Ducati 1299 Superleggera has the kerb weight of KTM Duke 390 and has 4 times more the power makes it ridiciously powerful and wheelie friendly
The 2014 Ducati 1199 Superleggera was the epitome of Italian motorcycle makers manufacturing prowess. It was also a showcase of what road bikes can truly achieve, if you forget that no one will be able to afford them. For many, the MotoGP bike for road, Honda RC213V-S is the absolute peak of motorcycle making for the roads. But, it was a through prototype based machine constrained by the requirements of the real world, make no mistake though, the Honda is a never-before machine. On the other hand, the 1199 Superleggera showcased the never foreseen levels of road bike going extreme. Knowing Ducati, a successor was always on the cards and when it started to showcase the ‘Project 1408’ in a microsite, we knew it was time. Now, just before the official beginning of 2016 EICMA, pictures have leaked that proves the existence of the 2017 Ducati 1299 Superleggera.
The 2014 Super-Light (Superleggera in Italian) Flagship from Ducati retailed at a rather (un-surprising) high $65000 and the new 2017 Ducati 1299 Superleggera would better it by a staggering $15000 and retail around a price tag of $80000 when it launches at EICMA in a day or two. If you think that this is a lot of sum to ask for a bike then let us remind you that the 2008 Ducati Desmosedici RR retailed at $72,000, which in 2016 money would have been $81,000. Whatever it is, you would still be able to buy two Ducati 1299 Superleggera examples for the price of one Honda RC213V-S.
For this pretty handsome collection of dollars, you will get a Hyperbike (superbike is such a passé now) in the form of the 1299 Ducati Superleggera that would weigh close to 150 kgs dry. In comparison, a MotoGP race prototype has a 157Kg minimum weight, while WSBK bikes having 167 kgs minimum weight. This extreme light weight credentials also mean that the Ducati 1299 Superleggera will be 5kg’s lighter than the 1199 Superleggera also. This weight saving extravaganza arrives in the form of a carbon fiber frame, swingarm, wheels and bodywork. The new Superleggera arrives with a WSBK inspired Akrapovič exhaust. This means that the underslung exhaust is replaced by Ducati Corse’s two pipe rocket ship format.
The Ducati 1299 Superleggera not only pulls of the lightest Ducati superbike ever tag, but also the most powerful as well. The 1299 Superleggera with its 215bhp L-Twin Superquadro engine throws the ball out of the park with its record breaking figures. To achieve these power figures Ducati treated the 1299 Superleggera the same way it did with the last one and the present Panigale R. Saying this means the bike gets titanium valves, a crankshaft with tungsten inserts, and lighter con-rods. The electronics on the Ducati 1299 Superleggera gets updates as well and now has an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The IMU powers the Superleggera’s ABS with a special algorithm to work on the race track as well as electronics that affect the rear wheel. The Ducati 1299 Superleggera also has slide and spin control.
These can be set independently of each other, in the traction control package. Interestingly, this upgrade arrives straight from Ducati’s MotoGP and World Superbike racing efforts, and is a derivative of what Ducati Corse uses in those series. The Ducati 1299 Superleggera also gets the Ducati Launch Control from the XDiavel. Suspension is handled by Öhlins, with fully adjustable FL963 forks and TTX36 rear shock. While on the braking front the Ducati 1299 Superleggera gets M50 Brembo calipers up front, mated to 330mm discs.
Just like its 2014 cousin, the Ducati 1299 Superleggera will be an extremely rare affair with only 500 units to be made available for the mankind. The bike as we already discussed, will be unveiled today evening and is set to be the most talked about motorcycle at the 2016 EICMA for sure. Until the truly high-definition photos arrive, you can drool over this ultra-exotic Ducati 1299 Superleggera and search for those all important $80000. For more you can visit the Project 1408 microsite. Or just stay with us as we bring you loads of information the moment it arrives.
