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Were here at the famous Imola racetrack for the 899 Panigale launch this is MOTOGEO
so here we have the Panigale 899 what is it? well it's much tamer smaller version than
the 1199. now we're here Imola, it's pouring wet not easy to test everything as it would
be in the dry, but i've gone through the wet more, sport mode and the race mode and what
I can tell you is that they really do make a difference. wet mode capped off at 100 horsepower
very smooth controllable powerband, good for wet good for slippy conditions and even good
for somebody who's coming to a motorcycle like this for the first time and needs to
get into it and get used to the bike, wet mode is a great place to start. Then we upgrade
that to sport you've got the full horsepower of 148 horsepower a much more gentle curve
getting up there, so again, controllable to ride, probably very good for the street.I
tried it in race mode just the last time more aggressive surge of power from the bottom
definitely sharper relationship as well between your throttle and what is going on at the
rear tire. You've got 8 levels of traction control in every mode, you've got 3 levels
of ABS and you also got an engine braking system which helps you as you decelerate.
the 899 is really the upgrade of the old 848, it's lighter, certainly better looking and
really has a lot of the traits of the 1199. Now what Ducati have done really cleverly
is introduced this as some that would really suit somebody that rides a 600 supersport
bike, it's got a little more power, it's a little bit bigger, but it is not like riding
one of the big 1000 or one of the big superbikes, it is a really good entry level to come to,
one the track or two if you are a 600 rider or something similar to that and you are looking
at getting a more sporty motorcycle, take a look at this. It's very compact, you feel
really racey on it, it is a really good racing position, like I said, foot pegs, handlebars,
positions, seat, it's the same as the big bike, the 1199, definitely fast enough for
the road, we've been going nearly 250 kilometers per hour down the front straight here in Imola
in the wet so that is more than enough for the street. It is really easy to throw around,
lots of chicanes here, lots of time to practice throwing it from left to right, it's really
agile, we have big piston Showa front forks here, awesome feeling, stops the bike really
diving as you grab the brake, so lots of control through the front fork, through the front
end and then you have the fully adjustable Sachs rear shock here, lots of feeling back
through that, helped with the traction control as well, but this has really great road characteristics,
hence the more comfortable seat, the tamer power and really just a lot of opportunity
to enjoy the motorcycle without being frightened by the amount of power that you've got at
your fingertips. You have a quick-shifter and you got so much information, you've got
red lights flashing at you when you need to change gear, I mean I didn't even have this
sort of stuff when I was racing so like to have it on a road bike is pretty amazing,
I think. Lots of electronic aids, the latest technology, a great LCD display, very clear
giving you all the information that you need, Ducati have done such a nice Job of keeping
all the buttons small, not too small, you can still find them easy enough for the rider,
but they are not bulky, looks really like a race bike. Lots of control through the monobloc
Brembo front brake, amazing stopping power, but it is not too aggressive, it is just there
if you need it. What Ducati have done is fitted a dual swinging arm at the back, which is
the most obvious change between the two models of the 899 and the 1199. So, overall apart
from the swinging arm, same lines, it looks like a big bike, you got lots of fun, it's
easier to ride than the big one but still it really does feel like a Panigale, same
riding position, very exciting motorcycle to ride as you go through the gears, it pulls
so quickly, it is a great bike, Ducati have done a really good job with it. The only downside
I can possibly think of is once again, I don't own one and it is not in my garage and I've
got to give it back at the end of the day, anyway, I've fallen in love once again with
a bike.