Ducati panigale 1299 s anniversary – meeting the lady
10/07/2023
Lisa Cavalli
Yes, you read that right. The words used aren’t chosen randomly; there’s always a good reason. A few days ago, I had the honor of test riding a Ducati Panigale on the road. Just that alone would be reason to be happy, but it doesn’t end there. It’s not just any Panigale, if it’s okay to use the term “any” to describe that kind of motorcycle – it’s a 1299 S Anniversario. Unlike the BMW I tried in May, this adventure was offered to me by the owner of the motorcycle, a vintage Ducati enthusiast who has admired and followed the Bolognese brand for years. The idea came in a simple message the day after my birthday in April, and after arranging suitable times and locations for both of our commitments, the test ride is on
However, someone reading what I write might wonder why there’s often a gap of months between the initial communications, contacts with various owners, and the actual tests. It’s simple: in everyday life, I’m busy with my job and have to carve out time during moments of freedom. Balancing work, family, and three daughters isn’t always easy. But this is one of the messages I always try to convey to you, Miss Biker – girls, workers, moms, and motorcyclists. What’s the message? It’s about finding even an hour now and then for your passion because you can, absolutely!
And the moment arrives, girls, on a Saturday morning in late June. In the preceding days, there’s been rain, and as expected, at 6:30 in the morning, it’s pouring heavily, resembling a late September day. But this doesn’t deter Ducati enthusiasts, and we decide to meet up regardless. Personally, I’m not too concerned about the weather because occasionally riding in the rain or on wet pavement allows me to handle the situation – my motorcycles, being twenty years old, have no electronic aids of any kind. The hesitation comes from the fact that I know I have the opportunity to ride a truly unique model. And rare. Yes, that’s right. This version of the 1299 is the “Anniversario.” This 1299 was produced in 500 numbered units to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Borgo Panigale brand and was unveiled to the public at the 2016 World Ducati Week. Apart from its special configuration, which sets it apart from the base 1299, it also features dedicated graphics in the typical Ducati style.
Now, girls, let’s be clear: a 1299 is already a top-of-the-line model. Here, there’s a lot more interesting material to make it even more remarkable, both in terms of technology and price. Let’s not kid ourselves; everyone knows that Ducati, especially with rare or commemorative models, sets its sights high in all aspects. This is to emphasize that for a Ducati enthusiast, getting my hands on this one is an honor. Once I got to know the owner, I had him tell me about his motorcycle experiences, the origin of his passion, and why he chose the “Anniversario.” It’s always an important moment for me to listen to the passion in other motorcyclists.
But let’s take a closer look at this Panigale. I first met a Panigale in April 2015 when I was going through motorcycle withdrawal and went to Ducati Vicenza to test ride one. At that time, the test ride was only available with the 899 Panigale. The bigger sisters, the 1199 and 1299, were on display with all the honors but weren’t dedicated to test rides. I remember gazing at them with awe, waiting to get a chance to take one out. The Anniversario model has a dedicated graphics scheme, and the previous owner had an additional graphic with the Italian tricolor added. As you can see from the photos, the original model doesn’t have the green color. The Anniversario model has also been treated by Ducati Corse and comes with the racing kit as standard. The engine is the 1,283 cc 90-degree V-twin superquadro with 205 hp. Seven or eight years ago, numbers like these were the highest achievable in circulation. But in a relatively short time, they’ve been surpassed. This shows us, once again, how the pace of development and application of new technologies has accelerated.
Well, given that the term “superquadro” often pops up in spec sheets, tests, articles – a term that sounds very racing and impressive – let me explain, girls, what it means. Without getting too technical, let’s try to understand: two main characteristics of an internal combustion engine are bore and stroke. Bore is the diameter of the cylinder, essentially how big the cylinder is, while stroke is the distance between the top dead center and bottom dead center within the cylinder, or essentially how far the piston travels between these two limits. There are square engines, undersquare engines, and oversquare engines. In an oversquare engine, the bore diameter is greater than the stroke length. Clear enough? Good. Now, if you happen to come across this term on the engine cases of a motorcycle, or hear it mentioned, you’ll have an idea of what it’s referring to. Here too, let’s take it step by step and break the stereotype that women don’t know anything about engines!
As I mentioned from the start, this is a motorcycle you address formally. At first glance, I immediately notice that the seat is higher than on other models. Everything is geared towards the most racing style possible. The owner sets the wet weather map for me since the roads aren’t yet dry, and I’m more than in agreement.
As you know, I’m not a professional tester, and it’s not even in my mind to play the daredevil on the road with someone else’s motorcycle that I’ve never ridden before.
Once everything is set, we swap bikes and set off on the ride. Right away, it stands out with its sportiness. I prefer to take a simpler route until I reach a villa where I think I can take some nice photos. The Panigale also has a quick shifter, but you need to get to know it a bit before handling it more fluidly – especially when downshifting, you need to be gently determined, without overdoing it. Even though we’re not navigating mountain hairpin turns, I choose, once again, to use the gearbox as much as possible to try to discover its strengths and weaknesses. Like a good Ducati twin, the engine braking is very, very strong, and the suspension, for the trial I did, felt soft at the rear and more robust at the front. Unlike the previously mentioned models, you feel more of the bumps, uneven asphalt, and potholes.
One characteristic of the 1299 is that it’s very hot. Not just figuratively but also literally: it burns! I’m accustomed to the significant heat that my Ducatis give off, but this one really burns. The size and position of the engine are such that one of the cylinder heads touches your legs. It’s necessary to adjust your riding position to avoid touching the scalding-hot part with your legs and then, right afterward, with the frame, which naturally heats up as well. When we stop in a village not far from mine to take some photos in front of a villa owned by the Muttoni family, well-known in the area, we both realize how focused we were on getting to know the motorcycles. Even though she isn’t as “vintage” as other Ducatis I may more or less know, she stands as a machine to approach with the utmost respect, as well as a significant amount of passion and patience from the rider. She certainly has soul. If I can use an image to describe her, I think of some noble medieval lady, well-educated and scholarly, who disguises herself as a knight to bring forth her warrior spirit.
What did this test leave me with? What did it teach me? First and foremost, to seize every opportunity that comes my way. Yes, I used the word “seize,” borrowing it from the French “profiter.” This verb isn’t directly translated as the Italian “approfittare” but rather as “trarre profitto,” meaning to gain something beneficial. The distinction is subtle, but it’s there, girls. To gain something from a new ride, from a test, from a “let’s give it a shot.” I increasingly realize that it’s not about how many kilometers you ride, but how you ride them. How you approach it mentally. I believe it’s important not to have preconceptions about a new model and to never shy away from wanting to learn. There’s always something to learn, bikers, always.
We still have work to do, girls. We need to roll up our sleeves because we’ve made strides, but we don’t have set destinations. On the other hand, for us, the journey is essential – always on a motorcycle!
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