Joined Mar 2013
370 Posts | 111+
Sonora
This is what I sent the salesman who sold me my bike.
So much was experienced yesterday that I wanted to share. I would also give some insight on your test rides since I would imagine that they are supposed to help sell the bikes.
I will also copy this to my wife as she was very much aware of what went on yesterday so something's here are for her.
When I got the Diavel I was like a fish out of water as I knew allot about cars but little about motorcycles. After talking to several salesman and finally you I decide on the Diavel for my first road bike. The decision was based on riding position, ABS, traction control and the ability to lower the power output. I did a lot of research before the purchase and bought without a test ride. I knew about, what many felt were shortcomings, mostly the suspension. By the first service I fixed this by adding the Ohlin suspension and finished improvements by changing the seat and moving the foot pegs back and up about 1 inch.
After all of this I continued to learn about body position and the role it can play in turning the bike. Understanding geometry I can understand how the design can make great differences. There was also a transformation in my own ability. At first I was out of censer treatment and quite week. While I was riding my bicycle at the time I had trouble lifting my legs so getting my feet on the foot pegs was a real challenge. There were even a couple of times that I would ride for a couple of hours and go to leave a stop and have trouble raising me feet onto the pegs.
This was a real challenge that would keep me from ever being able to own a sport bike. After owning a Ducati I found that while other companies made similar bikes the Ducati seems to have a real personality (some would call quirks). The other brands seemed to be more like having an appliance where the Ducati seemed to take on a personality.
What I learned from the Panigale test ride:
"¢ I had a great deal of trouble getting my feet on the pegs. I later found out that the main problem was that the position was so much different that I was moving my feet to where the pegs weren't. This left doubt in me about ever being able to own one.
"¢ I had read about all the quirks and drawback of the bike. It is hot. Your test ride leader took be down the congested roads to show me how the bike was in traffic. Compared to the Diavel this bike stinks in traffic. Our test ride was 80% stop and go with one run down the freeway and an on ramp. It was 95 on the day of our test ride and my right leg felt like it was on fire by the time we got out on the freeway. More on this later.
"¢ While the bike is supposed to be nimble it was not as readily maneuverable as the Diavel due to its wide bars.
"¢ The Panagle was a base model and had a stiff rear and very soft front so it seemed to dive in breaking. After being on the bike I would not of thought of getting one other than the desire for a sport bike.
Suggestion: Educate your ride leaders to chose routes that show the fine points of the bike. Traffic is not this bikes friend.
Months passed and I continued to learn and research. I found that the base models were known for front fork issues for many owners. Some found it fine while others traded the bike or changed the fork cartridges. From what I could surmise, the Panigale had the potential of being a great bike but set up was very important so my test ride needed to be taken with a grain of salt.
On to yesterday:
I am back in treatment so the strength and stamina is an issue again and the foot peg issue was riding heavy on me. I was very uneasy about making this move and did not want to waist the money unless it added something to my life. Being able to work this out with my wife has been a real issue but I was prepared to come home without the bike when I left yesterday. I am big on commitment and would have made it right by all of you if I put you out and then baked out.
When I first arrived I rushed to the show room and sat on the Panigale to see if I could, 1 get on it, and 2 get my feet on the pegs. Since this was ok, with a certain amount of fear I decided to proceed. You may imagine my level of anxiety though out the day.
When I went to set on the bike for your tech to set sag my wife was in trial. Her comment was, that looks uncomfortable. It is was my reply but is fine when moving. After your covering the bike I suited up and then had trouble getting my leg over the bike at first. My wife commented again and also told me to call her is I had issues due to fatigue getting home. She felt that the so-called weight on my arms would tire me out. We were both thinking the same thing. She thinks that I am not aware but I noticed her concern yet her understanding is rather amazing. Must be the reason we are still together after 40 years.
The ride home:
The ride from your door was down Auburn to Greenback and over to Hess then out to 50. This was about as much fun as a root canal. Even in cool temperatures the bike got to 219 degrees. This is only engine temp and the 1200 degrees coming out of the exhaust it right under the seat. At first you can feel the heat but after a while, in traffic the metal by the rear of the bike becomes heat soaked and starts to transmit this through the seat and onto your legs. While it is hot it is tolerable due to the new heat shields. Main point; traffic is not this bikes friend. By the time I got to Hess I was starting to wonder how long I would own this monster.
The bike does handle well at low speed and getting my feet on the pegs was always easy now that I know where they were. The forward lean is not an issue as most of the weight is supported by my back and can put almost no pressure on the bars. In all the bike fits me quite well and feels natural when moving. Pulling onto the on ramp I was following cars and noticed that this bike tracks very well and was easy to follow but say exactly where I wanted to be in the lane. Onto the freeway and an issue arose. This thing needs attention as it goes fast too easy. I accelerated to 80 and then baked off. I was at 80 when I looked to check speed. At speed to tracks like an arrow. The Diavel is always on the move and you need to make little corrections all the time while this thing is like it is bolted to a track.
At this point the verdict was still out until I hit Latrobe. Please tell your tech that he got this thing so close to perfect that I will mostly ride before I start to tweak settings. Once hit the winding road I it was so easy and comfortable. A look to where I wanted to go and the bike went. I would say close to telepathic. The Diavel is the perfect hooligan machine but this thing is like a surgical instrument. About three turns though and I notice this strange vibration. Turns out to be me giggling like a school boy who just got away with skimping school. A stop for gas Jackson revealed that I am getting more comfortable and was still good when I got home. When I pulled in next to my Diavel I felt that if I had to have just one it would lean toward the Panigale. They are related but quite different and both have some good and bad points. All around the Diavel is the better bike but the Panigale is very special and makes me giggle.
So much was experienced yesterday that I wanted to share. I would also give some insight on your test rides since I would imagine that they are supposed to help sell the bikes.
I will also copy this to my wife as she was very much aware of what went on yesterday so something's here are for her.
When I got the Diavel I was like a fish out of water as I knew allot about cars but little about motorcycles. After talking to several salesman and finally you I decide on the Diavel for my first road bike. The decision was based on riding position, ABS, traction control and the ability to lower the power output. I did a lot of research before the purchase and bought without a test ride. I knew about, what many felt were shortcomings, mostly the suspension. By the first service I fixed this by adding the Ohlin suspension and finished improvements by changing the seat and moving the foot pegs back and up about 1 inch.
After all of this I continued to learn about body position and the role it can play in turning the bike. Understanding geometry I can understand how the design can make great differences. There was also a transformation in my own ability. At first I was out of censer treatment and quite week. While I was riding my bicycle at the time I had trouble lifting my legs so getting my feet on the foot pegs was a real challenge. There were even a couple of times that I would ride for a couple of hours and go to leave a stop and have trouble raising me feet onto the pegs.
This was a real challenge that would keep me from ever being able to own a sport bike. After owning a Ducati I found that while other companies made similar bikes the Ducati seems to have a real personality (some would call quirks). The other brands seemed to be more like having an appliance where the Ducati seemed to take on a personality.
What I learned from the Panigale test ride:
"¢ I had a great deal of trouble getting my feet on the pegs. I later found out that the main problem was that the position was so much different that I was moving my feet to where the pegs weren't. This left doubt in me about ever being able to own one.
"¢ I had read about all the quirks and drawback of the bike. It is hot. Your test ride leader took be down the congested roads to show me how the bike was in traffic. Compared to the Diavel this bike stinks in traffic. Our test ride was 80% stop and go with one run down the freeway and an on ramp. It was 95 on the day of our test ride and my right leg felt like it was on fire by the time we got out on the freeway. More on this later.
"¢ While the bike is supposed to be nimble it was not as readily maneuverable as the Diavel due to its wide bars.
"¢ The Panagle was a base model and had a stiff rear and very soft front so it seemed to dive in breaking. After being on the bike I would not of thought of getting one other than the desire for a sport bike.
Suggestion: Educate your ride leaders to chose routes that show the fine points of the bike. Traffic is not this bikes friend.
Months passed and I continued to learn and research. I found that the base models were known for front fork issues for many owners. Some found it fine while others traded the bike or changed the fork cartridges. From what I could surmise, the Panigale had the potential of being a great bike but set up was very important so my test ride needed to be taken with a grain of salt.
On to yesterday:
I am back in treatment so the strength and stamina is an issue again and the foot peg issue was riding heavy on me. I was very uneasy about making this move and did not want to waist the money unless it added something to my life. Being able to work this out with my wife has been a real issue but I was prepared to come home without the bike when I left yesterday. I am big on commitment and would have made it right by all of you if I put you out and then baked out.
When I first arrived I rushed to the show room and sat on the Panigale to see if I could, 1 get on it, and 2 get my feet on the pegs. Since this was ok, with a certain amount of fear I decided to proceed. You may imagine my level of anxiety though out the day.
When I went to set on the bike for your tech to set sag my wife was in trial. Her comment was, that looks uncomfortable. It is was my reply but is fine when moving. After your covering the bike I suited up and then had trouble getting my leg over the bike at first. My wife commented again and also told me to call her is I had issues due to fatigue getting home. She felt that the so-called weight on my arms would tire me out. We were both thinking the same thing. She thinks that I am not aware but I noticed her concern yet her understanding is rather amazing. Must be the reason we are still together after 40 years.
The ride home:
The ride from your door was down Auburn to Greenback and over to Hess then out to 50. This was about as much fun as a root canal. Even in cool temperatures the bike got to 219 degrees. This is only engine temp and the 1200 degrees coming out of the exhaust it right under the seat. At first you can feel the heat but after a while, in traffic the metal by the rear of the bike becomes heat soaked and starts to transmit this through the seat and onto your legs. While it is hot it is tolerable due to the new heat shields. Main point; traffic is not this bikes friend. By the time I got to Hess I was starting to wonder how long I would own this monster.
The bike does handle well at low speed and getting my feet on the pegs was always easy now that I know where they were. The forward lean is not an issue as most of the weight is supported by my back and can put almost no pressure on the bars. In all the bike fits me quite well and feels natural when moving. Pulling onto the on ramp I was following cars and noticed that this bike tracks very well and was easy to follow but say exactly where I wanted to be in the lane. Onto the freeway and an issue arose. This thing needs attention as it goes fast too easy. I accelerated to 80 and then baked off. I was at 80 when I looked to check speed. At speed to tracks like an arrow. The Diavel is always on the move and you need to make little corrections all the time while this thing is like it is bolted to a track.
At this point the verdict was still out until I hit Latrobe. Please tell your tech that he got this thing so close to perfect that I will mostly ride before I start to tweak settings. Once hit the winding road I it was so easy and comfortable. A look to where I wanted to go and the bike went. I would say close to telepathic. The Diavel is the perfect hooligan machine but this thing is like a surgical instrument. About three turns though and I notice this strange vibration. Turns out to be me giggling like a school boy who just got away with skimping school. A stop for gas Jackson revealed that I am getting more comfortable and was still good when I got home. When I pulled in next to my Diavel I felt that if I had to have just one it would lean toward the Panigale. They are related but quite different and both have some good and bad points. All around the Diavel is the better bike but the Panigale is very special and makes me giggle.
