Power Train
The new Superquadro engine is ingeniously incorporated into the Monocoque chassis, providing the perfect platform from which to deliver its incredible 205 horsepower.
The underside of the fuel tank, when mounted, seals the top of the frame which then becomes the airbox. Innovative engineering solutions such as these are used throughout the Panigale line, and take the dry weight of the 1299 Panigale/S down to 166.5 kg while the Panigale R sits at an incredible 162 kg.
The total focus on light weight gives each Panigale a power-to-weight ratio that sets the reference in its class. Combined with advanced electronic controls and the finest brakes, suspension, and other components, this creates an incredibly potent package that takes riders to the very apex of performance.
The Chassis
Built around the new Superquadro engine of the 1299 Panigale is a monocoque chassis that utilises a cast aluminium airbox that is bolted to the front of the L-Twin engine, the other end of the airbox doubles as the headstock, thus mounting the front fork assembly to the bike.
A cast rear subframe is bolted to the rear of the engine.
The single sided aluminium swing arm is connected to the rear of the engine crank cases, hey presto we have a rolling chassis where the engine is an integral part of the frame.
What was a 15KG frame is now replaced with a 4KG Airbox……….
Although wheel base has been extended slightly (7mm), rider position has been eased thanks to a 30mm reduction in the seat to handlebar relationship. The fact that the exhausts are now underneath the engine has aided in achieving a most flickable chassis as well as making the back end of the bike look razor sharp.
Suspension
Dependent on model choice, the Ducati 1299 Panigale comes with either 50mm Marzocchi forks that are now ALL aluminium on the standard model.
The 1299 Panigale S features the world-exclusive Ohlins Smart EC semi-active suspension system. Consisting of an NIX-30 front fork, a TTX rear shock, and a steering damper, this system interfaces with the Bosch Inertial Platform and dynamically responds to changing road and riding conditions, allowing the best possible suspension performance and total motorcycle control.
It operates in one of two modes:
Fixed, which is non-active and allows the rider to set specific levels of front and rear compression and rebound, along with steering damper tension. These levels are maintained constant until the rider changes them again, exactly as a traditionally adjusted suspension system.
Alternatively, there is the Event Based mode, which is semi-active and allows the rider to select levels of suspension "behaviour" ranging from Hard to Soft. In this mode, the system then dynamically adjusts compression, rebound, and damper tension in response to ride conditions, maintaining the overall "behaviour" previously selected by the rider.
Wheels and Tyres
The standard 1299 Panigale has 10 spoke light alloy wheels, the 1199S however has substantially less unsprung weight thanks to the forged 3 spoke wheels.
Pirelli have produced model specific tyres for this bike in dual compound, the Pirelli Supercorsa SP with the rear wheel now carrying a 200/55 profile tyre.
The new Superquadro's bore/stroke ratio of 1.91:1 sets an extreme example of the power-maximizing "oversquare" architecture used in the world's most advanced racing engines. A short-stroke crankshaft and enormous pistons combined with large Desmodromically-actuated valves allow the Superquadro to breathe freely at high rpm, while a 1285cc combustion chamber ensures the ample torque that has made so many enthusiasts fall in love with Ducati's signature L-twin power.
The vacural cast crankcase design for the 1299 includes the cylinder bores thus offering excellent rigidity and better cooling properties. Separate nikasil-coated aluminium “wet-liners” are inserted into the tops of the crankcase apertures.
The primary-drive casing, clutch casing and outer cover, sump and cam covers are all cast in magnesium alloy, ensuring a lightweight engine despite its increased strength as an integral part of the chassis.
In order to ensure safe operation of these valves at such high rpms, many steel desmodromic components have been replaced with titanium and surface finishing and then coated in polymeric-like carbon (PLC) previously designed for the aerospace industry. This is where previous "R" and Desmosedici RR technology has been rolled into the standard bikes. Additionally the chain/gear cam drive system allows for more accurate cam setups adding to precision of power delivery and reliability at such high revs.
The Ducati 1299 not only utilises a most efficient pump for oil feed, but has another to remove negative crankcase pressure caused by the downward stroke of the huge pistons. Again ensuring unimpeded free flow of engine rotation. Every last ounce of efficiency has been chased in the design of this evolutionary machine.
Body/Instruments
The sleek 17 litre aluminium fuel tank doubles as the lid to the airbox. The front cowl that surrounds the full LED headlamps in the case of the "1299S Panigale" and "1199R Panigale " models come with additional wind deflectors as standard (it is optional to fit) to ensure that for track/race pace that more wind can be moved for rider protection. The rear tail piece that is now 2 part is minimalistic and elegantly encases the rear LED light. Standard and S models also come with rear seat and pillion footrests. Full TFT instrument panel The instrument panel on the 1299 Panigale uses a full TFT display. The colour display's configuration is variable and automatically adapts to variations in environmental light and to the selected Riding Mode. In the "Road" and "Wet" Riding Modes, speed takes centre stage and is displayed in large numbers in the middle of the display, whereas the two boxes containing "supplementary information" underneath provide data on total mileage and engine coolant temperature. In the "Race" Riding Mode, the display layout is automatically reconfigured, shifting the display of the vehicle's speed in the lower information box at left and making room for the last lap time, centrally displayed in large numbers. For the first time on a Ducati motorcycle, the display features a "lean angle visualization," allowing the rider to see their achieved lean angle displayed on the dash in real-time.
Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC)
First implemented on the incredible Ducati 1199 Superleggera, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) recognizes front-wheel lift and responds according to one of 8 rider-selectable levels, allowing the throttle to be maintained open without fear of the wheelie getting out of control. This allows for maximum possible acceleration, ensuring a formidable drive out of any corner. Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) The Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) is a race-derived electronic system that manages shifting of the gearbox in both up and down directions. It allows upshifts to be made under full acceleration without using the clutch, which gains precious fractions of a second that would otherwise be wasted in closing the throttle. It also allows clutchless downshifts, as the system performs a perfectly-timed auto-blip when the foot lever is depressed, engaging the gears smoothly and allowing the rider to concentrate only on braking and corner entry.
Total control
Ducati's Riding Modes allow a rider to instantly vary key characteristics of the 1299 Panigale to suit different conditions or rider preferences – engine power and delivery, traction control, wheelie control, ABS, engine braking, and – exclusively on the 1299 Panigale S – suspension behaviour.
Three pre-set configurations, Race, Sport, and Wet, are available to be selected by using buttons mounted on the handlebar. But these are only a starting point, as each configuration can be completely customized according to the specific level of each control parameter desired by the rider. With three custom setups ready at the push of a button, the Panigale superbikes become perfectly tailored partners to the rider's unrelenting pursuit of speed.
Take a step into the future, take a step into the world of Ducati, take a ride to Seastar Superbikes to see it for yourself.