2016 EICMA Motorcycle Show: Ducati unveils 1299 Superleggera

Ducati makes the definition of Insanity! The 1299 Superleggera is the most powerful twin-cylinder production bike on sale right now!

The ultimate offering to speed, the new Ducati 1299 Superleggera was unveiled at the 2016 EICMA motorcycle show. The 1299 Superlegerra makes strides in two aspects – it is the most powerful twin-cylinder motor ever produced and the first production motorcycle to use carbon fibre structure on the frame, rear subframe swingarm, and wheels.

The most powerful production bike tag comes courtesy 1,285cc L-twin Superquadro twin-cylinder engine that uses 116mm diameter 2-segment pistons to boost compression ratio and aluminium cylinder liners for weight-loss. Then there is a lightweight crankshaft with tungsten balancing pads, larger-diameter titanium intake and exhaust valves, cylinder head with optimised intake /exhaust passages, high-lift cams, and titanium connecting rods and a complete all-titanium Akrapovic dual exhausts. All these changes help the motor produce 218PS of power and 147Nm of torque in stock trim making it the most powerful production motor of our times.

So how much weight does all that firepower have to lug around? How about 156kg dry? This phenomenal weight loss was possible due to extensive use of Carbon fibre wherever possible. To put things into perspective, the monocoque frame weighs, 2.6 kilos, 4.1 kilos, for the rear sub-frame, 4 kilos for the wheels and a scant 900 grams for the rear subframe! The fairing too is full carbonfibre while the fuel tank and wheel hubs are made of aluminium.

How does the light weight help? Think 218Ps in a bike that weights just 156 kilos. That gives you a ridiculous power-to-weight ratio of 1,397Ps per ton!

This two-wheeled insanity though comes with a safety harness in the forms of an electronic safety package that includes a 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (6D IMU) that takes control of the Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Power Launch, and Engine Brake Control. Cornering ABS is standard but the algorithm has been changed and Ducati claims the new system offers better lean angle. Ducati Slide Control has also been updated and offers the rider three levels of intervention. There’s also a bidirectional Ducati Quick Shifter along with the Ducati Data Analyser+ data capture system to analyze your performance. 

Cycle parts are top-of-the-line multi-adjustable 43mm Ohlins FL936 inverted forks upfront and Ohlins TTX36 monoshock dampers at the rear that has a titanium spring to reduce weight by another 0.5kg. Heayweight anchors come courtesy twin 330mm Brembo discs clamped by Brembo M50 monobloc calipers and Brembo TT29OP1 brake pads with increased friction coefficient.

The1299 Superleggera will be a limited-edition bike with just 500 units made and each bike will carry a limited edition number on top of the yoke. Each bike will cost a staggering Rs 59.50 lakh (excluding taxes and duties). Ducati claims only few units are available for sale as the rest have been lapped up by super-wealthy connoisseurs.

Think the 1299 Superleggera isn’t insane enough? Ducati also offers an Akrapovic full-titanium race exhaust system, race screen, billet mirror plugs, front and rear paddock stands and a bike cover. The race kit boost power to a stratospheric 223Ps and drops weight to almost 150 kilos. That’s insane!