I've only had 20 mins on a V4 at Brno a few years ago, I'd literally jumped off my 1299 and straight onto a V4. Weirdly they felt quite similar, obviously it wasn't my bike so wasn't pushing too hard as I didn't know/trust it in that time. I recall the climb out of turn one up to the first chicane at Brno thinking the Pani V4 is like a baby Desmo, nowhere near as intimidating, loud as the GP replica. The only thing that made me want to change was how sublime the quickshifter was compared the my 1299, and I even picked up the phone straight after that session to JHP to see if they could get me a Speciale... after a day or three's consideration I backed out, I just couldn't warrant the $$$ for a quickshifter LOL! Consequently I still have the 1299, I still cannot get my head around the V4 looks wise and how badly packaged things are by comparison, although the SP did get my wallet quivering again. The 899/1199 is the prettiest on the Panigale's IMO, the front of the 1299 isn't as sharp, but I prefer the rear.... but the V4's especially the later winged versions do nothing for me which is in part why I am sat on the fence with them, that plus the amount of cheap plastics compared to previous models. I'm sure if I were to spend more time on a V4 my opinion would change, but the mere fact I haven't bought one (and I usually am riding their latest superbike incarnation) speaks volumes to me.
I bought a 1199S in 2014 and became intrigued with the V4 when it came out and bought a V4 Speciale in 2018, while keeping the 1199S. After riding both during that year, I ended up selling the V4 the following winter and have kept the 1199. I primarily ride road trips with a handful of track days each year. I can easily say that both bikes are capable of much much more than I am, I just enjoy using them within my abilities. The following is just my opinion, others have other opinions To sum up in one sentence why I kept the “old” bike was that after the initial happiness of the new V4, I had a bigger grin when getting home and off the bike after a ride with the 1199 than with the V4. In more or less all ways the V4 is better than the 1199, the V4 is a rocket ship and it has power everywhere, the electronics and QS are a huge step forward compared to the 1199. To me it didn’t seem much larger than the 1199, and ergonomics wise with a few mods I was happy with both bikes. To me the V4 with the power and electronics was easier to ride and required less of the driver to the point it kinda felt a bit “sterile” at normal and reasonably spirited road riding, on track and pushing harder you still have to work, but it is still easier and smoother than the 1199. The V4 to me ended up lacking personality and just does everything very well. The 1199 just feels different, lots of power but not everywhere, you have to work and cooperate with the 1199 and think about how you driving it for both normal and spirited road riding and it requires work on track to get fast. The 1199 has a bit more of a grumpy personality and you have to work/think more with it and for me that was much more rewarding than with the V4. Hope this is understandable, but it is really just a feeling thing and what and how you prefer to ride
Went from 1299 to 2018 V4s, missed the grunt and sound of the twin so sold V4 and bought a 1199s Tricolore. Had a moment of insanity and sold the Tricolore and bought a 2020 V4s. Sold the V4 and bought a 1198s and a 2015 Pani R. Now thinking of selling the 1198s and buy a cheap 2018 V4s….. The only thing better with the V4 is the quickshifter and blipper. In my opinion.
Rode a few V4's, very nice bikes. Refined is how I would describe them, the 1299 however is an anti-social tractor on steroids. Its more fun and to me more "Ducati" this is coming from a viewpoint of 45 years riding. As for performance, you just get used to it. Initially I thought the 1299 was plenty fast but have upgraded a few bits to add a few more horses to the stable.
Is that a good thing? I haven't ridden another 4 stroke road bike that needs 1st gear as much, and even then it doesn't like dropping under 15mph. It's thirsty, has a small tank, the fuel level is a guessing game, until you've nearly run out. And even with throttle spacers the first 1/8 turn of throttle does very little. If it wasn't for the way it looks, sounds, brakes, goes into, around, and leaps out of corners, I'd flog it.
Only ridden the 1199S so can't comment which is better, and whilst beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, surely EVERYONE agrees the tricolore is the best paint job and thus looker!
I guess its all about where you ride, I dont do much commuting on it. I added 2 teeth to the rear and run it in race dwc & dtc 1 or2 all the time unless its soaking. Never had an issue with first being high, tight roundabouts in traffic maybe slip the clutch a bit, but this thing does 290, its not exactly made for gymkhana. As for the fuel, on track it sucks a tank in about 80ks on the road you get an awareness but if you're sporty you should be good for about an hour and a half? The throttle is fine for me, never had an issue with or without spacers, best upgrade is rearsets with quality linkages and a comfort seat. The worst part is tire consumption, for a while I was averaging (meaning there were worse numbers) about 1200k's out of a rear SP V3 with the fronts every 2500. TBH the only reason that I seriously considered selling was that, it was really frustrating to dial in. Also with the handling which demands a certain aggressiveness and confidence that takes a while to learn. Great bikes, and I think they will appreciate although mine will be a bit battered and worn out to be worth much when I'm finished with it.
I have to ride through a mile or 2 of town to get to open road, and I hate that part. I'd like to fit a rear sprocket with a couple more teeth, did that require a longer chain? As for the handling, I haven't ridden anything else that feels as planted at the lean angles this does. But I expect that's due to the weight, Supercorsa tyres, electronic Ohlins, and forged wheels. I don't know if I'll keep it, or move it on early next year while it's still got 3 months of Ducati warranty on it.
15/41 is the same gearing as the R and is far more practical, maybe thats why I dont have the same low speed annoyances and the top end is ridiculous anyway so losing a few ks is meaningless unless youre racing it seriously. Pretty sure it's 106 links vs 104?, something like an ERV3 is way better than the stock Regina, next change I am keeping the ratio but going 520. The wheels are pretty good, carbon is a would be nice addition but not really necessary. Ive tried RC2's SPV2's SPV3's, Power RS's, Power GP's Power Cup 2's some in 55 and some in 60 profiles. I hate to think how much Ive spent but its probably about 12k in rubber. If you can afford them and they work for your style SPV3's 200/60 are the best profile but they dont last and are pretty much done for sports riding if you cook them even once which is easy to do since they spin up with that monster torque. Over 40ks of mostly track and Sunday rides and its still going really well so longevity is great. The other thing which I alluded too before, they have a learning curve and the more you ride them the better they get.
I've done around 1k miles on mine now, and it has taken a while to get used to it. The rear Supercorsa looks like it has plenty of life left in it, the front didn't seem to have much tread depth from new. And I reckon another 1k miles could be it's limit.
I've not ridden any but like them all. Does that count for anything The 1199/1299 look amazing and sound awesome too. The V4 looks amazing although i prefer the 1st edition with the fuller side fairing, same as V2, rather than the latest model with side gills. Slap an Akra full system on a V4 and it's something else, might even be better than the RSV4 sound? Just buy one of each then there's no need to worry!! And can someone please ban @DRR117 for posting those obscene images?
