First impressions

After two weeks of torture during which I was away in Canada Skiing and my S+ABS was waiting at my dealer, I picked the bike up today



Managed 62 miles so far, this afternoon and evening, and my first impressions are very good:

+ Fantastic quick revving high torque motor
+ Pin sharp handling - quite a bit better than my already good Daytona 675. The weight saving and low centre of gravity really do make a big difference.
+ Standard cans make a great noise
+ LED lights are very good; they provide a very white light. Dipped beam is wide and bright, but could project a little further. Main beam is fantastic
+ Riding position is good, if not a little more stretched out than the Daytona 675, but roomy none the less
+ No clouds of white smoke
+ Brakes are great, although I've not really tested them fully yet
+ LED instruments are clear - I prefer night mode even during the day.
+ Changing ride mode on the fly is a synch, you just need to let off the throttle and brakes (ABS only). Not really explored DES, EBC, ABS and DTC yet. Going to leave the quickshifter until I have more revs to play with as I don't want to chew up the transmission.
+ Star status - everyone waves/wants to see the bike.

o The throttle was a little slow to pick up several occasions when rolling on from slow speed after following traffic. I guess this comes with territory of a large capacity, high performance L-twin. Oddly, this seems to be linked to a change in the exhaust volume, which I assume is the action of an ECU controlled EXUP valve, or similar. Sometimes the exhaust is loud and then all of sudden it quietens down for no apparent reason, although it's always loud when rolling-on.
o I prefer the race throttle response to the road one.
o Bike runs between 70C and 95C at 15C ambient and lower speeds (<= 40mph). A lot of heat comes from the left side faring at speeds below 40mph so expect a cooked left leg. The bike seems to cope OK while queuing in traffic and I didn't hear the fan running at all. Not sure how it will do in high summer.
o Rear suspension fouls your left leg when you put your foot down, but it's very minor and not a problem.

- The side stand is a royal PITA I took to reaching down with my hand to deploy it as you have to be a contortionist to hook it out with your foot. I'm considering making a little winglet for it so that there's something fro your foot to connect with. If I devise a better way I'll let you know.
- Standard cans are very loud; expect attention from angry old age pensioners and your local police. Getting these cans past homologation noise tests must have involved bribery and/or a horses head. If your considering the termi's for sound alone, I'm not sure they're required.
- The standard (UK) number plate holder is ugly.
- Full run-in is 600miles/1000km at 6K and then a further 900miles/1500km at 7K. This is going to take a long while and I want to get it on track No chance of Aragon in May.
- Ducati clear tank protector is pants. Doesn't seem to stick to tank properly, that is unless my dealer made a mess of sticking it on.

I have the owners manual if anyone has any questions.

I'll keep you posted...

PaddockStand said:

o The throttle was a little slow to pick up several occasions when rolling on from slow speed after following traffic. I guess this comes with territory of a large capacity, high performance L-twin. Oddly, this seems to be linked to a change in the exhaust volume, which I assume is the action of an ECU controlled EXUP valve, or similar. Sometimes the exhaust is loud and then all of sudden it quietens down for no apparent reason, although it’s always loud when rolling-on.
o I prefer the race throttle response to the road one.

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Nice one.

As you've almost identified, I imagine that's just the 195LO setting smoothing the throttle response. Just change the Road setting to use 195HI as well.

Let us know if that's all it was.

Very good info. Thanks!

Dumb question about Jersey: how long are your rides? Not a big place, is it?

Thanks for your detailed impressions. Great to hear that it handles better than the Daytona. As I get closer and closer to D-Day I'm already starting to miss mine, which I most likely will not be keeping.

So amped after your write-up! I actually sold my 675R to get the Tric...if the 1199 handles better than that and with all the extra oomph, I'm going to be in heaven (or jail)! Although now you've just made the next 3-4 weeks EXTREMELy excrutiating...cant wait!

+4 on the awesome write-up!

Thanks mate!

Your report seems the most credible so far. Please give us your input as you go along, we'll appreciate.
On our side of the pond we're still a few weeks away and patience is wearing thin

Good stuff - thanks for the report!!

I wonder which after market manufacturere will offer the first side stand dongle to fix that issue?

Sounds like you rode in the dark a bit. Thanks for the write-up!

I usually use my heel to kick out near the top of the stand on any Italian bike. I know it's not as easy as the Japanese but once you figure it out it doesn't seem that complicated.

Hey padddock stand thanks for that report and come back to us as soon as you can add anything. We're hanging out to hear.
Its great to hear from forumn riders what they think of the new bike... theres been a few seeds of doubt lately and we need to know we've made the right descision on the panegale.
In the 2012 lineup what a looker but what we want to know as well is it going to give us you know prolonged sessions of pure riding pleasure.
I've never ridden a 675 but have read some amazing reports on the bike its handling ..etc a lot of guys here use them on the track.

Hi I'm new to all this forum stuff, so bare with me.

I've only started reading these forums through pure frustration of the agonising wait for the arrival of MY Penigale. Which I have to say is all new to me also, this being the first time I will (hopefully if it ever arrives) be owning a Ducati of any description.

I sold by S1000RR, back in Jan, which caused me great pain seeing it go. But not as much as the wait for this one and the fact of being without a bike for this time!

I don't know how the Italians get away with all this vagueness of delivery times, do they not realise we can't work like that in the UK?! Our summer is just too short! (don't worry I ride all through winter too)

Anyway good right up, thanks, however, are you sure about the extra 900 miles on top of the initial 600? And the fact that after that first service you can then only take it up an extra 1k rpm to 7k? Can anyone else shed some Light on this? Luckily I'm getting the first service thrown in for free but was kinda hoping you would be able to ride it normally after that!!!?

I took a demo out last weekend and noticed the heat around the left leg straight away, but knowing a few 1198s owners etc think its a small trade off and can live with that.

Must admit I didn't encounter the issue with the side stand at all, I had read someone else had the same problem as you have with it. Might be fine once you're use to it?

What insurance company have you gone through? Was a bit of a shock when I got quotes, best being around £800 with Ducati (was £300 for RR) I suppose that comes with the bikes value of around £24k after accessories etc... Although my Car is worth more than that and is cheaper to insure.��

Good news on the exhaust, at least people will hear you when filtering thro traffic now, the RR was a bit quite.

I have to say after my demo ride even tho only took it to 6k rpm, and baring in mind I had never riden a twin before, I was pleasantly surprised and even from that brief encounter think I've made the right decision to get the 1199 and not the new '12 RR. Would you agree? Although I do keep asking myself if it was, with all this waiting around for delivery, I'm sure it will be worth it.

Keep updated us on any further + or - you encounter during your run in period with the bike.

Do you know if you are able to get the MPH reading large like it is in 'sport mode' in the 'race mode' on the dash?

I know I've probably created about 5 different threads with this one post, that or sent everyone to sleep, so apologises

mat1529 said:

Do you know if you are able to get the MPH reading large like it is in 'sport mode' in the 'race mode' on the dash?

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Yes

Go into Settings > select Riding Mode > Race > Display > change to 'Road'.

Rhino said:

Yes

Go into Settings > select Riding Mode > Race > Display > change to 'Road'.

Click to expand...

Awesome, many thanks. There really are thousands of different configurations then! Nice

Great summary mate good on yer! Its good to be you isn't it skiing in Canada then home to a 1199s. Hope you enjoyed Canada and all the best with the stella Panigale.

I suspect aftermarket side stands are being developed as we speak by the likes of Rizoma. I remember I bought a cycle cat side stand years ago for my 998 as the OEM made the bike lean over too much. no biggie really. Lots of aftermarket tail tidies already appearing for the 1199 too.

I can't wait to test ride one here in Canada.

topendz said:

Great summary mate good on yer! Its good to be you isn't it skiing in Canada then home to a 1199s. Hope you enjoyed Canada and all the best with the stella Panigale.

I suspect aftermarket side stands are being developed as we speak by the likes of Rizoma. I remember I bought a cycle cat side stand years ago for my 998 as the OEM made the bike lean over too much. no biggie really. Lots of aftermarket tail tidies already appearing for the 1199 too.

I can't wait to test ride one here in Canada.

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I'm not getting a much run-in time as I'd like, hence the 2500km run-in is a pain. I'm back in your part of Canada on business from 27th April. After market side stand is a good idea, I did't know they made them.

CHarles foxtrot said:

Very good info. Thanks!

Dumb question about Jersey: how long are your rides? Not a big place, is it?

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There are some good twisty roads, but its not a big Island (5 miles by 9) and has a 40mph speed limit. However, France is just an hour away on the ferry and I can ride to Le Mans in 3 hours or Val de Vienne in about 5. There are also local sprints and hill climbs that are run on the public roads with no speed limits. Not quite the TT, but fun none the less.

mat1529 said:

I sold by S1000RR, back in Jan, which caused me great pain seeing it go. But not as much as the wait for this one and the fact of being without a bike for this time!

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I rode, and considered, the S1000RR as and alternative the the Panigale. The bikes are at opposite ends of the spectrum. The S1000RR is seriously well mannered on an average day and only comes alive when the needle nears the rev limiter. By contrast the 1199 will make you smile every time you ride it, but doesn't have Munich's anal attention to perfection.

mat1529 said:

Anyway good right up, thanks, however, are you sure about the extra 900 miles on top of the initial 600? And the fact that after that first service you can then only take it up an extra 1k rpm to 7k?

Click to expand...

Absolutely sure I'm afraid, it's on page 186 of the owners manual. 1000km at 6000 and then an extra 1500km at 7000. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

mat1529 said:

What insurance company have you gone through? Was a bit of a shock when I got quotes, best being around £800 with Ducati (was £300 for RR) I suppose that comes with the bikes value of around £24k after accessories etc... Although my Car is worth more than that and is cheaper to insure.��

Click to expand...

I'm not sure that my insurance is comparable as I'm based in Jersey and you don't want me to make you any more envious

Rhino said:

Yes

Go into Settings > select Riding Mode > Race > Display > change to 'Road'.

Click to expand...

I guess and an alternative you could change road mode to 195hi and you'd get all the other road settings with the modified throttle response.

I too just sold my S1000rr for this bike and am currently waiting with no bike

I just hope this bike can give me the thrill that the s1000rr did. The S1000rr is an animal, but you are right, really only comes alive at 9K rpm and higher. I hope the 1199 will be more fun throughout the revs. I know it certainly looks better. I just hope that the 1199 is capable of giving you that "oh .... I better hold on tight or I'm gonna fall off" feeling the beemer gave. I thought that was a lot of fun..lol.

The side stand is a pain if you are used to using your heel to get it down, in fact it's nigh on impossible. Modifications not neccessary though, if you move your foot behind and under the peg it is easy to push it down with your toe. Nothing major, it'll just take a while to get used to.

About the smoke, the bike I rode had been creating it on start up for the first hundred miles or so and used about 200ml of oil. Starting both cold and warm today there was no smoke, not an issue in my opinion.

There has also been some discussion about the DQS, I found it spot on providing the transmission is under load. Didn't matter if it was 30mph 1st/2nd or 2nd/3rd or when quicker on the open road it worked fine. I did manage to make it jolt once deliberately rolling off when shifting but providing it was under load it was fine. No problem selecting neutral (think someone was complaining about it). Gearbox felt sweet to me.

Otherwise I'd echo All Paddock Stand's comments. Brakes are excellent, handling is very sharp and may take some time for those used to a more docile ride to get used toIt, suspect it'll be quite lively when cracking on a bit on bumpy roads. Flicking between the different setups I couldn't really notice any difference between the suspension, sure it'll be more apparent on the track.