Was wandering if anyone had any advice for running the 1299 Panigale S down the Strip

Zenkiton · Jul 15, 2016

Hey everyone,

I bought my 2015 1299 Panigale S a few months back and I have been debating on taking it to the local strip just to see what it would run in the 1/4 mile.

Is there any advice anyone can offer about running it down the strip for the first time? Any settings that would help out or what not.

My main concern is launching. I have never really launched this bike and not sure how to go about doing it. I know the wheelie control will keep it from flipping but its still stuck in my head that there is a slight chance that I could flip it lol.

I was looking around using the search feature but all the drag strips threads i could find where from a few years ago.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
-- Zenkiton

jarelj · Jul 15, 2016

Yes, you CAN absolutely still flip over a 1299 on launch if you just rev it up and dump the clutch, even with wheelie control. The 1299 does not have LAUNCH control, it only has Wheelie control. The only Ducati that currently has LAUNCH control is the XDiavel. The proper way IMO to launch a Ducati Superbike for an amateur is rev to a mid RPM (say 5-6k) and launch by easing the clutch out and rolling on the gas at the same time to keep the revs right in that 5-6k range until the clutch is fully engaged, and then roll to full throttle progressively after the clutch is fully engaged. If you rev it to the moon and then try to feed the clutch out you'll burn your clutch up and launch slower. And if you rev it to the moon and dump the clutch, you'll loop it.

We have to go over this all the time in our amateur race series we run. New racers seem to always assume it's just like on TV if they've never done a race launch before, and they sit there bouncing off the rev limiter waiting for the light, and then dump the clutch. We had TWO Ninja 300's completely loop it at the start of races last year doing that! If you can loop a Ninja 300 with 40 HP you can darn sure loop a 1299 with 205! In my rider's speech, I've started telling people to envision they're at a stoplight next to some punk in a riced-out Civic, and launch like they would in that case. That usually helps people calm down and launch under more control. I'd suggest the same mentality for your first trip to the drag strip. I can be a TON of fun, and it's great practice for roadracers too.

Zenkiton · Jul 15, 2016

Thanks jarelj for the help. Thats pretty much what i do when i have to run from a stop. I ease in at around 4-5k RPM then once the bike gets rolling i just go full throttle.

I have one last question. Do you know if its safe to run a 110 and 93 octane mix in the 1299 S? The service guy where i bought my bike said the highest octane you can find will help the bike squeeze out every bit of power it has. If im not mistaken he told me 110 octane would be safe. I was just wondering if it is safe to mix the two? I have less then a 1/4 tank of 93 octane left in the tank.

cmh210 · Jul 16, 2016

Running a higher octane will do absolutely nothing, unless you have tuned the motor for it, and that means cracking it open and upping you compression ratio. Otherwise, more power from higher octane is a myth.

jjsC6 · Jul 17, 2016

jarelj said:
Yes, you CAN absolutely still flip over a 1299 on launch if you just rev it up and dump the clutch, even with wheelie control. The 1299 does not have LAUNCH control, it only has Wheelie control. The only Ducati that currently has LAUNCH control is the XDiavel. The proper way IMO to launch a Ducati Superbike for an amateur is rev to a mid RPM (say 5-6k) and launch by easing the clutch out and rolling on the gas at the same time to keep the revs right in that 5-6k range until the clutch is fully engaged, and then roll to full throttle progressively after the clutch is fully engaged. If you rev it to the moon and then try to feed the clutch out you'll burn your clutch up and launch slower. And if you rev it to the moon and dump the clutch, you'll loop it.

We have to go over this all the time in our amateur race series we run. New racers seem to always assume it's just like on TV if they've never done a race launch before, and they sit there bouncing off the rev limiter waiting for the light, and then dump the clutch. We had TWO Ninja 300's completely loop it at the start of races last year doing that! If you can loop a Ninja 300 with 40 HP you can darn sure loop a 1299 with 205! In my rider's speech, I've started telling people to envision they're at a stoplight next to some punk in a riced-out Civic, and launch like they would in that case. That usually helps people calm down and launch under more control. I'd suggest the same mentality for your first trip to the drag strip. I can be a TON of fun, and it's great practice for roadracers too.

I'm not saying you are wrong because I don't claim to know, but why do you think the wheelie control will not save it from going over? Comparing it to a Ninja 300 means nothing because it does not have wheelie control.

BTrain5489 · Jul 17, 2016

jjsC6 said:
I'm not saying you are wrong because I don't claim to know, but why do you think the wheelie control will not save it from going over? Comparing it to a Ninja 300 means nothing because it does not have wheelie control.

None of the rider aids are designed to save you from stupid. Pinning it and dropping the clutch qualifies as stupid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpk-ACFRmIU

Case in point.

W Cole · Jul 17, 2016

cmh210 said:
Running a higher octane will do absolutely nothing, unless you have tuned the motor for it, and that means cracking it open and upping you compression ratio. Otherwise, more power from higher octane is a myth.

The ECU wont advance the timing? I could imagine especially on a hot day with high density altitude the extra octane would help.

jjsC6 said:
I'm not saying you are wrong because I don't claim to know, but why do you think the wheelie control will not save it from going over? Comparing it to a Ninja 300 means nothing because it does not have wheelie control.

I think the thought is there is enough momentum in the system that the ECU wont be able to react quickly enough to prevent you looping it. Anyone want to test this??

Chaotic · Jul 18, 2016

Zenkiton said:
I have one last question. Do you know if its safe to run a 110 and 93 octane mix in the 1299 S? The service guy where i bought my bike said the highest octane you can find will help the bike squeeze out every bit of power it has. If im not mistaken he told me 110 octane would be safe. I was just wondering if it is safe to mix the two? I have less then a 1/4 tank of 93 octane left in the tank.

The guy at the shop is full of ..... You can tell him I said that.

You want to run the LOWEST octane possible without pre-detonation.

Octane simply defines resistance to detonation. The biggest marketing scheme ever was when they labeled 93 octane "Premium". It leads to people thinking "only the BEST for my ......." and needlessly pouring 93 octane fuel in their bike or car that is not designed for it.

The Panigale is tuned for 93 octane IIRC. If you have not altered the motor/tuning to warrant running a higher octane, then pouring higher octane fuel in your bike will accomplish absolutely nothing. I mean zero, not ..... The only increase in acceleration you gain will be from your wallet being lighter.

Chaotic · Jul 18, 2016

jjsC6 said:
I'm not saying you are wrong because I don't claim to know, but why do you think the wheelie control will not save it from going over? Comparing it to a Ninja 300 means nothing because it does not have wheelie control.

The ECU doesn't/can't respond and react to someone dumping the clutch at 10k. Just like how the wheelie control doesn't work very well when you crest a steep hill.

jjsC6 · Jul 18, 2016

Thanks for the responses. I completely agree that pinning it and dumping the clutch is stupid, I just wondered if we are talking theory or real world experience. I don't have wheelie control on my Ducati as it's an 1199, but I do have it on my BMW S1000 (single) R. I do find it interesting how it responds differently depending upon whether you roll into it easily or just hammer the throttle hard.

Chaotic · Jul 18, 2016

Real world experience...

I launch my 1299S at 8k.

I put my right foot on the ground for stability and my left foot is on the peg, ready to shift into 2nd. That is personal preference, some people put 2 feet on the ground, some do 1. There is no "right" way. Even looking at the WSBK or MotoGP grids before launching, you will see both ways.

Instead of having the clutch lever pulled all the way back, I will have it just at the engagement point, where as soon as I move it just another fraction the bike will launch.

Then I smoothly release the clutch as im rolling on the gas, managing front wheel lift with the clutch (never let off the gas). Then prior to hitting redline I go into 2nd. Then I shift into 3rd prior to T1.

jarelj · Jul 19, 2016

jjsC6 said:
I'm not saying you are wrong because I don't claim to know, but why do you think the wheelie control will not save it from going over? Comparing it to a Ninja 300 means nothing because it does not have wheelie control.

The point of the Ninja 300 example was just how little torque it actually takes to flip a bike over if you dump the clutch, and that the Panigale has A LOT MORE than a Ninja 300 does, so it's that much easier to flip it. The wheelie control is not designed to react from a dead-stop, you have to be going over ~30mph before the wheelie control circuit does anything at all. There's a big difference between "Wheelie Control" and "Launch Control". And even Launch Control can't completely prevent a ham-fisted bike launch from resulting in a serious problem. I'm just trying to help, if you want to not heed the advice and go out and try it you'll have what we call a "learning experience" and if you could share the video with the rest of us that would be cool!

kozumasbullitt · Jul 19, 2016

Chaotic said:
The guy at the shop is full of ..... You can tell him I said that.

You want to run the LOWEST octane possible without pre-detonation.

Octane simply defines resistance to detonation. The biggest marketing scheme ever was when they labeled 93 octane "Premium". It leads to people thinking "only the BEST for my ......." and needlessly pouring 93 octane fuel in their bike or car that is not designed for it.

The Panigale is tuned for 93 octane IIRC. If you have not altered the motor/tuning to warrant running a higher octane, then pouring higher octane fuel in your bike will accomplish absolutely nothing. I mean zero, not ..... The only increase in acceleration you gain will be from your wallet being lighter.

I hope the Panagale is tuned for 91 or all of us California guys are on borrowed time.

Chaotic · Jul 19, 2016

jarelj said:
The point of the Ninja 300 example was just how little torque it actually takes to flip a bike over if you dump the clutch, and that the Panigale has A LOT MORE than a Ninja 300 does, so it's that much easier to flip it. The wheelie control is not designed to react from a dead-stop, you have to be going over ~30mph before the wheelie control circuit does anything at all. There's a big difference between "Wheelie Control" and "Launch Control". And even Launch Control can't completely prevent a ham-fisted bike launch from resulting in a serious problem. I'm just trying to help, if you want to not heed the advice and go out and try it you'll have what we call a "learning experience" and if you could share the video with the rest of us that would be cool!

What Jarel is saying is 100% correct. You can loop ANYTHING. I have personally seen someone loop a Honda Grom, no ..... Anything that has a clutch can be wheelied....and looped.

The ONLY thing Launch Control does (on bikes that have it, which our Panigale does not) is limit the RPMs. It makes it where you can go WOT and the RPMs will stay at a preset point. On my RSV4 there are 3 different settings for 8, 9, or 10k RPM.

That is it.

The launching of the bike is still on you. Finding the engagement point, releasing the clutch smoothly, controlling wheel lift, shifting gears, etc. That is all on you. LC isnt some kind of "auto-Launch" thing that makes it super easy to get holeshots. It just makes it so you dont have to manage the throttle while sitting there waiting on the lights to go off or green flag to wave.

To be honest, i didnt even use it on my RSV4. I didnt feel it helped me at all.

shakazulu12 · Jul 19, 2016

As someone who looped an xr100 within the first three minutes of riding it, I can confirm that hamfisting just about any bike will put you on your .... I had never actually practiced a race launch before my first novice race. I just assumed I would feed the clutch out a smidge faster than normal and take off all smooth-like. This was on a stock GSXR750. I nearly 12 o'clocked it TWICE leaving the line as the rest of the grid had to dodge my stupid ... and then vanished into turn 1. I actually want to to take a drag racing class to work on it as I still can't launch for anything.

Cosmik de Bris · Jul 19, 2016

Chaotic said:
The ONLY thing Launch Control does (on bikes that have it, which our Panigale does not) is limit the RPMs.

Not true, on the Aprilia the LC controls the power limiting the front wheel lift and wheel spin. It disengages when you hit 3rd or 160k. I'm not sure what year RSV4 you have but the later ones work as I have described. The RPMs are only limited before you launch i.e. when you hold the throttle wide open with the clutch in. I've used it at the strip numerous times and it works very well.

NOLA · Jul 19, 2016

Weird, my launch control works fine"¦.I just hold down the mode button, and up arrow..Wait for dash acknowledgment"¦Pin the throttle all the way open, and work the clutch open"¦.launches just fine"¦.Keeps the wheel down till 93mph or 3rd gear"¦

Oh wait, you meant the Panigale... I sold the Panigale (and miss it)

HI guys"¦miss y'all"¦The "other" board for the new bike is NOT as fun as this one.

NOLA

Chaotic · Jul 19, 2016

Cosmik de Bris said:
Not true, on the Aprilia the LC controls the power limiting the front wheel lift and wheel spin. It disengages when you hit 3rd or 160k. I'm not sure what year RSV4 you have but the later ones work as I have described. The RPMs are only limited before you launch i.e. when you hold the throttle wide open with the clutch in. I've used it at the strip numerous times and it works very well.

Yes. It alters the TC and WC settings. But regardless, launching the bike is still on you. You can still loop it. You can still get a ...... launch. You can still miss the shift into 2nd etc.

For all intents and purposes, the LC just makes it so you dont have to manage RPMs.

Zenkiton · Jul 24, 2016

NOLA said:
Weird, my launch control works fine"¦.I just hold down the mode button, and up arrow..Wait for dash acknowledgment"¦Pin the throttle all the way open, and work the clutch open"¦.launches just fine"¦.Keeps the wheel down till 93mph or 3rd gear"¦

Oh wait, you meant the Panigale... I sold the Panigale (and miss it)

HI guys"¦miss y'all"¦The "other" board for the new bike is NOT as fun as this one.

NOLA

Not related to the thread but wandered if you happened to live in Louisiana also? Asked because of the name lol.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Cosmik de Bris · Jul 24, 2016

Chaotic said:
Yes. It alters the TC and WC settings. But regardless, launching the bike is still on you. You can still loop it. You can still get a ...... launch. You can still miss the shift into 2nd etc.

For all intents and purposes, the LC just makes it so you dont have to manage RPMs.

Yes but that's not what you said, you said LC only controls the RPM, it doesn't, it controls the torque.

Was wandering if anyone had any advice for running the 1299 Panigale S down the Strip

Help Support Ducati Forum:

Zenkiton

jarelj

Zenkiton

cmh210

jjsC6

BTrain5489

W Cole

Chaotic

Chaotic

jjsC6

Chaotic

jarelj

kozumasbullitt

Chaotic

shakazulu12

Cosmik de Bris

NOLA

Chaotic

Zenkiton

Cosmik de Bris

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