News – Motorcycle news 2014: Ducati 899 Panigale – Used DUCATI

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Motorcycle news 2014: Ducati 899 Panigale

News - Motorcycle news 2014: Ducati 899 Panigale - Used DUCATI

Barely two years after having revolutionized the world of Superbikes with the exhilarating 1199 Panigale, Ducati applies the same recipes to its mid-capacity sports motorcycle: exit the 848 with its "good old" tubular chassis, and make way for the ultramodern 899 Panigale !

Barely two years after having revolutionized the world of Superbikes with the exhilarating, Ducati applies the same recipes to its mid-capacity sports bike: exit the 848 with its "good old" tubular chassis, and make way for the ultramodern 899 Panigale !

The "little" Panigale takes to the track

The arrival of this new 899 Panigale is only a half-surprise: barely was the 1199 Panigale presented to us on the sumptuous Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi in February 2012 (read our) that Ducati already questioned the Site. on the replacement of the 848 by a "Panigaleee" version modeled on the Superbike…

Nothing could be more logical after all, since the stylistic and technical evolutions brought to the "Superbike" of Bologna have long since been transposed to the "Supersport" models: from the 916 and 996 the 748 was born in 1995, then the 999 gave birth to the 749, while the 1098 served as the basis for the current 848. Unless it broke completely with its habits, Ducati could not therefore launch the 1199 Panigale without preparing its little "sister".

At the time, however, Francesco Rapisarda, Ducati communications director, assured us that the current mid-capacity sports bike would not be replaced "in the next three to five years".

Questioned by MNC, the Italian leader then justified this strategic choice by explaining to us that "the 848 is a very accomplished motorcycle, well placed in terms of price and which constitutes a very relevant access to our sporting range", and that it encountered a great success in the USA and Asia (read our).

We must believe that Ducati did not finally want to wait so long: the 848 leaves the catalog this fall and will be replaced by the 899 Panigale, a novelty discovered this weekend at the opening of the Motor Show in Frankfurt (Germany), during the "Night of the VW Group" to which the Italian brand now belongs via Audi.

Superquadro engine

And like the 1199 Panigale whose lines it takes (the most visible difference is the traditional swingarm instead of the single-arm on the SBK), the sporty "mid-size" of Borgo Panigale makes a clean sweep of the past: if it retains a typical Ducati engine architecture (v-twin set at 90 °), the mechanics of the 899 Panigale are entirely new and totally geared towards pure performance.

The dimensions of the twin cylinder thus go from 94 mm of bore and 61.5 mm of stroke on the 848 to 100 mm and 57.2 mm on the 899: this drastic reduction of the stroke aims at a faster taking of turns and a power. higher at high speeds.

Result: this Superquadro engine ("supercarre", in Italian) develops 148 hp at 10,750 rpm and 99 Nm of torque at 9,000 rpm, or 8 horsepower and 1 Newton-meter more than the previous 848 (read in particular our).

With two injectors per cylinder, this 898cc engine is compressed to 12.5: 1 and features vacuum molded crankcases to save weight, as well as Nikasil-treated liners to improve durability. An oil pump inspired by the one used on the MotoGP Desmosedici is used to ensure perfect lubrication of this engine which, of course, retains its desmodromic distribution system..

On the other hand, as on the 1199 Panigale, the "desmo" device is driven by a chain, and not a belt like on the old Ducati (read in particular the "Engine" part of our).

Likewise, the use of the same type of automatic decompressor as on the 1199 makes it possible to contain the weight (169 kg dry advertised), because the battery and the starter can be smaller. Ducati estimates the gain is "about 3.3 kg".

Placed at the end of the camshaft, this decompressor is in the form of a removable protuberance which comes out of the axis when the starter is actuated. This causes a slight lift of the intake valves (with a diameter of 41.8 mm), which is enough to lower the compression and therefore the resistance generated by the rise of the pistons at start-up. This ingenious device automatically retracts thanks to centrifugal force once the twin takes turns..

Finally, the interval between each major mechanical overhaul is increased to 24,000 km: a good point for this engine capable of delivering "its power with flexibility", according to the transalpine engine manufacturers..

Monocoque chassis

In terms of chassis, the 899 Panigale also turns its back on the cult tubular steel trellis frame in favor of an aluminum monocoque element, a solution introduced by Ducati in MotoGP in 2009 – but in carbon – before being abandoned three years ago. later at the request of Valentino Rossi.

Concretely, it is the cylinder heads of the engine which serve to connect the steering column and the single swingarm.

The Superquadro therefore has a supporting role, since it is only through it that the connection between the front and the rear of the chassis is established..

The big advantage of the monocoque is that it is less bulky and weighs less than a conventional tubular frame, especially since its bulky front part includes the airbox and its filter, but also the injection ducts..

The geometric values ​​of this chassis are in line with the bike’s predictable trail riding temperament: the wheelbase is shorter than before (1426 mm against 1430 mm on the 848), the caster angle slightly more closed (24 ° against 24 ° , 5 °) and the weight distribution is concentrated on the front (52%).

The 43mm inverted fork is a large piston model from Showa (as on the latest CBR600RR and ZX-6R 636, in particular) and can of course be adjusted for preload, rebound and compression. At the rear, it is a Sachs mono-shock absorber also "fully adjustable" and offset to the side which is responsible for absorbing the irregularities of the road … and the kicks of almost 150 nags. !

There is no doubt that even more high-end suspensions – probably from Ohlins – are planned for the foreseeable future more "Racing" versions of the 899 Panigale. Or even an electronically controlled fork and shock absorber, as on the 1199 Panigale S, Tricolore or R ?

Cutting-edge electronics

Finally, the 899 Panigale embeds a raft of electronic aids, closely derived from those discovered on its "big sister". Starting with the Brembo radial brake calipers which offer the assistance of a Bosch 9MP ABS configurable on three levels (Circuit, Sport and Rain). This device, which can be disconnected, can also couple the front-rear action to prevent rear lifting during hard braking..

The 180 mm wide Pirelli Diablo Corsa at the rear unsurprisingly benefits from the reinforcement of an eight-level adjustable traction control, while the configurable engine brake management device discovered on the 1199 makes its appearance on the mid-displacement.

The Italian sports car also has three injection maps that can be chosen on the handlebars: "Race" (full power, direct response from the electronic accelerator, traction control and engine brake management at the mini and ABS at the front only), "Sport" (full power, smoother ride by wire response, higher level of assistance) and "Wet" (power reduced to 110 hp, even smoother ride by wire, increased assistance).

The 899 Panigale also carries a shifter and new 100% digital instrumentation on a white background as standard. As an option, it can be fitted with the DDA + data acquisition system, which makes it possible to record a plethora of data turn by turn (gear engaged, degree of throttle opening, speed, engine speed, etc.) on a USB key..

Despite this technological debauchery and the leap forward in performance, Ducati ensures that its 899 Panigale is not just a motorcycle intended for exclusive use of the circuit: "the thicker saddle or even the shorter final transmission make it possible to mix performances resulting from Italian know-how with ease of use on a daily basis ", assure the Italians, insisting on the (relative) versatility offered by their new sports car, in particular through the promotional video of the 899 Panigale below. A point that we can’t wait to check the handlebars in hand !

According to our information collected from Ducati France, the 899 Panigale will be available in "October" at a price of 15,790 euros: a price as high as the claims of this Italian bellissima !

2014 Ducati 899 Panigale photo gallery

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