Motorcycle specifications Ducati1199 Panigale R 2014 Proof of race?

for as long as Ducati has been using the R name, every model bearing this logo has exalted the fragrance of fantasy, luxury and sportiness. A superb pretext for refinement, thanks to homologation in the Superbike championship, these near-competitors exude racing spirit, from the 996 R to the 1199 Panigale R.

exceptional? Not really. Oh yes, it's a technological delight, but it doesn't amaze us as much as each generation of R compared to the S version. Disappointed? Almost. It smacks of a tricolored S version with a few Ducati Corse parts, rather than a truly exceptional machine. More power? No, the 1199 Panigale R develops the same 195 hp as the other versions. New mapping and ride-by-wire refinements are applied to engine management (this update will be applied to all Panigales). The interior of the twin Superquadro is nonetheless entitled to a few exclusives: titanium connecting rods, which save 630 grams,
are combined with a lighter crankshaft and DLC-treated rocker arms to boost engine speed by 500 rpm. The performance is impressive: 12,000 rpm max for a 1200 twin-cylinder with 112 mm connecting rods.

the 1199 Panigale R will be sold with an R kit, comprising a racing bubble, a machined alloy spider and a complete Termignoni exhaust with dedicated mapping. This kit provides a 3% power gain at high revs and a 15% gain at mid revs. A USB key enables ECU debriding/rebriding. To further enhance acceleration, a 41-tooth sprocket (2 more than the original) is supplied.

the Bologna superbike features a swingarm adjustable at 4 points thanks to two eccentric adjusters. Lightened Marchesini forged rims further optimize the chassis. Carbon is of course present, as it is on every self-respecting R. Ah, on the other hand, forget the full-carbon cladding of yesteryear. There's a bit of it everywhere (arm-oscillator protection, clutch cover protection, rear shell, rear mudguard, heel guards, starter surround and fork head interior) but none for the fairing. Scandalous! And I suspected that this exceptional sports bike would have a carbon saddle-bracket and some unknown delicacies.

let's console ourselves with the on-board equipment: Sport ABS, Brembo M50 monobloc calipers, GPS data acquisition, brushed aluminum tank, shifter, traction control, engine brake management, triple injection mapping, NIX 30 fork and Öhlins TTX36 electrically adjustable shock absorber. This may not be enough for those looking for a totally unreasonable bike. Then there's an ultra-top-of-the-range machine in the same family: the 1199 Panigale Superleggera.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos