First Test Ducati Panigale R - MOTOR GERR

I’m stood in pitlane with £28,995 of Ducati Panigale R looking at me with slightly contained aggression. Opportunities to experience exotica of this calibre are few and a long way between; make no mistake, this can be a street motorbike that exists best to homologate the race model – and the variations are minimum.

The R fashions in Ducati’s vary have at all times been peculiar, and the brand new Panigale R continues the custom. The 1198cc race-bred engine options titanium valves and rods to minimise inertia, whilst Ducati have labored arduous to scale back inside frictional losses, all contributing to a claimed top energy of 202bhp @11,500rpm – astonishing for a V-twin. The torque isn't any much less spectacular 100.5ftlb, delivered at a dizzying 10,250rpm. This isn’t an engine that’s been evolved with the street in thoughts.

But the R isn't all concerning the engine, the chassis is all-new and multi-adjustable, together with a four-position adjustable swingarm pivot. The wheelbase is longer, the steerage head extending additional ahead than same old, and there’s typical Öhlins suspension within the position of the 1299 S’ electrickery, the usage of a 43mm NIX fork and a TTX36 rear surprise, each totally adjustable.

Ducati have additionally launched into a fanatical weight-loss programme. The battery is Lithium-ion, or even the headlight is a traditional unit – now not LED – as it permits extra grams to be shaved from the entire mass. The manufacturing facility declare the R will crack the scales at simply 162kg dry, or 184kg in a position to experience. That’s unbelievable for a motorcycle boasting over 200bhp.

Even sat on its paddock stands, tyres gently warming, the brand new Panigale R is enforcing, and right here’s no welcoming hug as you climb aboard and level it out onto the circuit. The acceleration is brutal, such a lot in order that it upsets your psychological rhythms. The engine is immense; it seems like there’s no inertia because it spins up with lightning velocity. I’ve by no means ridden a dual that may rev quicker, or that delivers the whole pressure of its hedonism so top within the rev vary. If you truly need the best from it you’ve were given to stay the revs in 5 figures. The exhaust be aware from the whole titanium Akrapovic machine is totally intoxicating, swathing you in tides of scrumptious tune.

With race mode decided on giving me complete energy, traction intervention set to a minimal, EBC on stage one, and the wheelie regulate set to a few, I’m giving it the whole thing I’ve were given. Normally I’ll do a minimum of a couple of classes with the aids became off, however now not this time. The aids are so just right they don’t obstruct the motorbike’s efficiency, or your a laugh, there’s no backfiring or spluttering when the traction regulate kicks in, so why possibility offending the animal through slapping away its serving to hand?

The Brembo M50 monobloc radial brakes are superb even though, and the motorbike is so mild that you'll be able to depart your braking as overdue as your bravery and grip will permit. But this is able to now and again reason headaches, the rear looking to rotate across the headstock. But don’t disregard that the R is a race motorbike with lighting, and extra time spent on track-specific set-up would pay nice dividends.

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