I do quite a bit of touring in Britain and Europe, and was wondering how people are getting on with 400 plus miles per day on 1199/1299 Panigales? I'm not as supple as I was - 55 this year! but my last few trips have all been done on a GSXR750 which I found absolutely fine as long as I kept the speed up and didn't get caught in traffic too much. (780 miles in a day was my best).
I’ve done that mileage on both an 899 and a 1299. I didn’t find it fun personally. But I probably would do it again ha
Did he really ride all that way on dead straight roads at 75mph??? Enough to put you off touring for life!
Chap called Dennis Matson (aka Antihero) did coast to coast across America (and back again I think) on an 1199S a few years ago (https://advrider.com/f/threads/coast-to-coast-and-back-with-an-italian-supermodel.808437/). Edit - here's the short version of Dennis' trip: https://www.rideapart.com/reviews/254050/rideapart-review-ducati-1199-panigale-s/ I think there's a video as well somewhere = if I find it I'll post a link.
done that sort of mileage a few times on my 1299 - its quite a long way on any bike - but you do it quite quickly on the 1299 . I find after I've not ridden it for a long time , first few times out i get arm ache - but once into the groove and bike fit it no problem
I'm 6'3" and find the 1199s comfy when considering leg-room and seat comfort... If you have the Ducati comfort seat that is. I've done 300 mile days with a stop or two no problems. I'm taking mine to the USA for 3 months next year on a 12,000-mile tour... So I better be sure! Wrists and hand pressure is my only gripe. I live in Cornwall and if I get stuck behind a caravan on a long/windy downhill while trailing the brake. Jesus! it loads your wrists up a lot. With the tiny tank, there's not much to brace or grip against.
My biggest day on a bike was over 860 miles, but that was on a KTM 990 SMT but that’s a different story.. On the 899 I’ve done almost 400 mile days, once on the move I find it pretty comfortable tbh, I’m 5’11” and there’s a decent bit of legroom from seat to peg, the standard seat is a bit thin, so if I’m doing a really big day, back to the ferry for instance, I’ll wear a pair of padded cycling shorts under my leathers and they really help. Plus I do a fair few miles on the Pushy so I’m used to being fairly tucked up on a rock hard skinny seat! If you get it above 40-50 mph and the wind flow takes most of the weight off your arms, the other thing that helps the Panigale greatly is that it cuts through the air like a little dart! You get very little wind noise or buffeting around your lid until you are doing daft speeds, far better air management than an adventure bike or sports tourer because your sitting tucked up close behind the screen. The only negatives I find are when you get stuck going through towns and you begin to feel the weight on your wrist a bit more and if you don’t get through the towns quickly the heat starts to build up under your jacksy, so what I would say is plan your route carefully to avoid built up areas as much as possible. Once your underway, I’ll happily spend hours on it
Would avoid mountain passes, going up is fine but the downward section with constant braking for multiple hairpins puts a lot of strain on forearms and wrists. Did quite a few passes in one day on my R1 and was in agony at the end of the day.
Great replies, thanks. I've spent many a happy day hooning around the Alps and Pyrennees on sportsbikes, and the wrist problem has been a big deal for me too - I once got really painful RSI on my right wrist, with all the downhill braking and actually wondered if I was going to be able to ride home. But I sat by the pool and had a day off the bike, strapped it up and it was ok. More of a symptom of the riding rather than the riding position!
Ive done plenty 750m + on a 1299. If the weathers cool, yay. I did it in 36°C once from Troyes. That was tough. Panis run hotter than the sun. A comfort seat is a must. I also wear those cycling gibbon pants. I will also not use a rucksack for long ones. Let the bike carry the load. A US20 works for me. Sometimes I'll add the US10 for waterproofs. When it rains in the alps, it fucking rains. Travel light, you dont need half the shit you think you need. Hotels have showers. I have those soft grips as I understand the inside of the hand aches (old scaphoid injury). The grips work really well to cushion the inside palms under heavy breaking. Grip puppies I think theyre called.
I always chuckle at reviews of sports bikes when they say it’s got extreme ergonomics, 10 hours on a road bike saddle with your back horizontal and your arms stretched out will change your perspective quickly
Put me off ever living in North America, was thinking of a move to Canada a while back and then had a look at the road maps of Ontario... all straight lines and 90 degree corners, pointless owning a bike there
True,...even a sports bike feels like a sofa compared to a stiff as F carbon fibre road bike with 110 psi in a 25c tyre being rattled down a choppy road for 60 miles or so !
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Yup I’ve done lots of touring on my 1199 Panigale. I’ve done big days too. My question is, why would you want to do 400mile+ days? You’re not going to see anything of the countries that you’re flashing through. Don’t misunderstand me, I like an all day ride. Someone said avoid mountain passes, what? That’s the point isn’t it. I love a combo of twisties and long sweepers. The roads in and out of Riano in the Picos mountains are epic, I wouldn’t have missed them. Get the grip puppies, really helps. Don’t use a ruck sack, padded cycling shorts are good. Be harsh when you pack...less is more. I use a pair of SW Motech Blaze panniers and a dinky tank bag for passport and wallet, that’s it. You’re obviously experienced so apologies for lecturing but this is my experience and as soon as we can travel and when I’ve got my house rebuilt I’ll be off. Can’t bloody wait! Also, ditch the mirrors. I can see out of these, clearly. Oberon with bar end indicators.
