The previous leak might have spoiled the surprise on the limited-edition Ducati 1299 Superleggera, but here are some interesting details about the machine as it made its debut at the EICMA show in Milan, Italy.
Ducati released its new 1299 Superleggera (‘Superlight’ if you don’t understand Italian) along with a complete spec sheet revealing some interesting things.
Starting with its most obvious characteristic which is also described by the name itself, the bike only weighs 167 kg (368.2 lb) wet, or 156 kg (343.9 lb) dry. The U.S. version, which is non Euro4 compliant, is 2 kg (4.4 lb) lighter.
Whatever the case, don’t forget this beast is powered by a 1,285 cc Desmodromic L-twin engine that is capable of 215 hp and 146 Nm (108 lb-ft) of torque, translating into a tremendous power-to-weight ratio.
This is the most powerful factory twin-cylinder engine ever built, and it incorporates the ultimate levels of Ducati technology, like specially designed aluminum racing pistons, titanium connecting rods, light crankshaft with tungsten balancing pads, specially-developed cylinder heads, and complete all-titanium Akrapovic exhaust system among others.
All that generated oomph goes to the rear via a 6-speed manual gearbox gifted with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) that works both for up- and down-shifting. The wet multiplate clutch is hydraulically controlled and is of slipper/self-servo kind to allow for easier and smoother operation.
Built around the engine is a monocoque carbon fiber frame with co-laminated 7075 aluminum alloy inserts that is 40 percent lighter than the monocoque frame on the normal 1299 Panigale.
The single-sided swingarm is made out of the same materials an so are the rear subframe, fairing, front and rear mudguard, as well as the exhaust heat shield. And yes, the cutting-edge wheels are carbon fiber too.
The front suspension uses a fully adjustable 43mm USD Öhlins FL 936 fork with TiN treatment, billet fork bottoms and lightweight stress-optimized outer tubes, lightweight springs. Meanwhile, the rear end gets a similar setup using a fully adjustable single Öhlins TTX36 shock with titanium spring and adjustable linkage between progressive/flat.
Last but not least, a look at the braking part shows two 330 mm Brembo discs at the front, squeezed by Brembo M50 monoblock calipers, with TT29OP1 brake pads and controlled by a Brembo MCS 19.21 radial pump. The rear gets a single 245 mm disc with 2-piston Brembo caliper. Cornering ABS is part of the deal too along with a ton of other electronics that will aid the rider keep the bike rubber side down.
As we previously discovered, the 2017 Ducati 1299 Superleggera will be made in a limited 500-unit series, each going for an unspecified-for-the-moment amount of cash.
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