Motorcyclist Mag Panigale S v RSV4 v S1000rr v FR4 Shootout

I haven't even watched it, thought I'd post the link first:

RSV4 vs S1000RR vs 1199 Panigale S vs F4R - European Liter Bike Shootout! On Two Wheels Episode 9 - YouTube

Sounds like the ZX10 is the one to beat

Can't deny the updates to the BMW put it ahead in shear performance and the I4 helps it in the ergonomics front, but my hart is still with the Panigale.

DRSapp said:

Sounds like the ZX10 is the one to beat

Can't deny the updates to the BMW put it ahead in shear performance and the I4 helps it in the ergonomics front, but my hart is still with the Panigale.

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Yeah, when I my use head to compare I come to similar conclusions, but regardless of the outcome of these comparisons, Ducs are the only bikes that cause me to irrationally part company with my dollars.

I'm not clear on the comment about Ducati releasing the bike one year early. ???

If I were smart I'd pass on the panigale, keep my RSV4 (which by many accounts seems to be a better bike) and pick up a hypermotard.

Chris

well... the guys obviously forgot to put these on:

ducati glasses

and the ninja is the best and the cheapest. but who wants to ride on a lime green darth vader ???

followed by angela merkel on 2 wheels (braintrash quote) looking at you like being hit by the greek interim government ...

No surprise about the BMW.
What I do find surprising is Ducatis claim of 195hp yet not a single track test or dyno run points to it eclipsing the BMW which is supposed to be 2 hp less strong and 40lbs or so heavier?
I've read about 4 or 5 tests and have seen every comparison posted to date and the Ducati fails to win a single comparison? In some ways I have to think the 1199 missed the mark with its loss of torque and comparison losses. Ducati hyped the bike to be a step up in performance but it seems to be merely a side-step upgrade from the 1198!

I'm buying the 1199 because of my small stature and the bike fits me well but on paper this isn't the best of the best, but at the very least it ranks up there with them to some degree!

I'm definitely disappointed with all the tests and videos I've seen regarding the 1199 as I believed it would win some shoot-outs in the liter-bike class- but it seems clear this bike is not the "chosen" one!

If Aprilia remakes the RSV4 with cam driven gears, it may finally rival the BMW and likely surpass the 1199.......interesting times are coming.

Ducati rarely wins these kind of shoot outs. Out of the dozen of shoot outs the 1198 has gone through it only won 1 shoot out. but again even if faired poorly with the other machines , Ducati won last years wsbk. I beleive that the Panigale can do the same

Good points all. And I agree that I would like to it win some of these too. In the end it has no influence on my buying, but it would still be nice to see a win here. These shootouts heavily consider price too, which is always gonna be a knock on Ducatis. So if I were to paraphrase one of these shootouts to someone not initiated in this world, I would tell them the reviewers are saying essentially these bikes are equal, so the least expensive wins based on value.

That said, this bike is gonna crush the competition in WBSK, which is worth more bragging rights! The BMW is getting good in superbike racing just in time for the Panigale to put it back two steps. Checkmate! Now the Kawi on the other hand, a bit concerned there and of course the Ape is proven.

Bmw's are really starting to get strong. if jonathan rea did not knock Melandri and Haslam out, it will be another 1-2 finish for the bmw. The Kawasaki is very consistent this season most specialy in the skilled hands of Tom Sykes. Kawasaki is the current record holder for wsbk strait line speed of 339kph (209.26mph).

Currently the Panigale is leading in the superstock. let us hope it wins this years FIM superstock, it will be an achievement like what the 1098 did, winning the superstock in its debut year. As for WSBK next year, the Panigale might have a hard time because the s1000rr and the zx10r has had 2 seasons to sort their bikes out. but again if the Panigale will be a match to Checa's Ridding style, a trophy may be in sight

I'm shallow....the bike will pull more chics and will look better outside starbucks, then any other rubbish...

DeltaIV said:

I'm shallow....the bike will pull more chics and will look better outside starbucks, then any other rubbish...

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hahaha I agree with you, plus the DDA will tell you how deep your suspension travelled from your house to your favorite star bucks.

about the Panigale's looks, It is really a work of art

Did I see they saw 158hp out of the Ducati at 10,600 revs? Isn't that a little lower than one might hope for, even given loss between power plant and rear wheel?

the latest I have seen is 167hp at the wheel. still 15 hp less than what bmw is giving out. It made me wonder if the 195hp claim of the superquadro engine is true. but then again, in some dynoes, after break in, panigale pulled 180hp.

SteveNunez said:

No surprise about the BMW.
What I do find surprising is Ducatis claim of 195hp yet not a single track test or dyno run points to it eclipsing the BMW which is supposed to be 2 hp less strong and 40lbs or so heavier?
I've read about 4 or 5 tests and have seen every comparison posted to date and the Ducati fails to win a single comparison? In some ways I have to think the 1199 missed the mark with its loss of torque and comparison losses. Ducati hyped the bike to be a step up in performance but it seems to be merely a side-step upgrade from the 1198!

I'm buying the 1199 because of my small stature and the bike fits me well but on paper this isn't the best of the best, but at the very least it ranks up there with them to some degree!

I'm definitely disappointed with all the tests and videos I've seen regarding the 1199 as I believed it would win some shoot-outs in the liter-bike class- but it seems clear this bike is not the "chosen" one!

If Aprilia remakes the RSV4 with cam driven gears, it may finally rival the BMW and likely surpass the 1199.......interesting times are coming.

Click to expand...

Seriously.... Have you got yours yet? I've had both, well still got the 1199s and trust me the minute you get on it you will completely forget all the stupid tests! This is the first ever Ducati I've ridden or owned, and believe me it is way better than any of the rest, trust me!

All this talk of crap results on Dynos.... Read other posts! They probably haven't been done correctly,there is a set process you have to follow, to get anywhere near a true reading, and don't forget the ram air effect you don't get from the dyno... There are results for 186@the rear wheel add your 10% and figure it out yourself!

Another thing to consider when talking about Dyno performance is the dyno type. Dynojet dyno's typically show higher numbers than other types (Superflow etc.). Dynojet is typically the "standard" because its the most widely used dyno and just so happens to post higher numbers.

That being said, I know that the Super Flow dyno's can post Dynojet adjusted figures so you can brag to your buddies.

The biggest thing about these comparisons is that most of the testers are more comfortable with I4 power, post better times with that comfort, and that translates to a less than favorable marking for the Duc. It's a shame really that the Duc is kinda being raked over the coals...mostly because people dont really know how to compare it to the competition. It's a twin, that needs to be revved like an I4, makes a ton of top end HP but is slightly anemic in midrange grunt. It's expensive, with some unproven concepts, and may be uncomfortable for some to ride at speed.

All this being said, what alot of these reviews fail to mention is that all of the bikes are superlative motorcycles that most of us will never push to the limits where these testers throw these bikes. The Ducati is just that, a Ducati...sexy sa hell, wheres the points for that?

Yep, good perspectives, thanks. I guess I was curious if the reviewers had a suboptimal bike for some reason and whether that impacted the review.

Agreed that I am pretty unlikely to see the limits of what can be done on this bike very often. I just feel privileged to be riding it!

I recon those Ducati Engineers are sitting back thinking .....bugger if we had of just put on those heated grips !!!!!:

Blackers said:

I recon those Ducati Engineers are sitting back thinking .....bugger if we had of just put on those heated grips !!!!!:

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Love that!!!