious yes....

but regardless that paint is still off the mark IMO....don't care if it's a 10K dollar bike....the R looks better. I would like to have seen the SL done up in ducati corse livery.
 
gnance said:
I'm envious yes....

but regardless that paint is still off the mark IMO....don't care if it's a 10K dollar bike....the R looks better. I would like to have seen the SL done up in ducati corse livery.
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From a marketing point of view, the love it or hate it colour scheme does what it sets out to, and that is to differentiate itself from everything else. It is not to everyones taste, but no design ever is.
 
I had the chance to see 3 SL's this week and was also waaay less than impressed. Personally, the fading paint would be enough for me to return the machine. On one of them, which had only been through 2 track days, when they peeled the numbers off you could still clearly see the number in the finish. The sun had faded it that much. Then there was the color difference between the body and tank. Yes the components are very nice, but the package as a whole (in my opinion) just comes up short. At least he one still on the showroom floor looked fantastic!
 
MPLS1199 said:
I had the chance to see 3 SL's this week and was also waaay less than impressed. Personally, the fading paint would be enough for me to return the machine. On one of them, which had only been through 2 track days, when they peeled the numbers off you could still clearly see the number in the finish. The sun had faded it that much. Then there was the color difference between the body and tank. Yes the components are very nice, but the package as a whole (in my opinion) just comes up short. At least he one still on the showroom floor looked fantastic!
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My guess is that many (but not all) SL buyers don't sweat the small stuff with this bike. Faded paint, rock chips, you name it. If you track it you run the risk of wadding it. If you street it, there's a high chance of rock chips in addition to all the risks of the track and way more random stuff. I'd prefer to see a completely shagged SL knowing it was run the way it was meant to be run as opposed to a garage queen. That's why we take tons of pix of our new bikes. It'll never look that pristine again. Trying desperately to maintain museum-quality perfection on a bike you ride is futile.

edit: Yes I'm guilty of detailing my bike every 500mi or so, but it's more because I enjoy the process as opposed to trying in vain to keep it perfect. I only have 3Kmi on mine in 11mo and have learned not to sweat rock chips all the way through the paint. Battle scars come with the territory. I expect it to look worse as the miles rack up.
 
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I seen 2 SL's and in my opinion thought they were an amazing and beautiful piece of machinery. Even got an up close look with one naked and being preped. I was offered to buy one but I couldn't justify the cost and the loss I would take on my Tri. If I had stupid money to throw around...then sure I'd take one but until then I'm more than good with my Tri.
image.jpg
 

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