DUCATI 1199 PANIGALE R (2013 - 2015) Review

Item: DUCATI 1199 PANIGALE R
Rating: 5
Author: MCN

MCN rating 5 out of 5 (5/5)

Owners' rating 4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)

Highlights

The ultimate collector or race team edition of the Ducati 1199 Panigale
Top drawer components with a top drawer price to match
195bhp with a heart stopping V-twin soundtrack

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating:	4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Annual servicing cost:	£320
Power:	195 bhp
Seat height:	Medium (32.5 in / 825 mm)
Weight:	Medium (417 lbs / 189 kg)

Prices

New N/A

Used £18,000 - £20,000

View bikes for sale

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes

5 out of 5 (5/5)

The Ducati 1199 Panigale R is a serious superbike for two types of people: the well-healed Ducati collector or a race team owner. Acceleration is slightly more urgent out of the corners, but essentially the Panigale R feels and handles the same as the Ducati 1199 Panigale S or Tricolore. It’s not like SP or R-model Ducati superbikes of old, where you’d get a much higher level of spec than the cooking models, but it is still one of the most capable superbikes ever built.

Michael Neeves rides the Ducati 1199 Panigale R on track

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine

4 out of 5 (4/5)

The R handles the same as the ‘lesser’ Panigale models. It’s garnished with the best parts money can buy and makes all other bikes seem invisible when it is parked next to them.

Yes it’s the ultimate poser bike, but it is also a homologation special and that’s why it has an adjustable swingarm pivot. Other Panigale models feel ballistic on track, but they are not the easiest bikes to jump on and ride fast. But does that matter? To collectors the R is the ultimate Panigale and anyway, you don’t buy a Ferrari based on lap times…

Ducati 1199 Panigale R front

Engine

Next up: Reliability

5 out of 5 (5/5)

The Panigale R is an assault on your senses, whether you are in second or fourth gear, the R never lacks acceleration. It punches you hard in the stomach each time you dare to wind the throttle back to the stop – it’s all wheelies and crackling traction control, set to a snarling, ear-splitting Termignoni soundtrack.

The R has shortened gearing when compared to the standard Panigale, a lighter flywheel, titanium rods and revised engine mapping. Do you really need more acceleration on a 195bhp V-twin?

Ducati 1199 Panigale R left side

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value

4 out of 5 (4/5)

The finish is what you would expect from a bike costing almost £27,000 new – outstanding. Although the carbon is a little lightweight.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment

4 out of 5 (4/5)

The ultimate poser’s machine (aside from the Superleggera), but one that had a whopping £29k price tag when new. The price doesn't really enter into the equation for this kind of machine.

If you have £30,000 burning a hole in your pocket in 2023, you might consider the Ducati Panigale V4S (£27,495) or perhaps the homologation special BMW M1000RR (£30,940).

Equipment

5 out of 5 (5/5)

The Panigale has it all. Electronic Ohlins suspension, datalogger, quick shifter, ABS, loads of carbon bling, traction control, you name it, it’s here…

Specs
Engine size	1198cc
Engine type	Four-stroke, liquid-cooled DOHC, 8v desmo V-twin
Frame type	Die-cast aluminium monocoque
Fuel capacity	17 litres
Seat height	825mm
Bike weight	189kg
Front suspension	Ohlins 43mm inverted forks, fully adjustable
Rear suspension	Ohlins fully adjustable rear shock
Front brake	2x330mm discs. Brembo four-piston radial monobloc calipers
Rear brake	1x245mm disc, Brembo two-piston caliper
Front tyre size	120/70ZR17
Rear tyre size	200/55ZR17

Mpg, costs & insurance
Average fuel consumption	30 mpg
Annual road tax	£117
Annual service cost	£320
New price	-
Used price	£18,000 - £20,000
Insurance group	17 of 17 How much to insure?
Warranty term	Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance
Max power	195 bhp
Max torque	98 ft-lb
Top speed	180 mph
1/4 mile acceleration	-
Tank range	120 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

2013 new model

Other versions

There is a Standard, S and Superleggera Panigale as well as the 899 Panigale.

Owners' reviews for the DUCATI 1199 PANIGALE R (2013 - 2015)

3 owners have reviewed their DUCATI 1199 PANIGALE R (2013 - 2015) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your DUCATI 1199 PANIGALE R (2013 - 2015)

Summary of owners' reviews
Overall rating:	4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Ride quality & brakes:	4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Engine:	5 out of 5 (5/5)
Reliability & build quality:	4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Value vs rivals:	3.7 out of 5 (3.7/5)
Equipment:	5 out of 5 (5/5)
Annual servicing cost:	£320

5 out of 5 Last v twin R version superbike.

26 September 2022 by Grant

Version: R model

Year: 2015

Annual servicing cost: £300

Flawless Italian rocket ship. Sublime handling and power. Extremely confortablel for a sports bike. If you can stretch your finances the R Is worth every penny and more.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Superb brembo Ducati stoppers. No pillion. Very comfortable.

Engine 5 out of 5

Power is mind blowing.. And that noise.. Just get one.. I'm VR46 every time I ride it. 😂🏁🏁

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Great build quality.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Must keep the main dealer history up to date.

Equipment 5 out of 5

Auto blipper.. Great feature. All electronic aids you will ever need.

Buying experience: Bought from Snells Ducati.. Pleasure dealing with them.

5 out of 5 One of the greats at 22k miles

26 May 2022 by Biscuit

Version: S with ABS

Year: 2014

Annual servicing cost: £350

More power than you'll ever need in a light, beautiful, tech packed and oddly comfortable motorcycle.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Very tight, light, comfy ride. Even on 200mile trips only thing I personally get sore is my wrists. Ducati performance seat is lush. I am 6ft (32inch inside leg) and can put both feet flat to floor. Front brake is a monster, rear is there is spirit.

Engine 5 out of 5

Other-wordly performance. Ballistically quick. Too quick for the road. Hates doing below 40. Literally need to do more than 40mph to get enough air into it to cool the engine which can get very hot as all Ducatis do. Annoying around towns, throttle doesn't know what it is doing. You could, but I wouldn't commute on it. It hates going slow and you'll be deaf.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

I have ridden it for 6k miles. It now has 22k on the clock. Only 1 owner before me and from the FSH it is only ever tires that have been changed. I have just had to replace chain and both sprockets, but at this distance that is to be expected. Sometimes the quick-shifter slips, but this is an easy fix.

Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

Get to know your bike and change oils etc to save money, leave serious safety stuff to professionals, but it is the every-15k-desmo service that costs about 1000 pounds that really hurts. 100-120 miles from 17ltr isn't great either with the new E10 fuel, that is with being a bit wristy. Rear tire will set you back over 150 pounds too. You do however get a lot of bike for your money with ABS, TCS, quickshifter, 195bhp, stunning looks, big Brembo brakes, electronic adjustable Ohlins suspension front and rear.

Equipment 5 out of 5

Termi cans means amazing sound. Get the performance seat, few splashed of carbon fibre here and there. Forged wheels. Go for Corsa 2 not the default 3 on the road. More miles and more confident grip in them.

4 out of 5 My red love story

22 July 2016 by ELFADELI Ash

Year: 2014

Great pleasure to drive. The bikes get too much attention. On high revs and high speed the bike is at peace. Very easy for cornering due to the light weight and suspension. Would not recommend it to a beginner.

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5

Very rough driving. Very shaky and aggressive. Until you learn the gears and what rev you should and gear at what speed.

Engine 5 out of 5

Beast

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

What you would expect from a 27,000 Euro bike.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Equipment 5 out of 5

Top notch

Buying experience: It`s an absolute beast. I used to own a BMW S1000RR that was completely in love with. One day a friend who didn't speak Japanese asked me if I could help and translate so he can buy a motorbike. At the shop suddenly I have noticed the Panigale 1199R. Before even starting the engine. The way it stands has so much character, the finish, the parts & equipment, the whole thing. Then I did the mistake of my life. While negotiating my friends bike and filling some paper work, I have asked the owner to start the engine. I was blown away at the roaring of the machine. They didn't let me test drive it because the machine didnt have plates. So I just relied on Google and ended up buying it and selling my brand new S1000RR