2014 Ducati 1199 SuperleggeraFollowing a few weeks of teasing “Project 1201” on its YouTube Channel, Ducati has unveiled the motorcycle that will rival the exclusivity of the Desmosedici RR – the 1199 Superleggera.The 1199 Superleggera is exactly what its name translates to in English – Super Light. The Italian motorcycle manufacturer continued its performance recipe of lightweight and more power, and designed a machine that creates over 200 horsepower and has a claimed dry weight of just 341.7 lbs. With 90-percent fuel and all liquids, the Superleggera weighs in at 390.2 lbs.
Yes, you read that correctly – 341.7 lbs. With these types of numbers, the 2014 Ducati 1199 Superleggera has the highest power-to-weight ratio of any production motorcycle.Ducati conquered this insane power-to-weight ratio by utilizing the innovations displayed in “Project 1201,” such as creating a motorcycle through the use of lightweight materials such as carbon fiber, magnesium and titanium.Ducati will only churn out 500 of these from its Bologna factory. As for price, it has yet to be released, though the rumors state around $62,000. If so, the Superleggera will be cheaper than the Desomsedici RR, the production-legal MotoGP bike that cost $72,500 back in 2007 (1,500 built).To create the Superleggera, Ducati began with its 1199 Panigale R, a $30,000 motorcycle we tested at the Circuit of the Americas this past April.Ducati further shaved weight from the 367-lbs. 1199 Panigale R by incorporating a magnesium monocoque frame, forged magnesium wheels, a carbon-fiber rear subframe, carbon-fiber bodywork, a full titanium exhaust with stainless-steel headers, and a lithium-ion battery (LIB). Besides these parts, to save further weight Ducati added many titanium bolts and fasteners.To reduce weight in the Superquadro 90-degree V-Twin, Ducati took the 1199 R’s engine, which already utilized titanium connecting rods and inlet valves, and added titanium exhaust valves.This Superquadro features something never done before on a Ducati engine; it contains two-ring pistons. Speaking of the two-ring pistons, Ducati says “these pistons, usually found on racing Superbikes, use short skirts and only two rings (compression and oil), allowing them to dramatically reduce mass and friction. To further increase performance, the combustion chamber is also modified to Superbike specs by a new piston crown that increases compression ratio. Added to this is a super-lightened crankshaft, precision balanced using dense tungsten inserts.”2014 Ducati 1199 SuperleggeraWith these enhancements, the 1199 Superleggera produces more than 200 horsepower. To tame this type of power, Ducati incorporated a host of electronics, including Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and Engine Brake Control (EBC). These systems are optimized “with new automatic calibration of rear-tire size and final transmission ratio.” Ducati also added a race-derived, handlebar mount to easily adjust the levels of these systems on the track.The 1199 Superleggera also features Ducati Data Analysis+ (DDA+) system, which adds an additional sensor and software channel to record and display vehicle lean angles.Suspension duties are handled by lightweight Ohlins FL916 front suspension with fully-machined fork bottoms, and an Ohlins TTX36 rear suspension with titanium spring. Stopping the Superleggera are Brembo M50 Monoblock brakes with a racing-style MCS 19-21 front master cylinder and remote adjuster.The finishing touches on the Superleggera are a lightweight Ergal rear sprocket, World Superbike spec 520 drive chain, carbon-fiber bodywork, forged and machined magnesium wheels, and Ducati Corse Red base livery.When purchasing the Superleggera, buyers will also receive a Race Kit, which adds 5 horsepower and reduces weigh a further 5.5 lbs. for a total weight of 336.2 lbs.This kit includes a titanium Akrapovic race exhaust system including silencers and 2-in-1 collector, high racing windscreen, dedicated dust cover, front and rear paddock stands, machined mirror fill-caps, and removal kits for the registration plate holder, and sidestand.2014 Ducati 1199 Superleggera Specs:Engine
Hello everyone and welcome once again to Ultimate Motorcycling’s weekly Podcast—Motos and Friends.
My name is Arthur Coldwells.
This week’s Podcast is brought to you by Yamaha motorcycles. Discover how the YZF-R7 provides the perfect balance of rider comfort and true supersport performance by checking it out at YamahaMotorsports.com, or see it for yourself at your local dealer.
This week’s episode features Senior Editor Nic de Sena’s impressions of the beautiful new Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST that is loosely based around the original FXRT Sport Glide from the 1980s. Hailing from The Golden State, these cult-status performance machines became known as West Coast style, with sportier suspension, increased horsepower, and niceties including creature comforts such as a tidy fairing and sporty luggage.
In past episodes you might have heard us mention my best friend, Daniel Schoenewald, and in the second segment I chat with him about some of the really special machines in his 170 or so—and growing—motorcycle collection. He’s always said to me that he doesn’t consider himself the owner, merely the curator of the motorcycles for the next generation.
Yet Daniel is not just a collector, but I can attest a really skilled rider. His bikes are not trailer queens, they’re ridden, and they’re ridden pretty hard. Actually, we have had many, many memorable rides on pretty much all of the machines in the collection at one time or another.
From all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!
