959 Trackbike?

Regarding noise limits I'd take a good look at this thread

https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threa...oise-levels-thread.43784/page-11#post-1186830

I too have toyed with the idea of the 959 but if you want to go for belly exhausts then it's probably going to cause more hassle than not.

Seemingly if the cans look stock you're given leniency, if they don't you're not.

Therefore a 959 running stock 1299 exhuasts is what I'd want, or failing that just get the 899 for ease.

Overall I'm still swaying towards the s1000rr simply because it's far more likely to get me on any track day I like

 

The twin setup from sc project?

https://www.scproject-shop.com/ducati_panigale_959_crt_twin_e.htm

In an ideal world I'd like something I can get on 98db days and upwards, if only to give me the options for days off work.

100db might be ok though

 

I believe Phil from Storm Performance Fabrications was looking at doing an intermediate system for the 959
I have a mate with a s1000rr and also an end can (long version) from SPF and we got under 88db on a drive by measurement in Zandvoort Holland the week before last, so might be worth speaking to Phil direct with your needs?
other than that with the under belly systems its a struggle to get under the limits. my 1299s blows 106db @5500rpm on a static test with db baffles fitted,
i have a Termi full force underseat system awaiting to be fitted just to see if that makes a difference and at least the possibility of extending the cans to add more silencing capacity...
you would just have to go with the rear end swap -swingarm and wheel to convert the bike though..

 

I have an 899 track bike and it really is a cracking bike.
Mines an ex-tri options bike, so came with some nice bits.
ABS has been deleted - sorry don't know how.
Don't know about the canister.
I've never experienced and significant head shake. Although I have a k-tech damper.
@Jolley will probably be able to help with your exhaust queries. Mine has termi cans, no issues anywhere with baffles in. TBH once in most people leave them in as they're bastard to remove!
The stock calipers are very capable with decent pads, I've just added a 19mm M/C, which is a great upgrade and gives me all the braking I'll need!
I dithered for ages re the auto blipper, but finally got one and used it this week....Mines a BSD unit, woks a treat.
Had mine at Silverstone last Wednesday.....Pic whore alert....

 

Why not track the Beamer ?

It’s a stronger & faster tool for the job. Not taking anything away from the 8/959 they’re mega bikes.

 

@Spence @scrawnsenior can probably help.

 

The 959 is a good bike IMO. I am faster than I've ever been on any bike.

Exhaust, yep they are loud with the Akra. Normally bang on 105db without baffles at race meetings and it'll need a re-pack over the winter. I've run at Oulton on 102db days with a set of custom MHP baffles I borrowed with no issues. Tested 101 and didn't see a black flag all day for the ride by. The bike ran fine with them in and was certainly good enough for trackdays. [edit] Just remembered that you can also fit the stock UK side exit pipes too if you want to do a really quiet day. Fellow Ducati Cup competitor was riding his race bike with stock cans at Castle Combe last week and that is probably the toughest circuit to get through noise testing.

ABS, just remove the stock hoses and fit straight hoses from the Master cylinder. I have HEL lines but any decent race hoses will do the job. You have to leave the ABS unit in situ as it's part of the electronics. Just blank off the holes with plugs and copper washers. I've rotated mine by 90 degrees so it sticks out a little less. One less thing to get damaged when I crash.

Reliability? I know some bikes have been struggling with head gaskets etc but I can't comment on the history of those machines. They do run quite hot but so does my old 749 so I think it's just the way they are. For track days I don't think you'll have any issues as you are unlikely to be running at race pace in a pack of bikes for any length of time. You are also unlikely to be held on grids etc. What I'm saying is that as a track bike you will have options for managing the heat if you feel it's getting hot. Either getting out of someones slip stream and into clean air or turning the bike off if you have to wait for anything. I don't let mine get above 110 if I can help it now and will take my rad guards out if the ambient temperature is high. To give you some idea of reliability the bike I have was brand new in February and had 2 miles on the clock when I first rode it on track in Valencia in February. It went through 2.5k miles this weekend at Castle Combe and I haven't had a single issue with it. Those are hard track miles too, I've only done Valencia pre-season and one double header trackday out of those miles. It'll need a refresh over the winter but with only two meetings left I'm confident it'll see you season through.

Carbon Canister, easy to remove and you'll just need to buy the delete plug from Ducati to replace it in the loom. I got mine from JHP.

Head Shake, can't comment on the stock damper really but I run full Ohlins including the damper and never have an issue with head shake. The 959 isn't like a proper thou if that makes sense. Once you get them set up well with the right gearing you can ride them hard and they will let you. I was at Castle Combe at the weekend which is a notoriously bumpy circuit and never really had any moments even when I was pushing on.

Auto Blipper, not allowed to run one so can't comment. I seem to get on OK manually blipping the throttle on the downshifts so don't feel like the bike needs one.

Brakes, personally I wouldn't mess with them. They work well. I run EBC race pads and they are great. Admittedly I probably change them more often than a track day rider might as the team is sponsored by them but I still get 400 miles or so out of a set before I change them. Not because of lack of braking power but because I now know the subtle change in lever feel and when I get to that point I change them. I gave a set to someone the weekend who normally runs Z04s and he said he thinks he is going to switch to the EBC so that tells a story.

Any more questions just ask, I've ridden the 899 for three seasons and the 959 this season so got plenty of experience with them.

 

@Nelson was the auto-blipper a simple plug and play?
Thinking about getting one for the 959. Going to Jerez in October and may get one fitted before then.
Cheers,
Bob

 

Rapidbike evo and quickshifter would be worth considering

If you fit 1299 cans you will get on most quiet days

Mine was 101 static with 1299 OEM cans but they’re usually leanient with you at noise test if cans are standard. Noise on drive by wasn’t an issue

 

1. Exhaust options:
Just stick the standard 1299 under belly cans on. That is what I have done on both of mine. You aren’t going to be down on power, it tests at 103dB, and because it is OEM, hey let you out at Oulton anyway.
2. ABS delete:
Already been answered. I would just add that if you set it to “1” and put decent pads in, the brakes are really pretty good. I’ve just added the rcs19 m/c and it is a whole level better. So I’d recommend doing that first.
3.Reliability?
I think a lot to do with how it has been run in, making sure you warm it up, and putting decent oil in it.
3a. carbon canister?
It is a tricky system to remove due to all the hose connections and where they go. They will run fine with it there, and is Only a tiny weight saving.
4. Head shake on acceleration:
The 959 has different geometry to the 899 and with the stock steering damper I haven’t had any head shake issues.
5. Anyone using an autoblipper? I see IRC make a standalone one.
You can add one to the Rapid bike fueling module. My RB EVO will be going up for sale in a couple of weeks if you are interested.
6. Is it worth changing the front calipers to the M50 s?
I would say no. As above, change the m/c and pads, and see how that feels before you go too far.

 

Just something to add on the auto blipper. I actually think the 959 slipper clutch (which apparently isn’t a proper slipper clutch, but works) is pretty good. I’ve had an 848 without slipper that I blipped. That was fine, but you would get the rear skipping and complaining sometimes going into 1st or 2nd. I’ve had a 1299S with the auto blipper, which quite frankly I hated on track because it didn’t always work and would on occasion decide it didn’t want to change gear and cause me to run on a little. More recently I’ve had the 959, and as you can hear in the video below, it does a decent job of letting you just change down without having to blip and without the rear complaining much at all. This is definitely my favourite out of the three, so personally I’d leave it as it is. If you get so good on the bike that you think this is holding you back, upgrade it then.