[adrian7]

Hey there 959'ers,

I have been somewhat lurking around this forum for a while, and even pitching in on some discussions even tho I currently don't own a motorcycle. Or well - technically I do, but it's a Honda CB190R. Yes you read that right. You're probably gonna need to google that one. The reason why is because I am currently working in Lima, Peru, and as much as I miss riding an actual bike, I simply can't justify getting one due to the traffic and roads etc. here, and also the fact that I should be back stateside inside of 10 months. Especially as a 959 (EURO4.....) is about 25k USD.
My current "bike" is honestly more of a scooter, compared to actual sport-/race bikes, but it sort of keeps my riding lust under control, although it is primarily a means for transportation.

Now to what actually matters:
I am torn about what bike to get, upon my return, and I realize that hopefully there will be new models, or at least new years out at that point, but here are my current thoughts:

For I while I was very intrigued by the 15'+ R1, but then I got hooked on the 959. Read great reviews on it, people seem to love riding it, and - obviously - for the looks. Holy ****, what a beauty it is.

Now, after checking out the 959 for a while - I'm starting to think it might be slighty underpowed. It's not that I'm a huge racer or nothing of that sort, I just don't wanna get **** on by all the liter bikes, like I've seen people on here say will happen.

That made me start looking into the 1199 and the 1299.
Looks like 1299's go for 20k brand spanking new and a '16 with a few miles (solidly sub 5k) on it can be had for sub 17k.
And a 1199 from 2014 can be had for around 13k with 3-5k miles on them.

Basically all of those options are starting to look better to me.
Now my question(s) are, what should stop me from getting a 1299 with 3k miles on in for an extra 10-15 bills?
And from there why would I not save 4k and pick up a slighty used 1199?

How do these three bikes compare? I'm thinking speed (acceleration and top end), "comfort", powerband, rideability, maintnance etc?
Furthermore, how do they compare to the R1 in your opinion? Obviously looks and neck-breaking factor favors the Duc all day everyday

Thank you all in advance :x

 

[D-StyleNZL]

The lastest R1 is a very good bike. Put a Austin racing slip-on on and it sounds horny AF. Plus being a Jap I4 it will last a long time.
They have a had a recall on the tranny and the oil filter is known to spin loose so you need to lock-wire it on.

the 1299 fixed a number of the 1199 hiccups (thou not the leaks or brake feel) Also the updated Electronics package and downshifter are a bouns
1199 are still way ahead of a 959, but you would need to look at a rear sprocket change and something like a rapid bike or Tuneboy/woolich ECU reflash to fix the low end putt-putt-putt. If you can find a 1199S for a fair price work on that.

The 1199/1299 will be hotter on you thighs than a 959.....

Best bet is to test ride them all (try a S1000RR and a new GSXR aswell) that way you can find out what you like.

For me after my experince with the Current Panigale, I wouldnt be sad given up the Panigale for an R1. Specially when you look at prices of bikes themselves (I can buy a New R1M cheaper than a Base 1299) and cost of aftermarket parts doesnt command the "Ducati Tax"

But a R1 doesnt get the stares nor attention that a ducati gets when ridering by or Parked up.

 

[DarR]

The 959 is a 155+hp / 160mph bike which is more than enough for the street and my ego. I dropped a tooth on the front sprocket to use the sixth gear once and awhile. This midsize produces about the same power as a 2004ish R1literbike and the Panigales' handling makes the old Yamaha look like a sloth.

 

[Rinzlr]

for me it came down to the 959 or the 15+ R1. I decided on the panigale because i really didnt want the power from a modern liter but i wanted some exclusivity. Now after selling my track bike and converting my 959 to track only i wish i had gotten the R1 just because its easier to build, a little cheaper to build and alot more data and options on that platform. but i love the 959 and im not selling it any time soon.

 

[adrian7]

Thanks for the input guys.

At the moment I am honestly leaving towards the 1299. And not just that. Currently it is the 1299 S that tops the list, as stupid as that sounds. Compared to the base 1299 it really is not worth those extra $$$'s for me, only having intermediate skill. But the look of those full LED lights just gets my juices flowing and that semi-auto suspension (as much as I do not need it) in the end just makes for a little better of a ride and visually it looks great to me.

But like has been said many times on many forums and in different threads - you need to buy that one you just can't stop thinking about. If you shell out 15k for a 959 and then still look in awe at 1299's passing you - that's not a good buy. I am sure I would love any of the 4 listed bikes. Without having tried it, I feel pretty confident that the best bike for me, practically speaking, and with a much lower price tag, would be the s1000rr. But at the end of the day it just doesn't speak to me at all, even though I speak German (LOL)

Thankfully I still have a good 9 months to consider and a whole lot of test rides ahead of me before I need to make a decision.

Don't be surprised if you see me around SoCal next year on my 1299 S being stingy as **** because I had to drop 25k on a bike. LOL

 

[cuonglm]

Thanks for the input guys.

At the moment I am honestly leaving towards the 1299. And not just that. Currently it is the 1299 S that tops the list, as stupid as that sounds. Compared to the base 1299 it really is not worth those extra $$$'s for me, only having intermediate skill. But the look of those full LED lights just gets my juices flowing and that semi-auto suspension (as much as I do not need it) in the end just makes for a little better of a ride and visually it looks great to me.

But like has been said many times on many forums and in different threads - you need to buy that one you just can't stop thinking about. If you shell out 15k for a 959 and then still look in awe at 1299's passing you - that's not a good buy. I am sure I would love any of the 4 listed bikes. Without having tried it, I feel pretty confident that the best bike for me, practically speaking, and with a much lower price tag, would be the s1000rr. But at the end of the day it just doesn't speak to me at all, even though I speak German (LOL)

Thankfully I still have a good 9 months to consider and a whole lot of test rides ahead of me before I need to make a decision.

Don't be surprised if you see me around SoCal next year on my 1299 S being stingy as **** because I had to drop 25k on a bike. LOL

Try 959 and you would love it, for daily riding!

I myself intend to but a ZX10RR this year, just read the sale of day in my dealer page, go to it and pick up 959. It was 1 month up to now, I never regret about that choice.

 

[DJ Shrug]

What's your underlying goal and use case? Seems like you're heavily motivated by what seems to be raw power, but what's your driving your primary goal?

The 959 isn't necessarily comparable to the 1199/1299/R1. 959 is more comparable to other middleweights like the Daytona R or the GSX-R750, so sure its going to be underpowered when comparing it to actual liter bikes.

If you're looking to be competitive at the track, the 899/959 sometimes doesn't fit in the middleweight class, so you're stuck racing in the heavyweight/open classes (maybe not as far as superbike, but its possible).

If you're looking to "race" buddies on the street, well, throw your money wherever you want.



Everyone who considers a Panigale does it for the aesthetics, so ultimately, from what it seems you're torn between paying the extra 10k or so for a beautiful 1299 vs getting similar power from a "bland" liter bike. You don't have to justify it to us, but it seems like you have another reason for specifically looking at 1299 S. If you need a great looking bike with the most power, no question about it, get what you need.

Question to you, why not the Panigale R then? #YOLO

 

[adrian7]

You know, DJ, the thing is - I know I won't benefit any, as far as riding goes by getting the S over the base.
It is basically just the aesthetics of the full LED and the comfort of knowing the suspension will always be right where I need it to be for the conditions I'm in.

I won't be doing much actual racing, if any. I won't be NEEDING the power of the 1299 over the 959. I just WANT it, ya know :-D
On the road it's not like I will be looking to go racing with 650ib (YouTube moto vlogger, for those not familiar with him) or any of those types, but I gotta admit I would like to be able to rip the occasional "duuude" on his pimped out '07 R1 or whatever.

I think you get pretty much where I'm at. I do feel, solely based on reviews and such, that the R1, s1000rr and 1299 are very, very equal performance wise - so essentially I would be spending another 5-10k purely on aesthetics. As crazy as that seems, at the end of the day, I'm sure that what most 1299 owners have done, and it seems to me like it might be worth it. To feel like I didn't compromise and end up on another bike gawking at every 1299 that I pass. To just have the ultimate grin on my face every time I sit on that Italian beauty.

Installing the full LED of the S on the base could also be an option I assume, but 1. I havent seen anywhere that I can buy that actual headlight, and 2. I think in the long run, that option might actually be more expensive, as aftermarket spending just sinks right in to the bike where as the S models almost seem to keep the gap in price when selling.

To answer your question about the Panigale R - I honestly haven't looked into that one much. Although I don't mind paying the price for what I want, I do also have reason, and 10k ON TOP OF THE 1299 S is just a range that I won't go to. Besides, I dont actually feel like I'm getting anything for those 10k really. Do you know more about it?

And as with all the others, thank for pitching in. This forum is by far the best MC forum I have seen.

 

[able duc]

If it's 9 months till you make a decision don't forget about the V4 on it's way!

 

[adrian7]

If it's 9 months till you make a decision don't forget about the V4 on it's way!

Exactly. Well aware of that as a factor, but thanks for the heads up! I am very excited for that one.
Have you come across any new information on that? Even if not, what are your expectations as far as price, power, looks etc?

 

[Dingo]

...what are your expectations as far as price, power, looks etc?

I'm guessing it'll be a 1095 4 cylinder that'll have 198HP to the rear wheel and come with the electronics the SL comes with - a true Superbike by todays' standards

 

[able duc]

Take a trip to the 1299 forum.

 

[sinjin]

@Dingo,

You don't seem to think that they will keep it below a 1000 in order to keep it homologized as they did with the Panigale R at 1199 when they released the 1299 for street?

I was expecting that it would be 999 L4 close to the $40k US mark... SL internals and no LED or electronic suspension as with the current R.

 

[adrian7]

@Dingo,

You don't seem to think that they will keep it below a 1000 in order to keep it homologized as they did with the Panigale R at 1199 when they released the 1299 for street?

I was expecting that it would be 999 L4 close to the $40k US mark... SL internals and no LED or electronic suspension as with the current R.

From reading through the entire thread over at the 1299 forum and whatever else I could find on the WWW, this sounds very accurate Sinjin. Doesn't sound lok the bike I need.

Let's see what they come up with though.
For the time being, prior to testriding them all, the 1299 (S) in in the lead for me.

Thanks again to everybody that pitched in.

 

[dougo1199]

As mentioned above, my first question would be what are your plans for the bike? Another thing to keep in mind is, no matter which superbike you chose, is that they're all superbikes, which mean they built to perform best at speed. Choosing from the Ducatis you've listed, for regular street use I think the 959 is your pick. The smooth linear power band gives you a great balance between power and handling for street riding. For track, I would choose the 1299. IMO, it would be very difficult to get, or keep the bigger bikes (1199 /1299) in their zone on the street. (this of course is excluding any expressway foolery) As far as "base" vs "S". There is is lot to be said for being able to dial in your suspension correctly. It is true art and can be one of the most difficult areas of the bike to master. The "S" would definitely give you an advantage there.

 

[adrian7]

As mentioned above, my first question would be what are your plans for the bike? Another thing to keep in mind is, no matter which superbike you chose, is that they're all superbikes, which mean they built to perform best at speed. Choosing from the Ducatis you've listed, for regular street use I think the 959 is your pick. The smooth linear power band gives you a great balance between power and handling for street riding. For track, I would choose the 1299. IMO, it would be very difficult to get, or keep the bigger bikes (1199 /1299) in their zone on the street. (this of course is excluding any expressway foolery) As far as "base" vs "S". There is is lot to be said for being able to dial in your suspension correctly. It is true art and can be one of the most difficult areas of the bike to master. The "S" would definitely give you an advantage there.

Hi Dougo,

The bike would first and foremost be for street riding, which would probably include a lot of commuting most likely (yep, I'm that idiiot commuting on a race bike) and possibly a track day here and there.

Am I hearing you say a 959 actually would be MORE enjoyable than a 1299 on the street? I was under the impression the 1299 has a fairly smooth powerband as well including plenty of low end power? Or are you simply saying it wouldn't be wort the money to get a 1299 over 959?

 

[dougo1199]

Hi Dougo,

The bike would first and foremost be for street riding, which would probably include a lot of commuting most likely (yep, I'm that idiiot commuting on a race bike) and possibly a track day here and there.

Am I hearing you say a 959 actually would be MORE enjoyable than a 1299 on the street? I was under the impression the 1299 has a fairly smooth powerband as well including plenty of low end power? Or are you simply saying it wouldn't be wort the money to get a 1299 over 959?

I cannot say 100% for the 1299, but comparing my 959 to my 1199, I can say there is a significant difference in the engine characteristics between the two. And with that comparison I would (and did) choose the 959 for street riding. The big bikes deliver a much larger "hit" when the power comes on, which IMO makes them less favorable for street riding. The 959 has a very smooth and predictable power band even in "race / high" modes.

 

[Kruz]

I initially considered the 1299 but ultimately went with the 959 and am very happy with it so far. It's really not about the ultimate HP as all of these bikes are going to have more than you can safely use on the road. The 959 has the perfect balance of power and handling for a twisty road or canyon riding IMHO, the 1299 would have been overkill in most situations. I think you'll get more out of a 959 than a 1299 unless you have the skills of an AMA Superbike pro. That said, f you have to have the 1299 I think you'll enjoy that as well, I don't think you can go wrong with either machine.

 

[DJ Shrug]

Or are you simply saying it wouldn't be wort the money to get a 1299 over 959?

If there's any sort of corner that you want to ride against with your buddies, the 959 will do great. It seems like you're more of a straight line kind of person, so the 1299 would be better.

 

[dougo1199]

My brother and I did the factory tour last week while in Italy. Very cool to see. When the tour guide was asked about the V4, she just said "we have no information on that at this time". Naturally... We did get to see the new 1229 SL coming off the assembly line as well as one being run on the rolling road test stand. Only 500 being made and most of those are earmarked for the US. Very slick bike! Full carbon frame, wheels, body, with top level Ohilns and 200+ hp. Crazy machine! Crazy money! Looks a lot like the GP bike paint scheme wise too.