Italian sports bike manufacturer, Ducati, recently unveiled its next-generation 1199 Superleggera bike. The limited edition model showcases the innovative engineering and stylish design approach followed by the company. This upcoming bike of the Ducati is based on the 1199 Panigale R, which combines the use of materials like titanium, magnesium and carbon fibre in order to attain the highest power-to-weight ratio.
In terms of performance, the bike gets a 1.2-litre L-twin, liquid cooled Superquadro engine that is mated to a 6-speed transmission system and slipper clutch. As told by the sports bike manufacturer, the 2014 Ducati 1199 Superleggera generates 198 bhp of peak power while generating a maximum torque of 134 Nm. One of the main highlights of the bike is that it weights just 155 kg. In addition, it is the first instance in any road legal Ducati to feature two-ring pistons. With these rings, the friction and mass gets minimised to a great extent.
In order to reduce the weight of the bike, the company has used magnesium monocoque frame, magnesium wheels, carbon fibre rear sub-frame bodywork, lithium-ion battery, titanium exhaust system with stainless steel headers. The brakes of the bike are given from Brembo while the suspensions are from Ohlins. Ducati 1199 Superleggera gets the conventional Ducati ride-by-wire system that controls features like Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Engine Brake Control (EBC) and Ducati Data Analysis+ (DDA+). Besides to the standard model, racing enthusiasts can get an optional race pack, which comprises titanium exhaust system of Akrapovic, dust cover, front & rear paddock stands, machined mirror fill-caps, removal kits for registration plate holder and side stand.
For colour schemes, the company will be offering its next-generation 1199 Superleggera model in Ducati Corse Red base livery. The production of the bike will be restricted to 500 units, out of which almost 75 per cent bikes have been sold out as of now and the rest of the units will first be offered to owners of limited edition motorcycles like Desmosedici RR or R model. The company is expected to showcase the Superleggera model at the upcoming Milan motorcycle show scheduled for November. As told, the bike will be manufactured at the Borgo Panigale factory in Bologna, Italy.
To further increase the performance of the bike, Ducati has altered the combustion chamber with a new piston that increases the compression ratio. Also to mention, Ducati has given a super-lightened crankshaft that gives precision balance with the use of tungsten inserts. The M50 Monobloc brakes of Brembo inherit a racing-style MCS 19-21 front master cylinder that remotely adjusts while the drive gets upgraded with a lightweight Ergal rear sprocket and World Superbike-spec 520 drive chain. For appearance, Ducati has moulded the shape of carbon fibre body work in high-penetration form as given in the 'R' spec add-on kit.
