One person asks if you can commute on these things...

Sloopy said:

I couldn't finish it.

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Me either. That poor bike needs a new home.

Too much "character" to be a commuter!

Also couldn't finish...

I do occasionally commute on this bike... It's no worse than commuting on my gixxer. I would be more surprised if any superbike was actually "ideal" for commuting, in the sense that obviously there are other types of bikes much better suited for it. I suppose the other viewpoint on this topic would be Antihero's story

transdesigner said:

Also couldn't finish...

I do occasionally commute on this bike... It's no worse than commuting on my gixxer. I would be more surprised if any superbike was actually "ideal" for commuting, in the sense that obviously there are other types of bikes much better suited for it. I suppose the other viewpoint on this topic would be Antihero's story

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I've never ridden a japanese liter bike, so it may be completely different- but this bike is replacing a 636 Ninja for me. There's leagues of difference as a commuter. The Kawi's seat doesn't get hot, the seat's comfortable, the mirrors don't vibrate, it is smooth at partial throttle, in every gear at every speed (within reason of course), and I don't have to baby it and do things like let it idle for 30 seconds after every ride. It starts on the second turn every time, purrs at idle, etc. I've put 30k miles on it and it's only needed oil changes, chain replacements, and one valve adjustment (zero problems). I don't regret purchasing the 1199 but it's definitely more difficult to use every day.

trashcan said:

I've never ridden a japanese liter bike, so it may be completely different- but this bike is replacing a 636 Ninja for me. There's leagues of difference as a commuter. The Kawi's seat doesn't get hot, the seat's comfortable, the mirrors don't vibrate, it is smooth at partial throttle, in every gear at every speed (within reason of course), and I don't have to baby it and do things like let it idle for 30 seconds after every ride. It starts on the second turn every time, purrs at idle, etc. I've put 30k miles on it and it's only needed oil changes, chain replacements, and one valve adjustment (zero problems). I don't regret purchasing the 1199 but it's definitely more difficult to use every day.

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I've had a gixxer 750 and 1000 and loved them both. The seat heat is annoying and not something we should have to deal with. If you get the aftermarket seat, it's more comfortable than the stock seats on the gixxers, and my mirrors on the gixxers really vibrated just as badly.

I will completely agree with you about the partial throttle issue though. I'm hoping that clears up a bit when I do the 41T sprocket upgrade.

Not to sound like one of the ducati fanboys, but as reliable as my gixxers were (not a single problem with either of them), they just didn't put a smile on my face quite as wide as the panigale does.

But as it relates to this thread, both the gixxers and the panigale will give me a sore back, cramped legs, sore wrists, etc after a commute in bumper to bumper traffic. The difference to me is on the gaps of open roads, the ducati gives me a bigger thrill (and it's prettier to look at outside my office window )

Anyone else find it extremely disorientating watching him ride on the left side of the road?

No.
Looks normal to me
Which other side is there?

Ridiculous! How can you say the Panigale or any other bike is NOT for everyday riding. While it may not be "as good" for commuting than other bikes, it's just a matter of your skill/tolerance. Some people do better in certain condition than others. I am a proof that the Panigale can be used for commuting just fine. As a matter of fact, I got rid of my MTS1200S and the Diavel Carbon just for this reason. After I got my S, I was commuting 90% of the time with it. I almost felt bad leaving the others in the garage while I was taking out the model of the bunch. It was tough thing to do every morning

I ride to work 4 to 5 times a week depending on weather condition or errands that require a car. It's a 20km commute, each way in rush hour traffic, in Santiago. I've ridden all the bikes in my signature section under the same riding condition and I don't think the Panigale is particularly more difficult than the others. As a matter of fact, I can weave in and out of traffic better in the Panigale than the others, because of its compactness (overall profile). My riding style is on the aggressive side, which a lot of you won't approve but the Panigale suits me just fine for commuting fast. Close second was my Diavel Carbon.

Quick note... with the R, I have to feather the clutch a bit more to avoid stalling because of its lighter flywheel but is not a big deal. In this aspect, I think my old S was better suited for slow maneuvers.

I do agree with some of the blogger's comment about form and function. The S1000RR or other "more comfy" bikes definitely had function over form in mind when they were designed. Just look at the S1000RR... while it's not fugly, it's definitely not in the same league as the Panigale when it comes to style and soul. Let's just say that I prefer a stunner that's not so good in the kitchen than an ugly broad that can make my belly happy. I guess my purpose is different. I know I strayed a bit off subject, but... ridiculous blogging deserves ridiculous rants.

While I'm off subject... If I were to choose an ideal bike to commute in traffic, I would choose the new Hypermotard SP with Termis. I test rode one a few weeks ago for a whole day and it was a blast! I would have liked about 20HP more, but that's just me. While riding, the word hooligan came to mind.

For now, my R is it. If I were to keep just one, it's a no brainer, this would be it!

I actually liked the video..it was pretty entertaining LOL

I commute with mine even though its only a 20 minute ride down the freeway. I've been doing it for years on a gixxer but now on the duc it is even better.

vwjeff said:

The only complaint I have with mine is the power at wot between 4 and 7k it feels like the bike just falls on its face. Which can be seen on a dyno graph.

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Is this with stock exhaust? Maybe because of the exhaust valve?

While my R(full Termi) is not a screamer at low revs like the older Ducati twins but doesn't feel as weak as you describe it.

The Baron von Douche doesn't seem to be that good at riding, look at him go and you'll notice he rides like a squid novice.

Hot and loud? Yes...

Vibrate like a bitch? Guilty as charged...

Twitchy throttle and gear changes? Maybe...

Hard to ride? Definitely NOT one for noobs...

All said, I wouldn't swap my S for anything else in the market. You see, I've had my bike for 9 months now and yet, hardly a ride goes by without a worthy story. Just Friday, there I was at a stop light where a poor mother-of-two had to pluck her twin toddler boys out of the street as they froze and gawked... 'Boom! Boom! Boom!', screamed one of them; whilst the other boy was clearly bemused by the bike's bright LED lights.

So BaronvonGrumble, pls leave all your irritation and frustrations behind, go enjoy your inline-fours and leave riding the 1199 to us.

Panigale 771 said:

Hot and loud? Yes...

Vibrate like a bitch? Guilty as charged...

Twitchy throttle and gear changes? Maybe...

Hard to ride? Definitely NOT one for noobs...

All said, I wouldn't swap my S for anything else in the market. You see, I've had my bike for 9 months now and yet, hardly a ride goes by without a worthy story. Just Friday, there I was at a stop light where a poor mother-of-two had to pluck her twin toddler boys out of the street as they froze and gawked... 'Boom! Boom! Boom!', screamed one of them; whilst the other boy was clearly bemused by the bike's bright LED lights.

So BaronvonGrumble, pls leave all your irritation and frustrations behind, go enjoy your inline-fours and leave riding the 1199 to us.

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Agreed, I've had a zx6r,cbr1000, and this bike is the most fun I've ever had on a bike.

gigantor said:

And the result is a 20 minute youtube video that is mildly entertaining:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eaNMaWwQUBY

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I laughed my ass off through most of that video lol...

I haven't ever ridden a Pani, so it's an interesting viewpoint

I commute every day for 17 miles, one way. Most of the commute is on freeways. I used to commute with a VFR and I find the Panigale easier to maneuver in any paved (!) road.

Most practicle bike to commute in would be a car. Obviously I went with having fun over practicality. Can't imagine having more fun on any other bike on my way to work.

I've got multiple commute profiles, from sub zero windchill through the mountains with 40mph wind gusts, to wall to wall freeway traffic, to smooth cruising through the canyons. I feel very lucky and its a lot of fun. And with my average trip time of over an hour each way, I feel like I'm living the dream and racking up the miles.

ok, yes there are things about our beautiful machine that people don't like.
the vibrations
the heat
the chugging along( I just ride in a lower gear around town)
the shuddering as you pass starbucks without stopping.

I wouldn't trade any of it for the enjoyment I get out of her.
I would ride mine EVERY day if I could.

oh yea. I didn't even watch the video. no reason to hear someone else's opinion.
I couldn't care less.

Denver Rick said:

Most practicle bike to commute in would be a car. Obviously I went with having fun over practicality. Can't imagine having more fun on any other bike on my way to work.

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A car is absolutely no good in peak hour traffic.
You waste too much time out of your life.