Once in a while, Ducati introduces extremely exclusive, outrageously expensive special editions. The “outrage” isn’t meant to mean this bike isn’t worth it, just that it is … a pretty outrageously expensive machine. Oh, and we don’t even know the price yet.
What you are looking at is the 2014 Ducati 1199 Superleggera which Ducati states “combines a precious cocktail of materials such as titanium, magnesium and carbon fibre to set the highest power-to-weight ratio of any production motorcycle”. A package weighing less than 350 pounds, and producing “more than 200hp”.
All of the details are in the following press release from Ducati, but keep one thing in mind. Even if you can afford one, the limited number of 500 units is almost sold out, as it was offered first to owners of the Desmosedici RR and R version Superbikes. Sorry.
Created without limits, to inspire unlimited desire
Celebrating the Italian manufacturer’s commitment to performance technology and lightweight construction, Ducati now proudly introduces its latest limited edition dream model, the highly exclusive 1199 Superleggera. The new machine combines a precious cocktail of materials such as titanium, magnesium and carbon fibre to set the highest power-to-weight ratio of any production motorcycle in history. Producing more than 200hp and weighing-in at just 155kg* (341.7lb*), Ducati showcase their innovative engineering and stylish approach to design, while affirming the maxim: “Authentic Italian Performance”.
The Superleggera follows in the successful wheel tracks of previous iconic limited editions, like the Desmosedici RR, with its exclusivity boldly underlined with just 500 examples of this extraordinary machine being assembled at Ducati’s headquarters in Bologna, Italy, each with its own individual number inscribed on the top clamp.
With its baseline starting from the already impressive 1199 Panigale ‘R’ specification, the Superleggera incorporates a magnesium monocoque frame and forged Marchesini magnesium wheels before taking lightweight to the extreme with a carbon fibre rear sub-frame and bodywork, lithium-ion battery (LIB) and full titanium exhaust system with stainless steel headers. Many of the bolts and fasteners on both engine and chassis are also fashioned in titanium. Additional enhancements include lightweight Öhlins FL916 front suspension with fully-machined fork bottoms and an Öhlins TTX36 rear suspension with titanium spring. The Superleggera’s Brembo M50 Monobloc brakes inherit a racing-style MCS 19-21 front master cylinder and remote adjuster and its final drive gets upgraded with a lightweight Ergal rear sprocket, and World Superbike-spec 520 drive chain. Finer attention to detail is hidden in the shape of the carbon fibre body work, which is moulded with the same high-penetration form normally provided by the “R” spec add-on aero-kit.
The Superquadro engine, which sports titanium con-rods and inlet valves, now adds titanium exhaust valves, and, for the first time on a Ducati street engine, special two-ring pistons. These pistons, usually found on racing Superbikes, use short skirts and only two rings (compression and oil), allowing them to dramatically reduce mass and friction. To further increase performance, the combustion chamber is also modified to Superbike specs by a new piston crown that increases compression ratio. Added to this is a super-lightened crankshaft, precision balanced using dense tungsten inserts. The enhancements result in an incredible output of more than 200hp as it rolls out of Ducati’s Borgo Panigale factory in Bologna, Italy.
The Superleggera’s outstanding power-to-weight ratio can be enhanced even further with the supplied track-only Race Kit**. The kit, which increases power by 5hp and reduces weight by 2.5kg (5.5 lb), consists of a titanium Akrapovič race exhaust system including silencers and 2-in-1 collector, high racing windscreen, dedicated dust cover, front and rear paddock stands, machined mirror fill-caps, and removal kits for the registration plate holder, and sidestand.
The model’s electronics are also upgraded thanks to the new system for managing front-wheel lift Ducati
Wheelie Control (DWC) which is based on an Inertial Platform. This DWC system, along with Ducati
Traction Control (DTC) and Engine Brake Control (EBC), is optimized with new automatic calibration of rear tyre size and final transmission ratio. The Ducati Data Analysis+ (DDA+) system adds an additional sensor
and software channel to record and display vehicle lean angles. This impressive array of included
electronics is completed by a set of race-derived, handlebar mounted control buttons to enable rapid, ontrack
adjustments to the levels of the pre-selected channels of DTS, DWC, or EBC.
Appropriate to its highly exclusive status as one of the most exotic and desirable Ducatis of all time, the
1199 Superleggera is exquisitely dressed in Ducati Corse Red base livery, complemented with forged and
machined magnesium wheels.
*Dry weight **Track use only
1199 Superleggera features
Chassis
- Magnesium monocoque
- Magnesium wheels
- Carbon-fibre rear sub-frame
- Öhlins FL916 front suspension
- Öhlins TTX36 rear suspension with titanium spring
- Single-sided swingarm with 4-way adjustable pivot
- Brembo MCS 19-21 front master cylinder
- Carbon fibre bodywork
- Individual number engraved on the top clamp
Engine
- Superquadro: L-twin cylinder, 4 titanium valves per cylinder, Desmodromic, liquid cooled
- World Superbike-style pistons with 2 rings and crown modified for an increased compression ratio
- Lightweight crankshaft with tungsten balance inserts
- Titanium connecting rods
- Full titanium exhaust system
Electronics
- Ducati Traction Control with automatic tyre size recalibration (DTC)
- Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC)
- Dedicated handlebar buttons for on-track adjustment of DTC, DWC or EBC
- Ducati Data Analyser+ with lean sensor (DDA+)
- Ducati Quick Shifter (DQS)
- Engine Brake Control (EBC)
- Riding Modes
- Ride-by-Wire
- Full LED lighting
- Full TFT instrumentation
- Lithium-ion battery (LIB)
Race kit
- Dust cover
- Front and rear paddock stands
- License plate holder removal kit
- High racing windscreen
- Sidestand removal kit
- Machined mirror fill-caps
- Full race exhaust system by Akrapovič.
| 1199 SUPERLEGGERA | |
| Engine | |
| Type | Superquadro: L-twin cylinder, 4 titanium valves per cylinder, Desmodromic, liquid cooled, titanium con-rods |
| Displacement | 1198cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 112 x 60.8mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13.2:1 |
| Power | >200hp (149kw) @ 11,500rpm |
| Torque | 98.8lb-ft (134Nm) @ 10,200rpm |
| Fuel injection | Mitsubishi electronic fuel injection system.Twin injectors per cylinder.Full ride-by-wire elliptical throttle bodies. |
| Exhaust | 2-1-2 system in titanium with catalytic converter and 2 lambda probes |
| Emissions | Euro 3 |
| Transmission | |
| Gearbox | 6 speed |
| Ratio | 1=37/15 2=30/16 3=27/18 4=25/20 5=24/22 6=23/24 |
| Primary drive | Straight cut gears, Ratio 1.77:1 |
| Final drive | Chain 520; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 41 |
| Clutch | Slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch with hydraulic control |
| Chassis | |
| Frame | Magnesium monocoque |
| Front suspension | Öhlins FL916 43mm with TiN, fully adjustable usd fork. |
| Front wheel travel | 120mm (4.72in) |
| Front wheel | 3-spoke forged in magnesium 3.50″ x 17″ |
| Front tyre | 120/70 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP |
| Rear suspension | Fully adjustable Ohlins TTX36 unit with titanium spring.Adjustable linkage: Progressive/flat.Aluminum single-sided swingarm.4-point adjustable pivot. |
| Rear wheel travel | 130mm (5.12in) |
| Rear wheel | 3 spoke forged in magnesium 6.00″ x 17″ |
| Rear tyre | 200/55 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP |
| Front brake | 2 x 330mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted BremboMonobloc M50 4-piston callipers with 19-21 MCS pump. Bosch 9ME ABS |
| Rear brake | 245mm disc, 2-piston calliper |
| Fuel tank capacity | 17l (4.5 gallon US) |
| Dry weight | 155kg (341.7lb) |
| *Wet weight | 177kg (390.2lb) |
| Seat height | 830mm (32.48in) |
| Max height | 1100mm (43.31in) |
| Max length | 2075mm (81.69in) |
| Instrumentation | TFT |
| Ducati electronics | DDA+, DTC, DQS, DWC, EBC, LIB, Riding Modes |
| Warranty | 2 years unlimited mileage |
| Versions | Dual |
| Additional equipment | Full race, titanium exhaust system by Akrapovič, dedicated dust cover, front & rear paddock stands, machined mirror fill-caps, removal kits for registration plate holder, sidestand. |
| *Wet weight | Wet weight includes all fluids and fueled to at least 90% of useable tank capacity. (93/93/CE) |
I do not know.
Ken Wahl is always far better then Tom Cruise.
I can’t afford the bike, but I would like a poster (large)of the Superleggera sans bodywork.
With WSB rule changes in the pipeline (there’s a lower spec ‘EVO’ class next year, I believe, which will be the template for the 2015 championship), there’s a chance that this is at the very least a toe-in-the-water approach to ensure Ducati have an advantage in this production-based class. They were very competitive in this World Superstocks this year, and it was a crash that stopped them from probably winning the titile (BMW and Kawasaki are also competitive in this class, the others are nowhere).
This harks back to previous periods of Ducati WSB dominance. It was always going to be that case that smaller factories would have to have increased prices, but Ducati’s approach of releasing 200-off specials (SPS models and suchlike) with, say, titanium valves and other highly priced features allowed for homologation and a useful benefit when racing. There was no way that even Honda would be able to produce a batch of their superbike with a few racing additions.
So expect, after a seasons racing, a further-tweaked version of this bike to come along and that Ducati will be back at the front. This year’s WSB results were pretty embarrassing for them, especially if you recall the hype that went along with the Panigale’s launch.
I’m not sure what is best for the championship. I think it’s been great that over the last few seasons, we’ve had every manufacturer at least on the podium. And although we shouldn’t overlook the David-v- Goliath of Ducati taking on the Japanese, when you have a 20% capacity advantage, and hyper-expensive bikes to base your racer on, the David and Goliath roles can seem reversed!
The electronics packages of race teams have proven to be a leveller and allow Japan to get back to the front, even though the Italians pioneered the stuff on the track.
There’s a pendulum issue here, and it always swings too far! We had the Japanese lobbying to allow 1000cc four cylinder bikes (all but killing the 750cc class), which was then superseded by a 1200cc twin cylinder allowance. We had a near boycott of the class by Japan a few years back. Where will it get to? There’s a feeling amongst WSB fans that Dorna will ultimately destroy WSB racing, and this might be a footnote in that destruction of the class as we know it.
How does one website manage to attract so many negative, Monday morning industry professionals. I don’t even come here for the news anymore, I come just to read the absolutely ridiculous comments that the majority of the regulars to this site make. Here’s a tip, leave the industry to the real professionals and go ride your motorcycle. Assuming you actually own one of course.
Personally, as an exercise, I think this is great. Since the economic crash sportbikes have been an afterthought for most companies and although I’ll never own this bike, or even get invited to own one, it’s nice to have something exciting to look at and read about for a change.
As always, thanks for the laughs!
I could care less about this type of “special edition”. It has always been irritating to me when the motorcycle press goes gaga over New Superbike X. A month later they are all gaga over Superbike X-R model. The next month it is Superbike X-RR model. Then Superbike X-SP with limited edition paint. Then comes superbike X-SPS with limitless electronic rubbish,special forks and a little commemorative plate rivited to the triple clamp.
I read the test of the original machine. all the rest of the press devoted to some slightly different variant of the original is just crap to me
I’m confused. How much could you care less? A huge amount less? Does that mean you really want new superbike X as you presumably care a lot about it? Where can I buy this model X, as it sounds amazing?
This made me laugh, because I wanted to correct the grammar of the original post. Instead, I will enjoy your humorous response.
re: “Then comes superbike X-SPS with limitless electronic rubbish,special forks and a little commemorative plate rivited to the triple clamp.”
FISTPUMP…!!!
I’m surprised Harley-Davidson hasn’t copied this marketing tactic; produce an ultra (no pun intended) expensive, very limited edition piece of “collector” driveway jewelry. Particularly since there are so many Harley’s that are hardly ridden anyway. The only difference is, the Harley would most likely retain its value!? Oh! I forgot. Almost every harley is a limited edition of some sort 🙂
Well, they do have the CVO line. I think each of those models are “limited” to about 2000 per year, for each model. They always sell out.
Just like the Desmosedici, wait a couple of years and (if you can still afford it), you will be able to buy one for 2/3 of the original price. I just started to buy lotto tickets…
I’ll never buy it, but it sure looks pretty and probably sounds cool.
Maybe I’ll see one on on I-5 just north of the Grapevine just like the Desmo I saw a few years ago. A cell phone flix is good enough for me to enjoy it and not potentially die. My R-1 has more than enough power than I truly need.
I can’t fit on it (which is why I chose the 1198S) but I want it! But… I’d be too afraid to crash it to really ride it. I hope someone posts some fantastic videos. What a bike.
re: “I hope someone posts some fantastic videos”
you will. search for rnickeymouse on youtube. invariably one will be seen TRACTOR BEAMING itself into the guard rail on Mulholland. in much the same way we get baby formula from the Space Shuttle program, “the snake” is a real world application of DEATHSTAR technology.
Yeah those videos always crack me up. Next time I ride down south I’m going to check out that spot. Been trying to figure out what it is about that stretch of road that gives everyone such fits. Is it a dip of some type? So many crashes in front of CHP too. Jeez. Save it for the track, boys…
re: “been trying to figure out what it is about that stretch of road that gives everyone such fits.”
Lord Vader.
5oo bikes will be made, and 2 years from now the 500 bikes will have a combined 3000 miles on them.
these aren’t motorcycles with any purpose in reality at all. It’s just a museum peice, an ego stroke, or bike pron depending on how you look at it.
This is a work of art and not a sociological/ class envy endeavor. There will always be those that can afford high end things like this and those that can’t. I can’t afford this bike nor would I buy it if I could due to a terrible dealer network. The nearest Ducati dealer to me is 150 miles away. I’ve had 2 Ducati’s and love the brand. Let’s see how it does on the track!
This is Ducati showing us what we (the rank and file crowd) can get sort of close to doing with a base 899 or 1199 if so inclined. Won’t be the same uber exclusive bike at the end of the day but it will help sell Panigales nonetheless. Certainly makes me want a 899 more and will spur a lot of Corsa parts selling from their catalog.
The great thing about a bike like this, aside from the company just making a statement about their engineering abilities is that it has features that will trickle down to affordable production machines at some point. If no one ever pushed the edge of the envelope in design we would’t get far.
Typically, a bike like this will be sitting on the sales floor three years from now still for sale. I’ve seen it before, I’ll see it again.
NOT with only 500 produced.
And if you ever see it on the sales floor it will be because it personally belongs to the shop owner.
If you are only just now deciding you might want one of these, then it is probably too late. I suspect every one of these will be spoken for within the next 8 weeks if they haven’t been sold already.
Jeez, RTFA before posting.
This being a motorcycle is just co-incidence. To me this is primarily testimony of design and manufacturing capabilities from beginning of 3rd millennium. Look what human kind can do by sheer power of imagination and knowledge!
Nicely said.
+2, a man after my own heart. oh, if you get to one of his restaurants, he serves a great breakfast too.
A beautiful machine that will seem cheap once Honda release the price on the 2014 RVF1000RR, Rumoured to be 80,000 Euro+!
A true, in the flesh indictment of the Haves and Have Nots mentallity. Build a super exclusive motorcycle, then offer it only to those who are fortunate enough to already own a super exclusive motorcycle…and true the their nature, they buy ’em up.
Nice stats…and a nice piece of mechanical artwork…but really, what’s the point? These bikes amount to little more than a $90,000 lump of painted metal that the owners can point at and demand the obligatory “Ooooh” and “Ahhh”.
…and folks call cruiser riders posers?
Class exclusivity on side, this is just a motorcycle on two wheels. Does any ‘cheaper’ version do less for you than this? Probably not. True have-nots will contend with riding bashed up scooters.
Hmmm… Lose your job in the Obama revolution? For many, the ability to purchase this machine is not good fortune but hard work. Haves and have-nots have always been and always will be. Sell this crap somewhere else. As an engineering effort, styling exercise and business venture, I applaud Ducati and hope they sell every one they can make.
Oh and by the way, there are probably several hundred hard-working Ducati employees that can put food on their tables because of this business venture. Just sayin…
Or its the 2014 SBK homologation bike…
No kidding what with 500 copies. And why the hell not sell it to your best customers, some of whom will race it?
re: “Or its the 2014 SBK homologation bike…”
for the record, it isn’t. regs require they build 2,000. 4x as many. unfortunately, what you see above isn’t the cure for what ails anyway.
No, I am gainfully employed, but thanks for caring nonetheless.
Sorry you took it so personal (Sell this crap somewhere else? Really?), but I think you missed my point. I have no problem with a person’s ability (ie: bank account) to buy the bike. By all means, if you’ve got the coin, spend it as you will. What I have a problem with is a company flaunting a press release that essentially says “Look what we’ve done…You can never own one”.
Yes, it’s a tremendous piece of machinery…but like I said, what’s the point?
I don’t mind that Ducati left me off invite list because I couldnt afford one anyway. And I won’t put down the guy or gal who can.
No shaft drive, no deal
Wish it had an enclosed chain, with carbon fiber shell and a 428 un-sealed chain it would be lighter and just as strong. I guess I’m going to be waiting a while for that super-exclusive MZ.
Even if it had “an enclosed chain, with carbon fiber shell and a 428 un-sealed chain”…would you be buying one?
It would make it more likely. That would be an advancemet in the state-of-the-art, unlike the current offering which is just a better made 1199.
Needs a beak!
…and an 7.9 gallon fuel tank.
How much is it?
Why is it that when one of these Ducati motorcycles are started and idling they sound like a bunch of nuts and bolts banging around in an empty 55 gallon steel drum?
Dry clutch.
re: “Why is it that when one of these Ducati motorcycles are started and idling they sound like a bunch of nuts and bolts banging around”
’cause that’s actually not far from the truth.
Lol Norm, have you been riding my son’s Monster?
For that price it should come equipped an Italian engineer, shrugging his shoulders every time you fail to crack the top 10.
okay, now that’s damn funny. LOL
Italian engineer, hell! It should come with an Italian babe!
;^)
Mike
Sexist! The Italian engineer IS a babe! If your going to dream, dream big!
If you buy it, babes will come.
The price as shown from another source is…………….
The 500 Ducati1199 Superleggera which will be manufactured come with a €66,000 ($90,900) price tag, which is close to the production versions of the MotoGP bikes.
Huh? Next year you can get a production RCV213, but its in the millions as is the lease for the Yamaha engine.
No Centerstand… No deal!
Suppose it is any use writing Santa this year?? Please!!
More beak!
Nice little bike. I think I’ll buy one to use as a snowplow for my next I-80 trip to Reno. – Provologna
Redonkulicious!
Does it only come in red?
of course you’re kidding……right???
Craigslist: Light cosmetic damage, take over payments, only $4700 a month for 15 years.
lol
Hey no complaining about it not coming with a centerstand…it doesn’t even come with a sidestand..thats an option. Bet its hard to fill up at the gas station!
The caliper and wheel supporting piece looks different… as well as the caliper…
I wonder what is the price of replacing pieces in case of light damage (like for example dropping it without moving) or a slide crash at 40 miles per hour…
Do a motorcycle like this get insurance in the US?
Any guess on the price? (yep I cannot afford it for sure…)
What an incredible machine….
I wonder who would won on a course that does not facilitate straight line speed if you take it against the 1290 duke…
Also… a 200 wide tire? insane…
whooops, was meant to be a main thread post not a reply…
Also I think magnesium is stiffer than aluminum, I wonder how the driving dynamics are affected…
re: “Also I think magnesium is stiffer than aluminum”
not so much.
re: “I wonder how the driving dynamics are affected”
this design was never about driving dynamics as it was about the dynamics of manufacturing.
The real answer depends on which alloys you are comparing, but the magnesium alloy being employed is almost certainly a bit stiffer than the aluminum alloy used for standard production. I don’t know if it is significant enough to affect the driving dynamics. Even if it were, I’d think the effects of the reduced weight would be much more noticeable.
This statement assumes that the aluminum piece and the magnesium piece are made the same way/shape/volume. Decent engineering would dictate changes to the part to address differences in the material.
I have a contact at US Magnesium:
Magnesium is the lightest structural metal currently available in the world. Its approximately 34% lighter by volume than aluminum and 50% lighter than titanium. Besides light-weight construction, a few of the other advantages that magnesium offers are: excellent fatigue resistance, denting and buckling resistance, and the highest known damping capacity of any structural metal.
re: “The real answer depends on which alloys you are comparing”
nope, pick your series. 2xxx to 7xxx. aluminum’s modulus is at a minimum 1.5x that any commercially useful Mg.
re: “a few of the other advantages that magnesium offers are: excellent fatigue resistance, denting and buckling resistance, and the highest known damping capacity of any structural metal.”
I call BS on your representative.
Well Norm, you would know.
To clarify:
Magnesium is used to lower weight – not add strength.
Here is some interesting reading for just Norm, everyone else will be bored:
http://www.mg12.info/metallurgy/magnesium-physical-caharcteristics/magnesium-advantages.html
re: “Well Norm, you would know.”
that’s damn right.
re: “Magnesium is used to lower weight – not add strength.”
full stop.
re: “I wonder who would won on a course that does not facilitate straight line speed if you take it against the 1290 duke”
TRELLIS FOR THE WIN…!!! 🙂
A bike overqualified for pretty much all non-WSB riders? I think we are just about there.
Sorry Bob- thats dry weight- but still impressive!
Whoops….390.2 “wet”. Still….yikes!
This thing holds 49 pounds of fluids?
4qt. oil = ~7.5lb (Anybody know how much this holds?)
4.5 gal fuel = ~28lb
coolant?
49lb is close.
341.7 lb.s with 90% fuel and all other liquids and 200+ H.P.
Lord, have mercy!