If I knew then what I know now

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ScrapperX said:
Same guy who reviewed your video after he rode the BMW HP4

2013 Ducati Panigale R Onboard Video Review

He calls the Ducati the "Best of the bunch"

I ride the HP4 a lot and yes the seat is comfortable. Rides like an inline 4, smooth but I have a good friend that is one of the mechanics at the California Super bike school who has a fleet of BMW's and he warned me about the S100RR and their problems. Everyone I know personally that has an RR/HP4 constantly complain about the reliability and wants a Panigale and people here on this forum ..... about the Panigale and wants the HP4. So I decided not to buy one for now and just keep riding my my neighbors because he always wants to trade bikes for the day. I think they are both great bikes to ride.

I fortunately have not experienced any issues people have on this forum except the bike cut off on me a few times prior to first service that scared the crap out of me the first time it did it (I was in a lean) and rear hugger turning a little brown from the way the new heat shield reflects the heat down. 7K miles later and it's getting better every time I ride it. Love the way this bike handles.
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Don't know you yet bud, but those are words of wisdom.


I am currently shopping both bikes down to the nity gritty, and the BMW forums are having more mechanical issues then here.


I had 3 summers on a 848 and it was 100% reliable and inspired me to learn and improve at rates most don't see.

made a commitment to get a white S tonight with my local dealer.
 
In hindsight if I knew back then what I knew now I probably would of done what a few of the experienced and wise Ducati owners on this forum did .. get a base 1199 and modify it according to tastes. I don't regret getting a Tricolore, however that decision was based on the fact that I like the paint job.

I respect the OP his bike and his opinion.
 
I feel it's important to also note that track success does not imply king of the road status. The talent and skill exhibited by professional racers in Superstock and WSBK is so far beyond the capabilities of 99% of recreational riders, that the results they display on the track simply do not carry over to how the vast majority of recreational riders use these bikes.

The fastest guy on the street or track day is 10 times out of 10 going to be the rider who is best matched and most comfortable with his bike. For me the Panigale has easily been the most confidence inspiring, intuitive bike I have ever thrown a leg over.
 
thanks Cali. i guess what it comes down to is that this amazing ducati experience is not what i thought it was going to be because of all the issues i have had with the bike. also its like the first batman movie with michael keaton. the hype was so great there was a let down.

i was expecting how it would be like when i went from japanese cars to bmw. i wouldnt think of going back. I never thought in a million years i would say ducati ahhh i dont know. kind of saying i dont know about a ferrari.
 
ScrapperX said:
Same guy who reviewed your video after he rode the BMW HP4

2013 Ducati Panigale R Onboard Video Review

He calls the Ducati the "Best of the bunch"

I ride the HP4 a lot and yes the seat is comfortable. Rides like an inline 4, smooth but I have a good friend that is one of the mechanics at the California Super bike school who has a fleet of BMW's and he warned me about the S100RR and their problems. Everyone I know personally that has an RR/HP4 constantly complain about the reliability and wants a Panigale and people here on this forum ..... about the Panigale and wants the HP4. So I decided not to buy one for now and just keep riding my my neighbors because he always wants to trade bikes for the day. I think they are both great bikes to ride.

I fortunately have not experienced any issues people have on this forum except the bike cut off on me a few times prior to first service that scared the crap out of me the first time it did it (I was in a lean) and rear hugger turning a little brown from the way the new heat shield reflects the heat down. 7K miles later and it's getting better every time I ride it. Love the way this bike handles.
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not to split hairs but first that wasnt the same rider and he flat out said the bmw was more comfortable and the suspension of the bmw was better. he said it was best of the bunch by making you feel special not the best bike of the bunch. in the full shootout (this was bonus coverage) the comment was that the ducati doesnt do anything that the other bikes can't this is why the ducati placed third. the APE is 10k less. the hp4 5k less.
 
mark419ny said:
not to split hairs but first that wasnt the same rider and he flat out said the bmw was more comfortable and the suspension of the bmw was better. he said it was best of the bunch by making you feel special not the best bike of the bunch. in the full shootout (this was bonus coverage) the comment was that the ducati doesnt do anything that the other bikes can't this is why the ducati placed third. the APE is 10k less. the hp4 5k less.
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My point was all these bike reviews are crap they all say good things about every bike because there all so good and unless you are a professional racer who can ride the last 5% of the bikes limit you can't tell the difference. In your case and ......'s case I really don't blame you guys for getting pissed off. But the grass is always greener until you get there because the BMW is still working there bugs out too. Is the design of the Pani and BMW perfect? far from it. Now bikes like Hondas and Yamaha's they haven't changed the design in years and they practically worked the bugs out but they are lagging in the so called "performance" but the bike out performs most of us. Can Honda and Yamaha make a bike that souped up of course they can take a look at Moto GP They don't need all the marketing gimmicks to sell there bikes like DES/DDC, launch control (99% of us will only use it a couple of times unless you are a racer or squid). I say buy what makes you happy and comfortable. If you want the fastest bike then buy it, but next year another bike will be out that is faster. If you feel the HP4 is for you then I think you should get it. Hell they are only toys have fun.
 
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Fortunately for me, I'm nowhere near the caliber rider of someone that could utilize the bike to it's full potential. I have a blast on the bike and it sounds evil on the track. I'd probably be the same speed on just about any of the other liter bike offerings, but I wouldn't enjoy it as much.

It's like getting pissed about taking the same supplements as an MMA fighter because he got his ... whopped by a guy taking something else.
 
I'll keep my pani any day over a beemer. I owned a beemer....been there done that. The S1000rr performs well, but is cheap construction and has problems of it's own.....not to mention it's ugly and well.....just boring to ride in comparison to the panigale.

To each their own though
 
mark419ny said:
) the comment was that the ducati doesnt do anything that the other bikes can't...
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Of course it does.
Ducati motorbikes do something that no other motorbike does, which is illicit an emotional response from from both the owner/rider and others around them. Something that none of the aforementioned competitors do.
This is something that money can't buy... well sort of, you can always buy a Ducati :p

Some may say "typical response from a Starbucks half soy, skim milk latte sipping Ducatisti"... blah blah blah. But I wouldn't swap a Ferrari California GT for a Nissan GTR, even though there is more than 30s difference at Nürburgring Nordschleife between the two.


Getting back on topic and to answer the original question....

Yes. I would buy the Pani again. Truth be told, the Pani has met and exceeded all my expectations.
I guess.. the point here is... Different strokes for different folks.;););)
If you're wanting a perfectly assembled bike with clinical precision, or the best magazine reviewed bike, then a Ducati probably isn't the bike for you.
But if you want a bike that will illicit emotions that make you feel like man and machine are as one? Then a Ducati is probably your safest bet.
 
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littlejohn said:
Ducati motorbikes... illicit an emotional response from from both the owner/rider and others around them.
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Definitely has been my experience with the bike so far. I am constantly amazed at how worked up people get. Then when I ask about their bike they are like, "oh that boring thing." :D

Placing anything "on a pedestal" runs the risk of being disappointed when it doesnt live up to your expectations. This time it was the Panigale, next time might be the hp4, hell maybe Rossi makes a comeback and climbs back on the pedestal and all is forgotton.:eek:

GL with your new bike.
 
My issue is that the problems are simply ignored.

My clutch became unusable, the dealer said "it needs bleeding its a regular thing with ducati, they all do it".
My dash fogs up, dealer "yea they have been doing that since the 1098"

I've owned 3 hondas and never had to bleed them or once had the dash fog up.

Now ducati don't make the dash or the clutch system so why are they buying these ...... products from 3rd partys and ruining their own reputation? Cost I guess but as the ducati was 1/3 as much again (blade £10k, Panigale £15k) as my Fireblade theres no excuse.
 
Daveiggy said:
My issue is that the problems are simply ignored.

My clutch became unusable, the dealer said "it needs bleeding its a regular thing with ducati, they all do it".
My dash fogs up, dealer "yea they have been doing that since the 1098"

I've owned 3 hondas and never had to bleed them or once had the dash fog up.

Now ducati don't make the dash or the clutch system so why are they buying these ...... products from 3rd partys and ruining their own reputation? Cost I guess but as the ducati was 1/3 as much again (blade £10k, Panigale £15k) as my Fireblade theres no excuse.
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this my friends is the point of my post. everybody gets worked up cause i mentioned the HP4. the intent wasnt the 1199 vs the hp4. the point is you pay a premium and you get nothing but excuses. maybe i should have compared it to the r1 and cbr i could get both bikes for the r with no problems for 10 years.

bolts fall off its a v twin. heat problem what heat. paint its your imagination its not soft. signals dont work never heard of that. dash fogs up. its just moisture it will go away. need new dash you have to start from 0 miles. oil sight why do you need one of those? fairing melts how could that be.

you get the point. to everyone telling me about getting the hp4. its on the way. will i get rid of the 1199 who knows.
 
mark419ny said:
thanks WHITE its discouraging for sure. here is another beautiful point i am talking about. you cant see the overflow reservoir for the coolant. Who the .... puts and opaque sight lenz for light blue or almost clear fluid. i mean really. i am looking for a flexible LED light that i can fit in there to light up the window so i can see properly. who makes it that it takes so damn long to change on your own.

THIS FOLKS IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.
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So do please tell how you change the coolant on the HP4, and how long does it take?
 
Duck41 said:
... I am more than willing to put up with any nuances that may come because I appreciate the experience this bike provides and know there is not another bike out there that can duplicate what it does for me.
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+1

The Panigale I have is the motorcycle I've waited my entire life to ride.
 
mark419ny said:
i was expecting how it would be like when i went from japanese cars to bmw. i wouldnt think of going back.
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Ah ha.
So now we get to the bottom of it.
Me thinks the BMW lover dost protest too much.

You're actually a BMW type of person at heart.
And a non-believer.

I put it to you, that you will never understand what it is to be at one with your machine in all it's organic magnificence.
You my friend are a lost soul in the Ducati world of the all conquering masters of the V-twin grin and all it represents to the soul.
You're glorious Italian machine can sense the ways of your cheating heart, and is punishing you as fully you deserve.

You belong in the sterile comforting bosom of the Teutonic world of BMW.

Get thee to the nearest BMW Motorrad dealership, and drink from the bosom of the masters of hideousness, heated grips and all manner of nanny electronic witchery.
 
IMHO, this is just like anything in life.

You have expectations, but they inevitably shift, based on your personal experience with said item.

Tolerances erode and something you thought would make you happy and give you pleasure, has the opposite affect.

Bikes, cars.... women..... the list is long and its not like there can ever be a reference point for expectation.... it just is what it is.
 
Xbox said:
IMHO, this is just like anything in life.

You have expectations, but they inevitably shift, based on your personal experience with said item.

Tolerances erode and something you thought would make you happy and give you pleasure, has the opposite affect.

Bikes, cars.... women..... the list is long and its not like there can ever be a reference point for expectation.... it just is what it is.
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Agree.

Honestly, anyone who bought the Panigale thinking it would do something that a Honda CBR won't due was kidding themselves to begin with. I knew that any one of the SS bikes would functionally due everything the Ducati would do for me. I bought the Panigale because I knew if I didn't buy it I'd always be pissed. Frankly, a SS bike doesn't make any sense from an objective standpoint at all for those of us who don't competitively race them.

My Ninja 1000 is a far more practical bike that in truth is just as much fun to ride. But the Ducati sits there with it's silk blouse unbuttoned just right, with a lacy low cut bra and a skirt slit up to here.....THAT's what the Ducati does that the others don't do.
 
And here come the fanboys lol. 3/4 of the people on this thread don't even know why the OP made this post and come in here talking about something that doesn't even pertain to the OP. I don't think the OP cares if you think the 1199 is the best motorcycle of all time or you think he loves BMWs. What a joke.
 
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Vanquisher said:
And here come the fanboys lol. 3/4 of the people on this thread don't even know why the OP made this post and come in here talking about something that doesn't even pertain to the OP. I don't think the OP cares if you think the 1199 is the best motorcycle of all time or you think he loves BMWs. What a joke.
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Exactly. My point has nothing to do with hp4 vs 1199 or which bike is the best.
 

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