New 2014 Ducati 899 photos...

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Thanks for posting the pictures!

OK, so immediately everyone is saying "perfect track bike." In the days before TC, the lower HP/Torque output of middleweight bikes was preferable for at-the-limit riding when traction limits need finesse. They could often be ridden faster than their literbike counterparts, depending upon the rider and the track and it was usually more "enjoyable" with less fear of high-siding yourself to the moon.

In the age of adjustable factory TC, riding modes, etc., I wonder if this is the case anymore. I haven't had my 1199 on the track yet, but based on the 7/10ths riding I've been able to do on the street and playing with the DTC levels, I reckon someone with even a modest amount of experience can ride it on a dry track with a relatively low risk of high-siding it. With that covered, all other aspects of riding a Panigale, whether 1199 or 899, at the track should be the same.

That being said, I view the 899 as more of a marketing tool for Ducati vs. a pure performance competitor to the 1199. If it's priced right, it will offer an a less-costly way for aspirational buyers to enter the Panigale ownership experience and make Ducati more money. But I think the days of the lower-output versions of the same model bike being faster for the majority of people have come to an end.
 
Anyone note the tranny/final drive on this thing?

Same internals as the 1199. But a *44* t final drive :eek:
 
They should call it a Panigale, since that's what it is. Lots of different parts from the 1199, but still the same design ethos. And it's pretty much positioned just like the 848 was; a cheaper, entry-level Ducati Superbike. It will outsell the 1199 I expect, simply on bringing enough of the experience at a friendlier price point. Might well have gone that route myself had I had the choice when I bought mine, being the sensible sod I am. Glad they waited a year... :p

Looks just like an 1199 for the most part, but with enough visible differences to be able to tell them apart at a glance for those in the know. Important for product differentiation, of course!

Surprised at the power figures, to be honest; the 848 always revved higher and had a 15% + bump in hp/liter over the 1198, but the 899 hits its peak hp/tq at the same rpm as the 1199, and the hp/liter is nearly identical. A bit less oversquare as well; should make for a more linear power curve in any case. And the Trellis returns! Only as a rear subframe though, hidden under some plastic to make it look like the 1199's one-piece aluminum casting. The adjustable linkage in back is gone, and it doesn't look like the shock length is adjustable either.

I also see they've steepened the rake a bit, reduced the trail and put a bit more weight on the front wheel too; hmmm... wonder if the steering head inserts will fit the 1199? :cool:

Should make for a nice, price-point model, but it's not the superlight SS scalpel some were hoping for. Not at all surprised there. Will be interested to have a spin on one when they're out just to see how they turned out.
 
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Dunno if I wanted a track day weapon I think i'd still have myself a Triumph 675R. The dollar per what you get on that bike is pretty astounding.
 
Stw said:
This sux..... why did they have to use the Panigale name as well?? Cheapens the whole bike range to me.... Very unhappy they did this...
Click to expand...

+1

This cheapens the range, i agree. It's the ugly duckling, and a dual swing arm?? Really!!? Now we are going to have a million wanna be 1199's screaming around.

Saying that however.. maybe these will outsell the 1199's ten fold and we will have something a little more 'rare' on our hands. :confused:
 
Does NOT want. :)

IMHO, fail. At 15k it is too closely priced to the base 1199, no weight savings, swingarm alone is worth the 3k to lose the ugly factor. I can't see who would buy one. I'd either get a Daytona 675R nicely modded or get a base 1199.
 
Capt CF said:
Does NOT want. :)

IMHO, fail. At 15k it is too closely priced to the base 1199, no weight savings, swingarm alone is worth the 3k to lose the ugly factor. I can't see who would buy one. I'd either get a Daytona 675R nicely modded or get a base 1199.
Click to expand...

Agree.
If they give the 675 a facelift I could see the 899 having at hard run. That was one of the reasons I didnt go for the 675R. Just didnt like the look and you know it is due for a revamp. If they sexy up the 675R though ... the 899 will be a bust. My 3cents
 
MrKO said:
Agree.
If they give the 675 a facelift I could see the 899 having at hard run. That was one of the reasons I didnt go for the 675R. Just didnt like the look and you know it is due for a revamp. If they sexy up the 675R though ... the 899 will be a bust. My 3cents
Click to expand...

Yup. Also, in addition to the swingarm you get more engine, better display, better components, etc. etc. so IMHO the price differential just isn't enough from the base 1199. We argue on here all the time if the S is worth the extra $ over the base, the R over the S, etc. but this is only a 3k difference and look at all the extras you get with the 1199 base over the 899! Maybe the target market is people who can't do math? :)
 

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