Front end feels light at 200+

WAfatboy · Jul 21, 2012

So does anyone else have a view that the front end gets a bit light when accelerating over 220kph+? I'm not sure whether it's just acceleration lifting the wheel or aerodynamics? It feels like the latter to me, the front end definitely feels like the wheel is lighter and a little unstable. I've ridden a zx12r at over 285kph and It was rock solid.

akalapovic · Jul 21, 2012

WAfatboy said:
So does anyone else have a view that the front end gets a bit light when accelerating over 220kph+? I'm not sure whether it's just acceleration lifting the wheel or aerodynamics? It feels like the latter to me, the front end definitely feels like the wheel is lighter and a little unstable. I've ridden a zx12r at over 285kph and It was rock solid.

Was travelling above 200kmh on a certain road ytd up to 274, i felt the same way. Not very confidence inspiring compared to my 08 fireblade which would have easily pulled and is rock solid on the very same stretch of road which i managed to hit 299.

Suspecting the suspensions though

WAfatboy · Jul 21, 2012

Ye I have been meaning to get to a suspension specialist -not sure what the compression & rebound of the DES will do but logic seems to dictate that a firmer rear setting might keep the front planted because the rear would squat less.

Any informed opinions guys?

akalapovic · Jul 21, 2012

WAfatboy said:
Ye I have been meaning to get to a suspension specialist -not sure what the compression & rebound of the DES will do but logic seems to dictate that a firmer rear setting might keep the front planted because the rear would squat less.

Any informed opinions guys?

Some reading online seems to let me conclude that increasing the rebound of the fork might help. then again i cant try till a while later, no open roads for me in my country.

elitesoldier357 · Jul 22, 2012

I get a bit of headshake from 3rd and 4th, but soon as I hit 5th it settles right in. I need to dial in the suspension or get a better steering damper. I would really like to get rid of the headshake. But its not the bikes fault, I don't weigh much. Therefore the total weight on the bike is probably lighter than just about anyone on the forum.

Marcbc · Jul 22, 2012

I wonder if the aero wings would make a difference to this? I would think they would create more downward air pressure on the front.

WAfatboy · Jul 22, 2012

Marcbc said:
I wonder if the aero wings would make a difference to this? I would think they would create more downward air pressure on the front.

Yes I did think about that but I reckon suspension changes would probably be my first call before adding those add-ons. Thanks for the thought!

gman74 · Jul 22, 2012

elitesoldier357 said:
I get a bit of headshake from 3rd and 4th, but soon as I hit 5th it settles right in. I need to dial in the suspension or get a better steering damper. I would really like to get rid of the headshake. But its not the bikes fault, I don't weigh much. Therefore the total weight on the bike is probably lighter than just about anyone on the forum.

I'm not telling you that I know anymore than you or anyone else here, but just a thought after reading your post. Dave Moss has a video of a rider needing some rebound adjustments because of that description. He states that adjusting the damper will only mask the problem. Just thought you might want to see this.

Two Clicks Out 20: Kristi's Steering Damper - YouTube

AntiHero · Jul 22, 2012

I get weave over 160 (mph). Wanted to see Dave before I left the Bay Area and really should have.

unrazzo · Jul 22, 2012

Marcbc said:
I wonder if the aero wings would make a difference to this? I would think they would create more downward air pressure on the front.

Was gonna say the same thing, especially since the wings seem to be an after thought/ add-on. Similar to the Audi TT, that had to glue a spoiler on the car to keep it from flying off the road.

Wallaroo · Jul 22, 2012

unrazzo said:
Was gonna say the same thing, especially since the wings seem to be an after thought/ add-on. Similar to the Audi TT, that had to glue a spoiler on the car to keep it from flying off the road.

I am not so sure they are a after thought after seeing the Panigale race bike. Because the race fairing has that extra width already incorperated into it.

I now believe Ducati has made them for the customer to decide if we want to add them or not.

Marcbc · Jul 23, 2012

unrazzo said:
Was gonna say the same thing, especially since the wings seem to be an after thought/ add-on. Similar to the Audi TT, that had to glue a spoiler on the car to keep it from flying off the road.

My thoughts exactly.

D1199 · Jul 23, 2012

Do you get the light lifting feeling with or without the airokit ?

WAfatboy · Jul 30, 2012

So I've had some advice from a ducati racing specialist that because I'm 107kg the stock rear spring on the S is too soft, my weight is outside of the tolerances. They have ordered anstiffer Ohlins spring. They think this would help the handling. They say the rest of the setup can be done by adjusting the standard gear (bloody hope so)? Ring any bells? Anyone had anything similar?

mig1199 · Aug 5, 2012

AntiHero said:
I get weave over 160 (mph). Wanted to see Dave before I left the Bay Area and really should have.

I get the same weave at over 240kph...Adjusted my suspension and weave was still there. Many magazine tests in the U.S. and U.K show that the Panigale has an issue with highspeed instability. My mates over here have the same issue...

At over 240kph the bike starts to have a minor weave...seems to be a normal occurence on the Panigale. This could be due to the Monocoque type frame and it's extreme over-all light weight. Oh well, I'm hardly in that zone anyways, but it pains to have such problem for such an expensive motorcycle.

Journalists who tested the Panigale in Abu Dhabi's Media Launch last Feb, 2012, said the same thing when hitting the long front straight of the Yas Marina Circuit, in Abu Dhabi...they sensed that the Panigale was not that stable at extreme high speeds.

So the highspeed instability is a problem on the Panigales.

Miguel
Philippines
1199 "S" w/ ABS

MadeinItaly · Aug 5, 2012

Ok I admit it's disheartening to read. Anyone who owns a fast car or bike knows it's not about going over 200mph but the confidence of owning a machine that can. I love this bike but boy there have been a great deal of disappointments between the hype and reality. How many more excuses do I have to make for the bike. How many more times to I have to defend my choice. I'm Italian and I love a sexy body, but that but ugly BMW got a lot of things right.

sifubs · Aug 5, 2012

A bit old but still interesting I wonder it it applies ?
Murray Walker talks about Wobble and Weave on Motorbikes - YouTube

karrl · Aug 5, 2012

this meets my experience with the panigale.
lying down is one of the things with help together with the larger windscreen.
at 172 m its not a big problem. i have the fairings installed which might be an advantage? what i also experienced is how to place your ellbows is an aerodynamic speciality on the duc. comparing to my s1000rr the handlebar is more problematic at high speed. keep an eye on that and place them as near to the tank as possible keeps me stabile even at 300 kmph.

AntiHero · Aug 5, 2012

mig1199 said:
I get the same weave at over 240kph...Adjusted my suspension and weave was still there. Many magazine tests in the U.S. and U.K show that the Panigale has an issue with highspeed instability. My mates over here have the same issue...

At over 240kph the bike starts to have a minor weave...seems to be a normal occurence on the Panigale. This could be due to the Monocoque type frame and it's extreme over-all light weight. Oh well, I'm hardly in that zone anyways, but it pains to have such problem for such an expensive motorcycle.

Journalists who tested the Panigale in Abu Dhabi's Media Launch last Feb, 2012, said the same thing when hitting the long front straight of the Yas Marina Circuit, in Abu Dhabi...they sensed that the Panigale was not that stable at extreme high speeds.

So the highspeed instability is a problem on the Panigales.

Miguel
Philippines
1199 "S" w/ ABS

Ugh....I was hoping it wasn't a design issue. I get the same weave in fast 90-100mph sweepers, too. REALLY unsettling. Race mode seems to make it worse.

elitesoldier357 · Aug 5, 2012

gman74 said:
I'm not telling you that I know anymore than you or anyone else here, but just a thought after reading your post. Dave Moss has a video of a rider needing some rebound adjustments because of that description. He states that adjusting the damper will only mask the problem. Just thought you might want to see this.

Two Clicks Out 20: Kristi's Steering Damper - YouTube

Thanks! That helped a lot! I may have to get someone who knows what they are doing to dial it in for me. I may do it myself though if I can't find an expert on the matter.

Front end feels light at 200+

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