Panigale R vs. Desmosedici

So I've derailed KMY's thread far enough, I figured I should start a new one. I'm seriously considering the purchase of a Desmosedici, and I'm going to be looking at arranging financing next week. I've been weighing the positives and negatives between the Panigale R and the Desmo, and I'm leaning pretty heavily towards the Desmo, but I'd be interested in hearing other people's thoughts.

I've owned a 900 SS/SP and 999 in the past, in addition to numerous Japanese sport bikes. I'm a 45 year old lawyer with a wife and two kids, and I've been riding since I was 6. I am considering the Desmo mostly because it has been a dream of mine ever since the bike came out. A dream that until recently I didn't think would ever become a reality. But, thankfully, I'm at the point in my life where I can buy either of the bikes mentioned here. So, I'm either going to do this pretty quick, that is in August, or wait until next spring, since there isn't much time left in our riding season up here in Canada.

I live 300 miles away from the nearest track, so that's not a realistic proposition with the other demands I have in my life, and the fact that I'm not so sure I should be pushing so hard that I'm risking injury (and I don't want to get into the whole "the track is safer than the street" debate. Please).

This bike is going to be ridden to and from work (which is 5 blocks away from home), taken out on the weekends, and trailered out to our place in Lions Bay, B.C., a few times each summer for some rides up to Whistler etc.

I've been reading about a fair amount of quality control issues with the Panigale, and although it would be covered under warranty, I'm 4 hours away from the dealership, so this isn't a non-issue. Likewise, I realize that the Desmosedici will come with its own set of problems as outlined by KMY (return springs, shifter springs, pistons, etc.). I accept that Ducati ownership comes with its own unique experiences. I've owned two, so I know..................

Buying a Ducati, to me, isn't done in a logical manner. It's really about which bike speaks to you more. So, to those who own a Panigale R, are you happy with your purchase? Is it still speaking to you? Would you prefer a Desmo if you had the opportunity? And Desmo owners, if you're around, what are your thoughts on the ownership experience?

I've never owned the "top of the line" anything, so my feeling is, it's now or never..............or at least next spring Cheers.

Peninsula Motorsports: they actually have a service dept, at least they did last time i was there ...but even if you purchased the RR from there, you would never want to get it serviced from their overpriced rates...I can refer you to amazing private mechanics you have their own shop and have worked wonders on my and other people's Ducatis'...

Both Bikes are stellar, I just like the performance of the R over the DESMO....although the sound of the RR is intoxicating....still I would go "R"

To me the valve adjustment of the desmo engine compared to maintenance of the R kills the Desmo for me, and the maintenance on the R won't be cheap. I'd go R, price, performance, makes it a great choice.

Thanx for the thoughts guys. This is what I need to hear. I've been out of the bike scene for about 5 years now. I had to sell my 999 to help with the down payment on the house, but I've had a bike pretty much all my life, so I can't stand it anymore. Even a Viper can't satisfy the feeling you get on a sport bike. Nope. It's awesome, but not quite the same

Prince Albert said:

Peninsula Motorsports: they actually have a service dept, at least they did last time i was there ...but even if you purchased the RR from there, you would never want to get it serviced from their overpriced rates...I can refer you to amazing private mechanics you have their own shop and have worked wonders on my and other people's Ducatis'...

Both Bikes are stellar, I just like the performance of the R over the DESMO....although the sound of the RR is intoxicating....still I would go "R"

Click to expand...

Good points PA. Do you know of someone near the dealership that would be able to do a really good PPI on the Desmo???? That would be awesome.

Sorry for my ignorance
What is PPI ?


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Adrian at Ace Moto Tech in Milton

And Zaid at Z1 Racing in Mississauga

Adrian is my mechanic
I really like his work and attention to details


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I love the look of the desmo and have almost bought one on a number of occasions, the thing is parts are a nightmare a total nightmare and cost a fortune.

These bikes need to be driven really hard the ones that have been babied tend to leak oil, there were quite few recalls and i believe those numbered late ie past 500 had less problems.

I have a number of friends who have owned them throughout the years and all of them think it's a .... bike but they love the look of it. The main issues are it was always down on claimed power and there was a serious lack of feel when riding hard with the front end washing out without feedback on the track.

Most people claim the 1098R is better bike they came out the same time (i own a 1098r bayliss).

the latest R is a phenomenal bike and is basically a heavier SL plus it comes with a two year warranty.

If you want a really cool bike that will draw crowds at starbucks and bike meets the Desmo wins hands down. If you want to actually ride the bike and do trackdays buy the R

buy both

If I had the funds to buy one, it would be to park as a piece of art in my living room.

My friend has one and I'd ridden it a couple of times. I've also GoPro'd other people riding it while following on my old 1098. It's faster in straight line, but not by much and my 1299 would eat it alive.

So the actual bike itself, from a ride standpoint, is not on par, power or handling, with any of the current top level sports bikes.

It's gorgeous and I still want one, but I don't have an art budget....

Video is pretty old, this is the owner of Cornerspeed Riding school riding my friends RR at VIR.

[youtube]v-0JRApGCvw[/youtube]

Prince Albert said:

Sorry for my ignorance
What is PPI ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

Woops, no worries, Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI)

Prince Albert said:

Adrian at Ace Moto Tech in Milton

And Zaid at Z1 Racing in Mississauga

Adrian is my mechanic
I really like his work and attention to details


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

Gotcha. Thanx PA. I'll take note of these guys. I believe I have heard of Zaid. I think he's had a shop in a few places and been around the GTA for quite a while. Cool.

reganc said:

I love the look of the desmo and have almost bought one on a number of occasions, the thing is parts are a nightmare a total nightmare and cost a fortune.

These bikes need to be driven really hard the ones that have been babied tend to leak oil, there were quite few recalls and i believe those numbered late ie past 500 had less problems.

I have a number of friends who have owned them throughout the years and all of them think it's a .... bike but they love the look of it. The main issues are it was always down on claimed power and there was a serious lack of feel when riding hard with the front end washing out without feedback on the track.

Most people claim the 1098R is better bike they came out the same time (i own a 1098r bayliss).

the latest R is a phenomenal bike and is basically a heavier SL plus it comes with a two year warranty.

If you want a really cool bike that will draw crowds at starbucks and bike meets the Desmo wins hands down. If you want to actually ride the bike and do trackdays buy the R

Click to expand...

1098R Bayliss...............sweeeeeeet. I saw one of those for sale not too long ago. It's a beautiful bike, and hey, Troy Bayliss is, and was, an awesome guy/rider. A great ambassador for the sport. He and Casey Stoner are two of my favorite riders for sure.

Arrrrrgggggg...............this is not going to be an easy choice. I really do like the looks and performance of the R.............Ducati!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why do you do this to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ygfamily21 said:

buy both

Click to expand...

Believe me, if I could, I definitely would.

ChrisE said:

If I had the funds to buy one, it would be to park as a piece of art in my living room.

My friend has one and I'd ridden it a couple of times. I've also GoPro'd other people riding it while following on my old 1098. It's faster in straight line, but not by much and my 1299 would eat it alive.

So the actual bike itself, from a ride standpoint, is not on par, power or handling, with any of the current top level sports bikes.

It's gorgeous and I still want one, but I don't have an art budget....

Video is pretty old, this is the owner of Cornerspeed Riding school riding my friends RR at VIR.

[youtube]v-0JRApGCvw[/youtube]

Click to expand...

Cool vid. Thanx

lochnessmonster said:

Woops, no worries, Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI)

Click to expand...

Use Adrian at Ace Moto Tech ..he is closer to Peninsula and he is amazing

Prince Albert said:

Use Adrian at Ace Moto Tech ..he is closer to Peninsula and he is amazing

Click to expand...

Gotcha. I'll talk to Courtney my banker/sugar mama next week, see if she'll even loan me the money for a piece of .... Desmo . If so, I'll give the a-holes at Peninsula a call, and see what kind of .... gobblers they are. If they are willing to deal, I'll give Adrian a call and see if he could pick up the bike and check it out for me. Thanx PA.

lochnessmonster said:

1098R Bayliss...............sweeeeeeet. I saw one of those for sale not too long ago. It's a beautiful bike, and hey, Troy Bayliss is, and was, an awesome guy/rider. A great ambassador for the sport. He and Casey Stoner are two of my favorite riders for sure.

Arrrrrgggggg...............this is not going to be an easy choice. I really do like the looks and performance of the R.............Ducati!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why do you do this to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Click to expand...

I'm actually selling it with only 1500 miles.

But seriously while i love the Desmo you should really look a the cost and availability of parts, One of the Ducati forums has a good desmo section i think it's ducati.org so i would look to talk to some owners there.

reganc said:

I'm actually selling it with only 1500 miles.

But seriously while i love the Desmo you should really look a the cost and availability of parts, One of the Ducati forums has a good desmo section i think it's ducati.org so i would look to talk to some owners there.

Click to expand...

Yep, good advice for sure. I did post my "question" there. I'm just waiting for the moderators to clear it (arrrggg).

I was looking for my latest sports car for 18 months before pulling the trigger May, 2015: 2013 Viper GTS. I was looking at the Ferrari 360 very seriously, but the maintenance costs, and the likelihood of breakage, scared the s@#t out of me. Also, my lender was a little skittish about loaning me a shwack of cash for a 13 year old Ferrari I think they were right. I made the "reasonable" decision, and went with the Viper which has almost double the power, Bluetooth, back-up camera, 900W stereo system..........blah, blah, blah....... I love the car. Really. I do. But isn't there a time in life you just have to say, "What the f@#k" and go for it? I've never done that. I've always made the safe "right" choices. Is that what we are always supposed to do?? I don't know. I know I will never be disappointed with a Panigale R. Who would be? I haven't heard anyone yet. Anywhere. But something in the back of my mind says, "Go for the dream man. Be an f@#king ..... for a change........"

I have had both bikes and now have neither of them both have been sold . I regret selling the Desmosedici and hope to buy another one some day .