THE Ducati 1199 Panigale is the red-hot sportsbike for 2012: with its monocoque frame, incredible electronics, top-shelf suspension, massively increased horsepower and reduced weight, this is the bike sportsbike rider will lust after.

Compared to the 1198 models being replaced, the Panigale produces 195HP, 25 more than the 1198 and weighs 164kg, 10 kg less than the old model. The chassis and electronics have been developed in MotoGP, while the engine has benefited from years of knowledge gleaned from racing in the Superbike World Championship.

The departures from standard Ducati practices of the past are numerous: gone is the trellis frame, underseat exhaust, belt-driven engine camshafts are all parts of Superbike history now. Indeed, by giving its new Superbike a name - rather than just a capacity, a practice in place since the mid-80s and the 851 – is very much a break with tradition.
Panagale - pronounced “Pan-ee-gah-lee” – is an Italian Territory of Bologna where the passion for motorsport and high performance riding is ingrained in the culture. Ducati’s pride in being ‘Made in Italy’ is so strong the company decided to name the bike after its birthplace.

New Technologies

There’s barely anything about the Panigale which isn’t the latest in cutting-edge. The Superquadro engine is new, the chassis a radical monocoque, the electronics radical and the suspension top-shelf.
One tradition Ducati has stuck with is offering three versions of the bike: the standard 1199 Panigale, the 1199S Panigale and the 1199 Panigale S Tricolore. The differences are in the suspension, electronics and colours.
Moving to a monocoque aluminium chassis was one of the biggest changes and the single most significant reason why the bike is 10kg lighter than its predecessors. A monocoque design allows multiple pats to be replaced, such as the airbox, which is incorporated into the Panigale’s frame.
The frame attaches to the cylinder heads, making the engine a stressed member of the frame. Compared to older models, the engine has been rotated backwards to give more clearance for the front wheel: it’s slowly evolving from an L-twin (with the front cylinder almost horizontal) to a V-twin. The angle between the cylinders remains 90 degrees.
On top of the bike Ducati is using an aluminium fuel tank which also seals off the airbox when in position.

Attached directly to the engine is the die-cast single-sided aluminium swingarm. It’s 39mm longer than the unit on the 1198.
With the exhaust now residing under the engine, the rear subframe could be made lighter. At the front is a magnesium frame to hold the fairing, instruments and headlights. This mass centralisation contributes to better handling.

The standard Panigale uses Marzocchi forks with a pressurised damping system. At the rear the offset-mounted fully adjustable shock is from Sachs. Mounting the shock to the side has allowed the engine to be rotated back without compromising space for the suspension. This makes it very easy to adjust.
The 1099S and Tricolore models feature Ducati Electronic Suspension by Öhlins. The NIX30 Öhlins forks and TTX36 rear shock are both electronically adjustable for damping rates, while spring preload is set manually. There is a range of standard Riding Modes for the suspension, but owners can use their own settings and save these for future use.
The brakes are Monobloc Brembo M50 calipers biting 330mm discs: switchable ABS is optional on the standard and S-models: every Tricolore with have ABS from the factory. Lightweight wheels and 200-section Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tyres are standard.

The electronics package on the Panigale is considerable. You expected the quickshifter and traction control, but Ducati is launching Engine Braking Control, Ducati Data Analyser (DDA+) and lots more. The Engine Braking Control is designed to enhance stability when reducing speed.
The electronics also feature different modes for race, sport and wet riding.
The Tricolore has DDA+, which tracks laptimes, throttle opening, speed, engine rpm, gear and lots more. It plugs into a laptop via USB. DDA+ is a plug-and-play accessory available for the Panigale and Panigale S.

Pricing hasn’t been announced as Cycle Torque went to press. The new models should be available in early 2012.

- Nigel Paterson