I had a V2 Panigale for a number of years and would comfortably ride for 250+ miles with ease and thoroughly enjoyed the ride. I subsequently bought my Panigale R 18 months ago and after just 10 miles I can't wait to get off it. I did a 150 mile round trip to Sheffield last week and afterwards I was in so much pain it has made me put it up for sale. Can anyone explain how the V2 and the R can be so different comfort wise as they are essentially the same chassis?
What seat do you have on it mate?? I find my pani r very comfy, It Came with the race seat but changed to a comfy seat.
Doesn’t one have ohlins and one not? I find ohlins on the road to be very harsh unless set up properly. Just a thought.
I have owned both of these bikes. No noticeable difference in comfort in my experience. Both were/are used for 200 mile trips in a day.
If youre doing long distance (motorway for example) a game changer for me was to lower the rear end completely. (i have got a TTXMk2 on the rear of mine so all i need is an 8mm spanner to drop it....once its sitting on its arse motorway riding is a breeze...which is what ill be doing next week for the TT trip.
I've tried both the standard and comfort seat. I just can't understand why I find this bike so uncomfortable and different to the V2
I may have to try that as it is very uncomfortable and the UK roads around the NW certainly don't help
A bit of both if I'm honest. I never ached riding the V2 but I do find the suspension on the R very firm
Well as i say for me lowering the rear for motorway trips takes youre weight off the bars...well, for me on mine anyway...
Cheers for your thoughts and recommendations. If the bike doesn't sell I will probably have the suspension looked at.
When I first got mine I did a 647 mile day with no issues at all but since then I’ve lost just over a stone in weight and find that small amount or mine need servicing to be a massive difference. 150 mile day now isn’t anywhere near as nice. Each to there own I suppose
I think, CUD, you're underestimating the difference the Maxton suspension made to your V2. Get them, or MCT to re-spring, or re-valve your bike. I have a base model 1299, but after my previous bikes having more engine, than suspension/handling, (think TL1000s, ZX10R '04) I found the standard sussies poor quality. So I fitted the Swedish gold, Ohlins front and rear, (from a Pani R) but even after help with set up from a renowned track suspension guy, it was awful to ride, and down the bumpy A and B roads I like to ride, the bike used to bounce off right and left hedges, with no suppleness absorbing bumps. This also felt uncomfortable to ride as it's so unyielding when not on racetrack smooth tarmac. Maxton are great, my ZX10r was a grip monster when they sorted it. But Darren at MCT (Stowmarket) done my Panigale, and I'm chuffed with it. I can open her up on a bumpy road, and she just grips and goes. I have no stability issues, even when the front comes down around 150 after the crest at Donington Park. On the roads, you can hit a bump at speed, and the bike 'feels it' but settles IMMEDIATELY. The best thing tho', is when hard on the brakes, the bike is so stable, even on a bumpy surface. Money well spent! The Pani R you have is even faster than mine, and even more mental when you get her singing, she could be COMPOSED, too! These are special, special bikes, yours even more so. It's not much of an investment to improve the bike a huge amount. Hope this helps, Dave
I’ve had a play with the suspension and backed everything off so I’ll see what it’s like tomorrow. Thanks for your advice.
I’ve had a play with the suspension this evening and taken some photos of the shock and how it’s been setup before I got the bike. If anyone with an ‘R’ could compare with their bike and feedback to me where mine differs that would be appreciated.
