Ducati 1199 Superleggera in the test

Posted on by admin

Ducati 1199 Superleggera in the test

Street legal grenade

Developing a racing machine without looking at costs? A dream for every developer. Ducati made it come true. And with the Ducati Superleggera, one of the most fascinating series motorcycles with the best power-to-weight ratio was created. Even if only 500 owners will enjoy this.

“Every five to six years we just have to do something totally crazy,” says Ducati press spokesman David James with a smile. In 2007 this was the Desmosedici. So now the Ducati 1199 Superleggera. One can only say that the operation was successful. As a reminder: If the Ducati Panigale is already setting standards in terms of lightweight construction, the S.uperleggera is the logical and consistent continuation of this concept: namely to make what is still there as light as possible. Ten kilos less were required, it became twelve.

Ducati 1199 Superleggera in the test

Street legal grenade

Ducati 1199 Superleggera, which is waiting in the pit lane of Mugello to show its driver what the hammer is.

Without ABS it would be too light for the SBK World Championship regulations

"If you were to leave out the ABS alone, it would already be too light for the Superbike World Championship regulations – with lights, mirrors and indicators," winks David James, not without pride. A series machine – even if it is only a small series of 500 pieces – with a better power-to-weight ratio has never existed. The Ducati technicians pulled out all the stops for this. If the listing of the changes in a new model is often a rather boring obligation, in the case of the Ducati 1199 Superleggera this turns into a lustful rummaging through a wish list for lightweight construction and tuning freaks. And so it is worth paying attention to these details and enjoying them before the pit light turns green.

It starts with the chassis: it is cast from a magnesium alloy instead of an aluminum alloy. The wheels: milled forged magnesium rims from Marchesini. The shock absorber has a titanium spring. Everything is street legal. The exhaust: made entirely of titanium. The fork was trimmed by Ohlins with multiple changing diameters of the outer tubes for lightweight construction and optimal rigidity. The outer contour below the lower fork bridge is therefore kept slightly oval. The already light frame rear replaces a self-supporting carbon construction. Consequently, all fairing parts and covers of the Ducati 1199 Superleggera are made of carbon fiber. A light lithium-ion battery is a matter of course. The seat cushion left 83 grams, the milled radiator cap nine.

technology & future

Background Ducati 1199 Superleggera

65,000 euro super sports car sold out

read more

motorcycles

Ducati Desmosedici RR and Ducati 1199 Panigale R in the test

Max Neukirchner and PS test on the racetrack

read more

Modified around 200 parts

Around 200 parts have been changed, explains project manager Eugenio Gherardi. The approximately 100 titanium screws are just one item on this list. The technicians devoted themselves equally intensively to the engine. For the first time, pistons with only two piston rings are used in a series machine. The piston crowns are milled like the factory superbikes. Weight saving: 93 grams per piece. Together with the milled combustion chambers, they raise the compression from 12.5 to 13.2: 1. In addition to the inlet valves, the exhaust valves from Formula 1 supplier Dell West are now also made of titanium. Why the Ducati 1199 Superleggera is allowed to turn 500 rpm higher. The intake cams got a new contour and a little more lift. The technicians really saved the flywheel mass on the crankshaft, of which only a rudimentary remnant is left of the cheeks. Counterweights made of tungsten, which has two and a half times the density of steel, ensure that, despite the 396 grams saving in weight, true running and explosive turning pleasure are maintained.

And then the time has finally come. The pit light shows green. For half an hour, the Mugello GP course belongs exclusively to the tester and the Ducati 1199 Superleggera. The Ducati roars heartily from the mounted racing pots. They save a further 2.5 kilograms and, like a higher windshield, milled covers for the mirror mounts, stands and DDA + data loggers, are part of a race kit that belongs to each of the 500 units built.

Ducati 1199 Superleggera not just pimped Panigale

There are not many corners necessary, then one thing is clear: this is far more than just a pimped Panigale, the Ducati 1199 Superleggera is already damn close to a superbike. It is first and foremost the way in which it digs into the curves that sets it apart from its mass-produced sisters and brings it close to real superbike racers. The Duc turns in as light as a feather, not overly motivated or nervous. But mercilessly direct and with ingenious precision. The higher the speed at the corner entrance, the more concentrated the Superleggera appears. When you close the throttle grip in an inclined position, it does not deviate from the line by a millimeter. It seems to follow the driver’s gaze when choosing the line.

V2 knows neither weakness nor mercy

The fork is not an off-the-rack, but was specially developed for the Ducati 1199 Superleggera, Ducati worked out the setup together with the Ohlins technicians. This is still more on the soft side – at least in that it resembles the series Panigale. The response is fantastic, it literally soaks up uneven floors. The key here, too, is that you throw yourself into the corners with more and more confidence and ever higher speed and find your way into driving maneuvers that you only dare to do when you are very much fused with a motorcycle. Such as the two steep downhill curves Casanova and Savelli, where it is important not to give up any momentum.

Because they are followed by the two fast uphill right-hand curves Arrabiata 1 and 2. The Superleggera twin pulls up the mountain with unbelievable force, pushing forward with brutal force. Freed from the superfluous centrifugal mass, it turns with such vehemence that it makes you dizzy. From 7000 rpm it goes off like a rocket, knows neither weakness nor mercy. This volcano doesn’t give the pilot a moment to breathe, not a second. Not even on the 1.1 kilometer straight. He has top manners, hangs fine and enchanting directly on the gas, runs amazingly quiet thanks to a finely balanced crankshaft. But woe betide him being let off the leash. The automatic gearshift of the Ducati 1199 Superleggera lines up gear after gear thanks to a new gear sensor and revised set-up.

Adapted engine mapping and traction control

The revised electronics ensure that the cockiness of the throttle does not end in expensive scrap. In addition to the engine mapping, the traction control has also been adjusted. Even when you turn the gas vigorously, your intervention remains discreet, barely noticeable. But not only is its tuning new, it now also has an automatic calibration of the tire size. And a wheelie control, adjustable in four stages, which even on the blind hilltop after the fast Arrabiata 2 controls the front wheel of the Ducati 1199 Superleggera very gently and only lets it float slightly above the ground.

All electronic helpers up to and including the engine brake can now be adjusted from the handlebars using a shift paddle. Does everything sound very relaxed? No, because she’s still a little beast. If you grab the handlebars too hard when getting up and accelerating or on the home straight, the Ducati 1199 Superleggera acknowledges with twitching handlebars and swinging. The only thing that helps is to guide the handlebars very loosely. The lowering of the air pressure on the rear wheel also gave the rear tire more self-damping and therefore more calm. Half an hour is over like nothing, the pilot done. Because although incredibly handy and precise, blessed with fabulous electronic driving aids, driving it is an extremely intense affair. Full concentration is required at all times, because everything seems to be happening in fast motion. The Ducati 1199 Superleggera is a street legal grenade.

And although it’s actually too good to be chased down the racetracks, it would be a sin not to exploit this potential. A conflict that only 500 owners will face. Because more copies are not built. When the Ducati 1199 Superleggera was presented to the public for the first time at EICMA 2013, most of them had already been pre-ordered. At the end of 2013 all of them had already been sold. At a price of 65,000 euros each. Crazy? Perhaps. But a dream. In any case, we can’t wait until the next five or six years are over.

Weight savings

Jahn, Ducati

500 pieces, and that’s it. For many, the Superleggera must remain a dream. The series is completely sold out.

Compared to the 1199 Panigale R

  • Carbon cladding and other attachments: -1 kg
  • Magnesium monocoque, sand-cast: -1 kg
  • Carbon rear frame: -1.2 kg
  • Titanium exhaust system: -2.5 kg
  • Forged magnesium rims: -1 kg
  • Lithium-ion battery: -2 kg
  • Fork and shock absorber: -1.4 kg
  • Superbike pistons: -194 gr
  • Crankshaft with counterweights made of tungsten: -396 gr
  • SBK chain (520) and sprocket, titanium screws and milled aluminum parts: -1.3 kg

Total weight saving of 12 kg (ready to drive)

Technical data Superleggera

Jahn, Ducati

Compared to the 1199 Panigale R, the Superleggera saves a total of 12 kg in weight.

engine

Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 90-degree V-engine, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, desmodromic actuation, wet sump lubrication, injection, 2x Ø 68 mm, regulated catalytic converter, 440 W alternator , 12 V / 6 Ah battery, hydraulically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch (anti-hopping), six-speed gearbox, O-ring chain, secondary 41:15 ratio.

Bore x stroke: 112.0 x 60.8 mm

Displacement: 1198 cm³

Compression ratio: 13.2: 1

Rated output: 149.0 kW (203 hp) at 11,500 rpm

Max. Torque: 134 Nm at 10,200 rpm

landing gear

Magnesium monocoque, upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm, hydraulic steering damper, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, single-sided swing arm made of aluminum, central spring strut, lying, with lever system, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, double disc brake at the front, Ø 330 mm, Four-piston fixed calipers, rear disc brake, Ø 245 mm, two-piston fixed calipers, traction control, ABS.

Forged magnesium wheels 3.50 x 17; 6.00 x 17

Tires 120/70 ZR 17; 200/55 ZR 17

Dimensions + weight

Wheelbase 1437 mm, steering head angle 65.5 degrees, caster 100 mm, suspension travel f / r 120/130 mm, seat height 830 mm, weight with a full tank of 177 kg, tank capacity 17.0 liters.

Guarantee: two years
Colors: red / white
Price: 65,000 euros
Additional costs: 305 euros

 

Related articles

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *