For several years now, the Ducati 1199 Panigale has been an icon of the superbike class with its 195 hp. power with a weight of only 164 kg. But not every pilot needs these almost 200 horses between his legs when driving on regular roads, and even for that kind of money. This is probably why the enthusiasm for the 1199 Panigale remained just enthusiasm on the Internet, without adding the expected mountains of gold to the Ducati treasury. But in our time, any good project is only good if it generates income. So directives from the head office of Audi (the current owner of Ducati) flew to the headquarters of the “Reds” with demands to understand the current situation. In response, the Italians rolled out the Ducati 899 Panigale - a budget version of the “older” Panigale, with a medium engine capacity and an attractive price. Is this device capable of surprising our brother motorcyclist?
I asked myself this question while flying over the ocean to America for my first test for journalists. As I studied the specs, I was amazed that the 899 had a lot in common with its older brother. There are much fewer differences! When making engine covers, cheaper aluminum is used instead of magnesium alloy. The newcomer does not have a slipper clutch system, but there is an Electronic Braking Control system. The rear sprocket and quick shifter have been increased by 5 teeth (up to 44 teeth) - all this together improves acceleration dynamics. The reduction in price also affected the steel subframe and fork from Showa instead of Marzocchi. The rear uses a conventional double-sided aluminum swingarm, as opposed to the cantilever swingarm of the 1199 Panigale. The front brakes, although Brembo, have M4 calipers, which are also lower in specification than the older models. In general, the budget is quite relative. And compared to Japanese sportbikes of this class, the 899 Panigale equipment looks simply super-sophisticated. And an Italian bike will be sold for the same money! In the USA, for example, a price tag of $14,995 has been announced.
TIRES
The Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa holds up perfectly even in pouring rain.
I must say that the motorcycle looks excellent in person. Especially in the signature red color. However, the common body lines with the 1199 Panigale could not hide the important difference between the Panigale junior - the device is truly miniature, if not tiny. As if it was made not by tall Italians, but by compact Japanese. Once there, another feature of the motorcycle became noticeable - its saddle was noticeably thicker and more comfortable. Looking at the specs, I was expecting the bike to be slightly smaller than the 848 EVO. But having positioned the “fifth point” and grabbed the steering wheel, I realized that I was mistaken - it turned out to be much smaller! I suddenly, for the first time in many years, remembered the miniature Japanese “quarters” that I had dabbled with at the dawn of my motorcycle life.
But those “quarter cars” certainly couldn’t accelerate so powerfully or handle so well. All doubts instantly disappeared as soon as I took the first fast turn on the track with the breeze on the 899. True, the 899 cc engine only demonstrates its capabilities in the high rev range. This presents a certain challenge in normal off-track driving: to get optimal acceleration, you must always keep the tachometer needle above the first third of the scale. Gone are the days when it was possible to drive in high gear due to high torque. But the operating speed range is still wider than the equivalent 4-cylinder engine, and even wider than ever.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Ducati 899 Panigale motorcycles clearly have more advantages than disadvantages, and the latter stem mainly from the complexity of the design.
Advantages
- Crazy acceleration dynamics and high top speed.
- A complete set of auxiliary electronic systems that make it easier to control the motorcycle.
- Sophisticated aerodynamics , thanks to which the wind practically does not interfere even at speeds close to the maximum.
- Tenacious brakes with ABS , reliably stopping the bike even on wet asphalt.
- Attractive design , for which tens of thousands of motorcyclists love this model so much.
Flaws
- Problems with spare parts . They are usually out of stock, and there is a long wait for them to order.
- High cost of maintenance. Any repair is expensive, not least due to the fact that many service operations cannot be performed correctly without special equipment, which is available only from official dealers.
- Heavy clutch . In city traffic jams, your hand quickly gets tired of it.
- Sometimes, when changing gears, a false neutral .
Muffler
Mounted to lower center of gravity - pure track solution
Compact dimensions, low weight and the peculiarity of landing “on the front wheel” provide an unforgettable experience of aerobatics. Sport Mode gives a universe of impressions from the dynamics of acceleration and braking. I didn't find any negatives in the 899 Panigale on the track. Where I was wrong, electronics came to the rescue. And even in the rain, turning on the Wet mode, I didn’t feel like a cow on ice! But I still wouldn’t ride such a bike on ordinary streets. Why? There is too much sport in the “small” Panigale!
TEXT: LIU WASEDA
Technical characteristics of the Ducati Panigale 899
The Ducati Panigale 899 was the company's first mid-size sportbike equipped with a Superquadro engine . It can rightfully be classified as a supersport, above which there is practically nothing - it is the pure embodiment of power, speed and aerodynamics.
Engine
The 2-cylinder L-shaped engine produces 148 hp. and 99 Nm of torque, and it loves high speeds - peak power occurs at around 10,750 rpm . The engine capacity, equipped with a desmodromic valve drive , traditional for Ducati, is 898 cc. see. The maximum speed reaches 260 km/h , and from 0 to 100 km/h the bike can accelerate in 2.7 seconds .
Transmission
Classic 6-speed gearbox with chain drive and oil bath clutch. The technological delights of the Italian company mainly affect bike engines and their design, but in the transmission everything is quite familiar and traditional.
Chassis and brakes
The alloy monocoque frame of the Ducati 899 Panigale is perfectly combined with fully adjustable Showa suspension and tenacious Brembo brakes , additionally equipped with an ABS system . The designers' efforts to reduce weight were not in vain; the bike turned out to be light, quite compact (wheelbase - only 142.6 cm ) and easy to control. Two 320 mm brake discs , and one 245 mm disc . The efficiency of the braking system can be rated at the highest level.
Electronics
Here the Ducati Panigale 899 is equipped to the highest standard. Servicing a motorcycle in a garage yourself is very problematic because it is full of complex electronic components that control everything from the brakes to the gas handle. So owners will have to shell out money for visits to official dealers, who have all the necessary equipment for diagnostics. Nothing can be done - this is the price to pay for the technical excellence for which Moto Ducati and its Sport class motorcycles are famous.
Weight and dimensions
Thanks to the use of modern technologies, Ducati engineers managed to keep the weight of the motorcycle at a very modest level - the dry weight of the bike does not exceed 169 kg , and the curb weight - 193 kg . The Panigale 899 is 207.5 cm long and has a seat height of 83 cm. Thanks to its well-thought-out ergonomics, this model is equally suitable for bikers of all sizes, and all they need to ride this plastic rocket is experience.
Controllability
Thanks to well-thought-out weight distribution, the Ducati Panigale 899 does not seem heavy at all, it obediently obeys the steering wheel (or rather, the clip-ons) and easily takes turns “with your knees” even at exorbitant speeds. Numerous auxiliary electronic systems, such as quickshifter and traction control, also contribute to handling. They are equipped with all versions of the Ducati 899 Panigale without exception.
Fuel consumption
It directly depends on the driving style. If you calmly drive along the highway at a speed of 120-130 km/h, gasoline consumption will not exceed 6 liters per hundred , but on the track or during aggressive city driving it can reach up to 10 liters . The bike is demanding on fuel quality, and it is advisable to fill its 17-liter gas tank only AI-98 from proven gas stations. Otherwise, the injector, which is sensitive to additives and impurities, may begin to malfunction, and repairs will cost a pretty penny.
Assistance systems in Ducati 1199
Excellent handling and performance parameters of the motorcycle, as well as a high level of control are provided by a complex of various auxiliary systems, including:
- ABS;
- Electronic unit responsible for braking control. This block is designed specifically to ensure vehicle stability in case of any sharp or simply dangerous turns;
- The system responsible for track control is complete. This system analyzes and processes data about how and at what speed the wheels rotate. This system shows recommendations on how best to combine innovative systems;
- Suspension tuning system;
- Quickshifter;
- System for managing power and its modes.
What is noteworthy is that modes are controlled while driving using just one single button. All necessary information for the driver will be displayed on a specialized TFT monitor.
Three riding modes Panigale Corse
In addition, the bike has an amazing chassis. The cast aluminum monocoque design uses the Superquatro engine as a structural element, together forming a very light frame. The Corse weighs 197kg, 2.5kg less than the standard 959. The motorcycle also owes its weight to its lightweight lithium-ion battery. The seat has a special shape so that the driver does not slide off, and the lower part of the body takes an attacking position. It is covered with Alcantara. The optimized handlebar allows you to take a position that allows you to feel the motorcycle equally well both on the track and on the road. The motorcycle is equipped with advanced Ohlins suspension components, adjustable titanium nitride shock absorbers replaced the kit from Sachs and Showa. The front is equipped with a 43mm Ohlins NIX30 fork and the rear is an Ohlins TTX36 shock absorber. The final element of the suspension is a steering damper, also made by Ohlins. Premium Brembo M4.32 monobloc calipers grip a semi-floating 320mm disc at the front, while at the rear a 245mm disc is paired with a twin-piston caliper. The dual-channel ABS system (Bosch ABS 9MP) works in conjunction with a function that prevents rear wheel lift. The 959 Panigale Corse's electronic bells and whistles include three riding modes (Racing, Sport and Wet), ABS, Ducati Traction Control-DTC, Ducati Quick Shift (DQS), engine braking (Engine Brake Control (EBC) and electronic throttle control (Ride-by-Wire (RbW).
Conclusion
The Ducati 899 Panigale is a magnificent sportbike, one of the best in its class . Unsurpassed aerodynamics, incredible power, stylish design and sophisticated electronic assistance systems make it truly the king of the road. But it takes a lot of experience to tame this wild Italian beast - it is not intended for beginners . And you should consider your financial capabilities when purchasing a Ducati Panigale, because this motorcycle is also not cheap to maintain.
Specifications
| Maximum engine power: | 148 hp at 10750 rpm HP |
| Torque: | 99 N•m at 9000 rpm Nm |
| Working volume: | 898 cm3 |
| Motor type (cylinder arrangement, number of strokes): | V-shaped |
| Number of cylinders: | 2 |
| Number of valves: | |
| Intake type (Injector / Carburetor): | |
| Bore and stroke: | |
| Starting system (Electric starter, kick starter): | |
| Maximum speed in km/h: | 260 km/h |
| Cooling system: | Liquid cooling |
| Transmission (gearbox): | Mechanical, 6-speed |
| Clutch (Dry / Wet): | |
| Drive unit: | Chain |
| Frame: | Aluminum, monocoque |
| Chassis | |
| Suspension (front/rear travel): | |
| Brakes (Front/Rear): | |
| Wheels / Tires / Rubber: | |
| Dimensions and weight | |
| Dimensions (Length / Width): | |
| Seat height: | |
| Ground clearance: | |
| Curb weight: | |
| Wheelbase: | 1426 mm |
| Weight: | 169 kg. Curb weight: 193 kg kg |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 17 l. |
| Battery capacity: | |
| Year of release: | |
| Country of Origin: |
Transmission and engine
The motorcycle's transmission includes a six-speed front gearbox, which is equipped with a constant, non-stop gear clutch. The transmission is also equipped with a wet multi-plate hydraulic clutch, as well as a main chain drive.
As for the engine, the first moment that is simply breathtaking is the high power and weight parameters that were provided by the most technologically advanced engine currently in existence - an engine called Superquadro. This engine in the Ducati Panigal 1199 is a 1198 cc unit with two cylinders.
There is liquid cooling as well as a gas distribution mechanism. In the process of creating this engine, the developers were able to achieve a significant reduction in the size and weight of the engine.
Another engineering decision made in the process of creating the engine for this motorcycle is the deflection of the cylinders relative to the crankcase by 6 degrees. Due to this engineering solution, the gap between the body and the front wheel has become larger. This helped with load redistribution.
The engine is equipped with an electronic fuel injection system, as well as two injectors for each cylinder.
