By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Ducati 1199 Panigale (H8) vs 899 Panigale (MY2013)
Ducati 1199 Panigale vs 899 Panigale: which one to buy for the riding you do.
Wind the throttle open on the Ducati 1199 Panigale and it's the upper revs that hit, a violent charge to redline under a howling exhaust. The Ducati 899 Panigale's twin pulls hard from the middle revs, and a fast road pace doesn't feel like work. Past that, it still surges toward the limiter.
So which one do you buy?
The 1199 Panigale has the edge if…
Racetrack use
Narrow edge: 1199 Panigale
For track days, the 1199 Panigale comes out a touch ahead. It's down to stronger brakes. Your setup and tires matter just as much.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear advantage
Neither bike is the clear better buy at these used prices. The 899 Panigale costs less, but that doesn't make it the smarter spend.
What makes each one tick
1199 Panigale
The 1199 Panigale's compact aluminum monocoque snaps it from one lean angle to the next with one quick flick of the bar. Turn-in doesn't ask for a second correction at Barber Motorsports Park: the front drops in, and the bike stays on the line you picked. Stop-and-go traffic's a different matter, with heat from the underseat pipes and the engine pouring onto the rider. The nose finds every apex.
Nils rode the 1199 Panigale in 2013 (NastyNils Testride).
899 Panigale
The 899 Panigale's Showa Big Piston Fork reports every change in front grip up through the bars. There's enough front feel to trail-brake deep into a turn. A mid-corner bump doesn't muddy it. The Brembos bite hard, and the lever reads clear.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 1199 Panigale has the lower wet weight: 414 lb (188 kg) vs 425 lb (193 kg).
- The 1199 Panigale makes more peak power: 195 hp (143 kW) vs 148 hp (109 kW).
- The 1199 Panigale makes more peak torque: 97 lb-ft (132 Nm) vs 73 lb-ft (99 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both miss here
Long-haul comfort is a weak spot for both. If you tour, shop with that in mind.
For commuting, twisty roads, and running costs, you won't find daylight between them. Let the test ride settle it.
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
899 Panigale
What owners say
Strengths
- Exceptional handling and front-end feel
- Accessible yet thrilling engine
- Superb electronics package
- Powerful and consistent braking
- Stunning Panigale design
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.
899 Panigale
- Front Brake Air Ingress Air enters the front hydraulic braking circuit over time. This leads to a spongy feel at the brake lever requiring frequent bleeding.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 12-year-old 1199 Panigale with a 12-year-old 899 Panigale.
- 1199 Panigale
- $14,300
- 899 Panigale
- $10,400
At 12 years old, the Ducati 1199 Panigale sits around $14,300 while the Ducati 899 Panigale lands near $10,400. That's a $3,900 gap in the US market. They're pulled from earlier records, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- L-twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Peak power at
- 10,750 rpm
- Peak torque at
- 9,000 rpm
- Fuel capacity
- 4.5 US gal (17 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 1199 Panigale | 899 Panigale | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.5 in (825 mm) | 32.7 in (830 mm) |
| Wet weight | 414 lb (188 kg) | 425 lb (193 kg) |
| 1199 Panigale | 899 Panigale | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1198 cc | 898 cc |
| Power | 195 hp (143 kW) | 148 hp (109 kW) |
| Torque | 97 lb-ft (132 Nm) | 73 lb-ft (99 Nm) |
| 1199 Panigale | 899 Panigale | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 330 mm | 320 mm |
| Rear tire | 200/55-17 | 180/60-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 1199 Panigale | 899 Panigale | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Option | Standard |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
| TFT Display | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
