Panigale Upper Body Comfort

I'm a long-time Ducati owner (first one: '82 PANTAH 600) who is contemplating starting a small business venture which would involve the Panigale. I propose creating a new upper fairing that enables higher clip-ons, probably in the order of 1-2 inches higher than stock, with a fairing redesign as close to the original as possible.

An owner could purchase this fairing upper from the dealer painted just like the factory piece, retaining the stock windscreen and mirrors (or the mirror holes could be deleted). New, higher clip-ons would be part of the fairing/bars package, which would retail for less than $1000.

Yes, I'm targeting those who like the idea and performance of a superbike, but not the cramped riding position. As a former product manager at GM and successful racer (Battle of the Twins), I have the industry connections to make this happen if there is enough customer demand. Interested?

Superlight

Hi Welcome!

Personally not entirely sure what you mean? You are trying to turn the Pani into a sports cruiser/tourer?

I suppose it would also depend on the quality of the product some. It's always positive when aftermarket parts appear but I'd bear in mind that you are probably looking at a fairly niche product for a relatively exclusive bike(ie limited numbers)

Just my 2 cents, bearing in mind I'm not entirely sure I understand the concept.

Sorry for the lack of clarity. No, I don't expect to turn a Pan into a Multi, but I would like to improve the comfort level, so the rider doesn't have to lean over quite so far, putting a lot of weight on their wrists.

Of course you could order up some riser clip-ons, but these usually involve fairing interference when the bars are moved lock-to-lock. I aim to solve that problem by creating a high-quality fairing upper that opens up the handlebar "window" enough to clear the higher clip-ons, but not so much as to ruin the bike's original aesthetics. Make sense?

I also know this won't be for everybody, but I'm betting there are a number of riders who would like to have a Panigale, but can't see themselves in the "racer's crouch" position.

I don't really get the concept either! The Panigale is a sports bike and thats that. If you need to modify it that drastically then you have purchased the wrong bike!!

The Panigale riding position is actually more upright than all the previous Ducati models I have had and it's much more upright than my 1198SP that I have just sold for the Panigale.

Not sure your onto a winner there, but hey, what do I know...Good luck with it anyway!

That's an interesting idea, looking at mine in terms of clearance , it seems like the front fairing is the one that would need to be changed as you've got very little clearance to bring the bars higher, and any increase in height you'll have to relocate the reservoirs as it's very close in standard form.

Good luck, I suspect a lot of people would be interested who might not be able to tolerate the pani position but still like the bike.

Bar risers aren't that unusual on sportbikes, Fast by Ferracci offered them for the 9X6 series.

Id look at another bike then. This Ducati is 10 times easier on the body than any other Superbike!

As I said, this concept won't please everybody and owners on this forum have already decided the riding position is OK for them.

I may be targeting those who didn't buy a sportbike because the riding position is too severe. Interestingly, this request for improved comfort came from a current Ducati dealer, who said he could sell more bikes if it fit more people.

I'm not going for a radical change here, just a little higher bars position with little/no degradation of appearance. Even as a former racer myself, I'm not buying the notion that this bike is not to be touched or it will ruin its positioning as a serious sportbike. If done with care you can make improvements to just about any machine and not every rider wants to go racing; in fact, very few actually do.

I'd like more input on this issue.

Sounds like a first stage of street-fighter conversion....hummm......

For me i like to keep bike ORIGINAL...but nothing could stop you, if you are determine to offer this to the market....if there is sufficient for good ROI.

I guess some other consideration will the the length of steel/bridled hose of brake/clutch lines, electrical cables to the LHS/RHS switches/APS module.If there is excess to facilitate such an "extention/riser" and still allow handle-bar to steer left/right extreme end...

Panigale STs

I see where you'd like to go with this: The '03 ST4s in my avatar - basically a 996 superbike with panniers and relaxed ergos - is what I think you might have in mind. It has most of the performance of a superbike, but is a little easier on the back, arms and wrists. (Yeah, I sorta went backwards on the Ducati continuum - sport touring bike first, then a superbike years later. Think young - helps forestall getting old!)

While visiting with Sebastian at Melillimoto, he remarked that since Ducati stopped building the ST series in '06 in favor of the Multistrada, there's been a growing demand for used ST's - something more sport-focused than the MS. Don't know what that demand works out to in terms of numbers, but I know I won't be selling my ST. When I want to take my wife out for a ride, the ST4s is just the ticket. For those who still want to ride sport bikes but have gotten to the point where age/flexibility/injury/whatever is getting in the way of enjoying the Pani's more dedicated race posture, a Panigale ST would fit the bill. Hey, you just might succeed in re-establishing the ST niche ... with a significantly more capable and powerful version!

No complaints here.. Bile is awesome as it is... would change the bars etc at all..no market methinks for this mod...

Now gunny that's not true. It's easier on the body than any other DUCATI superbike but my RSV4 was head shoulders more comfortable.

Gunny Fitz said:

Id look at another bike then. This Ducati is 10 times easier on the body than any other Superbike!

Click to expand...

ummmm

zvez said:

Now gunny that's not true. It's easier on the body than any other DUCATI superbike but my RSV4 was head shoulders more comfortable.

Click to expand...

Thats kinda what I meant my friend. I dont take any other bikes into account. "There can be only one!!!"

got it!

Gunny Fitz said:

Thats kinda what I meant my friend. I dont take any other bikes into account. "There can be only one!!!"

Click to expand...

Superlight said:

I'm a long-time Ducati owner (first one: '82 PANTAH 600) who is contemplating starting a small business venture which would involve the Panigale. I propose creating a new upper fairing that enables higher clip-ons, probably in the order of 1-2 inches higher than stock, with a fairing redesign as close to the original as possible.

An owner could purchase this fairing upper from the dealer painted just like the factory piece, retaining the stock windscreen and mirrors (or the mirror holes could be deleted). New, higher clip-ons would be part of the fairing/bars package, which would retail for less than $1000.

Yes, I'm targeting those who like the idea and performance of a superbike, but not the cramped riding position. As a former product manager at GM and successful racer (Battle of the Twins), I have the industry connections to make this happen if there is enough customer demand. Interested?

Superlight

Click to expand...

There are clips ons already available that raise the bars and do not interfere with the fairing. The kit comes with mounts for steering damper and also an extension to the brake line. No need for the fairing mod. So you would be in competition with them. Less than half the price and no mod to the fairing keeping the bike more original.

I do agree you may get a market from older guys (like me) or people with back or neck injuries that just want to improve the comfort level a bit.

Good luck and look forward to seeing your results

Clip-ons

Brad, I'd like to know who makes those clip-ons that raise the bar position without front fairing interference.