2014 Ducati Superbike 1199 Panigale R

2014 Ducati 1199 Superleggera

The 1199 Superleggera is the most exclusive and desirable Ducati ever made. Materialized in magnesium, carbon fiber, and titanium, it boasts the highest power-to-weight ratio of any production motorcycle in history and will be produced as a limited edition of only 500 units. Discover all the details and in-depth informations in the sections dedicated to materials, technology and mechanics.

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To be fast – the primary goal of any performance motorcycle.

Perhaps the most essential component of speed, acceleration gives a bike its visceral thrill on the street and enables scorching lap times on the track.

In accord with 1199 Superleggera’s extraordinary nature, its engineers pursued both components of acceleration, giving it maximum power and minimum weight to make it phenomenally quick.

Perfect motorcycle handling means many things – ease in corner entry, agility in changing lines, stability when leaned over, and the ability to hold a selected trajectory, among others.

Balancing these qualities is a complex blend of art and science in which geometry, weight distribution, and the properties of selected materials all play large parts.

As in other components of motorcycle performance, mass shows its importance; few goals enable the achievement of a superbly handling motorcycle like weight reduction.

1199 Superleggera’s engineers used the principle of weight reduction to dramatic effect in the area of handling. Forged magnesium wheels, with absolute minimum rotating mass and correspondingly low rotational inertia, enable the bike to tip into curves with instantaneous quickness and precision.

Simply put, brakes are a motorcycle’s most powerful components. An easier aspect to overlook than acceleration or handling, braking is nonetheless of the same - or higher - importance to top-level motorcycle performance.

Ideal brakes provide the force to lift a bike’s rear tyre off the ground from triple-digit speeds, the feel to control it precisely, and the consistency to repeat it perfectly, again and again.

A bike as blindingly fast as 1199 Superleggera requires the best brakes available, so Ducati’s engineers equipped it with Brembo M50 Monobloc front callipers, each milled from a single piece of aluminium.

Controlling these is Brembo’s exclusive new MCS radial master cylinder, which offers the ability to adjust its ratio for the perfect balance of power and feeling. As a pure racing touch, a remote adjuster lets the rider set brake lever distance on-the-fly to compensate for pad wear

These exemplary braking components are even further enhanced by 1199 Superleggera’s great recurring advantage, its light weight. Forged magnesium wheels and a featherweight chassis offer as little resistance to being slowed down as they do to being accelerated.

And to complete the mechanical package, 1199 Superleggera’s braking system is given electronics in the form of advanced ABS and configurable rear wheel lift-up control, putting unparalleled braking power and ultimate control in the hands of every rider, in all conditions.

Despite the incredible engineering required to maximize a motorcycle’s capability in acceleration, braking, and handling, it is not enough – for until this capability can be exploited by the rider, it remains only potential.

This is why at the very top levels of World Championship motorcycle racing, each bike on the grid is equipped with an extensive array of components designed with the sole purpose of allowing the rider to fully use its performance.