• 2015 Ducati 899 Panigale
• 148hp / 73lb ft of torque from a 899cc twin cylinder
• 6 speed manual transmission
• Showa front, Sachs rear, with compression and rebound adjustment
• Brembo monobloc brakes with adjustable ABS

Modifications:

• Heat shields (previous owner)
• Brake lever guards
• Ducati throttle spacers
• Aftermarket pegs
• Wing-style mirrors
• Ducati bike lock
• Rear tidy
• Battlax HyperSport S22
• V4evo Phone Mount

I’m surprised too. Motorcycles have long been something I’ve considered way too dangerous to ever consider riding or enjoying. After a couple of years in NY, my mind has changed. I decided to get a bike as a commuter tool in the city, and it’s been a gamechanger in terms of my commute. A large part of traffic can now be ignored, as I can split lanes and other tricks to get through the city more quickly.

Everyone says “don’t get a sport bike.” My question to that is, why? Maybe that applies more for younger people who drive recklessly. The possibility for speed is way, way higher, yes. It’s actually changed my perception of speed, given how fast this thing is. It’s unbelievable quick. That said, I never fool around on the street. A large portion of motorcycle accidents come from other drivers not being aware you are around, and I’ve been very, very careful in watching other drivers.

Overall, I’m really happy with the bike. It’s quick and easy for commuting, and with the suspension set to soft, it’s really not too uncomfortable, save for two main things: the first is its riding position. It’s pretty tough on the wrists for long drives, especially in long drives that I have to do a lot of shifting/stop n go. The clutch is very stiff, meaning it’s hard to hold 1st gear a stop, meaning it’s Neutral every time for me. That said, it’s very hard to find Neutral. On bikes, neutral is positioned between 1st (down press) and 2nd (up press) on the sequential shifter, and you need to do a sort of half-press to get there. Often leads to mis-grabbing 1st or 2nd or even Neutral when I don’t want it. Luckily, it’s got the Ducati Quick Shift system, which means I don’t actually have to use the clutch when upshifting. Downshifts are still manual, and I’ve been getting better at blipping the throttle as I downshift. This bike is definitely meant for more open roads, and I can’t wait to take it out as the weather improves. The second annoyance is the amount of heat this thing generates. Every bike is gonna generate some, but Ducatis are fairly well known for it, given you sit right on top of the engine. I often find myself opening my legs to direct airflow in, which again can be hard on the wrists, as you are really supposed to grip the body of the bike with your thighs. Again, less of a problem on open roads.

The bike came with a handful of modifications to it, of which I’ve only added a couple – new tires (it was still on 9 year old OEM factory tires) and some wing-style mirrors, as the bike did not come with mirrors. These mirrors are nearly useless, but still better to have something.

It’s doubtful I’ll take this to the track – it’s dangerous enough as is, and I’ve got my car toys that take up enough of my time. I bought the bike because it’s one of the most beautiful machines ever designed, and I’ve been really enjoying riding it around – especially for a Friday after-work ride home.