Considering an 1199 Panigale sometime in the future. What would you say the fun factor is in riding a Ducati sportbike vs driving a GT3? Obviously, cars corner better and bikes are faster on the straights, but overall, which one is more engaging?

 

The answer to your question is series of questions....

How old are you? Riding sport bikes requires both experience and youth to endure the position and provide the reflexes to wring the performance from the bike,

How much experience do you have on bikes? Unless your at least a novice licensed racer, your inexperience is a huge liability on a bike like that IMO. Don't get me wrong, learning to drive a car as fast as a GT3 also requires caution, but the implications of a mistake are far less dire on four wheels.

Where do you intend to use either? Neither can be enjoyed properly absent a road course.

One comment, MOST cars don't corner better than bikes and don't hold the same cornering speed capability. Ad most cars have better straith line acceleration due to grip and displacement. For proof go to YouTube and search GT3RS vs BMW bike and you will see what I mean. No the exception is the Panigale's besting the GT2RS in a 1/4 mile three times on another. But that's the exception IMO.

That being said, my l last two years racing WERA was in a Duc 916 and was some of the best fun I have ever had, but that was in my twenties and early thirties. I am pushing fifty now and prefer the comfort of my RS seats protection from the elements, oh yeah, and the exhaust note of a lifetime.....good luck with your decision.

 

You should track your car, have done both, and each is a unique and exhilarating experience. Many of the same skills apply, but many do not, line selection, entry speed, exit technique, etc. you be glad you did

 

Nothing compares to a fast bike point blank. You through a girl on the back of it and game over. I have owned multiple superbikes and have driven multiple supercars and raced an exo car. Motorcycles are the most fun you can have with your clothes on. I once heard a a pro rider say riding a bike fast is like flying a fighter jet close to the ground and if you crash the consequences are the same thats exactly how I feel.

 

I have a 2013 S1000rr and had a GT3 for many years, including many track days, and I can assure you that if you are willing to endure the elements, the discomfort of the riding position, the helmet and other gear, then the bike really is leagues ahead in terms of engagement, speed and sheer thrill - but all at a cost. When you see two sport bike riders pull up next to each other you often see them nod in each others direction - this is because they both know the exhilarating, fully-engaged and rather dangerous mission that the other one is on, or at least has experienced multiple times in the past. A GT3 and a sportbike are not substitutes, they are two separate and unique experiences.

 

Thanks all for your insights. I have to say, I'm mostly an amateur when it comes to superbikes. With that being said, I did plan on taking proper instruction to fully exploit the Ducati's capabilities and to ensure my survival

I would probably not be tracking the bike as much, probably mostly stick to street for both bike and car. I'm just afraid of the thrill being so much greater on the bike that I lose the excitement of wanting to drive my GT3. I don't want the GT3 to collect dust if I pick the Ducati everytime I fancy a ride.

 

Two types of riders. Those who have gone down and those who are going to go down. If you are an amateur and are not really young, I would think twice about the bike. You will go down at least once. Old bones don't heal as fast.

 

Although I haven't had seat time in a GT3 specifically I will say this. You can learn how to drive fast around a track in a car. All it takes is knowledge, patience and driving skill. When your attempting to do the same on a bike, a whole new dimension gets factored in: athleticism. You can have all the driving skill and track knowledge in the world but without your body physically able to manipulate the bike, you will not be fast, period. This is the primary difference that I feel distinguishes bikes from cars on the track. For that reason, the bike is simply more rewarding and engaging on the track.

 

I disagree that a car is faster in a straight line, due to power to weight, once a bike (1000cc+) is rolling it romps ahead up to 180+mph then fast cars real them in again.

Acceleration on a sport bike is limited by wheel spin and wheeling, get the balance right you are in the low 3 seconds to 60 mph, once over 120mph you can just pin the throttle for amazing blistering acceleration.

One caveat a rider needs a lot more skill to get it righ and getting wrong will HURT! In a car its a puff of smoke from the tyres or clutch!!?

Bikes win hands down for adrenalin

Jay

 

It's two different worlds all together. You will never get the rush you feel from a bike in a car. I just got another bike myself about two months ago. Looked at the 1199, but I bleed Blue & White and stuck with a Suzuki...

 

The older you get, the less appealing sport bikes generally become. I only rode for about 3 seasons (and not that often) before realizing that. Too many compromises, and the feeling of 'being on a mission' is absolutely true. I felt that I couldn't casually ride my sport bikes whereas I can very casually drive my Porsche.

Often the things in life that give us the greatest thrills are often the most risky, and that is absolutely true for riding fast sport bikes.

 

I agree, when I was 20 years younger I loved my bikes. Now I still ride once in a while but not as willing to push it on the bike like the car. The thought of going down just is not worth it. My bike track days are long over but I would still do a track day in the car.

 

I miss my 1198. As much as I love ripping a gt3/gt3rs around a track at 10/10ths they are no where near as exciting as riding a bike, maby because I can't ride a litre bike to its limits. Heck of a lot more dangerous obviously which is why I no longer have a ducati after I totaled my first one in a 90mph highside. 22k mistake in half a second

 

Having both a Panigale Tricolore, and an obnoxious Orange GT3RS, I may be in a somewhat limited position of giving an opinion from experience. The car is the most amazing vehicle I have owned for a sports car, and I use it as a daily commuter. It is fast, makes great noises, and is an absolute joy to own. The Pani is amazing as well, but you had best get ready for a level of heat production coming up out from the exhaust and engine that will frankly amaze you. The bike has amazing performance, handles great (don't let the rear tire get worn, and plan on a LOT of work to get the suspension right), and is a work of art to look at --BUT--- if I had to choose between the two, no doubt about it, I would choose the RS. If you plan on riding in warm weather, be prepared, the Pani puts off a level of heat that I have never experienced - and I have owned a LOT of bikes (I used to race TZ250s for Yamaha many a year ago). If you just want to go out and scare the crap out of yourself though, nothing quite does it like a big bore sports bike. One final point of importance. If you are not a VERY competent rider, a Pani is maybe not the best toy to start with. This is a very serious bike, and treats mistakes extremely harshly. You had best know what you are doing, or it will stomp and kill you. There are some incredible bikes out there more suited to the less experienced rider that will be much more fun (the 600 class bikes are phenomenal and still incredibly fast). As far as the Pani is concerned, fast doesn't begin to describe it!!

 

My dynamic duo