Ducati is known for creating high-quality, luxurious motorcycles in grand Italian tradition. The new Ducati 1199 Superleggera is no exception. Produced in a limited run, this superbike is ultra-lightweight, composed out of materials such as carbon fibre, magnesium, and titanium. As a result, Ducati claims that the new Superleggera has the highest power-to-weight ratio of any motorcycle in production. It's worth taking a closer look at the features and power that this Italian superbike is packing.
Nuts and Bolts
The baseline of the new Ducati starts with the 1199 Panigale R, which is already an impressive bike in its own right. The Superleggera is crafted from a magnesium monocoque frame, along with carbon fibre bodywork and a magnesium wheels. It also contains a super-lightweight lithium-ion battery, along with a titanium exhaust. Many of the bolts and other fasteners are also crafted out of titanium. This superbike is powered by a 1198cc L-twin engine, which contains four-valve cylinder heads and is capable of producing over 200hp and 98.8 pound-feet of torque. The bike design is rounded out by Brembo brakes, an Ohlins TTX36 rear suspension, and a World Superbike-spec drive chain. Yet despite all of this heavy gear, the Superleggera weighs in at a mere 341 pounds. The most comparable Panigale R weighs in at 364 pounds, by comparison, and only produces 195hp.
Additional Features
In addition to the main engine and lightweight frame, the Superleggera is also enhanced with a special "Race Kit." This is designed for the track and helps enhance the power-to-weight ratio even further. It is capable of increasing power by an additional 5hp, while reducing weight by 2.5kg. The kit contains a titanium race exhaust system, which includes silencers and a racing windscreen for track use. The kit also contains additional features such as a dust cover, paddock stands, and removal kits for the registration plate holder to shave off weight. The electronics of the new Superleggera have also been upgraded from the basic 1199 Panigale R or from other used bikes you might see listed at Bikesales.com.au.
One new system of note is Ducati Wheelie Control, which is designed to manage front-wheel lift on the track and is based on an Inertial Platform. Further electronic enhancements include Engine Brake Control and electronic traction control. There are sensors built into the Ducati Data Analysis system, which are used to record the vehicle's angles for driver use. These electronic systems can all be controlled by buttons mounted on the handlebars, and can be programmed with pre-selected channels.
The Verdict
With a combination of speed, power, and the highest power-to-weight ratio available on the market today, the Ducati 1199 Superleggera is a highly desirable new vehicle. However, only 500 will be built, and of these three quarters are already allocated to current owners of special-edition Ducatis. This puts the remaining models in very high demand indeed. For those who can pay the price, the combination of style and technology will be well worth it.
