Ducati 959 Panigale review, test ride

The new baby Panigale is an improvement over its predecessor in a few areas. We get to experience the superbike in Thailand.

Published on May 27, 2016 11:34:00 AM

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Slide the engine kill switch to the on position, keep the starter button depressed for a second and then the L-Twin engine coughs to life and then settles into a mechanical rumble. As we head out of the pitlane I am pleasantly surprised by the light action of the clutch. The engine too seems to be quite capable of chugging at low rpms. Onto the straight it's time to gas it up and the 959 responds with impressive urgency. In Sport mode there’s full power on offer from the engine, but throttle response is milder than in the Race mode that we try later. The modes also come with presets for electronic aids such the eight-stage traction control, three-level engine brake control and three-level ABS system. The Rain mode lifts the intervention levels high and also caps power to 100hp. Despite the clouds looming above us, we are sure that we won't have to rely on that mode today. The nuances of the modes become apparent as I use the Race mode. Here, you can feel a crisper throttle and the stronger mid-range can now be used to full effect. Although the mid-range is impressive and the top-end serious, you soon come to terms with the punch from the Superquadro motor fairly soon. I can see the 1299 carrot dangling already.

Screaming through the revs on a L-Twin is a different experience. The noise is an angry blend of small and precise mechanical bits hammering away furiously and of air being yanked in and shovelled out in almighty gulps. The rev band is tighter than on in-line four motors and peak power also arrives at 10,500rpm. The little Panigale, although not as feisty as other litre-class motorcycles with 200hp on tap, was not so little on performance hitting 260kph down the straights. Even though the rush tapers off slightly, there is plenty of juice as you head to 11,000rpm and the shift light warns you to upshift. Armed with the Ducati Quick Shifter, there really is no drama in going up gears even when exiting corners as a slight tap on the lever gets the job done with virtually no interruption in the flow of power and feels seamless in the saddle too. The one area where you need to put some extra effort is through the corners as it is very important to have smooth throttle inputs, else the torquey pulse of the engine can make the going feel a bit choppy.