» Check out the full story: Turn & Burn II
Ducati 1299 Panigale S Price: $24,995 Weight: 406 lb. Horsepower: 177 hp @ 10,700 rpm 0–180 mph: 19.43 sec. Distance to 180 mph: 3659 ft. The Ducati, we’re sorry to report, is the only bike in this test that was not as quick to 180 mph as the Kawasaki ZX-10R that won our original “Turn & Burn” test in 2008. What gives? Like the Corvette, the rumbly V-twin Italian was very near its terminal velocity approaching 180, so it took an extraordinary amount of time (and real estate) to reach that speed.
But if you look at the quarter-mile sprint, the 1299 Panigale S was a rocket, one of only two bikes to break the 10-second barrier. Prior to his timed runs, Canet spent a good chunk of time fiddling with the wheelie control and traction control. Wheelspin on the grippy concrete wasn’t a problem, but because the front wheel would come off the ground at initial launch and stay aloft for a long while (and spin significantly slower than the rear), it would trip an error code that would need to be reset by our Ducati technician. “My best runs were when I tempered my throttle hand,” explained Canet, who said the wheelie control lets the 1299 stand up steeply in second gear. “By the top of second gear, you’re over 100 mph.” Traction control, Canet concluded, hurt the launches. So, for his best runs, Canet switched all electronics off, launched the big Panigale at 6,000 rpm, and used the clutch to keep revs in the thick of the powerband, somewhere between 7,000 and 8,000 rpm. “With the Duc,” Canet explained, “you short-shift it, set it back down, and repeat. It has excellent midrange, so you can short-shift it without having it fall flat. You can’t do that with the inline-fours.” 
Gadget Reviews: mamaktalk.com
Car Reviews: automoview.com
Entertainment News: 38now.com
Today's Promotions: freepromotoday.com
