On track or off it, the Ducati 959 Panigale sets the pulse racing
On the straights, I am almost deafened by the L-twin’s scream. A quick glance at the instrument gauge, and I see that the bike has already crossed the 220kph mark. Shifting my gaze back to the asphalt, I see a hairpin coming up. Downshifting quickly from fifth to third, I pull the brake lever, and the bike starts decelerating to 120kph. I shift my body to the right as I tackle the hairpin at 90kph.
The Chang International Circuit, in Thailand, is a 4.5km-long track that has fast straights and tight corners and I’m here sampling Ducati’s latest track tool the 959 Panigale. The Chang Circuit in Buriram is host to events like the World Touring Car Championship and the World Superbike Championship, to name a few, so my work is cut out for me I must push this bike to its limits. It’s a task I know I will enjoy.
After the hairpin, there’s no time to waste. There’s a gap between me and the bike ahead and I open the throttle once again, and the 959 quickly climbs to 180kph. I’m not a fan of bikes loaded with so much tech, but at this moment I am loving the quick-shifter. This means I don’t have to get off the throttle every time I shift up. Soon, I’m back in fifth, gunning it on the straight again. There’s a left-hander approaching and I shut the throttle to downshift. The 959 doesn’t come with a downshift-assist function, so shifting down requires the good old technique of getting off the gas, pressing the clutch, and then tapping on the gear lever.
Quick downshifts mean there’s dollops of torque coming from the crank to the rear wheel. The good thing is I don’t have to worry about this unsettling the 959 in any way a slipper clutch is taking care of business so I can lose speeds as the Panigale dives effortlessly into the corner. Thanks to the tech on board, I feel like a pro at this moment.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 2016 من BBC TopGear India.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 2016 من BBC TopGear India.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Mi5 SILENT, POSH AND LETHAL!
With its reimagined design language, BMW has done what it does best-divided opinion with the kind of fervour usually reserved for debates about pineapple on pizza.
A VIRAL ESCAPE
The last time I visited Hampi in Karnataka was back in 2021, just as the world began to shake off the COVID-19 travel bans.
FROM UNDERDOG TO CHAMPION
Thierry Neuville's Journey to WRC Glory
Max Verstappen: FOUR-TIME CHAMP UNDER THE VEGAS LIGHTS
From dominance to resilience, Verstappen cements his legacy while Mercedes shines in Sin
VOLKSWAGEN VIRTUS GT PLUS SPORT: SEXY+SPORT
Volkswagen has a knack for keeping their loyal and enthusiastic customers grinning from ear to ear. The German manufacturer has almost become synonymous with build quality, safety and performance.
BE GE AND XEV 9E Sexy and Ballsy!
Starting a review can be quite a challenge, especially when it's hard to pinpoint the flaws!
CAPTURING THE ESSENCE
Chilly, cold mornings and Mumbai is a rare combination that we seldom see in this part of our beautiful country.
BATTLE OF TWO GOLIATHS
When Luxury Meets Performance, Who Takes the Crown?
THE E-MPV THAT DARES TO DREAM BIG
The MPV market, dominated for aeons by Toyota's Innova, has always felt like a rather predictable place. It's the type of vehicle you buy not out of passion but practicality-like a pair of orthopaedic shoes.
IMPRACTICAL YET IRRESISTIBLE
Exactly ten years ago, I took my first international trip. It was to Bahrain, a country of endless desert and skyscrapers, where my aunt and uncle lived. Among their friends and neighbours, one particular gentleman, upon learning I was a budding petrolhead, took an entire day off work to take me around the city’s showrooms to see some “normal” Middle East traffic.
