959
THERIDE PANIGALE My first impression as I hop on the 959 is that I can’t tell any difference really to the 899. There are some small subtle frontal area changes and the seat height is the same but the overall height up. I’m happy that the bike feels familiar and the same. The 899, 1199, 1299, the Panigale has really good ergonomics. There are the three pre-set Riding Modes to choose from, Race, Sport, Wet, or you can individually set the DTC, DQS, EBC or ABS but I would not bother, I just set it on RACE Mode all the time! There is also Menu1 with ODO, Trip1, Trip2, Trip Fuel Res, Trip Time. Clock, Lap Time, plus Menu2 with Air Temp, Inst Fuel Cons, Av Fuel Cons, Av Speed (wipe the latter often). With the 959 Superquadro powerplant, the change is instantly noticeable. Off bottom end there is now a stronger surge in torque and that builds all the way to the very top end. The longer stroke has given a more urgent acceleration and stronger surge of power that is superbike-like. I spend my Valentine with an Italian hot babe! Looking around the 959 Panigale it’s clear that the bike is all class, as you’d expect from Ducati. The welds on the framework are immaculately finished, as is the beautiful blood red bodywork and fine components that you’d expect when buying an Italian thoroughbred. The ergonomics are better on the 959. The bike was left in Race mode the whole 3 days of the road test and the 959 sure got some grunt, the 959 may be the little brother of the 1299, but it seriously great ride.
always have a fe 1199 Panigale’s the bike that ma way back in 201 my all-time favo rode the 1199, w