With Alvaro Bautista finally bringing Ducati a long-awaited World Superbike title (after a barren spell of more than a decade!), it’s easy to forget that the Panigale wasn’t always a V4. And in many ways, Ducati would probably like its fans to overlook the V-twin Panigale models because they were, in terms of track success anyway, the black sheep in the Bologna sportsbike family. Yep, despite seven years of trying, this groundbreaking V-twin was the only model in Ducati’s WSB-homologated range to not win a WSB championship. But track success (or lack of it...) aside, is a used 1199 Panigale now worth considering? It’s a Ducati sportsbike, of course it is – although you do need to know what you are getting yourself into, as it’s not a traditional Ducati...
Released in 2012 in standard, high-spec S and Tricolore (which was basically an S with a flash Italian-flag homage paint job and a few extras), the Panigale was a revolutionary machine for Ducati. Named after the district of Bologna that the factory is located in, the Panigale was a ground-up new model that introduced a heap of both physical and computing cutting-edge tech.
Starting with the engine, the all-new Superquadro motor may be a 90-degree V-twin with a desmo valve system but these are the only things (okay, and 1198cc capacity) it has in common with older models. Massively over-square in its design, the Superquadro dumps Ducati’s traditional cam belts in favour of cam chains, and with them boosts power up to a claimed 195bhp while also extending service intervals. That’s the good news; the bad news is that it won’t be to everyone’s tastes, as with this new design comes a very different character...
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 2023-Ausgabe von Fast Bikes UK.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 2023-Ausgabe von Fast Bikes UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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DAN LINFOOT THE WORLD AT HIS FEET...
The racing world is full of characters who generally like to keep themselves to themselves, and I respect that. However, some of these people have a great story to tell. I'm incredibly fortunate to be friends with a few, have access to many more, and through my role with the award-winning podcast Chasin' the Racing, I get to sit down and chew the fat with some amazing individuals, so I wanted to give you lovely bunch a peep through the keyhole and an opportunity to get to know a bit more about some of these 'people of interest'.
ROSSI'S RANCH - LA 100KM DEI CAMPIONI
It's not every day you get the invite to trade paint, drifts and stories with Rossi and a bunch of world champions, but that's how life played out for the Neave twins a few weeks back.
RATING RUBBER...
We love a tyre launch, and especially ones of a sporty disposition. So when Michelin dropped us a line about not one, but two additions to their range, we didn't need our arm twisting to get stuck in and see what they're all about...
2017-2021 SUZUKI GSX-S750
Is the understated Suzuki GSX-S750 worth considering in the used market?
YAMAHA MT-09 - If you like your bikes nutty, naked and packed full of punch, you'll love the fourth-generation Yamaha MT-09.
Ten years ago, I found myself a part of the maddest, baddest, and arguably most illegal motorcycling I've ever a put my name to.
BACK TO THE FUTURE - KTM DUKE 990
It's been a while since KTM last had a 990 Duke in its range, but the name is back - and this new addition is perhaps one of its most exciting offerings ever. Here's why...
A CUT ABOVE
Four years on from the revolutionary release of the RCV-inspired Fireblade, Honda's given its flagship sportsbike a masterpiece of a makeover.
Steve Parrish
I'm fresh back from the South African Classic TT races and Christ, it's still bloody raining over here.
Christian Iddon
Well, my last column was all about just how I'm going to be the most prepared I could ever be for the season ahead.
SHOEI X-SPR PRO
I'll cut to it... when it comes to my kit, I don't mess around - especially when it comes to helmets.