New 959 Panigale Track Bike!

Now that I've sold most of my "ultimate" 1199R track bike, I picked up a 959 Panigale to use for my "big" track bike, while I'm building my new lightweight class race bike. Had the 959 out to the track twice now, in bone stock form other than a set of Pirelli slicks on it. I gotta tell you, I've ridden them ALL, and the 959 is a thoroughly impressive machine on the track! Noticeably stronger and smoother than the 899 was, and FAST! I'm only going to do some basic mods to this one, nothing crazy, it really doesn't need much for me other than better brakes, suspension and lighter wheels.

Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Not related but wanted to throw it out there... I just called 30 mins ago and made another order from you guys for some parts I've been having trouble sourcing. As always, great customer service. You guys hooked me up from 8000 miles away in less time than it takes to make the order online.

"Only going to do basic mods."

Famous last words.

Rogue said:

Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Not related but wanted to throw it out there... I just called 30 mins ago and made another order from you guys for some parts I've been having trouble sourcing. As always, great customer service. You guys hooked me up from 8000 miles away in less time than it takes to make the order online.

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Great to hear, thanks! We're a SMALL shop, only two dedicated rock stars in our Online Sales department (Jen & Nick), but they will not let you down, thank you for your business!

AntiHero said:

"Only going to do basic mods."

Famous last words.

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I know..... I know...... I have a reputation...... Ha ha!!

In the right hands, the 959 has given some 1199s and 1299s problems.

Ljuice26 said:

In the right hands, the 959 has given some 1199s and 1299s problems.

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Especially when you put a 140-150lb rider on it.

The 959 is really light and fast, and when you put a good rider on it...who also happens to weight 50-80lbs less than the other guys in the field, the 959 is VERY capable.

I have been wanting to do a 959 Superbike build.

Take a 959, then build the motor, put Magnesium wheels on it, plus of course a full exhaust, lightweight chain/sprockets/battery/etc, things like that.

I bet it would be a blast to ride and a weapon.

In the right hands an R6 could give problems why not go with 1199 build. That's super bike alright ! I am running one at club races and with no engine work only exhaust, brakes, suspension upgrades from base model and quite happy. I am missing an R swingarm pivot and a rake kit but other than that very happy. You can pick up a 13 1199 for less $ than a new 959. Just my 5 cents


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But the 959 is HEAVIER than the 1199 or 1299... Not sure what the allure is...

80shilling said:

But the 959 is HEAVIER than the 1199 or 1299... Not sure what the allure is...

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Few lbs. doesn't really matter when it comes to lap times, and it's not about power beyond a certain point on any moderate length track for most track riders. The balance of chassis and power is the magic formula, getting high corner entry and mid-corner speed and using all the power on the exit. Look how many guys on 600's are faster than guys on 1000's. If you can't use all of the power until you're nearly upright, then it's virtually irrelevant on anything other than a really long track like COTA or Road America, and the bike is harder to ride. Imagine the best possible drive was at 87% throttle at 45 degrees of lean on the exit, any less and you're not going as fast, and any more and the bike will run wide/wheelie. How do you modulate 87% throttle consistently. Mark Marquez can do it but I can't. Most riders can't, they'd be anywhere from 50%-100% throttle and not steady with it. Now imagine you're at 100% throttle and using all the power the bike can make, that's a heck of a lot easier to modulate, I can do that, just hold it wide open! Hence I can go faster on a bike that is fast but not TOO fast, because I can take advantage of the braking/corner entry and transition speed of a motor with less rotating mass, and I can get full benefit of the power on the exit. The absolute fastest riders can squeeze the biggest engine for all its worth, so can the slowest (once they're upright).

That's what Triumph Daytona 675R's are for... ;-)

80shilling said:

That's what Triumph Daytona 675R's are for... ;-)

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I've ridden several, don't like them. The triple power delivery is not the same as a twin, and I don't like the riding position on them. But if Ducati made a 699 Panigale I'd be the first one in line!

I'm too stupid to do the math, but I wonder if you could sleeve down or de-stroke an 899/959 into a lightweight legal size (650-700 in most orgs)?

And by "wonder" I mean, "when will Jarelj do it."

shakazulu12 said:

I'm too stupid to do the math, but I wonder if you could sleeve down or de-stroke an 899/959 into a lightweight legal size (650-700 in most orgs)?

And by "wonder" I mean, "when will Jarelj do it."

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Nope, it's not legal in CCS to reduce capacity to fit class limits. That's why I'm building the 400 Scrambler into a race bike instead!

Serious? Isn't CCS the home of the crazy massive aircooled specials running in lightweights? Seems odd they wouldn't let you go the other way.

That Scrambler will be awesome though.