First Ride Impressions 1299 S

Just got back from my first ride on my Panigale 1299 S and it is THE LEAST COMFORTABLE BIKE. I SHOULD HAVE DONE MORE RESEARCH.

I purchased another Ducati because my 2014 Hyperstrada is so comfortable and doesn't roast my bum. I can't even tell you how upset I am with the Panigale. So uncomfortable, my rear is burning, I think I have blisters... what were they thinking?





... just kidding, sort of. It is indeed terribly uncomfortable compared to the Hyperstrada. It is, however, very comfortable going around corners at speed And that's why I bought it.

First impressions after some decent-paced riding (50F temps on route 1 north of SF, <100miles on the bike):

- Holy ...., the steering is telepathic.

- Electronics really are amazing.

- Ergos are pretty good out of the box for me, 5'7", 30 inch inseam. My knees seem to be in a good spot to grip the tank, but it feels like my body is a bit too forward and crotch too close to the tank. Just something I may need to get used to. Seems like I might benefit from tank-grippers, but no experience there. The Hyper and my past bikes haven't needed it really.

- Trail braking is great. ABS2 definitely feels very "active" if I brake with minor lean. Weird feeling, but seems to work really well.

- Wet mode (DTC3,DWC2,DESefault+Softer Shock,ABS2,DEB3) is amazing for riding WOT on the streets. Very smooth, and I can ride it very similar to the Hyper. Still enough torque in wet mode to steer with the rear (awesome feeling) when run at the lower DTC.

- Race mode (DTC4,DWC2,DES:Harder,ABS2,DEB3) lightning balls of speed. It really doesn't seem to be any twitchier than wet mode, but wheelies no matter what the hell you're doing. Very fun, but seems kind of pointless/excessive/bad habit-forming for spirited street riding. Although it's great for picking the bike up and rocketing out of corners with the front wheel waving like a Desmodromic flag of glory. Even with ABS2 the rear wheel lifts and dances under heavy braking, seems moreso than the other modes -- does the ABS functionality change with the modes as well, or just the 3 ABS levels?

- At low RPM in race mode if I'm WOT it seems power limited in 1st? I switch to second and the damn thing rockets forward like a bat out of hell. It's fun but just seems artificially underpowered--is that the DWC perhaps? Didn't see my dash light up.

I also have a sport mode with DTC5,DWC4,DES:Harder,ABS2,DEB1 but I haven't used it too much. Only about 100 miles or so on the bike so looking forward to messing around with the settings

Curious to hear your input and what settings you played with to get comfortable!

Wet mode?
Just leave it In race
As for comfort get a luimoto gel seat
I can ride this bike for 7 hours if I am on the highway
Done 2 trips over 2000 miles each time
My advice get some Advil
Or ibuprofen

After reading the intro, I thought to myself.....damn, not another one!

Wait til after you get the 1st service out the way and the bike is broken in. If you feel the bike to be pretty good now, you've got somethin to look forward to. Ergos on this bike as far as knee positioning are not the greatest of sportbikes. I'm 6'0 and i can't reach the sweet spot on the tank with my thighs, even with my rearsets in the highest position. Even guys 6'3 on here can't. It's a bit odd but that's only for straight line. It'll be slightly better when going through turns or if you're on your toes.

The heat....well, there are things you can do to reduce some heat but not drastically. It's a 1200+ cc twin. Can't expect anything else. There are plenty of threads you can read through to find some solutions.

Do your research. This forum has tons of great info from people who have experienced issues with the bike and also ones who have come up with a fix. You're going to have issues, no doubt. Just research before you create a thread about a topic that's been covered numerous times.

Be prepared to spend more money on the bike. Although it is a phenomenal package off the showroom floor, it begs to be modded and you will more than likely give in to the temptation. Either that or make sure you DO NOT check out other people's bikes on here!!

Lastly, be safe, wear all your protective gear and respect the machine. The ear to ear grin will be ongoing for years to come.

Enjoy and welcome!

Welcome Itsn

I've not owe V-Twin before I bought 1299 S. I rode test it on raining day (Wet mode) and I was hook. 3 weeks later I got mine in my garage. I still have my track bike 05 zx6r and I ride my Duc same as I ride my zx6r (screaming). Now it's on Race mode with rear shock at softer all the time. the only issue I had so far was rear hugger melting twice (replaced by manufacture). Like Double0 said, wear your protective gears all the time and learn to ride (correctly and safely) and know your bike and have a blast

I hope to be buying a 1299s in the next month, any recommendations on dealers in Los Angeles, Orange County areas and price out the door.

best regards Gary

Mr Wilkes said:

I hope to be buying a 1299s in the next month, any recommendations on dealers in Los Angeles, Orange County areas and price out the door.

best regards Gary

Click to expand...

Socal Motorcycles, Ducati NewportBeach, Pro-Italia.

Moto FORZA Escondido CA.
I got the best deal there plus reduced labor on all future services plus 10%off on all items they sell. Msrp OTD. Live in Newport Beach and went there bc all others were way over priced. Ordered in January 2015 though..

I have the same inseam. for me, tank grip improved greatly when I switched to the comfort seat, which lifted me up about an inch or so. Rearsets would have the same effect, but I went with the seat because, well, a friend sold his to me for peanuts and can't beat that (will buy rearsets when I find a set that has exactly what I want)

If the heat is unbearable in the Bay Area in January, imagine what the heat is like pouring off this thing in the South at the peak of summer. The heat can be tamed; it takes patience and multiple approaches, but I got it down to very tolerable. It would probably be gone if I reinstalled the engine heat covers, but I'm willing to put up with a little heat to enjoy seeing the exposed motor.

The throttle is limited to 70% in the first three gears. You can get switchable throttle remaps with the Tuneboy ECU reflash.

If you think the bike is fast stock, you'll find that with an exhaust and tune, it's insane...and yet, it always feels tamer and more controlled than my previous two S1000RRs, which my 1299S is faster than, but the BMWs *felt* more manic when the power hit came.

here's a Nissan GT-R with the Alpha 10 kit making 1000hp on pump gas, doing a roll-on versus my bike, with wheelie control set to 5 (which absolutely dampened power in 2nd and 3rd) and me botching the 2-3 upshift badly and the 3-4 shift a little better but still hit the limiter. so this isn't even the full potential of the bike...

https://youtu.be/PYQDtQti120

Well, about ~13 hours and 434 miles in. Got some nice riding in Fri/Sat/Sun. Lovely bike.

Charleston 1199 said:

Wet mode?
Just leave it In race
As for comfort get a luimoto gel seat
I can ride this bike for 7 hours if I am on the highway
Done 2 trips over 2000 miles each time
My advice get some Advil
Or ibuprofen

Click to expand...

Ibuprofen has its benefits. It's a very physical bike but it's also very fun for that. The stock seat is more than comfortable enough for me and I like the feedback from the seat. After the first day I left it in Race. Definitely tons of fun... no real need for Race tho when riding "the pace".

double0 said:

After reading the intro, I thought to myself.....damn, not another one!

Wait til after you get the 1st service out the way and the bike is broken in. If you feel the bike to be pretty good now, you've got somethin to look forward to. Ergos on this bike as far as knee positioning are not the greatest of sportbikes. I'm 6'0 and i can't reach the sweet spot on the tank with my thighs, even with my rearsets in the highest position. Even guys 6'3 on here can't. It's a bit odd but that's only for straight line. It'll be slightly better when going through turns or if you're on your toes.

The heat....well, there are things you can do to reduce some heat but not drastically. It's a 1200+ cc twin. Can't expect anything else. There are plenty of threads you can read through to find some solutions.

Do your research. This forum has tons of great info from people who have experienced issues with the bike and also ones who have come up with a fix. You're going to have issues, no doubt. Just research before you create a thread about a topic that's been covered numerous times.

Be prepared to spend more money on the bike. Although it is a phenomenal package off the showroom floor, it begs to be modded and you will more than likely give in to the temptation. Either that or make sure you DO NOT check out other people's bikes on here!!

Lastly, be safe, wear all your protective gear and respect the machine. The ear to ear grin will be ongoing for years to come.

Enjoy and welcome!

Click to expand...

Thanks! Yeah I read the other post and thought it might be even 10% funny to pay homage to the other post.

Does anything actually happen after the first service (i.e., does Ducati flash the ECU) or is everything just running "optimally"?

I almost always ride on my toes and cornering is not an issue with tank hugging, just braking esp. between transitions. Starting to get more comfortable on it, seems to help to force myself to sit back a little further, puts my knees in a nice position for locking in.

Honestly the heat thing was more of a joke Right now temps are around 48-60 so the exhaust heat is more of a feature than a detriment. DSW: Ducati Seat Warmer. I have mine set to 11. And it feels great. Once the summer comes I might need to look into some of those heat options you mentioned.

I've read a number of articles on this forum over the past few weeks when I was researching the bike and after I purchased it. . I was on Ducati.ms and the Hyperstrada forum beforehand.

And don't worry, I always wear full leather. I didn't just hope on a 1300cc bike from nothing. Certainly a safe idea, but you also look like a wee silly on these bikes with anything less than full leather.

I'm so happy with the bike I don't even care about mods for the moment. Which is a great feeling. Rear sets, tank grip, DP windshield... those will be useful when I feel like dropping some more money

bigdzx6r said:

Welcome Itsn

I've not owe V-Twin before I bought 1299 S. I rode test it on raining day (Wet mode) and I was hook. 3 weeks later I got mine in my garage. I still have my track bike 05 zx6r and I ride my Duc same as I ride my zx6r (screaming). Now it's on Race mode with rear shock at softer all the time. the only issue I had so far was rear hugger melting twice (replaced by manufacture). Like Double0 said, wear your protective gears all the time and learn to ride (correctly and safely) and know your bike and have a blast

Click to expand...

How did it melt?! Also to clarify, the issue with race mode wasn't the power/throttle--I just have found that riding on the street it's better to maintain consistent throttle (the pace) rather than blast out of corners and brake for the next one.. which is very fun in race but

kismetcapitan said:

I have the same inseam. for me, tank grip improved greatly when I switched to the comfort seat, which lifted me up about an inch or so. Rearsets would have the same effect, but I went with the seat because, well, a friend sold his to me for peanuts and can't beat that (will buy rearsets when I find a set that has exactly what I want)

If the heat is unbearable in the Bay Area in January, imagine what the heat is like pouring off this thing in the South at the peak of summer. The heat can be tamed; it takes patience and multiple approaches, but I got it down to very tolerable. It would probably be gone if I reinstalled the engine heat covers, but I'm willing to put up with a little heat to enjoy seeing the exposed motor.

The throttle is limited to 70% in the first three gears. You can get switchable throttle remaps with the Tuneboy ECU reflash.

If you think the bike is fast stock, you'll find that with an exhaust and tune, it's insane...and yet, it always feels tamer and more controlled than my previous two S1000RRs, which my 1299S is faster than, but the BMWs *felt* more manic when the power hit came.

here's a Nissan GT-R with the Alpha 10 kit making 1000hp on pump gas, doing a roll-on versus my bike, with wheelie control set to 5 (which absolutely dampened power in 2nd and 3rd) and me botching the 2-3 upshift badly and the 3-4 shift a little better but still hit the limiter. so this isn't even the full potential of the bike...

https://youtu.be/PYQDtQti120

Click to expand...

The heat actually feels great (as I mention above)... it was just a bad joke . I can imagine in the humid south in the summer it's an absolute roaster. Did you remove the 70% restriction? Honestly I suspect they did it for a reason and there's more than enough grunt for the street. Will have to try on the track.

I've never liked i4s, and can't get as comfortable on them as on a Duc. The power is always there so you get more comfortable with it I guess?

Lots of limiter bouncing in the video, haha. Sounds great though! Amazing how quick it is.

kismetcapitan said:

I have the same inseam. for me, tank grip improved greatly when I switched to the comfort seat, which lifted me up about an inch or so. Rearsets would have the same effect, but I went with the seat because, well, a friend sold his to me for peanuts and can't beat that (will buy rearsets when I find a set that has exactly what I want)

If the heat is unbearable in the Bay Area in January, imagine what the heat is like pouring off this thing in the South at the peak of summer. The heat can be tamed; it takes patience and multiple approaches, but I got it down to very tolerable. It would probably be gone if I reinstalled the engine heat covers, but I'm willing to put up with a little heat to enjoy seeing the exposed motor.

The throttle is limited to 70% in the first three gears. You can get switchable throttle remaps with the Tuneboy ECU reflash.

If you think the bike is fast stock, you'll find that with an exhaust and tune, it's insane...and yet, it always feels tamer and more controlled than my previous two S1000RRs, which my 1299S is faster than, but the BMWs *felt* more manic when the power hit came.

here's a Nissan GT-R with the Alpha 10 kit making 1000hp on pump gas, doing a roll-on versus my bike, with wheelie control set to 5 (which absolutely dampened power in 2nd and 3rd) and me botching the 2-3 upshift badly and the 3-4 shift a little better but still hit the limiter. so this isn't even the full potential of the bike...

https://youtu.be/PYQDtQti120

Click to expand...

I too want to find best quality rearsets that can be as high as possible. I had Ducatri performance. They were great but want higher. I think maybe CNC?

Itsn said:

Does anything actually happen after the first service (i.e., does Ducati flash the ECU) or is everything just running "optimally"?

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Tach goes all black numbers after about 600 miles, that's it - the dealer will happily empty your wallet of $400+ for an oil change and fastener check, stuff you can easily do yourself. You can pay them $30-50 to reset the oil minder if it bothers you - I left mine for now

Any stalling issues I had went away after a few hundred miles

youngR said:

I too want to find best quality rearsets that can be as high as possible. I had Ducatri performance. They were great but want higher. I think maybe CNC?

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I don't know how much you can go up with the DP rearsets, but with the Gia Moto sets I'm 15mm up and 7mm forwards

youngR said:

I too want to find best quality rearsets that can be as high as possible. I had Ducatri performance. They were great but want higher. I think maybe CNC?

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The Dragon Lady with Fong Kong rear sets that works perfectly.