By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Ducati 1199 Panigale (H8) vs Aprilia RSV4 (MY2010)
Ducati 1199 Panigale vs Aprilia RSV4: fast is a given. What sets them apart isn't.
Tip the Ducati 1199 Panigale into a bend and it's already locked onto its line. Through the arc, the Aprilia RSV4 feels like a racer.
So which one do you buy?
The 1199 Panigale has the edge if…
Racetrack use
Nose ahead: 1199 Panigale
The 1199 Panigale pulls a nose ahead on track. Credit more suspension adjustment. Don't count on it doing the work for you.
Daily commuting & city riding
A touch ahead: 1199 Panigale
On the way to work, the 1199 Panigale asks a little less of you. Close enough that the test ride should settle it.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Slight edge: 1199 Panigale
Through a string of corners, the 1199 Panigale feels a little more eager. The gap is small, so ride both.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear winner on value
Neither bike is the clear better buy at these used prices. The RSV4 costs less, but that doesn't make it the smarter spend.
What makes each one tick
1199 Panigale
Compact and wrapped tight around its monocoque frame, the Panigale changes direction with an almost telepathic snap. Corner entry barely loads the bar before the front's tucked in and tracking. There's a catch in stop-and-go traffic, where the underseat exhaust bakes the seat. The twin howls clear to redline.
Nils rode the 1199 Panigale in 2013 (NastyNils Testride).
RSV4
There's a steady stream of news from the RSV4's front tire, and the aluminum spar frame stays calm mid-corner. Hard braking isn't so tidy, because the tail starts to squirm. The throttle out of the apex doesn't bring a violent hit. The engine's shove keeps building toward the exit.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 1199 Panigale has the lower seat: 32.5 in (825 mm) vs 33.3 in (845 mm).
- The 1199 Panigale has the lower wet weight: 414 lb (188 kg) vs 448 lb (203 kg).
- The 1199 Panigale makes more peak power: 195 hp (143 kW) vs 180 hp (132 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not their thing
Both of these get tiring on a long day. A proper tourer will treat you better on big miles.
These two run dead level on running costs. Sit on both in the showroom and trust what your body says.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
1199 Panigale
What owners say
Strengths
- Explosive engine performance
- Sharp, agile handling
- Advanced rider aids
Trade-offs
- Excessive heat buildup
RSV4
From Nils' own saddle time
Strengths
- Real racing feel, not costume
- Quickest turn-in in the class
- Power you can actually use
- Telepathic front-end feel
Trade-offs
- No traction control
- Ergonomics punish tall riders
- Potential is setup-dependent
Known problems to check before you buy
1199 Panigale
- Swingarm shaft pivots loosen (recall) Recall 12V401000 The right and left swingarm shaft pivots can loosen, leading to loss of control. NHTSA Campaign 12V401000.
- Exhaust valve cable cover melting (recall) Recall 12V392000 The bowden cable cover on the exhaust butterfly valve can melt or burn due to excess heat from the catalytic converter. NHTSA Campaign 12V392000.
- Swingarm linkage incorrect screw (recall) Recall 12V270000 An incorrect screw used to retain the swingarm to the rear suspension linkage can detach, causing catastrophic suspension collapse. NHTSA Campaign 12V270000.
- Steering damper uniball slip (recall) Recall 12V399000 The Uniball bearing on the Öhlins steering damper rod eyelet can slip out of its seat, leading to detachment. NHTSA Campaign 12V399000.
- Steering damper screws fall out (recall) Recall 12V400000 Screws securing the steering damper to the steering head can fall out due to insufficient Loctite. NHTSA Campaign 12V400000.
- Left handlebar switch failure (recall) Recall 14V166000 The left handlebar switch may lose power, disabling the horn, high beam, right turn signals, and instrument display. NHTSA Campaign 14V166000 / RCL‑14‑001.
- Front brake master cylinder hose interference (recall) Recall 12V402000 The reservoir hose may contact the threading end of the retaining screw, damaging the hose and causing brake failure. NHTSA Campaign 12V402000.
- Hard starting when hot The emissions charcoal canister can fill with fuel, causing vapor lock and extended cranking when the engine is warm.
- Intermittent gear position sensor The gear position sensor can fail, disabling the quick shifter and causing fueling errors.
- Instrument cluster fogging Humidity can cause fogging inside the TFT display. Typically clears on its own but can be persistent in damp climates.
RSV4
- Oil leaks from valve cover gaskets Weeping valve cover gaskets, leading to oil seepage onto the engine and exhaust headers. Some owners report that replacement under warranty did not permanently solve the issue.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 14-year-old 1199 Panigale with a 14-year-old RSV4.
- 1199 Panigale
- about $14,800
- RSV4
- about $9,500
At 14 years old, the Ducati 1199 Panigale sits around $14,800 while the Aprilia RSV4 lands near $9,500. That's a $5,300 gap in the RSV4's favor. These are estimates from the used market, not live listings.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Fuel capacity
- 4.5 US gal (17 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 1199 Panigale | RSV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.5 in (825 mm) | 33.3 in (845 mm) |
| Wet weight | 414 lb (188 kg) | 448 lb (203 kg) |
| 1199 Panigale | RSV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1198 cc | 999 cc |
| Engine | L-twin | V4 |
| Power | 195 hp (143 kW) | 180 hp (132 kW) |
| Torque | 97 lb-ft (132 Nm) | 85 lb-ft (115 Nm) |
| 1199 Panigale | RSV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear tire | 200/55-17 | 190/55-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 1199 Panigale | RSV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Option | Not offered |
| Traction Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Quickshifter | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
