959 Panigale test: Site takes on the 2018 Ducati Challenge
Which motorcycle to choose to start competing? Le Journal moto du Net had never asked the question … And did not think more when Ducati asked him to participate in his first race, riding a 959 Panigale and facing Panigale V2 and V4 , S1000RR or RSV4. Challenge met !
959 Panigale test – page 1: Challenge accepted
Discover motorcycle racing at the controls of a Panigale … Is it reasonable? Site does not question itself until very late: the day before to launch for the very first time in a speed race, on the Carole circuit (93), on the occasion of …
"Like the Challenge 848 (2010-2015) which allowed amateur riders to become a competitor in European Bikes during the French Superbike championship, the Challenge 959 Panigale 2018 offers access to a national competition at handlebars of a competitive motorcycle ", indicates Ducati West Europe.
- MNC Smart-Video –
- Comparo MNC –
- MNC duel –
Courageous but not reckless, the Motorcycle Journal of the Net will discover the competition on the handlebars of a "small" Superquadro of 955 cc and 150 hp of origin, rather than at the controls of a "big" including the demonic Desmosedici Stradale 1103 cc develops 214 hp, and even 226 hp with the racing kit !
It is precisely by bringing the Panigale V4 to Ducati – at the end of our – that MNC gladly fell into the "trap" … Recognizing in half words that this brand new sports car is a hell of a moth on the road like on the track, the brand’s press manager in France admits to feeling more at ease on a …
To convince us that the little sister is just as sensational but more accessible than the big one – so terribly enjoyable ?! -, he offers us to do a freelance in European Bikes on the 959 Panigale "courier" of the press park.
To stick to the spirit – simple … and funky? – of its Challenge, Ducati West Europe has chosen to prepare a standard 959 Panigale (16,990 euros) and not a "Corsica" (19,190 euros), however, which benefits from Ohlins suspension and steering damper, from a lithium battery , Akrapovic pots approved for the road and a decoration inspired by MotoGP.
"It is true that the color is confusing", admits Julien, the Ducati workshop manager who will accompany MNC during the competition, "but our racing 959 is indeed a basic model. The Ducati" racing "fairings simply have been painted like those of Corsica, just to communicate on this new 2018 version ".
Our competition bike is therefore fitted with a Showa fork at the front and a Sachs shock absorber at the rear. Like the suspensions, the whole machine is completely "stock", except for its low Akrapovic exhaust which is strictly reserved for use on the circuit and allows the engine to breathe a little better..
MNC and his racing Panigale, not "Corsica" !
At the start of the season, all the 959s in the Challenge were also put on the bench, following complaints from competitors who considered that certain small Ducatis were walking really hard – too hard? – out of bends and in straight lines … Result: no makeup was unmasked !
Remember that the maximum power of the 959 Panigale is announced at 150 original horsepower on the manufacturer’s technical sheet () and at 160 hp in the track version with complete Racing line and reprogramming of the mapping..
The specimen given to us by Ducati produces 142 horsepower at the rear wheel: "this is the least powerful in the Challenge, which shows that we really did not try to inflate the engine", comments our chief mechanic. The other 959s benefit from a handful of additional horses … And their 4-cylinder competitors spit out about forty more! A good excuse if the MNC adventure dragged itself a little too much…
Because in front of the Motorcycle Journal of the Net stand up Superbikes, real ones: a horde of (15 BMWs are registered on the Carole test), two, two and one! One and one will also be lined up during this penultimate 2018 FSBK event, as well as three other .
In order to encourage European Bikes riders to take part in 959 Panigales, Ducati West Europe offers its motorcycles at advantageous prices, "subject to participating in the seven races and identifying the motorcycle in the name of the partner dealer ".
On the page of the official website dedicated to its Challenge 2018, the subsidiary indicates actually attractive prices: 15,290 euros for the standard version in red "Ducati" (always count 200 euros extra for the white "Artic Silk") and 17,290 euros for Corsica.
Ultimate motivation for the "959ers" who play for the win: "the winner of the Challenge Panigale 959 will win the loan of a Panigale V4 equipped to participate in the 2019 European Bikes season as well as a Racing Ducati" Su misura "suit in the amount of 1965 euros ". Mamma mia…
Site, for its part, does not aim for victory … but for qualification! To qualify for European Bikes, the organizers’ requirements are not as high as in MotoGP: you must not exceed 120% of the average of the best laps of the first three riders … including Thierry Mulot (Panigale V4 S) who rode in the World Superbike. Gloups…
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