First Glimpse of the Ducati 1199 Panigale R Superleggera
First Glimpse of the Ducati 1199 Panigale R Superleggera
An ultra-exclusive limited edition model of the Panigale R superbike, our sources spoke of jaw-dropping figures: 220hp at the crank, and 40 lbs shed from what was already Ducati’s lightest superbike ever.
With only 500 models to be produced, this halo bike from Bologna will be available only to the upper-echelon of Ducati customers, with the Italian brand setting up an online ordering form for the chosen Ducatisti.
With copious amounts of carbon fiber, titanium, and magnesium used in its construction, we reckon the Superleggera has been a hit with everyone who has seen it, which is number that is rapidly growing.
One such lucky person was Jim Gianatsis of FastDates Calendar fame, who thankfully posted up his invite for the Ducati 1199 Panigale R Superleggera on his company’s Facebook page.
Showing a layout of the special parts that Ducati has used to make the Superleggera live up to its “superlight” name, we see that Ducati will use a magnesium piece for the frame/headstock, while a self-supporting carbon fiber seat/subframe will be used for the rear. Unsurprisingly magnesium engine pieces abound, and as we expected Ducati has chosen Marchesini forged magnesium wheels.
In equal application is the drool-worthy carbon fiber, which is naturally used for all the bodywork pieces — our favorite piece has to be what looks like a two-tone carbon/titanium exhaust can though.Choice. Other pieces include a titanium spring on the rear shock, an aluminum fuel tank, and other premium components from the likes of Öhlins and Brembo.
Using only the Superleggera’s internal name of “Project 1201″ Gianatsis’s invite goes on to mention a privatewebsite where the machine can be viewed, something we already knew existed. Going there now shows no login screen, and instead simply says “From October 10th” below a Ducati logo and the “Project 1201″ designator.
The date would seem to suggest that more could be coming this Thursday, which affirms what our spies have been saying about Ducati plan’s to leak photos of the Superleggera sometime this week. It would seem that we don’t have to wait long until more details drop about Ducati’s Superleggera. More as we get it.
Source: FastDates (Facebook)
10/10/2013 @ 12:10 AM, BY JENSEN BEELER
- Published in Motorcycle Review
Coming Soon: Ducati 1199 Panigale R Superleggera
Coming Soon: Ducati 1199 Panigale R Superleggera,
Ducati has gone to great lengths so that you won’t know this, but in about a month’s time, the Bologna Brand will debut perhaps the most ostentatious machine ever to come from the Borgo Panigale factory, the Ducati 1199 Panigale R Superleggera. An ultra-exclusive version of the Ducati 1199 Panigale R, the Superleggera edition is exactly what its Italian name suggests, a super-light version of the Panigale R.
With the Panigale R already the lightest sport bike to ever come from Ducati, the Panigale R Superleggera goes even further, employing titanium, carbon fiber, and magnesium throughout the machine to drop its curb weight by an additional 40 lbs. Ducati isn’t stopping there though.
Heavily reworking the 1,199cc Superquadro engine, the engineers at Bologna have bumped the bike’s peak horsepower figure, somehow finding a way to shoehorn 220hp into the Ducati 1199 Panigale R Superleggera.
It’s ok if you need to take a minute to readjust yourself in your chair before reading further — we’ll wait.
Other features include top of the line Öhlins suspension pieces and Brembo brakes, but the real treat is the Ducati 1199 Panigale R Superleggera’s next-generation electronics system. A direct descendent of the electronics used by Ducati Corse in WSBK and MotoGP, the Superleggera’s electronics package is highlighted with Ducati’s first wheelie control system for the street and is a direct response to Aprilia’s venerable APRC package.
At over double the price of Ducati 1199 Panigale R, the Superleggera should retail for around $65,000 when the 100 or so models that are allocated for the United States finally actually arrive.
Don’t rush out to your Ducati dealer just yet to place your deposit though, purchasing a Ducati 1199 Panigale R Superleggera is an invite-only affair for the 500 models being built — as it would seem that Bologna is taking a cue from show business’s tagline of “don’t call us, we’ll call you.”
Similar to the Ducati Desmosedici RR launch, only pre-selected Ducatisti will be given the opportunity to own one of the Panigale R Superleggera. The chosen few will receive a special access code from their local dealers, which will then allow them to order the Superleggera from Ducati.
With Ducati already contacting certain selected buyers, we imagine further details (hopefully some images) about the Ducati 1199 Panigale R Superleggera will break ahead of the machine’s EICMA debut. Stay tuned loyal Ducatisti.
Source: asphaltandrubber.com
- Published in Motorcycle Review
Ducati Streetfighter 848 Review
Ducati Streetfighter 848 Review,
In all honesty, MCN hadn’t expected great things of this bike. On one hand the new bike was at best surely only a ‘lesser’ version of the already aging Streetfighter 1098 – a bike that has slipped down the appeal ladder due to its £14,695 cost (Streetfighter S model only for 2012) and overpowering performance.
On the other, even though significantly cheaper than the 1198 version, at £10,121 it’s still much pricier than likely rivals such as Triumph’s Street Triple and MV’s Brutale 920. But then you get to ride a demonstrator and suddenly you’ll be smitten – especially if riding in the twisties, where it’s racing pedigree shines through in its chassis. Couple this with a far more user-friendly engine than the 1098 version and you get a modern, sporty, naked Ducati that works.
Take the engine; a high performing 849cc V-twin. It’s racing heritage of Testastretta engine with Desmodromic valve actuation, oval inlet manifolds and is nothing else but a smaller version of its still conquering 1198 racing weapon. With a claimed 132bhp and 69ftlb of torque, it’s a potent little beast.
That Testastretta engine is strong. Pull away with a fistful and the bike responds with little clutch action to smooth the V-twin pulses and crank clatter for clean drive. Even with the traction control turned off, the simple action of rolling open the throttle hard isn’t enough to loft the front wheel. But clutch it with revs and 848 becomes a wheelie champion from Italy. The engine feels lazy like Ducati’s of old. It doesn’t tear off in a blaze of revs but rushes forward. It’s deceptive.
The Streetfighter 848’s ace card is the perfect balance of chassis and engine. Engine braking complements the rider’s decision to slow down. Brake hard and the chassis doesn’t get fazed; no lifting rear wheel; no serious dive to cause the front end to pirouette around the headstock.
There’s so much feel from the tyres that waiting for that last yard or two to tip in for high corner speed becomes the norm. Not even a deft touch of brakes mid corner fails to upset the bike. The simple matter of raising the height of the one-piece handlebars by 20mm is in answer to Streetfighter 1098 customer feedback and it makes a big difference to rider comfort. It gives a sit-in the saddle riding position rather than being stretched on ye olde torture rack. Overall the rider feels in control from the off.
Add to this a battle proven chassis of single-sided swingarm, Brembo radial calipers, fully adjustable Marzocchi USD front forks and Sachs rear shock, and you know the Streetfighter 848 is a sporty little number, in every sense of the word, with upright handlebars. There’s also eight-way adjustable traction control (DTC) and it’s wired up ready to play with a basic data-acquisition (DDA) system to read back throttle position, rpm, speed, gear selection etc. There’s also the connections in place for a Ducati Performance accessory quick shifter to be used.
The Streetfighter 848 also comes with Pirelli Diablo Corsa 3 tyres. Varied compound tyres that are durable but sticky on the edges where it matters. What is different, though, is the fitment of 180/60 profile rear tyre instead of the tried and trusted 180/55. This is a first on any production bike.
Ducatis are exotic, high-priced performers with iffy reliability records… Sorry, but this is wrong. Ducati’s record level is actually very high and getting better all the time thanks to a big push on build quality. Ducati will, however, always be considered exotic because of its Italian breeding of design flair, beauty, sporting genes and technology.
There’s quite a good sized chunk of technology about the Streetfighter 848 and at just over £10k we are paying for it. Triumph’s Speed Triple is cheaper and with the two bikes tackling each other on the road will make for interesting reading. Ducati’s are always more expensive, it’s the nature of the beast.
Ducati Streetfighter (1098) – the original bad-boy Streetfighter. 155bhp and 85ftlb of torque make it a formidable weapon even for experienced riders.
- Published in Motorcycle Review
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