2014 Ducati 1199 Superleggera Preview, Photos, Specs

Following 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.”

Ducati 1199 Superleggera for sale — 2014 Ducati 1199 Superleggera

With 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

Type: Superquadro: L-twin cylinder, 4 titanium valves per cylinder, Desmodromic, liquid cooled, titanium con-rods
Displacement: 1198cc
Bore x Stroke: 112 x 60.8mm
Compression Ratio: 13.2:1
Power: >200hp (149kw) @ 11,500rpm
Torque: 98.8lb-ft (134Nm) @ 10,200rpm
Fuel injection: Mitsubishi electronic fuel injection system. Twin injectors per cylinder. Full ride-by-wire elliptical throttle bodies.
Exhaust: 2-1-2 system in titanium with catalytic converter and 2 lambda probes
Emissions: Euro 3
Transmission: 6 speed
Transmission Ratio: 1=37/15 2=30/16 3=27/18 4=25/20 5=24/22 6=23/24
Primary drive: Straight cut gears, Ratio 1.77:1
Final drive: Chain 520; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 41
Clutch: Slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch with hydraulic control

Chassis

Frame: Magnesium monocoque
Front suspension: Öhlins FL916 43mm with TiN, fully adjustable usd fork.
Front wheel travel: 120mm (4.72in)
Front wheel: 3-spoke forged in magnesium 3.50″ x 17″
Front tyre: 120/70 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP
Rear suspension: Fully adjustable Ohlins TTX36 unit with titanium spring. Adjustable linkage: Progressive/flat. Aluminum single-sided swingarm. 4-point adjustable pivot.
Rear wheel travel: 130mm (5.12in)
Rear wheel: 3 spoke forged in magnesium 6.00″ x 17″
Rear tyre: 200/55 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP
Front brake: 2 x 330mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc M50 4-piston callipers with 19-21 MCS pump. Bosch 9ME ABS
Rear brake: 245mm disc, 2-piston calliper
Fuel tank capacity: 17l (4.5 gallon US)
Dry weight: 155kg (341.7lb)
Wet weight: 177kg (390.2lb)
Seat height: 830mm (32.48in)
Max height: 1100mm (43.31in)
Max length: 2075mm (81.69in)
Instrumentation: TFT
Ducati electronics: DDA+, DTC, DQS, DWC, EBC, LIB, Riding Modes
Warranty: 2 years unlimited mileage
Versions: Dual
Additional equipment: Full race kit – titanium exhaust system by Akrapovič, dedicated dust cover, front & rear paddock stands, machined mirror fill-caps, removal kits for registration plate holder, sidestand