Nikt

2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale S Track Comparison - Motorcycle USA

this is just one of many crappy reviews I read on the internet...what happens?


Why so many wannabe reporters and wanna be owners hate so much this bike?

Ignorance, envy, money received from well known wannabe brands, across the alps?

Cloner

Looks fairly accurate to me. When pressed the OE suspension isn't that great. Press yours, especially on bumpy surfaces, and you'll agree. This is the primary complaint anyone has lodged so far when pushing the bike to race or near race pace. At a typical street pace you'll never know.....but nobody seems interested in testing at that pace. For the first 600 miles I owned the bike I thought the suspension was great. Then I got to beat on it and found otherwise. Step one, new rear shock with more spring!

Fourth best motor at 170 on the dyno sounds fishy, though. I would think 170 at the wheel would work for second behind the BMW....but I wasn't there.

Steve B

Yup, the suspension comments are no surprise as every comparo has read similarly. Bike has potential to win the things, but as delivered is let down by the suspension. A refinement issue and one that Ducati fell short on, but it doesn't really affect the core advantage of the bike. Class-leading power-to-weight, lightest overall by a chunk with great mass centralization. So as with any bike, get your ergos and suspension dialed for you personally and you're off and running.

As for the 4th place in power, remember that test allowed aftermarket equipment and all the Japanese bikes had PCV or Bazzaz modules, quickshifter and full exhaust systems added. Only the BMW and Ducati were basically stock as that's how the companies chose to deliver them; the Pani had the full Termi and map, but nothing else. As it was it was only down 6HP on the S1KR and only a couple on the MV and Ninja, which it's a lot lighter than.

TransNone13

If it wasn't so cold I'd be riding, not giving a shit about what other people think. You're obviously not out getting it if you're reading reviews; ergo for the millionth time:

RedScare

Ohlins NIX30 forks and TTX36 shock not great? What specifically don't people like?

TransNone13

Like he said, they are poorly setup from the factory. Needs major tweaking; had to dial out front pre-load a TON, feels great now...

ScottJon

I have never had a bike yet, that didnt need tweaking to feel great for me personally

daverogers2001

I agree, I always get mine set up for me! My dealership has an in-house Ohlins techs and they spent about an hour setting it up for me, best £99 I have spent on the bike, you should try it if you have never had it done before!!

daverogers2001

They are great shocks - simply one of the best in the world! They just need setting up correctly!!

RedScare

No Ducatis suspension is fully dialled-in from the factory. It's up to you to have your dealer set the suspension to your weight/riding style/taste.

southeastduc

Cold? Its in the 90's down here. Still sweating our arses off.... :-(

SPJ

I agree to a point however the Panigale was particularly bad out of the crate and needed a lot of adjustment to soften it for the road. I think this is a large part of why the bike (unjustly) receives negative press.

1198freak

The Ohlins NIX30 forks and TTX shock are about the best money can buy, BUT only the aftermarket units, NOT the stock Ohlins that comes on the 1199s. The Ohlins suspension that is preinstalled on Ducati S models have different valving and springs (made to Ducati's spec) than what you buy from a good aftermarket dealer like Dan Kyle.. in addition to that Ducati sets up said Ohlins units at the factory in Italy horribly wrong.. Ducati has always done this, it's practically a tradition. Best to buy a 1199 base and install a good cartridge kit in the forks and a better shock. (exactly what I am doing)

AntiHero

Happiness is riding, not reading.

ScrapperX

+1
Im adding the Ohlins TTX36 Mark 2 DU930 rear and OHLINS NIX FGRT 203 Front Forks to my base.

DucSyd

I was reading a review down here today and the tester made a comment,

"Ducati's set there bikes up as race bikes, and for the road you need to set them up softer , you would think since most are used as road bikes they would do it the other way around, but that is not the Ducati way, they are race bikes. The Japanese have them set up soft and compliant for the road, if you want to race them you change all the components. When you understand that, Ducati's make sense. Personally I love them."

He also said....

" this motor is an animal, with plenty of power, anyone who thinks they need more is simply playing with themselves, Dyno curves mean nothing after you ride this"

Very refreshing from a road tester.

By the way, I have the S, and I now have 3 good maps set up at the touch of a button, for road riding for different conditions, testers don't seem to take that into account.

Anyway who cares, it was 35deg. C here today, just got back from a beautiful ride with my mates on their 1098R's .... Perfect.

bradp51

+1

BlueBear

do you think S is more value for money?

LarryG

I totally agree, once I set up my suspension the feel of the bike totally changed, I love the way this thing carves the corners, granted it took several trips to the Smokey mountains to do it.

Copiya

Yes - without a doubt!