Just asking..

Hey folks,
Was just in at my local dealership earlier today. Happened to bring up my point of view about how I'm somewhat disappointed with the "rideable" power from my 12' 1199 standard. Anyone mess around with cam timing, valve overlap or even pulling one of the head gaskets out for higher compression? Am planning on bringing in an AFAM 520 conversion when I do the 41t spocket change, but just don't see this as really altering how the bike runs/transmits power when ridden on public roads..
As the title says, I'm just asking...

The changes you are about to do will dramatically improve "street" performance.

In regard to gear change or one of the other engine mods? At this point, I'm already into the bike for too much, so why not go all the way?

Go all the way?

Open that throttle and you wont have any issues with the stock gearing.


I couldn't imagine changing anything on the bike without reducing street performance.


I was a little disappointed in the power in my ole noggin, and the guy behind me who has followed me for 3 years says no, now I just get smaller in his vision as im walking away from him

The bike has plenty of usable power, the likes most people cannot outride it on the street.

oldrider57 said:

so why not go all the way?

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Exactly.
But then again, you could consider cutting your losses

Just trade it in on a HP4.
Then you'll have 2 BMW's

If you're truly looking for a dramatic difference in ridable street power, you may want to try going up two in the rear sprocket and down one in the front sprocket (14/41), which will also allow you to save your stock chain. I tested this out for a while and enjoyed it but eventually decided to switch to a 15/41 setup.

Duck41 said:

If you're truly looking for a dramatic difference in ridable street power, you may want to try going up two in the rear sprocket and down one in the front sprocket (14/41), which will also allow you to save your stock chain. I tested this out for a while and enjoyed it but eventually decided to switch to a 15/41 setup.

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Why? What were the cons with 14/41 setup? I'm planning on going to this shortly, I running 14 / 39 now but ordered the 41 tooth last week. Please provide a a little insight as too why you prefer 15/41 or 14/41 please.

outhouse said:

Go all the way?

Open that throttle and you wont have any issues with the stock gearing.


I couldn't imagine changing anything on the bike without reducing street performance.


I was a little disappointed in the power in my ole noggin, and the guy behind me who has followed me for 3 years says no, now I just get smaller in his vision as im walking away from him

The bike has plenty of usable power, the likes most people cannot outride it on the street.

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I agree. I have no idea what people who think it is lacking in "useable" power are expecting. Maybe they think it needs more midrange power and that I can understand, but all it takes is keeping the RPMs up which is pretty easy if you just keep it in the right gear.

Pretty Kin said:

Why? What were the cons with 14/41 setup? I'm planning on going to this shortly, I running 14 / 39 now but ordered the 41 tooth last week. Please provide a a little insight as too why you prefer 15/41 or 14/41 please.

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14/41 will have you on your back wheel ALL the time... you'l double the times you have to shift... 15/41 gives pull , 14/41 will give so much pull it will again become jerky.. that's okay for racing where you hope to keeep it between 8 and 11 for 90% of the time...

don't go 520 ... no use just shorter life span that is hard to measure on the road..

Agree with Kope. The 41 rear is the shortest you should go and that 520 business is ok for racing when quick gearing changes are needed.

Make sure you have the latest upmap installed, was a huge improvement.

Other than that, just twist it all the way.

fireman1251 said:

Agree with Kope. The 41 rear is the shortest you should go and that 520 business is ok for racing when quick gearing changes are needed.

Make sure you have the latest upmap installed, was a huge improvement.

Other than that, just twist it all the way.

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When was date of the latest up map update? I bought my 1199 in August, was it after that?

Pretty Kin said:

Why? What were the cons with 14/41 setup? I'm planning on going to this shortly, I running 14 / 39 now but ordered the 41 tooth last week. Please provide a a little insight as too why you prefer 15/41 or 14/41 please.

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The 14/41 IMHO is simply too short. The bike already revs insanely quickly. The 15/41 offers the best compromise while leaning towards short.

Pretty Kin said:

Why? What were the cons with 14/41 setup? I'm planning on going to this shortly, I running 14 / 39 now but ordered the 41 tooth last week. Please provide a a little insight as too why you prefer 15/41 or 14/41 please.

Click to expand...

As others have noted, the 14/41 is on the extreme end of gearing for this bike and, depending on your throttle control, will have you on your rear wheel a lot. I couldn't seem to get the same planted feeling when accelerating hard out of corners with this setup so, after experimenting with it, I came to the conclusion this gearing combination was just a tad too aggressive/involved (increased gear change frequency) for my preference. However, I did feel this combination allowed me to use more of the bike's power at semi-responsible speeds than with any other setup I've tried. I didn't find it particularly jerky or unpleasant on the street; rather, it just didn't suit my preference. I would definitely try it out before making any modifications to cam timing or valve overlap.

cosmok said:

When was date of the latest up map update? I bought my 1199 in August, was it after that?

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It came out 'bout a year ago, had mine installed in the spring and found it to be a big improvement.

I like 15/42 ( or 14/39)

I just had the 15/41 installed yesterday and it does pull harder. A new update was downloaded to my ECU by the tech as well.

On my diavel i went down one in the front to a 14. it does rub against the swing arm. Is it the same with the 1199? Will the chain rub the swing arm going down one in the front?

If you're having issues with the bike not giving you usable power I have to ask--do you have the power setting on 120? Or perhaps your daily driver is a 1500hp GTR?

The sprocket change makes a big difference. Start with that. I'd recommend a larger rear sprocket, not a smaller front.
Disadvantages with 14T:
Chain will wear faster due to more rotation required to spin around the front sprocket (pin/link angle is tighter)
Chain wear on the rubber block protecting the swingarm
Squat characteristics/drive out of corners can suffer

Keep in mind a 14T front is like adding three in the rear.

That's the easy stuff out of the way. Ducati detunes the bike to make it ridable. If I remember correctly it can be up to 70%, depending on gearing/speed/throttle opening. That's right--the ECU cuts power because if it didn't the bike would be completely unridable. A tuner I met hacked the Mitsubishi ECU and can give you as much as you want. Just get some thick boots and a swingarm cover for the inevitable snap of the chain (happened to him). PM me after you do the upgrade if you want to find out more.

I switched to a 41 rear sprocket and it really helped a lot with acceleration. Keep the revs on the higher end compared to older Ducs. That thing wheelies all over the place and I pass the average s1000rr, R1, GSX-R 1000 and 1198 all day long. Now I get passed by Benny Solis and Jake Gagne on their 600s all day long too. LOL. So it is all in the perspective. But I am really happy with the power on the racetrack. I ride it like a 600 in the corners and it loves it.

Wow! Hadn't checked back today for other input into this topic. So for many of you, here's more reasoning for my concerns.
For me, because I'm at that point in life where I have a few other bikes to ride, I had wanted the Panigale to be a "brute" not a high strung road racer. This is why I paid the extra dough for it instead of going with an 848 Corse. I've already looked into the chain/sprocket combo and am going to call Dan Kyle tomorrow morning to order a complete 520 chain combo. You can't tell me for the "average"rider these things don't come from the factory "over-chained." However, I don't want to get into that dialogue at this time.
Another concern that helped spur the original question was, the amount of noise these bikes make; and I have the stock exhaust with the flapper removed. I don't want to be on this thing when it's running at 10 grand..
So for now, I'm going to start with installing a 15/41 or if Kyle says the 42 is okay, I'll go that direction. Once I have the larger sprocket installed, it would be easier to go smaller on the rear, versus going larger.
My bike has the latest eprom, plus. Had the unit sent out to a reputable shop back East who did some magic with the tuning around the same time Ducati came out with their updates. Guess I'll have to take it back in again once I install the different gearing.
And guess what, I don't really care to explain to a State Trooper why i was just making the bike run where it feels best (while going 120).
So this is where I'm at..
Pat