By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Ducati 1299 Panigale (MY2015) vs 1199 Panigale (H8-R)
Ducati 1299 Panigale vs 1199 Panigale: one garage spot. Here's what should decide it.
You'll find the Ducati 1299 Panigale's lever bites hard, and it's still easy to shade the stop with a fingertip. The Ducati 1199 Panigale's monobloc calipers clamp and talk back.
So which one do you buy?
The 1199 Panigale has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
A touch ahead: 1199 Panigale
For the Monday-to-Friday grind, the 1199 Panigale pulls a nose in front. Your own commute could easily flip it.
What makes each one tick
1299 Panigale
There's a thundering midrange shove at the heart of the 1299 Panigale's Superquadro twin, and it flings the bike off corner exits in a hurry. Any roll of the throttle wakes a surge that doesn't wait for big revs. In slow traffic, the exhaust roasts. Its front tire keeps reporting every ripple at the apex.
1199 Panigale
Precision sits at the core of the 1199 Panigale, whose aluminum monocoque frame keeps feeding the bars a clear read of the pavement. A bump at high speed disappears into the Öhlins suspension, and the frame doesn't wander off line. The rush keeps building all the way to redline.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 1299 Panigale makes more peak torque: 107 lb-ft (145 Nm) vs 97 lb-ft (132 Nm).
- The 1299 Panigale has the larger engine: 1285 cc vs 1198 cc.
- Cornering ABS: standard on the 1299 Panigale, not offered on the 1199 Panigale.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Wrong job for both
Hours in the saddle won't flatter either of these. They're happier on shorter runs.
Don't look for a gap on track days, twisty roads, and running costs: there isn't one. Go by how each one fits you.
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
1199 Panigale
What owners say
Strengths
- Ferocious top-end power
- Race-derived chassis precision
- World-class Brembo braking
- Exquisite Italian design and exclusivity
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.
1199 Panigale
- Rear shock absorber may fail, affecting handling (Recall 15V268) Recall 15V268000 The rear shock absorber on some 2014 Panigale R models can fail, potentially causing loss of control. Ducati recalls affected units for a free replacement.
- Left handlebar switch may lose power (NHTSA Recall 14V-166) Recall 14V166000 The switch controlling turn signals and headlights can intermittently lose power. A recall was issued to repair the wiring harness.
What they share
- Engine
- L-twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Fuel capacity
- 4.5 US gal (17 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 330 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 200/55-17
- Wheelbase
- 56.6 in (1437 mm)
Where the spec sheets split
| 1299 Panigale | 1199 Panigale | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.7 in (830 mm) | 32.5 in (825 mm) |
| Wet weight | 419 lb (190 kg) | 414 lb (188 kg) |
| 1299 Panigale | 1199 Panigale | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1285 cc | 1198 cc |
| Power | 205 hp (151 kW) | 195 hp (143 kW) |
| Peak power at | 10,500 rpm | 10,750 rpm |
| Torque | 107 lb-ft (145 Nm) | 97 lb-ft (132 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 8,750 rpm | 9,000 rpm |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 1299 Panigale | 1199 Panigale | |
|---|---|---|
| Cornering ABS | Standard | Not offered |
| Wheelie Control | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
