It’s no secret that Ducati is developing a V4 superbike. With the coming of the Ducati V4 superbike era, the Ducati 1299 Panigale and its Superquadro engine will likely be phased out.Ducati’s latest teaser video assumes this with its title “When the End Tells the Whole Story.” From the few clips shown, the video shows a Panigale in gorgeous Red/White/Green Tricolor paint. What we expect is that this is the final chapter of the Panigale era, which began with the introduction of the 1199 for 2012.
What also is evident in the video is the use of an Akrapovic exhaust similar to the Superleggera that just made its way stateside.The world will know what Ducati is up to when the Bologna-based brand unveils its the new bike at 8 p.m. PT Friday, July 7, during the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca round of World Superbike.It makes total sense for Ducati to release of the “Final Edition” 1199 Panigale R at Laguna Seca, considering that’s the ride that’s homologated for the World Superbike series. But UK publication Visordown says it found leaked documents on a dealer’s website that call the bike the 1299 R Final Edition.If this leak is true, the 1299 Panigale R Final Edition will produce just over 209 horsepower, 77 ft/lbs. of torque, and weigh 419 lbs. wet. This puts it in the territory of Superleggera horsepower, the Carbon-Fiber framed bike having 215.Also, if these leaked documents are right, the price for the 1299 Panigale R FE would be £34,995, or just over $44,000 in America.We’ll just have to wait and see. But for now, check out the video above.
Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory + Steve ’Stavros’ Parrish
byMotos and Friends by Ultimate Motorcycle
Hello everyone and welcome once again to Ultimate Motorcycling’s weekly podcast—Motos and Friends. My name is Arthur Coldwells.
Our first segment features the new Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory. Senior Editor Nic de Sena brings us his report on the flagship version of Aprilia’s upright middleweight machine. He gives us insight into whether it’s worth spending the extra money on the Factory version, and also of course, whether this sporting Aprilia is really the motorcycle for you.
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The next guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—one of the most iconic sportbikes ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.
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In this segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with (arguably) one of the most interesting Suzuki race riders of all time. the iconic RG500 alongside teammate double World Champion Barry Sheene. The two were almost as famous for their exploits off-track, as for their success on it. Those were the days! Steve also raced the Isle of Man TT for about ten years where he won 13 Silver Replicas, and got a podium finish. His insight into that particular brand of mayhem are fascinating.
But there’s waaay more to Steve Parrish than his motorcycle racing. He is also the most successful Semi-Truck racer ever, and, little known piece of useless trivia—he’s my birthday twin: 24th February. He is a natural entertainer and you can’t miss his recounting of the world’s most entertaining—and arguably terrifying—double-decker bus ride ever. If any of you were actually on that hell-ride then we’d love to hear from you!
