Objavljeno: 21.07.2015
We are well aware of the fact that Ducati Panigale 899 was released in the 2013, but we wanted do make a short review from the perspective, 899 a smaller brother of the Panigale 1199/1299 and to compare it with its predecessor the 848.
Panigale 899 has a 148-horsepower (Panigale 1199 195 hp) version of the engine in the previously released Ducati 1199 called Superquadro with a total displacement of 898 cc, liquid cooled L-Twin with 4 Desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder.
Claimed dry weight is 169 kilograms (373 lb), kerb weight is 193 kg which is around 3 kg more than Panigale 1199/1299.
The 899 has a conventional two-sided swingarm, unlike the 1199 which has a single-sided swingarm.
Front suspension of the 899 is fully adjustable Showa fork, 43 mm.
Panigale 1199 has Marzocchi 50 mm fully adjustable usd fork.
Wheelbase of the 899 is 1.426 mm an 1199 has 1.437mm
The last technical difference between 899 an 1199 are the lighter rims on the Panigale 1199/1299 S and R versions, the 1199 basic model has the same rims as the 899.
So how all the above said works on the road and on the tarmac?
Well on the tarmac 899 absolutely flyes if the rider keeps it in the high rev area, the feeling is like riding a two stroke engine motorcycle, but that is a good thing cause the bike doesnt tie it self in a knot like Panigale 1199/1299 do, regarding the fact that 899 has some 50 hp less and around 35 Nm less, so the power is really smooth and manageable which makes the 899 a very stabile bike.
899 is lighter and shorter bike so going round corners and flipping sides is fantastic, like a glove!
848 had more power in the mid range but it was more physically demanding motorcycle that could bite a rider when the focus on the track or road was interrupted, the 899 is more forgiving bike but still a handful on the track when riding on the limit.
899 comes with standard equipment: Riding modes, Power modes, ABS, DTC, DQS, EBC, Fully RbW, DDA+ ready.
On the road we liked 899 Panigale even more, this goes for the open roads, not the urban riding cause the lack of torque in the mid range can be sometimes frustrating regarding the fact that the rider has to shift gears more often to keep the bike moving.
On the open roads the amount of torque is just enough to have lots of fun through curves and on short straight lines where 899 isnt so demanding as 1199 or 1299 are.
Riding postition in combination with wide handlebars makes the 899 pretty comfortable and easy to handle during every day riding.
This is not the most comfortable Superbike motorcyle, but for a Italian V-Twin it sure has lot to offer in that department, definitely two levels up regarding comfort than its predecessor the 848.
The co-rider seat and footrest are there just in case someone drops by and wants a short ride home or somewhere, because the seat is so small and the co-rider knees are so high up that is almost impossible for anyone to ride as a co-rider, maybe Santa's little helper or miniature elf could go for a ride, but not the average person.
Maybe thats a good thing, cause this kind of motorcycles are made for a racetrack and more aggressive road riding, so in this conditions co-rider wouldnt have fun anyways.
We liked the 899 Panigale very much for its looks, it is more user friendly, more easy to ride and more practical bike than 1199/1299 and 848 are.
899 welcomes less experienced riders and it gives a V-Twin thrills similar to the 1199 with more stability and less power, what good is that you have more power no average rider can use in every day riding??
Author, Test Rider: Marko Heder.
