It feels like Christmas with all the new announcements coming from the manufacturers releasing the 2014 motorcycles and the latest comes from Ducati!
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 09 September 2013 – The highly-anticipated Ducati 899 Panigale has been unveiled at the VW Group Night in Frankfurt, Germany, on the eve of the IAA International Motor Show, which runs from the 12-22 September. The presentation made by Ducati CEO, Claudio Domenicali, represents a preview of the Italian Manufacturer’s exciting 2014 model range.
The stunning model, intended to provide a new way to access the exclusive world of Ducati Superbikes, is described as a “Supermid” version of the award-winning 1199 Panigale, designed to provide the thrill of the new generation flagship model with the refined character of an everyday streetbike.
By Marissa Baecker
Ever since the 1199 Panigale was unveiled and made its way around the globe on the motorcycle show circuit, riders have been dreaming what it might be like to be behind those bars. The Ducati superbike took the title of ‘Best Bike of the Show’ at the 2011 EICMA in Milan, the 2012 Motorcycle of the Year from Motorcyclist Magazine and then continued to impress the motorsports world with several additional international acknowledgements including one in July when Ducati announced that the 1199 Panigale had taken the ‘best of the best’ product design award at the international red dot awards – a prestigious international design competition.
The Panigale ‘is a beast’ were words of one journalist referring, not surprisingly, to the fact that the bike’s ability far exceeds that of the majority of its drooling riders. This is the bike made for World Superbike competition, at 195HP yet is available to the consumer enthusiast to set their hair on fire during a track day.
The Ducati superbike market just opened the doors to the riders not quite ready to tackle the power of the 1199 but who are knocking on the door of high performance by unveiling of yet another Panigale. This week in Frankfurt, Germany, Ducati pulled the cover off the 2014 Panigale 899 superbike calling it a “Supermid” version designed to provide the thrill of the new generation flagship model with refined character of an everyday street bike.
The ‘Pan-ee-gah-lee” was named after an Italian territory known as “Motor Valley”, an area that lives and breaths high performance racing and Italian pride. This is a sexy machine in either arctic white or traditional red, whose style, previously perfected, mirrors that of its predecessor. Not quite the ‘beast’ of the 1199, the 899 still produces 148HP at 10,750 rpm with 73lb-ft of torque at 9,000 rpm, delivered by an all new Superquadro L-Twin engine with a revised bore (100mm) and stroke (57.2mm) and 24,000 km between major services.
Considering the horsepower, speed and agility this 6-speed transmission model offers, the power to weight ratio – dry weight of 169kg (372.5lb) is worth bragging about. Similar to other models in the Ducati family, the 899 Panigale offers riders three separate riding modes. Using Ride-by-Wire technology, power delivery can be scrolled between Race (148 HP, direct throttle response, and front-only ABS), Sport (148HP, smooth throttle response, front and rear ABS) or Wet (110 HP, smooth throttle response and fully enhanced ABS for slippery conditions).
Standard equipment is the Ducati Quick Shift system. Here is where the consumer rider can feel like a racer with clutchless upshifting while maintaining an open throttle. A micro-switch reads the motorcycle determining its gear and throttle position prior to applying a cut in the fuel injection before upshifting. If full function is your preference, you can still utilize the clutch for normal gear changing.
Bosch Brembo three level ABS provides the track style braking that GP and SBK riders rely on in level 1 with front only ABS while level 2 reduces rear lift for sport and level three stops a rider in slippery conditions while keeping the bike upright. With each riding mode, the rider can choose whether or not to disable ABS by scrolling through the on-board computer and even offers mode saving setting for the next ride. Front brakes equal 2 x 320mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc M4-32 callipers with ABS while the rear offers a single 245mm disc, 2-piston Brembo caliper.
Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tyres, 120/70 ZR17 in the front and 180/60 ZR17 on the rear, perfect for the road or the high performance of a track, housed on 10 spoke 3.5 inch front rims and 5.5 inch rear rims complete the iconic style.
Rounding out the design detail on this latest Italian offering are twin headlamps with LED positioning lights, LED front indicators in the mirrors, front intake ducts, twin rear lights, enhanced LED brake lights, and LED rear indicators.
The 899 Panigale should start hitting showroom floors late October and will most likely be the hit of this year’s bike shows.
Ride in Style:
Ducati Corse carbon fibre full-face helmet
The uniquely designed Ducati Corse carbon fibre helmet by Arai is the ultimate protection piece for the Ducatista who has everything. The helmet’s outer shell is constructed with a minimum of eleven carefully applied carbon fibre layers. The construction is a mixture of aircraft quality premium carbon fibre and Arai’s exclusive resin with added Zylon reinforcement. Every helmet is hand-built by a dedicated Arai craftsman, complete with hand painted signature and Ducati Corse graphics. On Corsair V Shell (US Version; RX GP-7 European version & RX-7 RR5 Japanese version ). DOT helmets for the US, Canada and Mexico are not available with customized logos.
Ducati Corse 14 leather gloves
The 2014 Ducati Corse leather glove incorporates advanced safety and comfort features, establishing a new benchmark in Ducati riding glove technology. Manufactured by Dainese, this new glove introduces a combination of soft cowhide leather with Pittards® reinforced goatskin leather. This combination, coupled with Kevlar® stitching, provides incredible abrasion resistance. In addition, the Pittards® leather in the reinforced palms and between fingers resists sweat and moisture to maintain a soft, comfortable fit. Outer titanium and carbon fiber armour, combined with Polyurethane inserts and ergonomic distortion control features, allow for the highest level of race-ready hand and finger protection.
Duca
ti Corse 13 racing boots
Made in collaboration with TCX ®, the Ducati Corse racing boots are designed for high performance in absolute comfort and feature the Precise Air Fit System. The “Race Performance” anatomical insole is made from expanded polyurethane, reducing weight and increasing breathability and the insole is enhanced with a gel insert in the heel area, effective for absorbing vibrations and impacts. The special shape of the insole perfectly follows the anatomy of the foot, employing various thickness depending on whether it supports the arch of the foot, forefoot or heel and the Lycra lining is injected directly onto the padding to further enhance the comfort of this unique boot.
CE certified, the boot features the Precise Air Fit System, consisting of an air chamber made from antibacterial, antiallergenic polyurethane and a pump, which inserts into the top part of the boot, enabling adjustment to its volume. The air chamber is divided into areas of differing thicknesses, designed to perfectly follow the shape of the instep and shinbone when inflated.
The Torsion Control System® is a development of the ankle protection concept patented by TCX®, which reduces the total weight of the boot and increases mechanical control of the ankle and leg movements to improve resistance in the event of impact. The system is also equipped with an Ankle-impact slider and a new rear slider that allows the boot to slide more easily in a typical crash scenario, further reducing the risk of dangerous twisting. Both sliders are made from aluminium alloy, highly resistant to wear and impact and decorated with a titanium-colour finishing, which complements the line of the boot.
Ducati Corse 14 leather jacket
The Ducati Corse leather jacket offers Ducatisti track-ready styling and safety features in a jacket that is geared for the street. Dainese’s unique 3D-Bubble liner facilitates constant air-flow through the perforated version to provide a more comfortable riding experience in warm weather without compromising safety. A consistently popular style, the Ducati Corse leather jacket features D-skin leather, a full length waist zipper, as well as pockets for both back and chest protector inserts.
Speed 10 leather trousers
Made from 1.2 mm thick top-grain cowhide leather for maximum tensile strength and tear resistance, this sport style leather trouser pairs perfectly with Ducati leather jackets. Features include an aggressive cut, best suited to a sport riding position, along with rigid race grade CE certified armour in the knees and shins and replaceable knee sliders. The protective trousers also features soft armour inserts, protecting the hips and large stretch panels in the calf and inner thigh, providing a secure and comfortable fit.
