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2020/07/27

DUCATI 1299 PANIGALE (2015-on) Review, Specs & Prices

In the Ducati 1299 Panigale, the famous Italian firm has produced a sublime road-going, twin cylinder superbike. It has monster power and torque but it’s also more user-friendly thanks to extremely clever electronic suspension and rider aids.

This bike replaced the 1199 Panigale. It was introduced in 2015 and went off sale in 2017, being replaced by the Ducati 1299 Panigale R Final Edition. It was in 2017 Ducati also released the incredible 1299 Superleggera, or superlight.

The Ducati 1299 Panigale S is a slightly more expensive model that gets electronic Öhlins suspension amongst other less noticeable tweaks.

The 1299 Panigale family of bikes was itself replaced in 2018 by the Ducati Panigale V4.


During 2015 MCN lived with a Ducati 1299 Panigale S on the long-term test fleet for a year, covering thousands of road miles and plenty on track too. We found it a sensational companion.

In 2016 the Ducati 1299 Panigale S Anniversario was launched to celebrate the firm's 90th year.

It sat between the Panigale S and R in terms of spec, while being spiritually closer to the ultra-expensive Superleggera that was launched in 2014. Ducati said it would also use a new version of the Ducati Traction Control (DTC) dubbed DTC EVO, which will allow riders to drift the bike on the power and use the throttle to steer the bike; all in total control as the electronic control systems will prevent the bike crashing.

The Anni is a strictly limited edition model, with just 500 built globally – guaranteeing instant collector status, and a massive rush to buy this bike. Each bike has an etched numbered top yoke to signify which number of the 500 it is.

Most striking to look at is the new racing-inspired black, white and red paintjob which owes a lot to the factory racing bikes in both WSB and MotoGP, and clearly sets the bike apart from the rest of the range. The gold-painted wheels are a traditional touch for Ducati limited edition bikes through the years, and there’s a gold hue to the special Akrapovic exhausts, too.

A new steering head insert shifts the front wheel forwards by 5mm, exactly matching the chassis geometry of the range-topping Panigale R, while a special lightweight lithium battery, carbon-fibre heelguards, hugger, and a different rear shock unit all contribute to the Anni shedding 2.5kg over the S model.

Once you've read this review and our owners' reviews, you may want to join an online community to meet likeminded people. We'd suggest Ducati Forum is a great place to start.

The electronic Öhlins suspension is really clever. In Race mode, compression and rebound damping is increased both front and rear, so too is the damping inside the electronic steering damper. In Race mode the 1299 feels like it's on rails; mid-corner, the chassis support and grip is immense. The 1299 gives so much confidence that despite the huge increase in power, it's much easier to ride than the old model.

The subtle ABS, combined with the clutchless, quickshifter gearchange, means all your concentration goes into your braking points and line selection. The brakes are super-strong, and in Sport mode you have the additional cornering ABS which reduces the risk of a low-side and makes braking virtually foolproof.


The power delivery is more linear and there's a 10% hike in both power and torque. The increase in torque comes lower in the revs and is more useable, so whereas before you almost had to wait for the power to kick in like a two-stroke, now it’s much more progressive. In Race mode the power is more aggressive, but it’s still a long way short of the violent smack-in-the-face the old bike was.

We've got 7 Ducati 1299 Panigale owners' reviews on the site, with an overall rating of 3.9 stars out of 5. There have been some reliability issues over the years, and high servicing costs seem to be a feature of Ducati ownership.

The 1299 has a taller screen, comfy seat and grippier pegs – proof that Ducati hasn’t ignored the road rider. The electronics package is hugely sophisticated. It features EBD, (Engine Brake Control), DQS (Ducati Quick-Shift), DWC (Ducati Wheelie Control), DTC (Ducati Traction Control) with IMU (Internal Measurement Unit) and cornering ABS.

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