First impressions

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PaddockStand said:
As regards the Daytona comparison...

Based on my 5'9" (175cm) the ergonomics are similar, the bars feel a bit further away, assuming you sit in the middle or towards the back of the saddle. I know its hard to believe, but it's much narrower than the Daytona and it fells like your knees are almost touching; the only thing separating them is the width of the rear cylinder. As a consequence the front of the saddle is narrower than the Daytona's and while this will be good when the adrenalin is pumping at the track, I tend to sit a little further back most of time as its more comfortable for longer rides. Height wise it's about the same as the Daytona and the position of the foot pegs feels familiar. I have no trouble touching the ground with both feet. The saddle feels a little more tipped forward than the Daytona's. From what I have read, the race saddle is thicker at the front, which might not be a bad thing. As per the Daytona, it will make your wrists hurt if you're lazy with your knees/stomach muscles - free workout as you ride :) From what I remember, it's less relaxed than the S1000RR, but I've not spent long on this bike.

As for handling, it feels a little more fluid than the Daytona and seems to require less active input. The Daytona is a cornering machine, if you set it up right for each turn, but the Panigale seems to require less effort for the same outcome (subject to some track time). Somehow it feels more natural to stick the Panigale on it's ear - not sure why.

Hope this helps.

P.S. Did I spell Panagali right? ;)
Click to expand...

Molto grazie, PS. Sounds good - look forward to hearing more once you've gotten it run in and opened the tap. Expect the more natural feel is due to the front end geometry and the higher, more mainstream trail numbers. Daytona's run very low trail, less than anything short of a Buell in fact, and while it does make 'em pointy they don't give you the natural feeling and feedback at the bars you get from something with a bit more trail.

Really looking forward to getting some seat time on a Pan.i.gal.e.! ;)
 
OK, so I put about 300 or so miles on the bike today. Here's what I learnt...

+ Even with just 6K rpm and short shifting it feels fast. I suspect it would outgun my Daytona 675, even with this very limited rev range and this doesn't include the fat bit of the power band. It's going to be a scream on track for certain.
+ It feels every bit as good through the twisties as it did at lower speeds back in Jersey.
+ Rode next to a ZX10R as I came off the ferry and the Panigale LED's are in a different league to the halogen bulbs on this bike.
+ Spent all day on the bike and it's surprisingly comfy - no numb bum or legs even with the standard saddle.
+ Looks like oil consumption and smoke generation do drop as run-in proceeds. While I did have to top it up quite a bit at 80 miles, it's used very little between 80 and 400 miles.

o The LED lights give such a broad beam and light up so much of the ground next to the bike I keep thinking I'm being followed. Just need to recalibrate for the excellent LED's.

- The side stand continues to be a PITA even with the toes technique.
- Had to put oil in after just 80 miles as it was on the minimum mark. KEEP A VERY CAREFUL EYE ON YOUR OIL LEVEL DURING RUN-IN.
- The main/dipped light switch is too easily activated, I found I had on main beam on a few occasions during the day, without even realising.
- The oil check window is impossible to read without a torch, even in strong daylight. Get youself a little LED touch and keep it with the bike, you'll need it as Ducati recommend checking the oil every 120 miles during the first 600 miles.
- The hesitation is still there, almost feels like a misfire. Spoken to the dealer about it, no feedback yet. Might try to ride a demo bike and see if it's the same. Maybe I just need to recalibrate my expectations with L twins.
- The steering geometry makes it quite susceptible to cross winds at motorway speeds 80mph/130kph+

Can't wait to get the run-in done and let the fun really begin.
 
PaddockStand said:
OK, so I put about 300 or so miles on the bike today. Here's what I learnt...

+ Even with just 6K rpm and short shifting it feels fast. I suspect it would outgun my Daytona 675, even with this very limited rev range and this doesn't include the fat bit of the power band. It's going to be a scream on track for certain.
+ It feels every bit as good through the twisties as it did at lower speeds back in Jersey.
+ Rode next to a ZX10R as I came off the ferry and the Panigale LED's are in a different league to the halogen bulbs on this bike.
+ Spent all day on the bike and it's surprisingly comfy - no numb bum or legs even with the standard saddle.
+ Looks like oil consumption and smoke generation do drop as run-in proceeds. While I did have to top it up quite a bit at 80 miles, it's used very little between 80 and 400 miles.

o The LED lights give such a broad beam and light up so much of the ground next to the bike I keep thinking I'm being followed. Just need to recalibrate for the excellent LED's.

- The side stand continues to be a PITA even with the toes technique.
- Had to put oil in after just 80 miles as it was on the minimum mark. KEEP A VERY CAREFUL EYE ON YOUR OIL LEVEL DURING RUN-IN.
- The main/dipped light switch is too easily activated, I found I had on main beam on a few occasions during the day, without even realising.
- The oil check window is impossible to read without a torch, even in strong daylight. Get youself a little LED touch and keep it with the bike, you'll need it as Ducati recommend checking the oil every 120 miles during the first 600 miles.
- The hesitation is still there, almost feels like a misfire. Spoken to the dealer about it, no feedback yet. Might try to ride a demo bike and see if it's the same. Maybe I just need to recalibrate my expectations with L twins.
- The steering geometry makes it quite susceptible to cross winds at motorway speeds 80mph/130kph+

Can't wait to get the run-in done and let the fun really begin.
Click to expand...

great info !
thanks
 
Thanks again PS.

I've owned a couple of Ducs now so if it's the same, I'm sure the side stand won't be an issue.

But how do Ducati make fundamental mistakes like making the OIL window particularly hard to see? Simply form over function?

Can you post a couple of different pictures angles to see what we're dealing with?
 
Excellent review, Paddock...this will sound like sacrilege to some, but I'll be putting much more time on the street than the track...some measure of comfort on a long street ride will be appreciated and you've given me some encouragement in the regard..thanks!
 
The hesitation is still there, almost feels like a misfire. Spoken to the dealer about it, no feedback yet. Might try to ride a demo bike and see if it's the same. Maybe I just need to recalibrate my expectations with L twins.
Click to expand...

It's typical. go to any ducati forum and read through all of the old posts about fueling issues...

All Ducatis and many other euro 3 compliant bikes have this feature. If it gets too annoying in about a year someone will have a fix for about $1000! :rolleyes:
 
Great stuff Paddock, keep it coming!!

Couple of practical questions if I may:

- what range your getting on a full tank?

- what does the dash show in relation to fuel and low-fuel

Thanks :)
 
flynbulldog;6423.. All Ducatis and many other euro 3 compliant bikes have this feature. If it gets too annoying in about a year someone will have a fix for about $1000! :rolleyes:[/QUOTE said:
From my experience, they have one now. For only $3500/L2500 you can have Termi full system, with the "Key Up Map", and do away with the lambda sensors as well as the exhaust butterfly valve. ;)
Click to expand...
 
DRSapp said:
From my experience, they have one now. For only $3500/L2500 you can have Termi full system, with the "Key Up Map", and do away with the lambda sensors as well as the exhaust butterfly valve. ;)
Click to expand...

Dude, wouldn't you expect the "Race" slip-on map to similarly disable any noise-reducing efforts the flap would make, compared to the standard road map?

Both slip-on's and full-system are track use only, so I'm thinking that the "Race" map (for slip-on's) will be very similar to the "Racing-Evo" map (full-sys).

Thoughts?
 
Good News!!!!

Xbox said:
Dude, wouldn't you expect the "Race" slip-on map to similarly disable any noise-reducing efforts the flap would make, compared to the standard road map?

Both slip-on's and full-system are track use only, so I'm thinking that the "Race" map (for slip-on's) will be very similar to the "Racing-Evo" map (full-sys).

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Just read the slip-on installation manual and everyone will be pleased to know that the exhaust valve motor and wiring is junked during the installation process :D:D

Asked and answered - nice :D
 
Xbox said:
Great stuff Paddock, keep it coming!!

Couple of practical questions if I may:

- what range your getting on a full tank?

- what does the dash show in relation to fuel and low-fuel

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

There's no fuel gauge, just a low fuel warning light to the right of the display. When the low fuel light comes on the first of the two information blocks on the display changes to show how far you've ridden since the low fuel light came on. This is then removed from the left information display options when you refuel. This information block normally displays the odometer and is toggled with the up button on the left handlebar.

As I was riding in rural France on a Sunday, I took every opportunity to fill up as open garages can be hard to find. I therefore didn't take much notice of the range. I thought I saw fuel consumption running at around 7.5 l/100km, so you could probably work it out if you can find the tank size. I guess it depends if you're riding it like you stole it or on a run-in trip, as I was.
 
PaddockStand said:
There's no fuel gauge, just a low fuel warning light to the right of the display. When the low fuel light comes on the first of the two information blocks on the display changes to show how far you've ridden since the low fuel light came on. This is then removed from the left information display options when you refuel. This information block normally displays the odometer and is toggled with the up button on the left handlebar.

As I was riding in rural France on a Sunday, I took every opportunity to fill up as open garages can be hard to find. I therefore didn't take much notice of the range. I thought I saw fuel consumption running at around 7.5 l/100km, so you could probably work it out if you can find the tank size. I guess it depends if you're riding it like you stole it or on a run-in trip, as I was.
Click to expand...

Thank you :)

I'm getting the shakes as Friday can't come quick enough!
 
Paddock - It was REALLY REALLY rare for me to ever lock up the front tire on my bike (easy to do the rear). Let us know your take on the ABS and if you really have to be riding like a complete moron to have it kick in...

I've ridden for 10+ years and didn't get the ABS since (knock on wood) I never needed it...
 
Mitchlguzin said:
Paddock - It was REALLY REALLY rare for me to ever lock up the front tire on my bike (easy to do the rear). Let us know your take on the ABS and if you really have to be riding like a complete moron to have it kick in...

I've ridden for 10+ years and didn't get the ABS since (knock on wood) I never needed it...
Click to expand...

Likewise, although I have locked-up the front on track trying to avoid someone else's antics.

Somebody else can experiment with locking up the front, ABS or no ABS, its not something I'm going to do on purpose just to find out how well it works. Might experiment with the back though.

I guess ABS is there for the 1 day when you do need it, rather than than 10+ years when you didn't. :)
 

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