Rich22

So i thought i would start a good honest thread on the issues the bike suffers with.
After working with Millsport on the Northwest 200 bike and the TT bike they are still struggling to get the bike even close to handling roads at speed.

What i can say is that with the stock rear shock and front forks it is impossible to get the bike to handle at speed especially on bumpy British roads. We have tried everything on set up with the standard equipment and it just cant be dialled in. We are talking fast speeds on rough roads but all the same my APRC RSV4 out handled this Panigale with ease on the same roads at the same speed.

I am booked into MCT end of next month for a what ever it takes setup fix, i will keep the electronics though.

If any of you agree with our findings then have your say and keep an eye on the thread.

PaddockStand

Out of interest, I assume you're talking about the S with Ohlins/DES suspension?

lsberrios1

I hope he is not.... I hope he is talking about the sachs and marzochis. I would be very dissapointed to hear that the panigale is a crappy handling bike...

Theefiveoh

Pretty sure he is saying they are having a hard time dialing in the suspension for rough roads at race speeds. It handles fine. The 1199 is far away from a "crappy handling bike". Out of the bikes I've ridden and raced it feels more confident in turns than any other.

zvez

that's a ttx ohlins shock on the back, I'd find it very hard to believe that shock can't be dialed in.

THe forks, well certainly not top of the line ohlins, but think they can certainly be sorted.

And it's stupid question, but are you running the bike in F or P position, the Progressive spring setting makes a lot of difference on handling on the street. In F for me I found it very twitch when handling bumps. In P it's much improved.

Have you looked at changing your springs?

Ape a factory with ohlins or R RSV4 with showa or sachs? I have to admit, my RSV4 handled beautifully right out of the box, a suspension guy only had to make subtle changes to dial it in for me. RSV4 is one of the most underrated bikes out there.

Chris

SPJ

Rich22 - I agree with you on the roads dialling in, was at the TT and it looked permenantly out of shape.

However I think we need to bear in mind what the bike was designed for - track and WSBK. That's borne out by the bike turning up set with the rear suspension in the F position and it sprung ridiculously stiff. I can't see it ever being competitive in road racing.

My bike (std) was an absolute handful the first time over the mountain, jumped all over the shop! I carried an Allen key in my leathers for a few days and got it pretty well dialled in by the end of the week. I think the weight and geometry of the bike though mean it will never be competitive on te roads.

doctorj

I don't know, I have been out testing the panigale at PIR and its going just as fast and so much easier than my $40,000.00 1198 SBK. I will end up faster on the panigale by far.

We don't use "Ridiculously" Stiff springs either, we use the same formula for all our bikes. Its very important the you understand how much preload is on the spring.

With the TTX rear you only want 12mm to 15mm of total preload if your outside of that range it wont work well. So you will need what ever spring gets you into this range. Some time a harder spring is more compliant than a lighter spring with too much preload vice versa with to little preload.

This bike also as all bike needs very little rebound damping with the current valving.

With right spring you should be able to get the bike plenty compliant with the current valving for both Comp and Reb.

husker1

Hi Rich
I had my bike setup at MCT yesterday (I've got the Marzocchi and Sachs base model) and Darren completely transformed it for me. It was a night/day experience, before and after. I feel like I've got a new bike, with so much more confidence on braking, turn in, corner stability, dealing with poor surfaces. In the end, I didn't require anything other than a setup. He had two test rides on it in race mode and gave it everything and he thought it was fantastic (after his changes, of course...)

I know he has done a number of Ohlins-shod bikes, with success, so I think you may get some progress, although your needs may be different to mine.

doctorj

My 1198 SBK ending up with the same geometry as the new Panigale as well.

Same offset / Rake / trail You may want to lower the rear ride height and some how get your geometry back by moving your front forks in the clamps?

You will get it figured out.

husker1

Darren at MCT said that he has always found that the out-of-the-box factory settings for Ducatis are weird, but he has always found that there is a setting that works.

I had the same experience with my 1198S, which despite its Ohlins suspension required re-valving, re-springing and re-oiling to get right.

My base Pani just had their basic setup and it handles beautifully.

Beanflicker

I, for one, am in agreement with Rich. My S is not responding to any setting. By that I mean being soft enough to ride hard without getting totally out of shape at times.

I too would be going down the same route as Rich (MCT) as I feel in its current spec there is insufficient adjustment for how I want to ride.

Look forward to hearing how Rich gets on.

Keep us posted Rich.


.

zvez

a session with a good suspension guy should get you headed in the right direction Bean. I'm doing a track day at Barber in Bham next weekend and going to let THermosman set mine up, he worked miracles witih my streetfighter.

Rich22

Its the Tricolor. Good to see you all having input on this.

We first discovered the F and P delivery mistake, we run on P

We all agree that the rear shock is way to stiff, valving is not correct and the spring is to stiff. Changing to a lighter weight spring has had little or no affect.

Millsport have had the rear shock completely rebuilt by Ktech without much success so far.
I am looking forward to MCT having a go at it.

doctorj: yes i agree with you and have been at 12mm preload with a softer spring, also tried many other setup ideas but it still weaves at high speed especially in bumpy turns.

Phil

though i am completely satisfied and sure the factory setup is well enough for my riding skills, i'd kindly ask you if you'd share your settings? do you have the notes ? what is your weight and preferred use (comp./trackday/road)?

greatly appreciated!

phil

Marcbc

I do not have my bike yet, so cannot give any personal input, however, one or two of the reviewers at the original launch in Yas Marina definitely commented on there being a weave at high speed.

Further, JHP Racing have completely replaced the front forks on their race Panigale as they feel there is nowhere near enough adjustment on the standard forks. I cannot be sure, but I think they have left the rear shock alone.

husker1

Hi Phil
I weigh 107kg (unfortunately). Mainly road use, 3-4 track days per year. Riding 3 years. Cali Superbike school Level 3. The summary sheet states:
Forks: compression 8 clicks out; rebound 3 clicks out. Pre-load zero; static sag 34mm

Rear shock: compression and rebound 7 clicks out; pre-load reduced; static sag 10mm; shock length -2 turns.

Linkage: P

turnone

I haven't touched any setting on my base model suspension and havent had any trouble going fast on smooth and bumpy pavement. Faster than most would go. Not race conditions. I'm not smart enough in the area yet and haven't spent the time to mess with it (YET). Mine is set to "P" per my request.
Chris

Wallaroo

+1....In all my years of riding Ducati's I have never found them to enjoy very bumpy roads, doesnt matter how much we work on suspension. But that said I have always found they came back under control with ease.

On a track or smooth roads they are a completely different story.

Rich I am all ears if you find something that works as it would be nice at my age to relax a bit more when riding bumpy roads

doctorj

All I can say is my bike link is on F, down the straight 180 + indicated ZERO weave. Hard on the brakes in to brake markers and she moves around but very likable.

I have heard of people complaining about weave but I not been so unlucky.

Stable as a rock, turns in fast and comes out fast. However she is excitable over bumps. Got it keep you butt off the seat weight on the pegs. That's just how it is.

zaster

...and your legs have dual duty as shock absorbers