DUCATI 959 PANIGALE (2018 - on) Review
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £4,000 |
| Power: | 148 bhp |
| Seat height: | Medium (32.7 in / 830 mm) |
| Weight: | Low (387 lbs / 176 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesDucati’s 959 Panigale Corse is worth the extra cash over the standard model for wow factor alone.
- Latest news: Ducati Panigale V2 revealed to replace 959
It’s still the 959 we know and love - easy and non-threatening to ride fast and born to tackle fast corners. The Ohlins is a small step up in performance and adjustability, but it’s not huge and there’s no power gain from the new end cans. Tot up the cost of the Corse’s extras and it adds up to a lot more than the sum of its parts, but can buy a used 959, or even an 899 cheaper and upgrade it for less.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThere’s little wrong with the standard 959’s fully adjustable Showa Big Piston Forks and Sachs shock, but we all know top drawer suspension is always an improvement. But as cool as they look, the Corse’s Öhlins forks and shock aren’t an obvious step forward, which just goes to show how well set-up the base model is.
Ride-quality is slightly improved, but you’d need to ride the Corse back-to-back with the stock 959 to really feel the difference and fit stickier tyres to work the suspension harder. But on track it’s easier to dial the Öhlins to suit the rider and feel the changes a few clicks of damping makes.
The Corse also has an adjustable Öhlins steering damper, but the Ducati is so unflappable it’s not needed.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe 955cc, 148bhp 8v Superquadro motor remains unchanged in Corse guise, but it comes with Euro4-friendly titanium Akrapovic cans. They don’t make any extra power, but they’re trackday friendly, recording just 97db at 5000rpm.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThere have been no reports of major issues with the 959, so don’t expect any nightmares from this uprated new model.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentYou’ve got to really want this special version of Ducati’s baby Panigale. It might come dripping with mouth-watering goodies, but the Corse is superbike money and you can have a lot more power and technology for the same price, or less.
Equipment
The new Corse edition comes with a host of goodies, including fully-adjustable Ohlins suspension and steering damper, a 2.5kg lighter lithium-ion battery, Akrapovic titanium cans and a lumo-orange MotoGP inspired paintjob.
Specs |
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| Engine size | 955cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | Liquid-cooled, 8v, V-twin |
| Frame type | Tubular steel trellis |
| Fuel capacity | 17 litres |
| Seat height | 830mm |
| Bike weight | 176kg |
| Front suspension | 43mm fully-adjustable Showa BPF forks |
| Rear suspension | Fully-adjustable single rear Showa shock |
| Front brake | 2 x 320mm discs with Brembo four-piston radial caliper |
| Rear brake | 245mm single disc with single-piston caliper |
| Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
| Rear tyre size | 180/55 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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| Average fuel consumption | - |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £93 |
| Annual service cost | £4,000 |
| New price | £15,895 |
| Used price | £11,000 - £11,900 |
| Insurance group |
17 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two years |
Top speed & performance |
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| Max power | 148 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 75 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 165 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | - |
| Tank range | - |
Model history & versions
Model history
2016: 899 Panigale replaced by the 959. Euro4-frienldy, it has a more powerful ‘stroked’ 955cc engine, a tweaked chassis and styling, new side-mount exhausts and a 7kg weight increase.
2018: 959 Panigale Corse introduced with Ohlins, Akrapovic exhaust cans, a lighter battery and MotoGP inspired paintjob.
Other versions
Panigale 959: Base model is still high spec and comes with Brembos, a quickshifter, traction control and ABS.
Owners' reviews for the DUCATI 959 PANIGALE (2018 - on)
1 owner has reviewed their DUCATI 959 PANIGALE (2018 - on) 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 959 PANIGALE (2018 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £4,000 |
Version: Corse
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £4,000
Review is for the U.S. Corse version (WOOOO no ugly shotgun cans!). This thing looks sexy AF, I love the bike overall, the flat paint scheme looks 200% better in person, and sets off the bike. Engine is solid, refined for 7+ years as 899, only issue I've had was a bad radiator cap but bike was still able to make it to the shop cause the radiator is massive. Electronics make this thing a peach if you want it around town, granted you (and your family jewels) will get cooked, but do you really want to have kids while you own a Panigale? Also it is not a value, if you are looking for bang for your buck, not for you. Engine isn't the screamer you can get in the Japanese bikes for a lower price. Also this is my only form of transportation so it can be a commuter if you are willing to deal with wrist pain, sweating a bit, and possible sterilization.
Why I bought the bike (aside from the paint scheme), you'll need to get the suspension custom tuned otherwise it feels like you are getting punched in the kidneys, but I came from a monster 1200 and FZ09 prior to this, and this thing feels awesome in comparison. Easy to turn, brakes are a a little soft getting at first, but the ABS works well. If you grab them hard it will stop real quick without you getting acquainted with the pavement.
Not super impressive and kicking in the low end like my 1200 monster was, but absolutely screams when you hit 8-9K. Been refined for 7+ years so I'm hoping there won't be any reliability issues outside of the radiator cap mentioned above which is an easy fix.
Had a few issues in first 5K miles. Radiator cap went bad while in Yosemite, radiator is impossible to get to without taking off the side + front fairing plus headlight. Rode it back didn't have any issues since the radiator is massive and even spitting fluid when parked a few times it was fine. Dealer fixed it right up and ran a heat check. Chain was loose after about 500 miles, just assuming it wasn't setup right. Also easy fix, still was a bummer to pay for the tow bill as the Ducati service would've taken weeks. Aside from those issues it runs like a dream and it has never left me stranded. Fit and finish are what you'd expect from a $20K bike after tax and other fees.
*In U.S. dollars. Also to note, depends on how much you ride I'm basing this on riding ~7.5K a year standard services costing ~$1.5K with tires every other year, and $3K every other year for the 15K desmo service + tires. You have to maintain a Duc and good luck doing it yourself. Additionally I couldn't shift with the standard foot equipment, nearly impossible to move the shifter lever without stripping their stupid custom adjustment rod. So sprung for rearsets which were pricey as well as getting them put on. Can finally use the quick shifter though. Also if you live in a city and are under 40 get ready to give your first born to the insurance company. I have a clean driving record, no tickets, but maxed out coverage with a low deductible and am paying just under $2.5K a year.
Few things here, they don't have separate wheelie and traction control and it is super invasive, "Ducati fun police." So if you want to save your front tire, you'll have to go low ABS only in race mode. Be nice to have a gas gauge but its not like they work on other bikes I've had either. Also knocking a point since the foot pegs combined with the shifter lever are virtually unusable if you are 6 ft +. Nice add-ons with the corse is the steering dampener and ohlins.
Buying experience: Love my shop in Marin Speedshop in California. They've got me in for the radiator issue within a week. Buying experience was painless did it on a whim in about 2 hours.
