Rossi Tries Aluminum Frame Ducati Desmosedici
The clouds finally cleared in Valencia today, allowing the MotoGP riders to take full advantage of the first of two days of testing. Valentino Rossi began the task of trying to develop the Ducati Desmosedici into a race winner in the context of the new for 2012 1,000cc rules. Nicky Hayden discovered that his hand injury from the first lap Valencia MotoGP crash was more serious than he had realized.
Valentino Rossi started the important work of collecting information in preparation for the 2012 winter test season, trying out a long list of setups with the team, under the supervision of Technical Director Filippo Preziosi. In a delicious irony, just as Ducati was unveiling their much vaunted Ducati 1199 Panigale in Milan with a MotoGP style monocoque chassis, the factory MotoGP team were trying a more oriental approach. The new bike that Rossi tested today sported a aluminum perimeter frame concept much closer to that of the Japanese machines.
Nicky Hayden made a late decision not to take part in the test, due to injuries incurred when he was taken out in the first turn during Sunday’s Grand Prix. X-rays to his right hand shortly after the fall proved negative, but an MRI today revealed non-displaced fractures to his scaphoid and radial styloid.
Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team) 6th, 1:33.857
“This bike is nicer to ride than the 800, even if we’re only just starting our work. You can say that it’s improved in some respects, while in others, it’s very similar to the other bike, but that’s exactly what we expected. We know we’re doing preparatory work for the bike that we’ll use in the 2012 winter tests, which are very important. The engine seems to be pretty good already. It’s fast, although I never really found myself with the others to do a direct comparison. On the other hand, I’m a little slower in mid-corner, and we also have to try to improve rear grip because for now, we’re not able to get the power to the ground and take full advantage of it. But it’s not bad for a first taste, and the really important thing is that we can work more freely, changing the bike’s balance, the weight distribution, the measurements, and whatever we need as we prepare for the important next three months of work.”
Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team)
“This morning I put my leathers on to go out, but I was still pretty uncomfortable. I went to the mobile clinic for a painkiller, and when I got there, the doctor said it would be better to get a proper scan. They set me up for an MRI at a local clinic, and the fractures were pretty clear. After talking to the doctor and my physiotherapist, we decided not to ride, even though we do have some stuff we’d like to test for Ducati. The scaphoid is a unique bone, and if you mess with it, it can take a long time to heal because it gets limited blood supply. I just have to be smart and watch the test. We’ll get some more opinions and decide whether to get surgery.”
Ducati 1199 Panigale Deep Dive
So you’ve read about the Ducati 1199 Panigale launch at the EICMA show in Milan. You’ve scanned the photo gallery (we have more on the way) and checked out the checkmate video but still don’t know your RbW from your DTC? Not to mention Ducati’s new EBC? Read on and we’ll give you the low down on all the 1199 Panigale details in our traditional deep dive of new Ducati models.
A Fresh Start
You could have been forgiven for thinking that Ducati had gone a bit soft. Afterall, the 1198′s hegemony on the street was surpassed in recent years by two other European upstarts, BMW and Aprilia. Their clearly more race orientated, hard core expression of the open class sportbike redefined what it took to compete at the highest level. Only King Carlos Checa could restore some honor for Bologna when he took the World Superbike title this year after Aprilia’s convincing victory in 2010 with Max Biaggi.
After two years focussing on much softer segments while introducing first the Multistrada 1200 and then the Diavel, Ducati roars back for 2012 with a complete ground up rethink of what a Ducati Superbike is. Almost everything is newly conceived from the powerplant that retains only the 90º V angle and desmodromic valve actuation from its forebears, to the radical, MotoGP inspired monocoque chassis and alphabet soup of electronic riding aids.
Ducati had a goal for this first Superbike model to bear a name as well as a number. That goal was for the Panigale to weigh fully 10kg (22lbs) less than the 1198 and produce 25 more horse power. That this has been achieved is impressive enough, to have access to this level of performance and technology for $17,995 is almost unbelievable.
Compare the 1199 to the 1098 which replaced the commercially unsuccessful 999 range in 2007. In just 5 years, the base model open class Ducati Superbike adds 35 horsepower, removes weight and bristles with traction control, quickshifter, switchable riding modes with full ride by wire throttle control, a racing style engine braking control and optional ABS (in some markets notably not the USA). It even extends the engine service interval to 15,000 miles (24,000 km)!
The S adds electronically adjustable Ohlins suspension, swaps the no name steering damper for an Ohlins one, has the obligatory forged aluminum Marchesini rims, a carbon fiber front mudguard and, a world first, LED headlamp. The Tricolore goes further still, but more on that later.
Monocoque Chassis
The die-cast aluminum monocoque chassis uses the all new Superquadro powerplant as a fully stressed member and includes the airbox which is complete and sealed off when the aluminum tank is fitted (so no plastic tank swelling problems here). Why abandon the signature Ducati steel trellis?
Simple. Weight. Both the total amount of it and where it is. The new monocoque chassis accounts for fully half of the weight saving with the new tank another 30%, despite being a larger capacity than the 1198.
Using the Superquadro engine as a stressed member of the chassis, the short and strong aluminium monocoque is made in die-cast aluminium and is responsible for 5kg (11lb) of the overall weight saving of the new design. The monocoque attaches to the cylinder heads of the new specially designed engine, protruding forward to house the steering head bearings and forming the airbox along the way, which is capped-off and sealed when the 2.9kg (6.3lb) lighter aluminium fuel tank is attached, again using one component to the fulfil the roles of two.
The engine remains a 90º V-twin but the engine is rotated rearwards a further 6º to allow improved steering geometry without the risk of the front tire hitting the engine at full front suspension compression. The setup also allows for a much longer swingarm without overly extending the wheelbase which means the Panigale retains agility whilst being able to deliver more traction.
Attaching directly to the rear of the engine, the new fully die-cast aluminium, single-sided swingarm is 39mm longer than the 1198, contributing to the increased the wheelbase of 1,437mm (56.6in) and weight distribution of the 1199 Panigale from 50/50 to 52% front and 48% rear with average-size rider onboard. With the exhaust system now relocated below the engine, the die-cast aluminium rear sub-frame is considerably lighter and also attaches directly to the Superquadro engine, while the super lightweight, magnesium front sub-frame attaches directly to the monocoque frame, providing secure support for the headlamp, instrumentation and fairing. This combination of weight saving and centralisation of mass around these high front and rear sub-frame areas substantially contributes to overall vehicle agility.
The Superquadro Engine
Ducati engineers were given a near impossible design brief to create the new generation Superbike engine for the Ducati 1199 Panigale. Increase power, torque and user-friendliness and reduce overall vehicle weight and scheduled maintenance costs seemed impossible tasks, but given a “blank canvas” to create the new power-plant and encouraged to think outside-of-the-box to achieve the unachievable, engineers have finally ticked all the boxes. Only Fabio Taglioni’s masterpiece 90° L-twin configuration and Desmodromic valve control have been retained from previous engines. Everything else is new.
The Superquadro gets its name from the highly oversquare bore and stroke of 112 x 60.8mm. The engine produces 195 horsepower at 10,750rpm and 98.1 lb-ft of torque at 9,000rpm. Factor in the dry weight of 164kg (362lb) and you have a motorcycle that on paper produces the most torque and power per lb of any machine around. Despite all this, major services have been extended out to 15,000 miles (24,000km).
The cylinders, which remain at 90° to each other, have been rotated backwards around the crankcases by a further 6°, until the front cylinder is 21° from horizontal. This has enabled the engine to be positioned 32mm further forwards for improved front / rear weight distribution in addition to perfectly positioning the cylinder head attachment points for the 1199 Panigale’s monocoque frame.
The large bore means larger valves can be employed so that now all models have titanium valves.
Inlet valves have increased from 43.5 to 46.8mm (1.71-1.84in) and exhaust valves from 34.5 to 38.2mm (1.35-1.5in). With such large inlet valves operating at higher rpm, the intense inertial forces have been controlled by using titanium instead of steel, a solution only previously used on full “R” models. The new valves are actuated by racing-derived rocker arms, ‘super-finished’ for reduced friction and fatigue and then coated in polymeric-like carbon (PLC), a process originally developed for the aerospace industry.
The value of desmodromic valve actuation is often misunderstood. It is not so much that valve springs cannot control the valves at elevated engine speeds so much as that direct valve closure allows for much steeper closure ramps and consequently camshaft profiles that valve spring engines could do justice.
With the high engine speeds at which the Superquadro operates combined with such incredibly large valves, it would be impossible for the valve’s rocker-arm to follow the steep closure profile of the cam lobe using normal valve closure springs. The Desmo system actuates valve closure mechanically with the same method and accuracy as it opens, enabling steep cam profiles, radical cam timings, large valves and high operating speeds. This system is used on every single Ducati motorcycle and is constantly proven on Ducati Corse’s World Superbikes and Desmosedici MotoGP bikes.
Gone too is the belt drive system for the camshafts that Fabio Taglioni introduced with the Pantah 30 years ago. Instead a combination of chains and gears are used.
The conventional bush-type chain runs from the crankshaft to the cylinder head where a single sprocket positioned between inlet and exhaust camshafts, is attached back-to-back to a gear wheel mounted on its own short, dedicated shaft. The attached gear meshes directly with gears on the ends of both the inlet and exhaust camshafts, which are also designed with +/- position adjustment for ultra- precise cam-calibration.
There are many more nuances to this all new engine which we have covered previously in our Ducati Superquadro analysis and Q&A with Ducati on the new Superquadro. Ducati have produced an excellent animation which you can see below and be sure to listen to the sound of the Superquadro.
Suspension, Wheels and Brakes
If you like fat forks, then it is the base model 1199 Panigale you’ll be wanting since it features new Marzocchis that clock in at a 50mm diameter.
The 50mm pressurised Marzocchi usd forks feature hard-anodised aluminium sliders. Proven by Marzocchi in the most severe off-road environments, the new aluminium fork assembly uses a pressurised damping system that also enables a reduction in oil capacity and, therefore, also weight.
Th rear suspension features a side mounted rear shock which is designed to quickly change from a rising rate for road use to a flat rate for the track with the simple change of pushrod fixing point.
Incorporating Ducati’s Riding Mode technology into the Superbike for the first time, the 1199 Panigale S and Tricolore are fully equipped with front and rear Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES) system by Öhlins. The 43mm Öhlins NIX30 forks are adjustable electronically in compression and rebound damping, while spring pre-load is manual. An adjustable steering damper completes the full Öhlins package. The Öhlins TTX36 rear unit features twin tube technology to offer totally separate damping adjustment in compression and rebound and minimise the risk of cavitation under extreme conditions. The unit is fully adjustable electronically in compression and rebound damping, while spring pre-load is manual.
The 1199 Panigale is exclusively equipped with new generation Brembo Monobloc M50 callipers, presenting a super-compact design that reduces their total unsprung weight by a further 0.5kg.
Machined from a single piece of alloy, the callipers achieve a higher rigidity and resistance to distortion during extreme braking. The resulting increase in hydraulic efficiency provides an enhanced and precise ‘feel’ at the brake lever. The twin Monobloc M50 callipers each have four 30mm pistons that grip 330mm discs to achieve spectacular braking performance.
The 1199 Panigale rolls on brand new 10-spoke wheels in 3.5in front rim width and 6.00in rear. Enabling an even faster change of direction and enhanced acceleration and braking performances, the new black- finished wheels provide a 0.5kg (1.1lb) weight-saving over previous components.
The 1199 Panigale S and 1199 Panigale S Tricolore are equipped with stylishly designed, triple 3-spoke, forged and machined wheels by Marchesini. Finished in black with signature red pin-striping, the super lightweight wheels represent a 0.4kg (0.88lb) weight-saving over previous components.
All 1199 Panigale versions roll on the new Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tyres, road-going race replicas of the official World Superstock 1000 tyres. While the front uses a 120/70 ZR17, the 200/55 x ZR17 represents the widest rear tyre ever fitted to a production Ducati Superbike.
Electronic Technology
Ducati continues to be a leader in applying electronic technology in its motorcycles that first began with the use of traction control on the 2008 Ducati 1098R and extended with the Multistrada 1200 and Diavel to include riding modes, performance ABS and electronically adjustable suspension.
For the Panigale all these and more are combined, managed and displayed on full TFT technology instrumentation, first introduced to the motorcycle industry on the Ducati Diavel and now super-enhanced on the 1199 Panigale.
The state-of-the-art electronics package features an enhanced version of the Ducati Data Analyser (DDA+), and Ducati Riding Modes, which now fully incorporate ABS, Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES), Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Quick Shift (DQS), Engine Brake Control (EBC), full Ride-by-Wire (RbW) and the Thin Film Transistor instrumentation (TFT).
Riding Modes
The use of ride by wire allows for the choice of three pre-set riding modes that can instantly change the character and performance characteristic of the motorcycle to better suit the prevailing conditions or use.
The modes combine different combinations of engine mapping, suspension settings (for the S and Tricolore), traction control, ABS settings (principally whether it is active on the rear wheel and how much rear wheel lift or ‘stoppie’ is allowed) and the new EBC system that monitors crankshaft de-acceleration under heavy braking and can automatically open the throttle to maintain optimum grip and control. Three modes come preprogrammed.
Race Mode
The Race Riding Mode provides the track rider with an unrestricted 195hp with direct RbW throttle response and, on the ‘S’ version, an instant track-oriented suspension set-up. Race mode also reduces the DTC system intervention, provides a race-oriented EBC and front-only ABS with reduced anti-rear-lift-up and instantly reconfigures the instrumentation layout with a track-oriented display.
Sport Mode
The Sport Riding Mode provides the road or track rider with 195hp, delivered with a “smooth” RbW throttle response and, on the ‘S’ version, a sport-oriented suspension set-up. Sport mode slightly increases the DTC system intervention, provides a sport-oriented both EBC and front and rear ABS with incresed anti- rear-lift-up.
Wet Mode
The Wet Riding Mode provides the road or track rider with 120hp, delivered with a “smooth” RbW throttle response, increased DTC system intervention, environment-appropriate EBC, DQS off and fully enhanced ABS and, on the ‘S’ version, a suspension set-up optimised for low grip conditions.
Ducati Data Analyser+ (DDA+)
DDA+ is an enhancement to the system that allows data to be recorded and analyzed by software on PCs and Macs. DDA+ records numerous channels of data including throttle opening, vehicle speed, engine rpm, gear selected, engine temperature, distance travelled, laps and lap times. An additional channel of information is also dedicated to recording the DTC index which can then be viewed as a graphic trace indicating the amount of DTC interaction during wheel-spin.
DDA+ is the latest generation of the system and introduces a GPS function that automatically records lap- times every time the 1199 Panigale crosses a circuit start/finish line. As the rider crosses start and finish line and presses the lights flasher button, the innovative system logs the coordinates of that position and then automatically logs each lap time as the motorcycle completes subsequent laps.
Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES)
The new technology on the S versions of the Panigale enables front and rear rebound and compression damping adjustments to be controlled automatically by using the pre-set Riding Modes, which have been developed by Ducati test riders and racers, or in independent mode, allowing riders to use their own personal and saveable settings.
1199 Panigale Variants
Check the spec chart above for the nitty gritty details. We can tell you that all models feature revised rider ergonomics with seat-to-handlebar dimension 30mm (1.18in) shorter and bar height 10mm (0.39in) higher and 32mm (1.26in) wider. The 17 litre (4.5 gal US) aluminium fuel tank is sculpted perfectly to the rider.
The 1199 Panigale is available in standard configuration with optional ABS and equipped with Marzocchi’s new 50mm lightweight aluminium front forks, Sachs rear suspension and steering damper and with DTC, DQS, EBC and RbW combined into the Ducati Riding Modes.
The 1199 Panigale S is also available with optional ABS and is equipped with Öhlins electronic 43mm front forks with adjustable Öhlins steering damper and an Öhlins electronic TTX suspension unit on the rear. In addition, the model rolls on super lightweight forged and machined Marchesini wheels, has a carbon fibre front mudguard and the motorcycling world’s first ever full LED lighting. The “S” model is supplied also with an “Aero kit”, which consists of two lateral attachments for the top section of the fairing, designed to further enhance the machine’s aerodynamic penetration and reduce its drag coefficient. The 1199 Panigale S adds DES to the full electronics fire-power of ABS (optional) DTC, DQS, EBC and RbW to provide the Ducati Riding Modes.
A special 1199 Panigale S Tricolore version celebrates the arrival of the new generation Superbike, fitted with ABS as standard and sporting the proud Italian colours of red, white and green. The distinctive model carries the same equipment as the S version with the addition of the new generation DDA+ with special GPS lap time function as well as a titanium racing muffler kit by Ducati Performance.
Pricing for the US market is $17,995 for the standard version, $22,995 for the “S” version, $23,995 for “S” version with ABS and $27,995 for the Italian heritage-inspired Tricolore version. The new model will be available from around March in 2012.
Ducati Announces 848 EVO Corse Special Edition
Buried in the depths of the press release that announced the new 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale was this gem. Ducati have further upgraded the 848EVO Superbike, already the performance bargain of the range, to create this, the Ducati 848EVO Corse Special Edition.
The Ducati Corse graphics can make even the Multistrada 1200 look good but there is more than just a lick of paint to the new über 848. The EVO Corse adds an Ohlins rear shock, DTC (Ducati Traction Control) and quick shifter (DQS) units along with larger 330 mm brake discs. The Showa front forks of the 848EVO are retained.
The ask is just US$14,995 or $1,000 more than the 848EVO.
Ducati 1199 Panigale Pricing Starts at $17,995
Pricing for the newly announced Ducati 1199 Panigale will starts at just $17,995 in the USA. After bombarding us with photogalleries and videos, the one thing that most riders want to know has been answered.
According to Ducati, the 1199 Panigale is bred for the track and trained for the road, and will be priced for the US market at $17,995 for the standard version, $22,995 for the “S” version, $23,995 for “S” version with ABS and $27,995 for the Italian heritage-inspired Tricolore version. The new model will be available early in 2012.
Across the pond in the UK the new model will turn up in March and will be priced at £14,995 for the standard model, £15,750 for the base ABS model (note this model won’t be available in the USA), £19,750 for the 1199 Panigale S ABS and £23,495 for the range topping 1199 Panigale S Tricolore.
Ducati 1199 Panigale Launched in Milan
Ducati today officially released details of the much awaited new 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale Superbike. After providing details on the all new Superquadro powerplant last month, Ducati now have fully revealed the details of their all new Superbike which they hope will re-enforce their sports bike and racing roots after 2 years focussing on segments new to the company with the Multistrada 1200 and Diavel.
Ducati has unveiled the long-awaited 1199 Panigale Superbike alongside its entire 2012 range in a Press Conference at the Teatro Dal Verme in Milan, Italy. CEO Gabriele Del Torchio noted that the hard work of the team at Ducati has brought very positive results for the company with sales of 42,000 motorcycles, a 20% increase over the prior year.
“All of this has enabled us to present the incredible new 1199 Panigale, the new benchmark in the sportbike arena. Without doubt, this has been the most ambitious project in Ducati’s history and underlines our engineering excellence and ‘product emotion’, an aspect of our brand which, in such a competitive market place, has become more important than ever. This motorcycle represents pure Italian style, the reference point for performance and a safety-enhanced, confidence-inspiring experience for our customers on road and track. We are particularly proud to have created a special ‘Tricolore’ version of this new motorcycle, in the red, white and green of Italy. What better occasion to celebrate the 150th anniversary of our national flag and underline our role and responsibility as ambassadors of the title ‘made in Italy’, than with a product of such style and technical excellence.”
Following Mr.Del Torchio’s announcement, Ducati Motor Holding General Manager, Claudio Domenicali, proceeded to release the details of the 2012 models with particular focus on the 1199 Panigale.
“Throughout our long and successful twin-cylinder history of racing, Ducati has never built a sportbike as advanced as the 1199 Panigale,” said Claudio Domenicali during his presentation. “We are moving into a new generation with a ‘revolution’ of the species that establishes new limits for the category. Its Desmodromic heart, the new Superquadro engine, is the most powerful twin-cylinder ever produced and represents the base of a new concept of frame and engine integration. This concept enables the 1199 Panigale a dry weight of just 164kg and gives it a riding sensation that is closer than ever to a full race bike. With revised ergonomics, full Ride-by-Wire engine management and enhanced systems of ABS and traction control, we have controlled the beast within the 1199 Panigale so that the full emotion of this motorcycle can be enjoyed easily and safely.”
Indeed, the 2012 Ducati Superbike family marks the official introduction of the ground-breaking 1199 Panigale, 1199 Panigale S and flagship 1199 Panigale S Tricolore and opens a new chapter in the company’s iconic Superbike history. Available early in 2012, Ducati’s new generation Superbike, goes beyond the barriers of motorcycle design and engineering to set the most extreme benchmark ever and the direction for future sport bikes. Developed in the red-hot environment of racing and designed to raise the performance bar to its highest, the 1199 Panigale uses innovative Ducati Corse-derived solutions to make World Championship level technology available to everyone.
The most high tech, most powerful twin-cylinder production engine on the planet is now an integral part of an innovative monocoque chassis that combine to deliver an astonishing 195hp from 164kg (361.5lb) of futuristic Italian thoroughbred. The highest production motorcycle power-to-weight and torque-to-weight ratios in the world are fitting trophies for the incredible results that Ducati have achieved. Bred for the track and trained for the road, the new 1199 Panigale is a true revolution of the species destined to influence the entire sportsbike environment.
With the click of a button, Ducati’s Riding Mode concept delivers performance with enhanced rider confidence by combining seven class-leading technologies. The latest-generation sports ABS system, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES), Ducati Quick-Shift (DQS), Ducati’s new race-derived Engine Brake Control (EBC) and Ride-by-Wire (RbW) are now all programmed into seamless, electronic rider assistance. Even the full colour Thin Film Transistor (TFT) display changes to suit the rider’s environment.
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