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BOLOGNA, Italy - Two highly anticipated images of Ducati’s “naked” 1199 Panigale have been released which show what Ducati says is “an innovative and courageous step forward in motorcycle design”.
Take a look; you decide and let us know through the Readers Comments section below...
Ducati explains that merging multiple parts into one compact and light component means the extremely compact monocoque construction also contains the air box to become one of the key elements in reducing the new Superbike’s overall dry weight by 10kg to only 164kg.
CLEVER FUEL TANK
The short and strong die-cast aluminium monocoque weighs only five kilograms and uses the Superquadro engine as a stressed part of the chassis attached by its cylinder heads and protruding forwards to house the steering head bearings and forming the air box along the way.
The air box is capped-off and sealed when the light aluminium fuel tank is attached, again using one component for two roles.
The cylinders remain true to Ducati’s signature 90° L-twin configuration but the new engine has rotated its top end backwards around the crankshaft by a further six degrees to give more clearance on the front wheel and enabling engineers to modify the front/rear weight bias.
This also enables a front-end geometry of 24.5 degrees of rake and 100mm of trail.
EXHAUST SYSTEM MOVED
The new die-cast aluminium, single-sided, swing arm is 39mm longer than that of the 1198 and is attached directly to the rear of the engine, helping to lengthen the wheelbase to 1437mm and change the weight distribution of the 1199 Panigale from 50/50 to 52% front and 48% rear with an average-size rider.
The exhaust system has been moved under the engine, the die-cast aluminium rear sub-frame is considerably lighter and also attaches directly to the Superquadro engine, while the super-light magnesium front sub-frame attaches directly to the monocoque frame, providing secure support for the headlight, instruments and fairing.
Ducati says this combination of weight-saving and centralisation of mass around these high front and rear sub-frame areas substantially contributes to overall vehicle agility.
Take a look; you decide and let us know through the Readers Comments section below...
Ducati explains that merging multiple parts into one compact and light component means the extremely compact monocoque construction also contains the air box to become one of the key elements in reducing the new Superbike’s overall dry weight by 10kg to only 164kg.
CLEVER FUEL TANK
The short and strong die-cast aluminium monocoque weighs only five kilograms and uses the Superquadro engine as a stressed part of the chassis attached by its cylinder heads and protruding forwards to house the steering head bearings and forming the air box along the way.
The air box is capped-off and sealed when the light aluminium fuel tank is attached, again using one component for two roles.
The cylinders remain true to Ducati’s signature 90° L-twin configuration but the new engine has rotated its top end backwards around the crankshaft by a further six degrees to give more clearance on the front wheel and enabling engineers to modify the front/rear weight bias.
This also enables a front-end geometry of 24.5 degrees of rake and 100mm of trail.
EXHAUST SYSTEM MOVED
The new die-cast aluminium, single-sided, swing arm is 39mm longer than that of the 1198 and is attached directly to the rear of the engine, helping to lengthen the wheelbase to 1437mm and change the weight distribution of the 1199 Panigale from 50/50 to 52% front and 48% rear with an average-size rider.
The exhaust system has been moved under the engine, the die-cast aluminium rear sub-frame is considerably lighter and also attaches directly to the Superquadro engine, while the super-light magnesium front sub-frame attaches directly to the monocoque frame, providing secure support for the headlight, instruments and fairing.
Ducati says this combination of weight-saving and centralisation of mass around these high front and rear sub-frame areas substantially contributes to overall vehicle agility.
