First Track Day on the Panigale

Ducati Forum

Help Support Ducati Forum:

WAfatboy I am curious where you keep the rpms on the Panigale when you are tracking it. It seemed to me that the power band was pretty broad but obviously most of the power was up top.
 
rawdog said:
WAfatboy I am curious where you keep the rpms on the Panigale when you are tracking it. It seemed to me that the power band was pretty broad but obviously most of the power was up top.
Click to expand...


I went to the track today, first time with the Pani for 6 months at least, noticed that if I didn't keep it in the powerband it couldn't dig itself out with a twist of the throttle like the BMW. Just needed to adjust riding style a bit and use the gears more.

The biggest issue was the brakes, using OEM pads the brakes felt very spongy compared to the Brembo RCS 19 MC and Z04 pads I've got on the HP4. Didn't inspire confidence but that should be easily fixed. Hopefully.

Didn't have track fairings or any engine cases so didn't push it.

I really missed the down-shifter so going to get that fitted, might see if the pro-shift off the BMW will work, or failing that I'll go the Tuneboy route.

The bike was less tiring than the BMW to ride but I'm not sure if that was because it was just how I felt on the day.

Has given me the confidence to try racing it next year.
 
Track

I agree debating track vs. street is challenging, but personally the track is more controlled environment and statistically a safer place for motorcycles.

Panigale R is meant for the track! That's where mine loves it.

JCBPutnam.jpg
[/URL]
 
WAfatboy. Thank you for the tips. It seemed like it needs to be kept way up in the rev range but was just curious if you stay up around 10K most of the time. I appreciate the tip.
 
rawdog said:
WAfatboy. Thank you for the tips. It seemed like it needs to be kept way up in the rev range but was just curious if you stay up around 10K most of the time. I appreciate the tip.
Click to expand...

As long as you're north of 8,500 at the slowest points you should be fine. The biggest difference for me was changing how I applied the throttle, trailing the brake in but getting on the throttle before the apex. Have to be very loose on the handlebars. My next track time isn't until 28th but I won't take the Panigale as I'm trading it for the R and don't want to risk damaging it. Also the brakes aren't really where I want them for the track and as I'm selling I'm don't want to spend on upgrades.
 
rawdog said:
The track can be sketcy for sure. Two guys were killed at Daytona at a team Hammer event last year. A control rider was killed at Jennings a couple of years back and another racer was killed at a WERA event at Road Atlanta this Spring. He got a false neutral and went into a wall. I even crashed at Homestead in the Intermediate group due a slow rider locking it in a curve right in front of me. Instinctlvely, I hit the front brake to keep from crashing into her then I low sided.

The track is fun but can still be very, very dangerous.
Click to expand...

I crashed at 260 km/h walked away without even a bruise . On the road I would be dead .
 
I also found that Panigale responds very differently to different riding styles. Whereas it was ok to ride normally on my other bikes, the panigale responds best when you ride it like the motogp boys do (head into the turn, body pulling the bike, chest on tank, elbow out).
 
Marmoot said:
I also found that Panigale responds very differently to different riding styles. Whereas it was ok to ride normally on my other bikes, the panigale responds best when you ride it like the motogp boys do (head into the turn, body pulling the bike, chest on tank, elbow out).
Click to expand...

Yes, holding a wider line and squaring off the corner, tipping in later/quicker almost like the 600s seems to be the way to go at our local, whereas on the BMW I'd hold a tighter line and tip in a bit earlier.

wilkson said:
I crashed at 260 km/h walked away without even a bruise . On the road I would be dead .
Click to expand...

Post a pic of the aftermath, tried searching but couldn't find it.
 
WA, thanks for the tips. I have my next track day at Homestead in a couple of weeks so I can put this to use. Good luck in your next race.
 
here's my list from 07' and back

street: 1 day hosp, plus docs picked rocks from my back, damn drunk people on Carolina back roads.

track: 0 hosp days, cleaned leathers bought new helmet, other slid a bit picked bike up finish track time.
 
WAfatboy said:
Yes, holding a wider line and squaring off the corner, tipping in later/quicker almost like the 600s seems to be the way to go at our local, whereas on the BMW I'd hold a tighter line and tip in a bit earlier.



Post a pic of the aftermath, tried searching but couldn't find it.
Click to expand...

Here you go ghoul .
 

Attachments

  • 971041_557788940953620_1401078973_n.jpg
    971041_557788940953620_1401078973_n.jpg
    71.1 KB
  • 995964_564145693649838_178642553_n.jpg
    995964_564145693649838_178642553_n.jpg
    72.6 KB

Similar threads

A
New Forum member from Spain
Replies
1
Views
147
AlanM
A
C
My 2023 V4 Panigale track build
2 3
Replies
46
Views
2K
Bruce Wayne
B
M
First Track Day thsi weekend with My new 2023 Streetfighter V4s
Replies
0
Views
36
Mehaffydr
M
ducati851
Prepping for 1st track Day - Bodywork
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
spooky
S
Vbreeze
MUGELLO TRACK DAYS - Info & group days
2 3
Replies
46
Views
4K
Vbreeze
Vbreeze

Register CTA

Register on Ducati Forum! This sidebar will go away, and you will see fewer ads.

Recent Discussions

Back
Top