- Joined
- Apr 9, 2012
- Messages
- 1,293
- Location
- Perth, Western Australia
So I drifted away from the Pani over the last year. I found it hard to ride at the track, easy to unbalance, with poor throttle modulation, and the HP4 was...well easier to ride fast.
I have been unhappy with the handling for a while on the road but discovered recently that the swingarm had been gradually loosening. So with this resolved and the bike tightened up, I hit the track.
Anyway, after long time away I was pleasantly surprised.
The throttle wasn't perfect but it really didn't cause any major issues, and I realised that my riding style was probably the problem. Having done significantly more track mileage maybe I'm just a bit more capable than I was.
Also I remembered the advice I was given to get my braking done early and then get on the gas before the apex and it worked a treat, the bike was very well behaved and actually less tiring to ride than the HP4.
I'm smitten with the idea of racing a new Panigale R next year. I really want to get a racebike that I'll 'feel' something about. The HP4 is incredibly good but there is no chemistry, the 1299 will not qualify for Club 1000, so the R is a great options, all the lightweight race bits, up and down clutchless shifts, and mechanical Ohlins. Hopefully a set of dual sinter Z04 pads and the brakes will be sorted.
I doubt I'll ever be more than a mid-pack rider at best but I can't think of any bike I'd rather be riding.
I have been unhappy with the handling for a while on the road but discovered recently that the swingarm had been gradually loosening. So with this resolved and the bike tightened up, I hit the track.
Anyway, after long time away I was pleasantly surprised.
The throttle wasn't perfect but it really didn't cause any major issues, and I realised that my riding style was probably the problem. Having done significantly more track mileage maybe I'm just a bit more capable than I was.
Also I remembered the advice I was given to get my braking done early and then get on the gas before the apex and it worked a treat, the bike was very well behaved and actually less tiring to ride than the HP4.
I'm smitten with the idea of racing a new Panigale R next year. I really want to get a racebike that I'll 'feel' something about. The HP4 is incredibly good but there is no chemistry, the 1299 will not qualify for Club 1000, so the R is a great options, all the lightweight race bits, up and down clutchless shifts, and mechanical Ohlins. Hopefully a set of dual sinter Z04 pads and the brakes will be sorted.
I doubt I'll ever be more than a mid-pack rider at best but I can't think of any bike I'd rather be riding.