By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Ducati 1299 Panigale (MY2015) vs Aprilia RSV4 (MY2015)
Ducati 1299 Panigale vs Aprilia RSV4: which one to buy for the riding you do.
You'll feel every scrap of grip under the Ducati 1299 Panigale's front tire as you turn in, and it won't stray off the line you chose. The Aprilia RSV4 flicks over at a light bar push.
So which one do you buy?
The 1299 Panigale has the edge if…
Racetrack use
Small edge: 1299 Panigale
For track days, the 1299 Panigale comes out a touch ahead. Your setup and tires matter just as much.
The RSV4 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Edges it: RSV4
For the Monday-to-Friday grind, the RSV4 pulls a nose in front. Your own commute could easily flip it.
Which one's the smarter buy
Nothing in it on value
At these used prices, neither bike comes out ahead on value. The 1299 Panigale and RSV4 sit close enough that the money doesn't pick a winner.
What makes each one tick
1299 Panigale
Out of the middle of the rev range, the 1299 Panigale's Superquadro twin thunders and hurls the bike forward. There's no give in the stiff suspension: each bump comes straight up through the firm seat. Long days don't stay comfortable. The Brembo lever bites hard and modulates cleanly.
RSV4
With its mass carried low in a compact package, the RSV4 snaps from one bend into the next. The riding position doesn't cramp you. Off the track, the suspension soaks up broken pavement.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 1299 Panigale has the lower seat: 32.7 in (830 mm) vs 33.3 in (845 mm).
- The 1299 Panigale makes more peak torque: 107 lb-ft (145 Nm) vs 85 lb-ft (115 Nm).
- The 1299 Panigale has the larger engine: 1285 cc vs 999 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Wrong job for both
Long days aren't what these two do best. Plan shorter legs and plenty of stops.
Nothing splits them on twisty roads and running costs. Ride both back to back and the decision usually makes itself.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
1299 Panigale
What owners say
Strengths
- Highly effective electronics suite
- Monstrous V-twin power delivery
- Exemplary chassis and handling
- Powerful Brembo brakes
Trade-offs
- High running costs and spotty reliability
- Heavy clutch pull
- Significant engine heat
- Uncomfortable for extended riding
RSV4
What owners say
Strengths
- Class-leading electronics package
Known problems to check before you buy
1299 Panigale
- Oil leaks from valve covers and fork seals Multiple owners report minor oil seepage from valve covers and fork seals, often requiring gasket or seal replacement early in the bike's life.
RSV4
- Front brake master cylinder may fail (2016-2017 models) Recall 17V811000 Certain 2016-2017 RSV4 1000 models were recalled because the Brembo front brake master cylinder could fail, leading to loss of front braking. NHTSA Campaign 17V811000.
- Front brake pad friction material detachment (2017-2020 models) Recall 20V245000 The front brake pads could suffer separation of the friction material from the backing plate, especially in corrosive environments. This reduced braking efficiency and prompted NHTSA recall 20V-245.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 10-year-old 1299 Panigale with a 10-year-old RSV4.
- 1299 Panigale
- about $14,600
- RSV4
- about $13,700
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 1299 Panigale | RSV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.7 in (830 mm) | 33.3 in (845 mm) |
| 1299 Panigale | RSV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1285 cc | 999 cc |
| Engine | L-twin | V4 |
| Power | 205 hp (151 kW) | 201 hp (148 kW) |
| Peak power at | 10,500 rpm | 13,000 rpm |
| Torque | 107 lb-ft (145 Nm) | 85 lb-ft (115 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 8,750 rpm | 10,500 rpm |
| 1299 Panigale | RSV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 US gal (17 L) | 4.9 US gal (18.5 L) |
| 1299 Panigale | RSV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 330 mm | 320 mm |
| Rear tire | 200/55-17 | 190/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 56.6 in (1437 mm) | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
