Why a 1299 S?

old MHR guy · Oct 23, 2015

I have been reading up on the different Panigale specs, and got a question for you guys.

Why should I buy a new 1299s instead of a new 1199 R?
On the 1199R;
I will get full titanium exhaust.
Titanium con rods?
"titanium" muffler.
titanium exhaust valves.
Different cams.
205 hp
lighter crank shaft.
The good looks of the R tank and body.
???

All for a price increase of approx. the after market price of a full titanium exhaust.

Thoughts?

Whoopazz · Oct 23, 2015

Biggest question you need to ask yourself is what are you going to use it for.... Street or track?

Claymore · Oct 23, 2015

All the 1199 and 1299 Panis have Ti exhaust valves and the Tricolore has the good looks.

cosmok · Oct 23, 2015

Since you admitted in a previous welcome post that you will only use 20-40% of the Panigale's power, just pick the one you think looks the best. Ti con-rods, 205hp etc don't really mean anything if it is just a nostalgic purchase. Looks do however.

Steve B · Oct 23, 2015

As you said you wouldn't use much of its capability, you buy the 1299S for the extra low-to-midrange grunt and semi-active electronic suspension that make it a better streetbike, while you buy the 1199R for its looks, rarity and racebike cache' (basically because it's an R). Having lived with an original 1199 on the street for 16,000+ miles, there's no doubt the 1299S would be my choice of the two anywhere short of a racetrack (and maybe there too). Either one is capable of going faster than I'd ever take it, but one will be better suited to on-road use.

I'd love to see a proper head-to-head track comparison between the two, but I don't see that happening.

Marmoot · Oct 23, 2015

Whoopazz said:
Biggest question you need to ask yourself is why at you are going to use it for.... Street or track?

Or collection.
R is collectible. But R would only either retain its value if it is not used much, or give you the best value if you use it to its full potential on the track. It has extreme ideals and not much middle ground.

If you are meaning to use it on the road and quite much, which is what most panigale owners would do, the S seems like a much more sensible choice, unless you are dead stuck on the R's looks (which is not to everyone's preference either; I personally prefer the S' plain red look).

JCAV8R · Oct 23, 2015

base model all the way.

reganc · Oct 23, 2015

Marmoot said:
Or collection.
R is collectible. But R would only either retain its value if it is not used much, or give you the best value if you use it to its full potential on the track. It has extreme ideals and not much middle ground.

If you are meaning to use it on the road and quite much, which is what most panigale owners would do, the S seems like a much more sensible choice, unless you are dead stuck on the R's looks (which is not to everyone's preference either; I personally prefer the S' plain red look).

the 1199 R is not collectible there were too many of them produced and not drastically different to the S model unlike previous models and we have seen the depreciation on them is pretty steep. I think the 2015 R is more unique as it has the SL engine but time will tell.

If i was the OP i would go for the 1299 it's a better bike in many ways and much more suited to the street.

bradp51 · Oct 23, 2015

old MHR guy said:
I have been reading up on the different Panigale specs, and got a question for you guys.

Why should I buy a new 1299s instead of a new 1199 R?
On the 1199R;
I will get full titanium exhaust.
Titanium con rods?
"titanium" muffler.
titanium exhaust valves.
Different cams.
205 hp
lighter crank shaft.
The good looks of the R tank and body.
???

All for a price increase of approx. the after market price of a full titanium exhaust.

Thoughts?

Buy the one you like the best. Don't let anyone tell you what you need or don't need, they will not be riding it. If you like the looks of the R tank and body then buy that.

I bet you wish you still had the MHR.

Joker1199 · Oct 23, 2015

Get a test ride on both; buy the one you prefer/can afford. I got the S with Akrapovic full system. If I were to do it again, I would get the 15R but still get the (un-restricted) Akrapovic system. What I should really do/have done is buy a base model and spend the difference on riding school/tuition.

Chaotic · Oct 24, 2015

Joker1199 said:
What I should really do/have done is buy a base model and spend the difference on riding school/tuition.

Very valid point.

To the OP, I would bet a paycheck that your lap times would be the same whether you were on a base 1299 or Chaz's WSBK spec R. All of these bikes are so far beyond the capabilities of "normal" riders. So the only variable is you and how much performance you can extract out of the bike.

In other words, don't get either one thinking it will make YOU a better/faster rider. It won't. That is where skill, coaching, experience etc comes into play.

At the end of the day, just get whichever one you like better.

bp7178 · Oct 24, 2015

Chaotic said:
Very valid point.

To the OP, I would bet a paycheck that your lap times would be the same whether you were on a base 1299 or Chaz's WSBK spec R. All of these bikes are so far beyond the capabilities of "normal" riders. So the only variable is you and how much performance you can extract out of the bike.

In other words, don't get either one thinking it will make YOU a better/faster rider. It won't. That is where skill, coaching, experience etc comes into play.

At the end of the day, just get whichever one you like better.

I've wrote it before, and I'll do it again. These are passionate purchases. Buy what you like and you'll always be happy.

wilkson · Oct 24, 2015

The R motor is nicer than the 1299 is money is not a issue get the R

old MHR guy · Oct 24, 2015

Thanks for the input.
I know i wont go wrong if I buy what the heart tells me to.
Its totally stupid to begin with to buy a toy for the amount of money even a 899 cost.

So its all about what we want, not "need".

il keep u posted on any purchase.

80shilling · Oct 24, 2015

I had the same dilemma. I really wanted the "R" and almost got it, but the fact that I commute every day on whatever motorcycle I own made me finally choose the 1299S.

Both are utterly fantastic, so unless you have an overriding need, like I did, I would go with the "R". The fact is that the 1299S is a potent track weapon as well, so if you do track days, the 1299 will do just fine, but in the end, the "R" is just that bit more special and desirable.

kismetcapitan · Oct 24, 2015

for a track weapon, the R. But otherwise, the 1299S. One word: torque.

Claymore · Oct 24, 2015

kismetcapitan said:
for a track weapon, the R. But otherwise, the 1299S. One word: torque.[/QUOTE

I will not be surprised if the R stuffs up the S everywhere, even with roll on's from low speed. It just can not take a pillion.

BadBoyBeltran · Oct 24, 2015

If money is not an option, get the R. It's the creme of the crop. Will have more resale value. You can pro race it with the 1000s.

kismetcapitan · Oct 24, 2015

Claymore said:
kismetcapitan said:

for a track weapon, the R. But otherwise, the 1299S. One word: torque.

Click to expand...

I will not be surprised if the R stuffs up the S everywhere, even with roll on's from low speed. It just can not take a pillion.

The R achieves with cams (I think?) and RPMs what the 1299 achieves with brute displacement. There's outright performance, and then there's the joy and ease of riding. I wouldn't be surprised if the R outperforms the 1299S everywhere either. But I'm certain it would take a lot more effort and likely skill as well to access that performance.

Torque. The 1299 makes significantly more of it than the 1198, and yet somehow delivers it in a less brutal manner.

To add to the argument, for a street bike, the 1299S is simply an easier package to live with. The electronic active suspension, for one, which does away with the suspension notebook that one must keep a meticulous log of settings in, if you're going to really keep your suspension dialed in. As I need a "track bike that is 100% usable in daily life", the 1299S has really fit the bill. Money really hasn't factored into that equation - I've spent more on my bike than the list price of a '15 R.

wilkson · Oct 24, 2015

kismetcapitan said:
for a track weapon, the R. But otherwise, the 1299S. One word: torque.

One word light weight internals and lightning acceleration . It's not like the R is lacking for torque anyway .
If you spent more on your S than you can buy a R for that's your loss and not advisable to any new bike buyer .

Why a 1299 S?

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