So new and need help quick

Hey people glad to to be part of the group.....well that's the problem I was suppose to pick up an "R" model and I felt the price would keep me from tracking it as hard as I did my other bike, so I dropped down to a standard that they had on the floor. I'm suppose to pick it up tomorrow, but they still have that "R" sitting there.

I'm starting to do some calculations and the "R" is actually worth it when you look at the adjustable swing arm, aero kit, full exhaust system, not to mention the 5000 grand I would need to upgrade a standard's engine..(yes I priced out making a standard an R)

Basically is there guys out there tracking/racing the standard? Is the "R" a vanity move or should I hold out for it?

Any input would be great...thanks

Track day or racing? Track day: it's a vanity. Racing: it's the wrong tool for the job (use the RS13 instead)

If you are dropping down to a base and staying there - fine. But if you are buying a base and making all the modifications (ohlins front/rear, con rods, termis, etc, etc) - then whats the difference ? Total price point will be one and the same unless your just trying to cheat your brain into thinking that the lower initial bike price is more than enough to offset your fear of tracking the bike ? (idiotic and your own problem). ..

I think if you're buying the base because its cheaper and you can live with it - fine. If you're buying the R, fine as well. But buying the base and adding 10K to make it an R and then you're more willing to track it ??? mental problems.

If you're saying cost isn't a factor - then no doubt the R is a slightly better bike from the engine on, and it has some slightly better equipment as standard on it.

I agree with Anthem although I don't assume you have mental problems. Frankly, if you get the base, I think you'll wish you had the R the moment you ride away from the dealer. The R is a deal if you try to add the upgrades to a base. Get the the R and get track insurance.

Thanks for the input. Frankly, we all have mental problems for doing what we do...lol.

I like the base for the price and I would land up upgrading it but over time as money and time permits.

I just don't feel like waiting another year to buy this bike and to be honest, 99.9% of Ducati owners will never get to the limit of their bikes...let alone a Pani R!

Disclaimer, I include myself in that 99.9%.

Thamer said:

Thanks for the input. Frankly, we all have mental problems for doing what we do...lol.

I like the base for the price and I would land up upgrading it but over time as money and time permits.

I just don't feel like waiting another year to buy this bike and to be honest, 99.9% of Ducati owners will never get to the limit of their bikes...let alone a Pani R!

Disclaimer, I include myself in that 99.9%.

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If you're planning on upgrading it over time to the same point - then the track issue isn't relevant to the cost as you're putting the same amount of dollars into play on the track. Then get the R.

Point is - get the base if you're staying near the base. Get the R if you want a bike near the R. Going from base to R, you'll end up losing by upgrading and losing on resale.

I understand what your saying and your right. My problem is more complex. I need to buy the bike outright, meaning in cash so I have a clean title. I. Moving overseas for work and I need the title to ship it.

I can't stretch, without it hurting, for the R.

I probably will only track it and its nice having the R, but most tracks I've been to the hp4s, Pani Rs, and MVs are owned by slow fat people. I don't want to be looked at like that....lol.

I've built up other bikes and your right you never get your money back and about half way through you start to regret starting the project.

On my way to the shop to decide once and for all.

anthem said:

Going from base to R, you'll end up losing by upgrading and losing on resale.

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Don't agree with this at all. Keep all your stock parts and when it comes time to sell, put the bike back to stock and you will get 65% or more of what you paid for the upgrades by selling on eBay or this forum.

You have said you don't feel that you can get the most out of the Pani, so then perhaps you are being honest when you suggest that it might be vanity to want the R (not that there is anything wrong with that either).

Aside from the swingarm pivot, the biggest difference with the R is the motor. However, if you're not going to wring all the performance out of "standard" motor, then does that really matter?

I would argue that you could upgrade a base to a higher spec with suspension and wheels and be at significantly less cost while being even more fit for the purpose (track):

Base Pani (leftover 2012 with incentives) - $15,000 (less tax)
Ohlins FGR 174 Gas Fork Cartridges - $2,000
Ohlins TTX Mk2 - $1,100
Ohlins Steering Damper - $400
OZ Cattiva Forged Magnesium Wheels - $3,000
Termi full exhaust - $3,500
Race Fairings - $750

Total - $25,750

You'll be maybe 8-10 hp off of a R motor, but with better suspension (front) for the track and race bodywork. The $4,250 difference buys a lot of tires and track time...

Cloner said:

Track day or racing? Track day: it's a vanity. Racing: it's the wrong tool for the job (use the RS13 instead)

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Cha ching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thamer said:

...

I just don't feel like waiting another year to buy this bike and to be honest, 99.9% of Ducati owners will never get to the limit of their bikes...let alone a Pani R!

Disclaimer, I include myself in that 99.9%.

Click to expand...

I think you answered your own question right here. If you're just tracking, and can't reach the upper limits of the base, then what good is the R, especially if it breaks the bank? It almost always comes down to money. If it wasn't an issue, then the R is the way to go for bling factor alone. That said, money is an issue in your case, so:

Base + suspension work + track time/track schools > R + empty pockets ... IMO

A properly setup base/S is no joke, and more than enough bike for a track day junky.

Thamer said:

Thanks for the input. Frankly, we all have mental problems for doing what we do...lol.

I like the base for the price and I would land up upgrading it but over time as money and time permits.

I just don't feel like waiting another year to buy this bike and to be honest, 99.9% of Ducati owners will never get to the limit of their bikes...let alone a Pani R!

Disclaimer, I include myself in that 99.9%.

Click to expand...

if you add as time and money permits dont forget stealership costs unless your doing it yourself. termis alone will be 3999 (retail i know) plus install which is like 4 hours. the r tell them to prep it with the termis on it.

Thamer said:

I understand what your saying and your right. My problem is more complex. I need to buy the bike outright, meaning in cash so I have a clean title. I. Moving overseas for work and I need the title to ship it.

I can't stretch, without it hurting, for the R.

I probably will only track it and its nice having the R, but most tracks I've been to the hp4s, Pani Rs, and MVs are owned by slow fat people. I don't want to be looked at like that....lol.

I've built up other bikes and your right you never get your money back and about half way through you start to regret starting the project.

On my way to the shop to decide once and for all.

Click to expand...

get a s leftover

Well just got back from the dealer....(it took a while cause I had to stop at shop rite and get spinach for dinner), took my boys with me spent time talking to an ex pro racer and paid in cash for a white base model.

It spoke to me, and like one of the posters above, said a well set up base model will be cheaper and just as fast....more money for track days.

Also this ex pro said a lot about the R that made sense. It was the pinnacleof design and power but that it shouldn't take anything away from the base. Most of all that maybe a guy in ama or wsbk that is fighting for a top ten finish would notice the difference, but no one he's met at track days would.

I'll post pics when I pick it up.

Thanks people

Welcome!!!!! Great choice on going WHITE!!!!!! Many here will give you a hard time for buying one in primer LOL, however I feel you make a statement with white and it will get numerous positive comments, the white with black forks/wheels look sharp, my own opinion better than the S (gold forks on white hmmmmm), however thought about gold wheels on white, now that's a different discussion. I feel you will never be disappointed with a base, I also own a base (in white) and have not been out ridden or accelerated by any of our more expensive brothers (S, Tri), just nice to be able to adjust your suspension on the fly I guess. Get Termignoni slip ons and some better pegs a must. Cheers.

The R comes with a warranty for all those kickass parts. Also please let us know once you've picked out a colour to paint your primered base.

Thamer said:

Also this ex pro said a lot about the R that made sense. It was the pinnacleof design and power but that it shouldn't take anything away from the base. Most of all that maybe a guy in ama or wsbk that is fighting for a top ten finish would notice the difference, but no one he's met at track days would.

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I don't think that's quite right. I think anyone who's spent any appreciable amount of time on a track *would* notice the difference between the two. Whether they would be able to take advantage of that difference is another story...

But grats on the base. It's a great choice. I have one. Mine's red though. I *can* take advantage of that performance benefit.

Thamer said:

I probably will only track it and its nice having the R, but most tracks I've been to the hp4s, Pani Rs, and MVs are owned by slow fat people. I don't want to be looked at like that....lol.

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Are you fat and old? No? Then you"ll be OK

Nice attitude.

Actually you can immediately tell the difference even if you aren't tracking it. The R spins up noticeably faster and that's the first difference you notice between the two engines. How that translates to what you can do with it is a different story - but its noticeable.


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Thanks for the warm words. I figured white looks good, actually really good in person. When I put race fairings on I won't have to paint them either...lol.

Well I pulled switch. The dealer called and told me my woodcraft rear sets came in. I told them to please install them on the "R" model on the show room floor and that I didn't want white anymore.

I loved the white, but couldn't help but think the money I would have sunk into it to make in an R. The real "decider" was my wife.....when I said I needed to order parts to upgrade the bike she was like then why didn't you just get the R to begin with. I told her I wanted to pay cash. When I told her the price difference she said ill give you 15k. She said 13 years of marriage and three kids,

And that's why I married her.