Like with many of the UK based magazine shoot-outs and reviews, they greatly exagerate the subtle differences for both comical and verbose effect. Their description of the ride feel of the Panigale is considerably off. The make no mention of its agility or handling and are flat wrong about it's "nothing nothing nothing....then bang at 8k rpm". Like any power band there is a surge at or near peak torque and there is definately no "on switch" like characteristic with the Pani.
I can't speak for the BMW, or the Aprilia, but it seems the Pani's review is not accurate. Older Ducatis frequently were felt to require more effort to make it go fast, especially in the corners. The Pani is unlike previous Ducatis in this respect and has much better handling than my previous 2009 ZX10R. When back on the ZX10R it feels slow in handling and bloated in size, though the power band is noticibly wider.
I get more feedback from the Pani front end than I do the ZX10R and I am not expert enough to notice any lateral flexibility in the frame vs no-frame design in the corners. But in terms of normal flexibility the vague front end remark is not accurate either.
In terms of adjusting the suspension on the fly...it is no mere "over hyped complication". From softening all settings in the rain, to shortening the throttle rotations like a 1/5th throttle insert, to stiffening the suspension in race mode, to fully customizable settings in all 3 modes, it has been remarkable ungimmicky and useful. I commute every day and when I don't feel like getting tossed about on TO's torn up downtown roads, switching to rain mode on the fly is extremely useful....not to mention when it starts to rain!
If I feel like riding like a hooligan, maybe after a lunch nap and a coffee, a quick change to race mode and...you get the idea.
I have adjusted settings on the way to work at an intersection light to notice I can enter certain on ramps radically faster and smoother within a couple clicks at a red light. No need to wait till I get home to experiment with settings and remembering clicks out and rotations or fiddling all day at the track.
Want that classic Vtwin tire skipping engine braking for sh*ts and giggles? Or prefer smooth corner entries with a planted rear? You decide as you wait for the garage door to open.
I'll let you know if my lap times improve or I just think I did a lap like a hero when I hit the track in a couple weeks. If I can't at least match my ZX10R times at Cayuga I'll concede that point in the review.
