2015 DUCATI 1299 PANIGALE S
FIRST RIDE
P50
up in performance, Ducati has
upgraded its electronics pack-
age via a Bosch-supplied Inertial
Measurement Unit (IMU) which
measures acceleration in rela-
tion to three axes and calculates
the bike's lean angle and fore/
aft pitch. The IMU interfaces
with the Ducati Wheelie Control
(DWC), Bosch Cornering ABS,
and on the S model, Öhlins
Smart EC semi-active suspen-
sion to continually ensure these
systems operate at optimum
effectiveness.
On the 1299 Panigale S we
rode at the press launch, paddle
shifters on the left handlebar
permit on-the-go changes to
Ducati Traction Control (DTC),
DWC, or Engine Brake Control
(EBC), although you must select
which system you want to be
able to adjust before setting off.
You can't safely swap between
different programs while riding
because of the wealth of options
available to flick between via the
handlebar-mounted switches.
And while Ducati's DTC trac-
tion control program has been
upgraded to account for the
1299's power characteristics, it
hasn't (yet?) been linked to the
new IMU, to use the lean angle
information this delivers.
Besides Ducati's usual choice
of three different riding modes—
Race, Sport and Rain [see
Riding Modes sidebar]—new
electronic rider aids on the Pani-
gale have been added. They
include an eight-level switchable
DWC system borrowed from
the Superleggera; a revamped
Ducati Quick Shifter (DQS)
system, which besides wide-
open upshifts now also has the
auto-blip function for downshifts;
and an adjustable EBC system
that helps enhance stability on
the overrun with a closed throttle
on corner entry.
Okay, enough background…
You want to know if the 1299
Panigale S delivers? Bottom line:
yes, it does. And then some!
Riding the bike on southern
Portugal's ultra-demanding
high-speed (15-turn 4.592km)
This is one very technologically advanced machine.
