First couple of commute days on my 1299S

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80shilling

80shilling

Joined
Jan 30, 2015
Messages
946
Location
San Francisco, CA
So,

I have commuted by motorcycle to work, my whole life; that means I have been doing it for 36 years. I ride every day, rain, shine, fog, gale force winds (all of those things can be happening at the same time, here in the SF Bay Area).

My last bike was a 2011 BMW S1000RR which I put 53,000+ miles on in just over 3 years, so I had a ton of commute seat time on it, plus about 40 track days.

The Panigale 1299S, is proving to be a surprisingly good commute bike! Who knew?

Now that I am getting used to the way the engine feels at low rpm and I'm not mistaking the V-Twin vibes for stalling, the throttle is easy to regulate; it's not twitchy, it's smooth and generally isn't giving me any trouble... It's certainly different from the I-4 of the BMW, but just as controllable.

Because the 1299 is slimmer, it is a bit easier to lane-split, although the lack of movable mirrors is giving me some concern, as I can't just reach out and fold them in, like I used to do with the BMW when things got tight.

The heat has varied from unnoticeable, to slightly uncomfortable, depending on ambient temperatures. Yesterday it was around 75 degrees and I could definitely feel it; today, it was around 50 degrees and foggy/low cloud and I didn't notice the heat at all.

I ride in full gear; leather jacket and pants, with full armour, back protector, full-length gauntlet gloves, etc, so my pants are likely shielding my legs from the worst of the heat.

Anyway - So far, so good and I'm enjoying the process of learning a new bike and all it's particular quirks. Of course, on-ramps are absurdly fun, since I can gas the hell out of the bike and listen to that engine note and feel the torque...

Best way to arrive at work, ever... With a huge grin on my face and as wide awake as possible. :D

Cheers.
 
I'd agree on all counts, though I did a ride sunday in jeans, and I could DEFINITELY feel the heat under my right leg. It took me 100-150 miles to feel out the engine and the throttle response, but now... awesome.

And the narrowness of the bike lets me slip past the security gate without badging into the parking lot at work, which is normally really irritating on a bike (it's on a ramp).
 
Yes, I've taken my 1199 to work a few times and it all depends on the ambient temperature. Like you said, 50-65F, you don't feel much except when you're at a light. When its 80F out, you can feel it on the butt and inner thighs. I have replaced the seat with a comfort seat and have heat reflective tape on the bottom. I like to think it helps but not by much.

Keep us updated on your mileage. Not many of us here put a ton of miles :(, I would like to see another person put high mileage on their 1299.
 
kickarsmann said:
Keep us updated on your mileage. Not many of us here put a ton of miles :(, I would like to see another person put high mileage on their 1299.
Click to expand...

I plan on putting a decent amount of miles on mine but we can't ride 5-6 months out of the year so my totals will never be quite as high. I only have a 4 mile commute to work so I don't rack up many miles that way either.
 
I envy those temperatures and being able to wear full gear. I usually only do this on track days. Here in Miami it's too hot. 97 and feels like 109. Most i can wear is a breathable ducati jacket, gloves and full helmet.

I'll get my S next week. Enjoy it.
 
Bay area does not effect me in full gear, as far as heat goes.


Get into Sacramento and you will have a nut Roaster.


Wrapping my exhaust helped quite a bit though.
 
Love my 25 mph 3 mile commute, for a 1/3 mile section of curves im able to redline 2nd in a few stretches.

If I was slabbing it? no freakin way.
 
80shilling said:
Best way to arrive at work, ever... With a huge grin on my face and as wide awake as possible. :D
Click to expand...

No doubt! Don't you get a little nervous leaving a $25k bike sitting in the parking lot? How long is your commute?

I'd love to commute on a bike, but it's not all that practical. I usually go to the gym right after work and it's hard to carry much of anything on something like a 1299, plus I think I'd just collect a bunch of tickets.
 
DavidS said:
I envy those temperatures and being able to wear full gear. I usually only do this on track days. Here in Miami it's too hot. 97 and feels like 109. Most i can wear is a breathable ducati jacket, gloves and full helmet.

I'll get my S next week. Enjoy it.
Click to expand...


The shop I work in doesn't have air. I get used to the hot temps.
It funny walking into the offices up front and feeling like you
stepped into a walk in freezer(70 or so usually).

I also work odd hours so I never really see traffic...

Chris
 
Chris, I don't like summer in Miami (may-oct). All offices and shops are freezing and in between is monster heat. The rest of the year is amazing ;-)
 
fzr100098 said:
No doubt! Don't you get a little nervous leaving a $25k bike sitting in the parking lot? How long is your commute?

I'd love to commute on a bike, but it's not all that practical. I usually go to the gym right after work and it's hard to carry much of anything on something like a 1299, plus I think I'd just collect a bunch of tickets.
Click to expand...
Given that my Wife's Triumph Daytona 675R was stolen in broad daylight from inside a public parking garage (we got it back a week later), I do worry, but I have been parking there for 14+ years and as extra insurance I got myself the MOTHER of all chains and I chain the bike to one of the support beams for the earthquake bracing.. NO-ONE is getting that bike.

Beast #8016L ? OnGuard Bicycle and Motorcycle Locks

My commute is around 35 miles each way, so almost exactly 70 miles a day. Plenty of time to have some fun and no real issues with sitting in traffic, since we can lane split in California.
 
80shilling said:
So,

I have commuted by motorcycle to work, my whole life; that means I have been doing it for 36 years. I ride every day, rain, shine, fog, gale force winds (all of those things can be happening at the same time, here in the SF Bay Area).

My last bike was a 2011 BMW S1000RR which I put 53,000+ miles on in just over 3 years, so I had a ton of commute seat time on it, plus about 40 track days.

The Panigale 1299S, is proving to be a surprisingly good commute bike! Who knew?

Now that I am getting used to the way the engine feels at low rpm and I'm not mistaking the V-Twin vibes for stalling, the throttle is easy to regulate; it's not twitchy, it's smooth and generally isn't giving me any trouble... It's certainly different from the I-4 of the BMW, but just as controllable.

Because the 1299 is slimmer, it is a bit easier to lane-split, although the lack of movable mirrors is giving me some concern, as I can't just reach out and fold them in, like I used to do with the BMW when things got tight.

The heat has varied from unnoticeable, to slightly uncomfortable, depending on ambient temperatures. Yesterday it was around 75 degrees and I could definitely feel it; today, it was around 50 degrees and foggy/low cloud and I didn't notice the heat at all.

I ride in full gear; leather jacket and pants, with full armour, back protector, full-length gauntlet gloves, etc, so my pants are likely shielding my legs from the worst of the heat.

Anyway - So far, so good and I'm enjoying the process of learning a new bike and all it's particular quirks. Of course, on-ramps are absurdly fun, since I can gas the hell out of the bike and listen to that engine note and feel the torque...

Best way to arrive at work, ever... With a huge grin on my face and as wide awake as possible. :D

Cheers.
Click to expand...
Hi great that your a high mile rider . I traded in my 899 on the base 1299 . Did 17000 km in 10 months . I don't commute although we go for 200 to 300 day rides and also did a 2 week 4500km trip down the South Island . Have SW-Motech Blaze panniers so they will fit the 1299 also . Delivery date is end of May so getting close .have a aftermarket carbon fibre front guard and decals for the 1299 . Summer is over here ....oh well that's the way it goes . No 1299's here in NZ yet so mine will be in the first shipment , I'll keep you all updated .
 
Steve NZ said:
Hi great that your a high mile rider . I traded in my 899 on the base 1299 . Did 17000 km in 10 months . I don't commute although we go for 200 to 300 day rides and also did a 2 week 4500km trip down the South Island . Have SW-Motech Blaze panniers so they will fit the 1299 also . Delivery date is end of May so getting close .have a aftermarket carbon fibre front guard and decals for the 1299 . Summer is over here ....oh well that's the way it goes . No 1299's here in NZ yet so mine will be in the first shipment , I'll keep you all updated .
Click to expand...
It will be interesting to hear your perspective, given that you are coming from an 899. Be prepared for apocalyptic thrust from about 5k on up to 11,500.... :D
 
I think I just came up with a great Metal band name.. "Apocalyptic Thrust" .. I may copyright that.. :)
 
I never want to live in California again. The state government. Traffic. Housing prices.

I love the South and Southern culture. I don't have to feel ashamed about what I eat and my lack of exercise :p

But I do really envy legal lane splitting. And the Bay Area is beautiful; I lived in the Peninsula and oftentimes I'd just take Skyline Blvd instead of 280 just to soak in the nature.

AND THE WEATHER. There's about a 1-2 week window here in Nashville where we get the kind of temps and humidity you get year round in SF. Had that last night riding home actually. The roiling heat under the seat that I'd spent all summer taming? My very questionable decision to remove the rear cylinder covers? I found myself cozying up to the tank and feeling quite warm. I almost didn't miss not having heated grips, although I am going to add those, just out of the principle of it all.

I would love to have year round weather where I could wear full leathers comfortably, instead of resorting to mesh MX-style armored jackets for much of the riding season - less protection but getting heat stroke is pretty bad for you when you're riding.

I commute on my 1299, even though the intent was to continue to use the Multistrada as a daily commuter, and only break out the Audi during torrential rains. The BMW was a much easier bike to commute on, but if the 1299 was truly that uncomfortable, I wouldn't be riding it daily now, would I? :)
 
80shilling said:
The heat has varied from unnoticeable, to slightly uncomfortable, depending on ambient temperatures. Yesterday it was around 75 degrees and I could definitely feel it; today, it was around 50 degrees and foggy/low cloud and I didn't notice the heat at all.

.
Click to expand...


Meanwhile 1 hour away, when its 90 out, the bikes heat is like an oven if your ever stuck below 50 for any amount of time.

If you can keep the motor below 200f its fine for a commute.



I live 3 miles from work so im OK , but if I went any further no way.
 
My bike sucks in Summer and stop go traffic peak hours :( i live in really hot climate and after 30 minutes I am fried and ready to be eaten by wild animals :(

In the Winter it's an amazing commute bike.
 
Alpha Male said:
My bike sucks in Summer and stop go traffic peak hours :( i live in really hot climate and after 30 minutes I am fried and ready to be eaten by wild animals :(

In the Winter it's an amazing commute bike.
Click to expand...

Full Carbon Termi system on your bike I noticed"¦
What are your impressions vs full Akra?
 

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