[Thepuma]

So...ive owned my Honda CBR65OF for 3 years now and im in the market for a new bike. Really love the look of the Ducatis and pretty much set my heart on one as no other faired bike comes close to its looks at present.

As soon as I heard about the SSS i thought this was the perfect bike for me...but the saw the price and couldn't believe how expensive it was. With it being merely £800 cheaper than a Panigale I was then in a quandry as for £800 more the Panigale seems the nicer bike...however I don't need that extra power.

So I took them both out for a test ride. The SSS is the one I really wanted to like but it sounded quite rattly, tappy and clunky.. I put this down to it being a twin and me coming from a supersmooth in line 4...it really put me off the bike, but wasn't sure if this was just a faulty demo bike that had been mistreated? It would appear from reading on her that it is 'normal'....mayne it's something I'd get used to over time?

I rode the Panigale and to be honest I did prefer that...looks slightly nicer, although the Insurance is almost 3 times as much.

So I am stuck in a quandry...the Panigale is overkill for what I use a bike for...basically commuting 15 minutes to work on 30 and 40mph roads....but less rattly and clunky...but nicer looking. The Supersport is a better all rounder, but is rattly and tappy.

I just wish the Supersport was more competitively priced as it's almost the same price as a Panigale and that alone is tempting me towards the Panigale as that feels like better value for money.

May take them both out for another ride as it's been a few months since it rode them and maybe I need a second opinion.

 

[Addesmo]

When I read your thoughts, I think your heart chose a Pani. No doubt, buy one!

 

[se7en]

Yeah, go for the Panigale...just remember, you won't be comfortable much and your arse will get HOT in traffic. But you're also not going far. My SS is rock solid...not sure why you felt the demo was rattly. The Pani should have been about the same as the SS in terms of engine sound (not exhaust). Good luck and let us know what the choice was.

 

[Rhino]

Yeah Addesmo is right The Pani 955 is a great looking bike and you sound like that is what you want. But consider this, if you are not Casey stoner size i.e. small guy. you will probably not look as good as you think you look on that bike. get some photos taken with you on both bikes and I will bet you will look better on the SSs. Now for the the Tappy clunky sound... go and have another test ride and this time ride it at a higher rev level and in lower gears this is a Ducati which does not like to just potter it is mapped to give you excitement and fun from mid range torque so if you get those revs between 5000 & 7000 it will feel awesome and sound great and when you come off the throttle and use the engine to slow you down you will be rewarded with a back crackle which is awesome. I had to go back for a second test ride as well. Which ever way you go you gonna get an awesome bike. let us know what your final thoughts are after your next test ride.

 

[klev]

... when you come off the throttle and use the engine to slow you down you will be rewarded with a back crackle which is awesome.

About that crackle, does it only happen in first gear. I haven't heard it in other gears. Or is it just that my revs aren't dropping as low?

 

[se7en]

About that crackle, does it only happen in first gear. I haven't heard it in other gears. Or is it just that my revs aren't dropping as low?

I've had it in second, but no other above that...of course I'm still on the break in, so no high revs just yet.

 

[GolanTrevize]

Well in our group there was a guy who bought a Pani, the old 899 with low exhausts, he did less than 10.000kms and sold it, it was quite uncomfortable for touring (and this isnt the worst sportbike in this sense) superquadro is a really hot engine (take care about your balls ) and its quite small. Its harder to drive fine, the best of the engine is in high revs compared with other ducati desmodue or testastretta, so TC will work usually when opening gas tilted (sorry if my English isnt good).

Is a great bike, but if you want a Pani I recommend you the next step 1299, for an everyday bike I think SS is a better choice. When I tried it (demo bike) just remember my old Monster but much better. Only one disappointment, cable clucht instead of hydraulic one. And try Sport mode on SS, I dont like touring or urban engine setup.

 

[Tez]

Go for the pani
It's a far superior engine
And so it should be it's the next evolution on from the 939
And the sheer power will have you giggling in yout helmet
The supersport the better all round bike .

 

[Thepuma]

It's a heart or head thing I think.

My head says the SS is the perfect bike for me...the heart strings are being pulled by the Pani.

True though...the first thing I notice about the Panigale was the extreme lent forward position...felt like i was over the front of the bike!..lol...its one of them isn't it...during the rest ride I'd convinced myself I'd be ok and it I could get used to it...but every day on a commute?...on days when you come home knackered after work?....

The other thing...on both bikes really...i doubt I'd get out of 3rd gear ...EVER!!..id say I rarely go above 60mph on my commute. Which begs the question, do I even need either of these bikes?

I just love the styling of these 2 bikes and I can most forgive their bad points just to own one.

I thinking im going to test ride both again and see if one jumps out at me. I just wish the SS was a tad more smoother and quieter (less rattling etc) as that really put me off.

Such a big decision really as I want to be keeping this bike for at least 3 years.

 

[Thepuma]

Oh..and I forgot to say...im quite a small chap - 5 foot 9....so I think the size of both would suit me well.

 

[se7en]

You don't need either bike. Get a used Ducati and save a ton of money...or a scooter. Seriously. If you will rarely get over 60, then what's the point other than looking good while going slow? Not trying to be mean, just saying the obvious.

 

[Rhino]

You don't need either bike. Get a used Ducati and save a ton of money...or a scooter. Seriously. If you will rarely get over 60, then what's the point other than looking good while going slow? Not trying to be mean, just saying the obvious.

Lol hey fred how did you manage to hack se7en,s profile I'm starting to like you more and more you devious ******* please can I be one of your minions

 

[se7en]

Sorry, I didnt mean to be harsh. Just trying to help a brotha out with honesty, ya know. 0

 

[klev]

You don't need either bike. Get a used Ducati and save a ton of money...or a scooter. Seriously. If you will rarely get over 60, then what's the point other than looking good while going slow? Not trying to be mean, just saying the obvious.

well they do say that its fun to ride a slow bike fast rather than riding a fast bike slow:wink2:

 

[John]

Sorry, I didnt mean to be harsh. Just trying to help a brotha out with honesty, ya know. 0

Not harsh at all, actually excellent advice. For someone who primarily uses a bike for "basically commuting 15 minutes to work on 30 and 40mph roads", the ideal bike is a scooter or a small dual-sport. I use an XT250 yamaha (fitted with screen, tail bag, sheekskin seat cover) and it is excellent. Cheap to run, great turning cycle, light, sit high in traffic, big 21" front wheel to roll over sunken man hole covers, etc, etc.

Plus who would want to steal it?

 

[Bigwaves1]

Scooter - I'd rather take the bus. The SSS would be a better bike to commute on (over the Pani) and it's gorgeous.

 

[spinkick]

I'd get a scrambler or something for a 15 min commute.

 

[Thepuma]

I've been commiting for 3 years on my CBR650F so not sure why someone would think I should get a scooter..lol...i don't buy vehicles on 'need'...i buy them on 'want'.

90% of people would own a scooter and a smart car if they bought solely on what they need a vehicle for.

Maybe i like travelling in style?

Also...there are times when I won't be commuting, I don't live at work.!

Plus...its a moot point...the maximum speed limit in the UK is 70mph...so if we keep legal then no motorbikes over 125cc would sell. It's not all about function, it's about our desire to own what we want and what makes us happy surely.

 

[John]

Why anyone wants to wear out their good tires and the bike itself (no matter what make/model) with most of its life spent grinding along in heavy traffic is totally lost on me. If people are thinking, but I'll look cool, sorry to disappoint, no one your passing really gives a crap what your riding.

Figure out the economics, including the massive loss of value of your prize new bike running up boring commuter miles, service costs, tires, etc.. v's having a second budget economic beater for commute/shopping duties. Even if the numbers works out roughly the same, the joy of keeping the pride and joy in as new condition with near new tires just for the fun stuff is surely difficult to even put a price on.

P.S. Just the tires alone. New tires on a bike feels just as good as ...... (complete anyway you like) to me. Why I want to always be running worn ones because I'm chewing up and squaring off my new ones commuting is alone enough reason to have a dedicated commuter bike.

 

[Thepuma]

The money isn't really an issue...if It was I wouldn't be prepared to spend £14,000 on a motorbike when I've got a perfect good car I own.

The Pani insurance is a bit annoying as it's 3 times the price of the Supersport (which is silly imho) but I don't thinking would be a deal breaker.

I don't really care what other commuters think as I pass them....but I disagree that drivers don't notice what bikes you're riding...ive had numerous people at traffic lights wind their windows down and ask what bike I've got etc etc..and you get LOTS of looks by pedestrians when you're on a bike.

But the main reason I want one is for myself...i love the look of them and would like to own one. Of course it won't get used to its maximum, but if rather walk than get a scooter, motocross or other crappy looking commuter bike.