Ducati Panigale 899 fights Suzuki and Triumph | Group Test | Motorcyclenews.com

Ducati's eagerly anticipated 'baby' Panigale 899 is the new challenger in the middleweight sports bike division.
We pit it against the class leading Suzuki GSX-R750 and the hugely capable Triumph Daytona 675R to see if it's got what it takes to set a new world order.
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[@SilaKazama]

This Ducati 899 Panigale makes me fall in love with Ducati all over again...

[@Groagun]

This was the best video you guys have ever done. The edits, the sound, the music, levels and the light but honest commentary. This is real top quality stuff. Only one thing missing however, on board camera work from a GoPro or other system. Other than that, keep up this great work.

[@getbackrider]

Bravo, MCN! This video is your best yet. Keep up the great work.

[@1050ROOSTER]

I really think it's time TRIUMPH give us an 875 and/or 1liter Daytona (again)

[@neevesybikes]

Check out MCN to see why we chose these bikes - why the F3 800 was out and the 675R in. It's available on iPad and Android if you're not in the UK. Neevesy, MCN.

[@cwugrad396]

I thought it was a superb video and have no complaints with the 3 bikes chosen

[@Anaszi]

Please sort out the sound MCN. You've got some quality road testers, please do them justice.

[@triksta17]

This is a great time to be a biker, and MCN have really upped their game with this video. Keep it up guys.

[@flintoccena]

Cool ducati 899 and daytona

[@ftr998]

that music is so annoying wtf dont u watch the video before uploading it and realise u really need to focus in order to understand one word?

[@jasonali-lavroff2644]

Great review, well done Michael. Would have loved to have been part of it. I have ridden the GSXR 750 on the road and track and I agree it is the perfect all rounder. For the 899 to be even better than this must mean it is something very special indeed.

[@SineOccasu]

I just love the white version of the 899, simply stunning!

[@ChrisShockley]

Glad to see the focus on "actual" or "really usable". Bench racing is pointless.....we need more bikes that average humans can actually ride! Thanks guys as usual.

[@Balajibal91]

Please stop the back ground music, exhaust noise is much better

[@VladKhomutov]

The combined sound node of the first minute is hypnotizing! Lov in' it!

[@DarwinAllen]

I agree. I want my bike to sound like all three of these combined ;).

[@650ib]

Yes indeed the Panigale 899 is the winner! The Panigale 1199 R is a winner too!!!

[@Beaver314]

Don't really understand why the triumph is in there, surely it belong the the 600 supersport class, proven by participating in championships across the world. The MV F3 800cc would be much more at home in this middleweight class I think? Apart from that, great test, nice video and cool review :)

[@Zalonka]

Agreed the Daytona should not be in this. Unless they bore out the engine and put in R1 pistons so it was now a 750cc Daytona.

[@lordfyrbane3587]

Zalonka No need. Triumph already produce an 800 in the explorer. Just retune it for outright performance and slot it into a Daytona 675 frame.

[@SuperWimpole]

Please stop the dreadful music so we can hear the lovely noises from these stunning bikes. Please !

[@raurumble]

Combination of those 3 different engine sounds, actually makes a beautiful music.

[@jonjonsson4270]

Great review. I'm glad you acknowledged (in between the lines) that the best bike is actually the Triumph Daytona 675. It's a 600cc class bike that holds its ground with the middle weights, doesn't need the rider aides of the liter class bikes, and has plenty of power. The power distribution of the triple cannot be beat. So, to sum up your review, the Ducati sounds the best and has more power due to FAR more displacement than the Daytona, and is therefore the best bike. BUT, a deaf rider gets most enjoyment from cornering, and the Daytona--with its compact triple--obviously has both the Panigale 899 and GSXR BEAT!!

[@ThiefOfNavarre]

Yeah, neither are the other bikes are middleweights. Unless we are calling 900cc middleweight now

[@Dranreb865]

And Daytona is the ugliest too.

[@JPWest020]

The GSX-R 750 is really all the bike you’ll ever need. And it just can’t be beat on price.

[@dwmahan]

I like you're comparison videos, guys but either turn the volume of the music down or, better yet, off when one of you is talking about the bikes. I can hardly understand a word being said.

[@CainFoster]

Thanks for the review and I think that was one of the best and most accurate reviews I've seen from your group at MCN

[@Polarbaer46]

I love you guys! You make me want to buy new bikes in every Video, Good Job and big thanks to the team!

[@FaceI3ss]

Triumph sounds and looks the best easily

[@lewininja250r]

triumph is ugly compared to the Ducati

[@jotaroguitou845]

Au-delà de toutes considérations techniques ou de performances la Ducati est incontestablement un chef d'oeuvre d'esthétique....

[@Terraceview]

It's the Panigale it should've been. As soon as they announced this one, I knew it would we brilliant, the Panigale the Ducati team wanted it to be (remember the 916?). Love it that it's actually that good.

[@Steffen071078]

I rode all 3 of them. All 3 bikes are gorgious. I personally own a panigale 1199, but the midweight class with the suzuki 750, the triumph and the little duc are megafun off the Racetrack. No Matter what Bike you by, all 3 are worth the purchase. They are megafun to ride, very reliable and easy to handle. The coolest sound makes the duc of course, but the trumph triple sounds cool too.

[@ericjohnson1472]

I really really love loud music of my choice, when I’m in the mood for really really loud music, but not when I’m trying to concentrate on facts and figures regarding buying a new motorbike

[@ZoneTelevision]

As anticipated and suspected Ducati did their homework I have always loved the Vtwin (LTwin). The Pani really has the looks now it can finally deliver the goods as well. Thanks MCN + Ducati.

[@aviniysh203]

Perfect bike for both road and track. It has the right amount of power with safety features on it.

[@AlucardFeeds]

Dear Editing Department, background music goes in the BACKGROUND.

[@PhsycoBanditNZ]

love it in white

[@mjodr]

New audio sounds great, even though you had to spend hours mixing it in weird ways like you said in a previous comment. New microphone is picking up very high fidelity sound. The Ducati sounds orgasmic.

[@cwugrad396]

excellent video .... at the end of the day you cannot go wrong with any of the bikes as mentioned but I loved the comments about you riding them versus them riding you with the 1000's and so these really are the perfect bikes

[@cdsmith1990]

Anyone know what brand of tyres they were using??

[@Anthfigueroa]

Did you see all those pirelli stickers?

[@cdsmith1990]

Anthony Figueroa No, no I didn't..... -_-

[@drmurda]

Anthony Figueroa Lol, Idiot

[@suzukiaddress125]

Anthony Figueroa what is pirelli?

[@drmurda]

suzukiaddress125 some of the best tires made.

[@MrMarr123456]

Love. These reviews the best

[@supersayin1]

The Suzuki looks wise is the most outdated, soft looking bike here. I love the Ducati and I have to day while I've never been a Triumph fan, this bike looks amazing and looks like it would be the best all around bike despite the lack of power. I would love to take it around a track,heck all 3 to see which is better. My money would be on the Triumph. This based on looks alone.

[@Jorge50505]

i have surround sound and all the bike noise(in the beginning drive bys) is coming from the right rear speaker....

[@lewininja250r]

awesome review guys! :)

[@TychoCelchu]

Unfortunately the 899 does also suffer from the same problem as the 848 and 1199. Insanely hard rear shock, on standard settings. On UK roads, it could shake your fillings loose. It's not like Ducati can't setup a bike with decent standard settings. The Monster 1100 evo and 848 Streetfighter were setup perfectly for the road. Firm, yet supple suspension. As most people test ride a bike on standard settings, it can be off-putting and has probably cost them a number of sales over the years.

[@Showmetheevidence-]

Some on-board comparisons/footage would have been cool. Nice test! The 750 needs updating!

[@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy]

Well I dig the music actually. It's a cool groove in the background. Maybe a hair louder on the dialog, but otherwise nice.

[@ErnestoPicazo92]

I'd really love to see a SF with the 899 engine before i buy a new bike, im thinking on the z800 but the sound of the duc engine is so amazing

[@danielaxelsson21]

why not just go for a ducati streetfighter 848? awesome looks, and sounds even better!!! can not compare that to the z800 lol.

[@rusty16663]

background is too loud to hear the presenter's voice clearly.......otherwise a very good video

[@drewmorg.]

2:45 god that noise!!!

[@TerribleTimes]

Think I may have to put one next to the monster in the garage, I was hoping the 899 would actually be a better road/track byke for the regular guy and it looks like I was right...

[@OrcaGT]

I agree with Beaver 314 and Jared Poston. It's interesting that the 675 was thrown in there as a "honorary" member. By that definition surely the new ZX6R 636 could have qualified for that as well? The F3 800 would've been a better fit. But I digress, this was still a superb video. Nice one Neevesy & co. :)

[@antigoon78]

The 675 is a 600, not a middleweight. The 25bhp gap will always make that difference on the track (and therefore in your ranking), and so you basically just dissed the 675 for being smaller! Strange decision MCN, strange.

[@janis76]

Hello MCN I never understood why journalist have to add any kind of music to their videos! Regardless if cars or motorbikes we want to hear the engines and the sounds and NO MUSIC!

[@ih8momjokes1]

in a fantasy it would be a tough choice between triumph and ducati. ducat being a ducati. triumph based on sound alone. sound for me makes a difference! and i know they both are amazing but ducati for sure... they make u feel special

[@KineticGamingAUS]

My right ear loves this.

[@BS_Garage]

True for the same price you could buy a 1000 for the same or even less money than the 899 but damn the styling on that bike is second to none in my opinion.

[@technology_pro]

I wonder what tires they are running? ;)

[@future62]

Neeves hated the F3 800 so it's not surprising it wasn't in the test. Hopefully Yamaha does something with their new 3 pot and Honda makes a baby 750cc of their rumored V4 flagship. The 600 and 1000cc classes are too little and too much... this is the Goldilocks class.

[@lordfyrbane3587]

He didn't hate the MV 800, he didn't like the throttle feel/response.This has been a bug bear for all MV's in recent times but now the latest upgrades have all but eliminated this problem.

[@royupton2031]

Nice review......pity about the head banging soundtrack

[@Hannes7046]

Golden Age of Sportsbikes

[@MegaSuperisaac]

Definitely needs the MV Agusta F3 800 in the test, and the Ducati has pretty much the same capacity as the old fireblade!!

[@cychatterjee4466]

Daytona all the way!

[@DucStewie]

Ok..enough about the crappy music. How about this for thought, MCN......Oh how you LOVE the 899! "It's wonderful! Superb!" It's a MINIMUM of 11lbs (4.9kg to you) overweight! The Panigale 1199 is 11lbs LIGHTER. Instead of calling it "the 1199's baby brother" you should be calling it "the 1199's obese diabetic little brother waiting to have a foot peg amputated"!

[@onefastcyclist]

The larger displacement bikes outclass the cheaper, lighter and smaller Triumph?! They should. The 675 Triple races against the 600/4's which are their natural competition in the market place as well. Come on MCN! let's see fair comparisons.

[@onefastcyclist]

***** I'm not offended. The Duc is a fine bike - for that price ($15,000 in the USA) - it should be! In racing, they put the 750 twins against the 675 triples and the 600/4's and great competition is enjoyed by the fans. In a showroom, things are a bit different and most often price is the determinate in comparisons between bikes. I'm glad that you like the 675r! It would be my choice in it's class at $13,500.

[@onefastcyclist]

***** Can't comment about the sound or pride - it's a personal preference and it's your money. Either way, your on a fine bike. The larger Duc may fit larger riders better - I'd test ride them back to back. However, if I had over 15k to spend on a new toy - I'd buy the Triumph and spend the rest on a trip with my wife to somewhere we'd both enjoy. Perhaps that's why we've been together 30 years //;-)

[@phone407]

Well done MCN. All negative comments aside, thank you for taking the time to make this video. (better than I could ever do!) Greetings from Los Angeles!

[@TD402dd]

I love Ducati bikes, almost bought one on two different occasions. However, I don't like it when the test are between a 899, 675, and 600. Obviously the 899 has an advantage before the test begins. Besides the high price, it really doesn't run against larger sport bikes because it would always lose in results. I guess I would like to seen a level playing field where motors are matched.

[@liamj2363]

+D. Paul Riderman It's perfectly fair to compare them, The GSXR has exactly the same power.

[@TD402dd]

The torque curve of the Ducati is lower, giving an pulling advantage coming out of the curves. That's what twins do.

[@chrisredfield3240]

No replacement for displacement

[@edwardsonzay8562]

The GSXR in this test is a 750

[@krasp28]

Please please MCN turn down the music. I can barely hear the reviewers talk over it, and we want to hear the bikes!

[@fakhriegierdien7562]

whats the name of the song at the begin... i love it, it makes me love the panigale more

[@neevesybikes]

Here's why the F3 800 isn't here. We've already tested it against the GSX-R750. Neevesy MCN kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4jTqWh5fcplY9E

[@onoff314]

Audio commentary is very low quality guys, check your mic setup

[@BaZzZaa]

What colour do I go for though!!??

[@Mooseee1]

Ducati fails on performance and sticks you with the bill when the bike breaks. My last Ducati threw a rod bearing. SUZUKI has never failed me!

[@guypritchard2451]

2013 GSXR750 with 6000 miles, suspension linkage snapped on me at 140MPH at the isle of man. I am lucky to be alive

[@Nadrojbiker]

In other words we are back to 916cc

[@user-vm4xn3nl6s]

What is the price tag on the 899? not so many Ducati won on this title before right?

[@rozethehornet991]

The ducati is beguilingly beautiful.

[@schmirgldecks]

I have 899 and its my baby, sexy fuckin bike!

[@threepac]

There'll probably be an Evo, S or SP version of the 899 in a couple of years.

[@touristguy87]

...I guess there's no sense in pointing out to you guys that the base 1200 panigale and the 899 are virtually the same bike. Weight, cost, you name it. This bike is basically a placebo for those who are too afraid of the 1200 to enjoy riding it.

[@triumph1974]

The same, right. Apart from the engine, suspension, clutch, tires, EFI system, brakes, display, etc.

[@touristguy87]

triumph1974 Come to think of it, that's true even for two bikes that are otherwise EXACTLY THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL.

[@djbennyc3382]

9 years later

[@lucythearle]

Get rid of the damn music which is too loud and drowns out the commentary. I tuned in for the commentary not the bloody music. Its a bike review, not a bloody music video with some bikes in it !! MSN should know better!

[@sublime14j]

The 675r should be here 3/10s of a second behind those two. I have the 2013 675r and the things a beast for its size, the front end is always inching off the ground outta canyon twisties. It is the best handling production bike ever for canyons. Ducati wins this because of the extra bit of speed on straights and its looks, I cant ride anything without Ohlins anymore.

[@stonesie81]

Interestingly, with Michael Rutter the 2013 675R lapped Mallory Park faster than the 899 and faster than the ZX10... Pick up a copy of Performance Bikes, the issue with Foggy on the cover.

[@OpaSann0]

Is it me or do Japanese bikes keep getting uglier? I really liked the styling from 2005-2008 in the R6/R1/CBR/GSXR but they keep getting uglier. Just look at the GSXR colors, so boring and ugly.

[@Clintonomus]

Yeah we're a bit off topic here... But what the hell.. The 2004 Silver R1 is still one of the coolest looking bikes ever made. 2014 R1?? One of the ugliest...

[@FlypFlap91]

well of course they seem ugly if you see them compared to a really beautiful italian bike for over 8 minutes

[@cdsmith1990]

The GSX-R range is due a huge overhaul on the looks department in my opinion. They to build a higher spec, more sophisticated looking bike. The recent special editions have been cool, the especially with the blue and white, they just look old hat. This mid-size market is a growing one, and I think with a thorough rebrand of the 750 they could take advantage of that.

[@jhazelw]

No, you are correct. The newer Japanese bikes are just hideous looking, especially Suzukis.

[@ApriliaRacer14]

They are. They are trying to corner the ugliest line up and odds are they will have that sector I'm their corner for some time to come.

[@myleftearful]

Hells teeth, that 899 has one hell of a bark! :-)

[@melissahillmer308]

They should make a gsxr800 with 150rwhp

[@Oockeshoek]

7:29, is that a Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans, completely in the back? My dad has that, would be really cool if I could read just that part..

[@505197]

It seems like every test I see with a Ducati, it's pitted against bikes quite a bit smaller in the engine dept. Ducati brags about it's desmo valve operation, but it only revs to less then 11,000 rpm. Desmo is a pia to service, valve springs have been able to handle that rpm level for decades now. My 30 year old Suzuki has a higher redline. Ducks are nice bikes to buy used, they hardly ever have any miles on them.

[@domster200]

Well done Ducati now where's my 'baby' Multistrada?

[@k8for]

GIXERRRRRRRRR FOREVER !!!!!!!!!!!!11

[@LordAugastus]

gsxr 750....didnt you think of puting it against the triumph and 898?

[@jordanammanshmesani]

is the 899 148hp or 130 hp

[@redline9221]

148 bhp as advertised, 130hp to the wheel

[@pottacoola]

you dont think there sponsored by pirelli do you?

[@dakoolguy111]

Deciding between an 899 or a 675r. Not super intrigued by the 899 rackety and low sound, but if the Daytona is just unbearable to ride and has no ridability because of the riding position then maybe the Ducati would be better. Could anyone comment on this?

[@redline9221]

I've ridden the Ducati and owned a 675R. If you get clip on risers for the 675, it's extremely usable as an all around bike. I've used it for 6+ hour rides. The 675R feels very light, more like a 300, whereas the Ducati feels like you're pushing around a full liter bike when you're in the parking lot

[@joneill1955]

This is an otherwise decent video comparison that is marred by incessant (bad) music playing throughout. I liked MCN videos much more when the only music was the sound made by motorcycles. Please ditch the music, especially the background music that plays while the reviewers are talking..

[@dave80h]

Ducati Dragon, 1200 would be lovely but the bank manager wouldn't agree.

[@dave80h]

Love the Panigale but that swing arm just puts me right off.

[@stevemack389sm]

I think that the GSXR 750 was it only cause the country YOUR in that ducatti had to take it ,but whatever plus although it had more power but it being shorter it was only real good on low speed corners and well the hell with ducatti!!!

[@Julz8422]

All kidding aside could you guys do a comparison of the 848 corse and the 899? Would like to know what you guys think.

[@rovos]

would be great with no music.

[@nwbasson]

I can hardly hear what he says above the music

[@Lord.Uro.Wilbur]

Nice track.

[@triumph1974]

20% more displacement than the GSX-R but the same HP and twice the price. That is why Ducati always compare their machines to lesser bikes and say, "look, we won. Compare the 899 to anything equivilent and it wont even come close.

[@stevenshelp1107]

“600s haven’t quite got it” what do you fucking mean? They’re equivalent to 700 hp cars. They definitely have enough power haha

[@ModellbautechnikSalzkammergut]

very cool movie, I have a radio controlled movie from it.

[@v01d2010]

So Crutchlow moves to Ducati, and Ducati will now dominate all MCN reviews?