Panigale or Zx10r

JeffD said:

I think this could apply well as an analogy to the original question. Instead of the 370Z, it should be Ferrari 599 GTO vs. Nissan GT-R Track. Depending upon the track, the GT-R is faster and of course less than half the price of the 599 GTO.

Here is a more empirical test result about the 1199S vs. ZX-10R. Adam Waheed is likely faster than anybody on this forum. For sure Chris Siglin is. Here are their best laps in the 2012 mega-test of Superbikes:

2012 Superbike Smackdown IX Track Conclusion - Motorcycle USA

9 test riders participated in the test, including an AMA Pro Thunder Champion Ducati Racer, and not one of them chose the 1199 for either racing or track days in the summary. Hope that doesn't break some thin-skinned hearts around here.

I love my 1199, but I still like and respect the Gen 4 ZX-10R. It would be great to have one as a second/track bike, as some here obviously do.

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Unfortunately, the data your showing above is dated (June 2012)... The bike came out in April and May 2012.. There was a lot of tests that had the Pani coming in mid to last in track times along with negative reviews.. The bike was a big change for most reviewers (along with new owners). There was a learning curve to riding this bike from back in 12'.

Example:

a.) Setting up and understanding the suspension link from P or F,
b.) ECU updates to clean up fueling and mid range dips (several updates from Ducati through 2013)
c.) Understanding other suspension set ups to maximize traction for the frameless bike.

I remember when my S arrived in May 2012 I was not happy with the little quirks. The bike was so new it took time for everyone to figure out how to actually get the bike to perform and operate on a high level..

As you start seeing the more updated track comparisons by different magazines and professional racers, the track times have the Pani rated more to the top.. I am not being a homer for Ducati nor putting down the ZX-10.. Both bikes are great... The Kawi and Bmw'r are better bikes out of the box and adding minor adjustments.. If your patience and have good knowledgable professionals to assist on setting up the Pani to your needs, you will understand the passion that the Pani owner feel!!!

Just my .02 cents.

I rode demo 2013 panigale s today and was very disappointed with it. I rode in a city not twistes. Vibrated like crazy, I was expecting smooth as butter. I guess I'll get a zx10r.

It's called a twin! Smooth as butter and a twin motor is a contradiction. If that's what you were expecting, the zx10 is definitely calling your name, or any other Japanese bike for that matter.

cbrzx14 said:

I rode demo 2013 panigale s today and was very disappointed with it. I rode in a city not twistes. Vibrated like crazy, I was expecting smooth as butter. I guess I'll get a zx10r.

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U do know vtwin = vibration?

Danger Close MFG said:

U do know vtwin = vibration?

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+1

That is normal for the Vtwin.

You noticed the vibration but not the torque ????

Get both.

Danger Close MFG said:

U do know vtwin = vibration?

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What is funny is that I expected a lot of vibes coming from the Panigale when I first bought the bike. I thought I would feel a lot of harmonics coming through the grips but I found thats not the case at all. The Pani vibes at Idle but once you twist the throttle it disappears and the faster you go the smoother it gets. Ive owned/rode a lot of Inline 4s and although the engines are smooth with almost no vibration, but the harmonics kills your hand no matter how heavy the bar end weight is. I can't ride my friends HP4 for long periods and on the track forget it because that beast is the worst! I did a 70 mi round trip through the canyons and my hand was beat up. The lighter the pressure the worst it got you practically have to give that thing the death grip to absorb the harmonics through your arm to relieve your hand. He tried heavy bar ends different clipons and found no solution to date. I am taking a liking to this the Super Quado L-twins with the Lower RPM vs the high screaming RPM of the inline 4's.

cbrzx14 said:

I rode demo 2013 panigale s today and was very disappointed with it. I rode in a city not twistes. Vibrated like crazy, I was expecting smooth as butter. I guess I'll get a zx10r.

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You hit the nail on the head. Where did you ride it again? The city.

Take it out to some twisties and then report back.

Vibration? I was actually surprised for a twin the lack of vibration.

what vibration. Feels right to me.

cbrzx14 said:

I rode demo 2013 panigale s today and was very disappointed with it. I rode in a city not twistes. Vibrated like crazy, I was expecting smooth as butter. I guess I'll get a zx10r.

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He's not ready for a Pani, let him go. If he was ready he would have insisted on taking the demo to a curvy patch of pavement.

CBRZX14, since you are in Kentucky bro get a Duc. Their are a lot of hills to hit out there and it would be a fun ride. But if money is an option then get the Kawa. The majority of us buy the Ducati because of the performance, the look, the sound, the prestige of owning one and to get the looks from people of owning one and making them envy us. I'm in a small town and people here want one. They love the look of it.

cbrzx14 said:

I rode demo 2013 panigale s today and was very disappointed with it. I rode in a city not twistes. Vibrated like crazy, I was expecting smooth as butter. I guess I'll get a zx10r.

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"Disappointed""" what are you talking about?
You rode the best machine man made and you are disappointed...
Ok buy a japa bike and have fun!

I own both and love them both for different reasons:

The Panigale is a master piece... Sexiest bike ever, Vtwin power delivery is addictive and the sound is unbelievable!

However, my lap times are slower on the 1199S, and when I want to kick my friends ..... real bad (Rsv4, gixxer1000 and S1000rr) the 10R is a no brainer in my case. So easy to ride fast, it makes the 10r less rewarding to ride, but winning is winning, right?

cbrzx14 said:

I rode demo 2013 panigale s today and was very disappointed with it. I rode in a city not twistes. Vibrated like crazy, I was expecting smooth as butter. I guess I'll get a zx10r.

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I'm glad you took my advice and put a leg over it.
Forget the city, this is not what the Pani is made for.
If that is where the bike will be used the most by all means get the Kawa.
If you get your kicks riding the twisties, the Pani is your bike.

LiveFast4Ever said:

I own both and love them both for different reasons:

The Panigale is a master piece... Sexiest bike ever, Vtwin power delivery is addictive and the sound is unbelievable!

However, my lap times are slower on the 1199S, and when I want to kick my friends ..... real bad (Rsv4, gixxer1000 and S1000rr) the 10R is a no brainer in my case. So easy to ride fast, it makes the 10r less rewarding to ride, but winning is winning, right?

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Interesting. How much slower are your 1199 lap times? Is it because the performance is less or are you less willing to push the 1199 than the ZX-10R?

JeffD said:

Interesting. How much slower are your 1199 lap times? Is it because the performance is less or are you less willing to push the 1199 than the ZX-10R?

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About a second and a half on a 2.7 mile racetrack... I think Im actually pushing the Pani harder than the ZX! When I did my best lap on the Panigale, It felt so fast, I was sure I was a good second faster than on the zx, but no, I was 1,5s slower. Anyway, that was so much fun!

I think the learning curve to get the maximum out of the 1199 is steeper than other bikes. Even C. Davies and D, Giuliano in WSBK said so this winter when they were testing the 1199 for the first time. Its my first ducati and I really really love it, and the more I ride it the more I understand how it works, because it does work differently than any other bikes I rode (I had 6 I-4 japanese prior to the 1199s. If Im able to, Ill always have a Ducati superbike with the latest I-4 japanese rocket in my garage!

double0 said:

What's wrong with middle school chicks?

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I keep getting older and they stay the same age...

I dug my gen 4 zx10r. It was fast especially when derestricted. Handled good. Cheap.

But they are a common bike. So common my neighbor got one. Same damn color.

The panigale is pure .... Im still in disbelief i own one. Its amazing! Its different then any inline 4 i have rode.

Now it has a couple short comings for street riding. Seat comfort, heat. Does not like to go slow. Im getting more comfortable on mine. Getting used to it.

A ducati has always been a dream for me own. Every time I travel out of town I look to see if any ducati dealers are near by so I can go and dream. I can't afford both zx10r and panigale but I can buy one of them. I live 10 minutes from a very good twisty road and ride a couple of days after work. From mid-May to mid-October I take every Friday off work to ride about 3-4 hours. I'm a rider not just an owner. I don't ride in town so heat shouldn't be an issue. The panigale seems to handle very well and accelerates very well and is so light (lighter than my cbr1000rr). The sound is of a panigale is awesome, like no other. Exhaust upgrades are very expensive for the panigale. Everything I read and hear about the zx10r is that it's an great bike. I'm just trying to get the right one for me.

cbrzx14 said:

A ducati has always been a dream for me own. Every time I travel out of town I look to see if any ducati dealers are near by so I can go and dream. I can't afford both zx10r and panigale but I can buy one of them. I live 10 minutes from a very good twisty road and ride a couple of days after work. From mid-May to mid-October I take every Friday off work to ride about 3-4 hours. I'm a rider not just an owner. I don't ride in town so heat shouldn't be an issue. The panigale seems to handle very well and accelerates very well and is so light (lighter than my cbr1000rr). The sound is of a panigale is awesome, like no other. Exhaust upgrades are very expensive for the panigale. Everything I read and hear about the zx10r is that it's an great bike. I'm just trying to get the right one for me.

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Via your sign-on (Honda/ZX) and the negative comments about your test ride on the Pani, you seem to have already made up your mind. The comments you wrote about the Vtwin vibration and driving in town earlier was enough for me to stop considering to chime in.. You state that your a rider and like the handling of the Pani but wrote in a earlier post it was only in town. Did you take another demo ride to feel differently ? Yes, the bike and after market parts are expensive.

If you have limited funds, hold off on the Duc til your discretionary funds allow you that cushion to purchase and resell if you don't like it.. Everyone's journey of ownership is different but there is one comparison that is fixed and universal - COST...

GET THE ZX10 already!!