Cycle News

VOL. 50 ISSUE 42 OCTOBER 22, 2013 unit that Ducati had set up in the paddock. Learning a new racetrack is never easy, learning one in the rain with limited vision and on a motorcycle you've never ridden before makes the challenge even more… well, challenging. But there's no denying that slipping the electronics package on the 899 Panigale into "wet" mode made all of that not only bearable, but fun. With the settings on "wet", the 148 horsepower of the twin is cut down to 100 horsepower, DTC (Ducati Traction Control) is at level eight, DQS (Ducati Quick Shift) is off, ABS is at level three (max safety, max rear wheel lift prevention), and EBC (Engine Brake Control) is at level one. It was definitely a case of "ground control to Major Tom, take your protein pills and put your helmet on, commencing countdown engines on…" What it all means is you can pull out of pit lane and head out into the yonder of Imola relatively stress free. You can figure out where the hell you're going and not be fretful of the Ducati doing anything silly that could result in you hitting the deck. It also helped that Pirelli had fitted the bikes with its World Supersport/ World Superbike-spec rain tires, the compound of which is basically melted gumballs. So in two and a half sessions (I lost a bit of the second session when the bolt pulled out of the shifter assembly, leaving me five gears short of a full box), I sort of knew where I was going and was hopeful of stepping out of the comfort zone of the "wet" setting and venturing into Sport mode. Woot-woot. But that never happened. Instead, I can vouch full for the safety of the "wet" settings. I felt comfortable on the motorcycle immediately in spite of the treacherous conditions and was able to at least begin to get Imola figured out, making the cancellation of the final two sessions a bit frustrating. The traction control, which was working overtime in the wet conditions, isn't choppy and doesn't give you that traction-interuptus feeling. The only indication you get that it's working is the flashing yellow lights on the dash. The ABS was also tested to its fullest in the conditions, and it's also a keeper. Brake as hard was you want while upright in full wet conditions and you remain upright. It works. One thing that doesn't work is the footpegs. Ducati continues to fit its sportbikes with the most slippery footpegs in the world. They are slippery in the dry. In the wet it was if they were dipped in baby oil. Not good. Ergonomically, the bike felt right. The changes they made to the chassis dimensions work. You sit up a bit higher, which will translate nicely to riding the bike on the road. You're also closer to the handlebars, adding to the upright riding position. P95 SPECIFICATIONS DUCATI 899 PANIGALE Engine: ........Liquid-cooled 898cc L-Twin; 8-valves Bore and Stroke: ............ 100.0 x 57.2mm Compression Ratio: ..........................12.5:1 Fuel Delivery: .....Electronic fuel-injection Clutch: ........... Wet multi-plate; Hydraulic actuation Transmission: .............................Six-speed Final Drive: ............................ Chain 15/44 Frame: .................. Monocoque aluminum Front Suspension: ..............Showa 43mm inverted fork; three-way adjustable for spring preload, compression and rebound damping; 4.72 inches travel Rear Suspension: ...... Sachs gas-charged shock; three-way adjustable for spring preload, compression and rebound damping; 5.12 inches travel Front Brakes: ..................... 320mm discs with radial-mount Brembo four-piston M4 monobloc calipers Rear Brake: .................. 245mm disc with twin-piston caliper Curb Weight: ..........................425 pounds Wheelbase: ...........................56.57 inches Rake: ...................24.0 deg./Trail: 3.78 in. Seat Height: ..........................32.48 inches Fuel Capacity: ......................... 4.5 gallons MSRP: ... $14,995 (red); $15,295 (white) Colors: ..............Ducati Red/Arctic White The wet conditions of Imola left us wanting for more and we're looking forward to getting our hands on a test unit when they arrive stateside. At that point, we can point it at the California sun and see what it's really made of. CN

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