2015 Ducati 1299 Panigale First Look | 205 HP, 367 Lbs

2015 Ducati 1299 Panigale First Look Preview

Ducati went against tradition when it launched the 1199 Panigale for the 2012 model year. Gone were the trellis frames and the torquey belt-driven overhead cam L-Twins.

The then-new Ducati Panigale arrived with a monocoque frame that used the engine as a stress member, and the all-new Superquadro (overly square) engine that used mechanical cam gears and produced 195 horsepower.

Ducati was rumored to already have a new Superbike in the works shortly after the 1199 was released, and the new machine arrived Monday at the press conference for the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.

Enter the Ducati 1299 Panigale, which has more power and less weight than the 1199 it replaces. How much? Try 205 horsepower at 10,500 rpm and, more impressively, just over 106 ft/lbs of torque at 8750 rpm.

And all of this power is wrapped inside a motorcycle that weighs 367 lbs. dry (both base and S models). Compared to the 1199, the 1299 makes 10 extra horsepower and over eight additional ft/lbs of torque.

The 1299’s chassis has evolved for better agility and rear-tire traction, and the bike receives the latest in Ducati electronics, including Cornering ABS and Ducati Quick Shift that also functions for downshifts.

For 2015, the Ducati Superbike family includes the 1299 Panigale, the 1299 Panigale S, which like previous years receives the updated semi-active Ohlins suspension, the Panigale R (still an 1199), and the 899 Panigale.

The new 1299 features a 1285cc L-Twin engine. Ducati created the engine by increasing the 1199’s bore of 112mm to 116 mm; the stroke remains the same as the 1199 at 60.8 mm. The “box in box” pistons were redesigned, and the compression ratio has been bumped to 12.6:1, up from the 1199’s 12.5:1. And just like the 1199, valve-service intervals remain at 15,000 miles

The 1299’s 90-degree L-Twin also has been rotated to feature a 21-degree angle between the front cylinder and the horizontal plane. Ducati says this allows the engine to be placed further forward than is possible with a classical L- shaped twin-cylinder, and improves the distribution of weight between front and rear.

The 1299’s engine is mated to a six-speed transmission with a wet clutch that features a self-servo mechanism for better feel at the lever. The transmission also features a new gear sensor that was derived from MotoGP; this sensor is needed to work with the Ducati Quick Shift.

Many electronics are found on the 1299 that integrate with the three rider modes (Sport, Race, Wet). The advanced electronics are supported by the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), which measures acceleration in relation to three axes and calculates the bike’s angle of roll and pitch. The IMU assists with Cornering ABS, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), and on the S version, the Ohlins Smart EC – an event-based control system for the suspension.

Other electronics include Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Engine Brake Control (EBC), Ride-by-Wire (RbW), and Ducati Data Analyser. Furthermore, the 1299 arrives with auxiliary buttons on the handlebar to regulate DTC, DWC or EBC during track use.

Ducati says 1299 has evolved in terms of chassis setup. The monocoque chassis now has a steering head angle of 24 degrees to “guarantee” increased agility when cornering, while the swingarm pivot is 4mm lower allowing for increased rear traction in a variety of situations.

The 1299 Panigale arrives with pressurized and fully-adjustable 50mm Marzocchi forks, and a Sachs shock absorber out back. The 1299 Panigale S is further upgraded with Ohlins Smart EC semi-active suspension.

Stopping the 1299 are 330mm front discs up front squeezed by four-piston Bembo monobloc M50 calipers and a single 245mm rear disc squeezed by a Brembo monobloc two-piston caliper out back.

The 1299 Panigale rolls on aluminum tri-Y spoke wheels, 3.5 inches wide at the front and 6 inches wide at the rear. The 1299 Panigale S arrives with upgraded forged and machine-finished tri-W wheels, which are lighter for better performance. Both the base and S 1299 arrive with Pirelli Diablo Supercrosa SP tires – 120/70 ZR17 front, 200/55 ZR17 rear.

Ducati redesigned the fairings for better aerodynamics, and the 1299 arrives with a wider nose fairing and a bigger windshield. The front-air intakes were widened, and the tail fairing is now divided into two sections.

Further upgrades include new lateral ducts, mirrors, a more comfortable seat and machined aluminum footpegs that provide a better grip.

Following are the highlights and specs of the 1299 Panigale and 1299 Panigale S. Ducati has yet to reveal the pricing.

2015 Ducati 1299 Panigale Highlights:

• New 1285 cc engine
• New electronic kit with Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
• Riding Mode (Race, Sport, Wet)
• Ducati Safety Pack (Cornering ABS, DTC)
• DWC, EBC, DQS up/down
• Automatic calibration system of the tire size and final drive ratio
• Sachs steering damper
• DDA+ GPS compatible
• Predisposed for auxiliary buttons to adjust DTC, DWC, EBC
• TFT instrumentation with indicator of lean angle
• Color: Ducati Red with black wheels

2015 Ducati 1299 Panigale S Highlights:

• New 1285 cc engine
• New electronic kit with Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
• Riding Mode (Race, Sport, Wet)
• Ducati Safety Pack (Cornering ABS, DTC)
• DWC, EBC, DQS up/down
• Auxiliary buttons to adjust DTC, DWC, EBC
• Automatic calibration system of the tire size and final drive ratio
• Semi active Öhlins Smart EC suspension and steering damper
• Lightweight forged aluminum wheels
• Full LED headlight
• DDA+ GPS compatible
• TFT instrumentation with indicator of lean angle
• Front mudguard in carbon fibr
• Color: Ducati Red with black wheels

2015 Ducati 1299 Panigale / 1299 Panigale S Specs: