Ducati’s Panigale 1299 has arrived and has had a face lift and a body lift. Officially it’s actually a 1285 cc but it doesn’t have quite the same ring as the 1299! It also packs a punch with 205bhp that makes you feel like you at hurtling along into blissful oblivion. The 1299 has more torque and you’ll feel almost catapulted into the distance on this masterful machine.
It’s a touch lower than the 1199 which is great news for us shorties. The swingarm pivot has been lowered marginally making for much better traction. Another bonus is the stability which has improved tenfold. We found that it was more pleasurable to ride and makes for an experience that is filled with ease and enjoyment. It has a feel of flexibility, an agility that makes turning corners seem a thing of absolute ease!
Another point of interest is the steering. Ducati’s has always had a tendency to oversteer but you can expect a slightly oversteer this time so a gently gently approach is all that’s needed.
Now this is where things get a bit more exciting! Ducati have incorporated a whole load of shiny new gadget with the latest model. For one it comes complete with an auto blipper that makes your bike incredibly faster! Keep your revs below 10,000rpm and you can expect absolute precision! It’s Öhlins semi-active suspension makes for an upgrade that lends more grip and agility and increases comfort for the driver.
There is no denying that riding than immensely powerful machine is going to tire you out after a while, but it’s new improved features certainly make for a slightly easier and more enjoyable ride with controls that you can adjust to suit your needs. Lets not make any bones about this, you’re going to need to hang on tight – this is a thing of amazing power and your body will be vibrating from toe to head with the incredible throb of it’s mighty engine.
The prices are as follows.
1299 Panigale £16,695 / 1299 Panigale S £20,795 1299 / Panigale R £28,995
