By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Ducati 1299 Panigale (MY2015) vs 959 Panigale (MY2016)
Ducati 1299 Panigale vs 959 Panigale: fast is a given. What sets them apart isn't.
Squeeze the Ducati 1299 Panigale's brake lever and the Brembos bite with huge force and fine feel. On the Ducati 959 Panigale, the slipper clutch keeps engine braking in check while you squeeze. Its front end won't shuffle under you.
So which one do you buy?
The 1299 Panigale has the edge if…
Racetrack use
Nose ahead: 1299 Panigale
On a circuit, the 1299 Panigale feels a little sharper. Thank stronger brakes for that. The margin is thin, and setup can close it.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: 1299 Panigale
The 1299 Panigale is a touch more fun when the road starts bending. Most of that is harder acceleration.
The 959 Panigale has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Slight edge: 959 Panigale
For the Monday-to-Friday grind, the 959 Panigale pulls a nose in front. Your own commute could easily flip it.
Which one's the smarter buy
Depends what you want it for
Neither is the clear better buy for the money. Your choice depends on what you want it for.
What makes each one tick
1299 Panigale
Out of a slow corner, the 1299 Panigale's Superquadro twin hauls hard, and there's a thunder to it that doesn't let up. At corner entry on WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, the aluminum monocoque turns in exactly where the bars point it. Grip reports straight up through the bars.
959 Panigale
Below its sweet spot the 959 Panigale's twin just loafs, and the throttle doesn't get a real answer until the revs climb. One lazy gear costs the exit. Kept on the boil, it'll take the gas early off the apex while the traction control trims slip without a jolt. A few laps in, you're already hunting the apex.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 1299 Panigale has the lower wet weight: 419 lb (190 kg) vs 441 lb (200 kg).
- The 1299 Panigale makes more peak power: 205 hp (151 kW) vs 157 hp (115 kW).
- The 1299 Panigale makes more peak torque: 107 lb-ft (145 Nm) vs 79 lb-ft (107 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither one fits
Hours in the saddle won't flatter either of these. They're happier on shorter runs.
There's no real gap on running costs. Sit on both and let fit and price decide.
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
959 Panigale
Strengths
- Precise, honest turn-in
- Clean throttle at any rpm
- Quickshifter done right
- Smart TC without an IMU
- Track sharp, road friendly
Trade-offs
- Narrow powerband demands discipline
- ABS ignores lean angle
- Coolant leaks reported
- Excessive engine heat
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.
959 Panigale
- Coolant leaks and cap failure Coolant leaks from hoses and failure of the coolant reservoir cap are frequently reported, potentially leading to overheating.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 10-year-old 1299 Panigale with a 10-year-old 959 Panigale.
- 1299 Panigale
- about $14,600
- 959 Panigale
- about $11,000
At ten years old, the Ducati 1299 Panigale sits around $14,600 while the Ducati 959 Panigale lands near $11,000. That's a $3,600 gap in the 959 Panigale's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Seat height
- 32.7 in (830 mm)
- Engine
- 90° V-twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Peak power at
- 10,500 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
| 1299 Panigale | 959 Panigale | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet weight | 419 lb (190 kg) | 441 lb (200 kg) |
| 1299 Panigale | 959 Panigale | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1285 cc | 955 cc |
| Power | 205 hp (151 kW) | 157 hp (115 kW) |
| Torque | 107 lb-ft (145 Nm) | 79 lb-ft (107 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 8,750 rpm | 9,000 rpm |
| 1299 Panigale | 959 Panigale | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 330 mm | 320 mm |
| Rear tire | 200/55-17 | 180/60-17 |
| Wheelbase | 56.6 in (1437 mm) | 56.3 in (1431 mm) |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
