Good luck with your decision. With just about any motorcycle you are looking at a compromise if you want to ride it to work and have fun on the weekends. I have yet to own a Panigale but I did a couple of long test rides on the 899 and it was OK riding around town at slow speeds. Obviously, being a sport bike, the riding position is not as suited to commuting as some other bikes but I found I could still see around me safely and the mirrors were useful. The engine produced plenty of torque at lower rpm and the 959 has even more. The downside was the heat from the rear cylinder and exhaust when you don't have the high speed airflow to take it away. The engine and exhaust noise might be an issue but the European model you would be getting has been modified to reduce this.
As you say, the fun will be on the highway and fast country roads.
As you say, the fun will be on the highway and fast country roads.