First 1199 Panigale review

[R Doug]

I hope to see one up close this weekend at the IMS in Charlotte.  As much as I would want this bike, I have to ask myself if I would have the kohunes to take this on the track.  One off and I'd cry for days.  

[expatbrit]

I hope to see one up close this weekend at the IMS in Charlotte.  As much as I would want this bike, I have to ask myself if I would have the kohunes to take this on the track.  One off and I'd cry for days.  

Only days? I think I'd be crying a lot longer than that.

[R Doug]

Oh no.  I just found out that my corporate year end bonus is going to be *slightly* higher than I expected.  After taxes and 401k there would be enough to get this bike.  I have gained a lust for this bike that I have not been able to shake.  It would be a nice compliment to the Adventure.  And, I'm sure I could easily sell the GSXR for what I have in it.  

One may think this is good news.  But it's not for me.  1)  It would be a very highly irresponsible thing for me to do.  2)  I'm sure my wife will see other uses for said funds.  3)  I'm SURE my wife will see other uses for said funds.  

 

[staedtler]

 
dude, if my wife were to get a piece of jewelry for say...17-18k with bonus money...?
i'll be like; ok, sure... a blowjob everyday for a whole year, no prob.  

[atadaskew]

 
dude, if my wife were to get a piece of jewelry for say...17-18k with bonus money...?
i'll be like; ok, sure... a blowjob everyday for a whole year, no prob.  

That would be $49 per...

[staedtler]

yep, pricey so...let's make'em count  

[miles]

 As much as I would want this bike, I have to ask myself if I would have the kohunes to take this on the track.  One off and I'd cry for days.  

One word:  Full Coverage Insurance.  With replacement value rider.

[R Doug]

One word:  Full Coverage Insurance.  With replacement value rider.

Most policies won't cover track days and I have an issue with towing the bike to another location and saying it was an accident.  

I'm going to pull the trigger on a bike sometime between late 2013 and early 2014.  I'll take a portion of these funds and put in my bike savings.  Who knows where I'll be by then.  I may keep the Zook for the track and get a Guzzi for the road.   But for under $20k, I don't believe anyone can buy something as exotic as this Panigale.    

[falcofred]

One may think this is good news.  But it's not for me.  1)  It would be a very highly irresponsible thing for me to do.  2)  I'm sure my wife will see other uses for said funds.  3)  I'm SURE my wife will see other uses for said funds.  

 

The trick is making money faster than your family can spend it.
I am also lusting after this bike, but with two in college it won't happen soon. It is a very impractical bike, unlike my Multi, but damn it is so sexy.

[miles]

Most policies won't cover track days and I have an issue with towing the bike to another location and saying it was an accident.  

I asked my agent.  He said that if there are instructors on the course, it's rider training and therefore covered- unless they use the words "race" or "racer" in the track day description- then it is not covered.  It seems trivial, but there it is.  You can wreck at almost any track day and be insured, unless it's a specific racer day.

[1000lbs]

Good info Miles    I feel a little better about taking the new striple on the track already.

Oh, on the topic of the Panigale,  

[falconati]

But for under $20k, I don't believe anyone can buy something as exotic as this Panigale.    

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm  

[R Doug]

Good info Miles    I feel a little better about taking the new striple on the track already.

Oh, on the topic of the Panigale,  

+1  Good info Miles, thanks!


Regarding the Panigale and offs, I wonder if this bike would be easier or more difficult to total compared to a bike with a traditional frame?  

FYI.. as much as I would like to pull the trigger on this now, I'm going to give my GSXR a year or two on the track before I decide on a second street bike.  The GSXR is all I really need for track days.  In the next few years, I would really like to add a Guzzi to the garage to go with the Adventure.  But, with the unexpected bonus, there may be room for a nice enduro / trail bike for now.  I'm really diggin' the new KTM 350EXCF.  

[atadaskew]

I asked my agent.  He said that if there are instructors on the course, it's rider training and therefore covered- unless they use the words "race" or "racer" in the track day description- then it is not covered.  It seems trivial, but there it is.  You can wreck at almost any track day and be insured, unless it's a specific racer day.

That's cool but you should still check with your agent as different companies have different policies.

[expatbrit]

I asked my agent.  He said that if there are instructors on the course, it's rider training and therefore covered- unless they use the words "race" or "racer" in the track day description- then it is not covered.  It seems trivial, but there it is.  You can wreck at almost any track day and be insured, unless it's a specific racer day.

For State Farm, I got the same response. As long as it isn't 'racing', it's good.

[falcofred]

It's rider education  

[Tpoppa]

RC8R, RSV4, S1000RR, Panigale, and maybe something from EBR at a mass market price point...the Big 4 better watch their rear views.

[atadaskew]

RC8R, RSV4, S1000RR, Panigale, and maybe something from EBR at a mass market price point...the Big 4 better watch their rear views.

10 years ago.  Now they are choking on Euro dust.

[R Doug]

10 years ago.  Now they are choking on Euro dust.

I noticed a trend of Euro dominance in this when the Daytona 675 was released (2006?).  From there, the Big 4 hasn't put out anything exciting (especially compared to Euro brands and EBR).  And, the price of the Big 4 bikes have increased to the point that the difference in price can easily be translated in what you get for the $$$ (i.e. steel braided lines, higher quality suspension, generally better brakes, etc...).

[miles]

Back to the Panigale. My big question about the bike is this: if it's so awesome and amazing, why aren't any teams anywhere running the new 1199? Why is Carlos Checa riding last year's bike in WSBK? Seriously- there must be a reason.