2015 Ducati 1299 Panigale – First Look Review

2015 Ducati 1299 Panigale
2015 Ducati 1299 Panigale

Named after Borgo Panigale, the manufacturing district of Bologna, Italy, where Ducati is headquartered, the 1199 Panigale superbike made a huge splash when it debuted at EICMA in 2011. It featured a 195-horsepower (claimed), 1,198cc Superquadro L-twin engine that served as a stressed member of the aluminum monocoque frame, as well as integrated Riding Modes, Öhlins Ducati Electronic Suspension, Ducati Traction Control and ABS.

The Ducati 1299 Panigale's cockpit is all business, with a full-color TFT display.
The Ducati 1299 Panigale’s cockpit is all business, with a full-color TFT display.

The EICMA show, held in Milan, again served as the launch site for the latest iteration of Ducati’s mighty machine, dubbed the 1299 Panigale. The Superquadro engine now displaces 1,285cc and makes a claimed 205 horsepower at 10,500 rpm and 107 lb-ft of torque at 8,750 rpm. Like the new Multistrada, the 1299’s extensive electronics package includes an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to dynamically measure roll, pitch and yaw. The IMU provides input for the three Riding Modes (Race, Sport, Wet), Ducati Traction Control and the new Cornering ABS. Other electronic aids include Ducati Wheelie Control, Ducati Quick Shift, Engine Brake Control and Ducati Data Analyzer.

Top-of-the-line Ducati 1299 Panigale R.
Top-of-the-line Ducati 1299 Panigale R.

Three versions will be available. In addition to the features listed above, the base model 1299 Panigale is equipped with a Marzocchi fork, Sachs shock, Sachs steering damper, DDA+ (Ducati Data Analyzer) GPS compatibility, full-color TFT instrumentation with a lean angle indicator, automatic calibration of tire size and final drive ratio, and cast aluminum wheels.

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The next step up is the 1299 Panigale S, which has semi-active Öhlins Smart EC suspension and steering damper, forged wheels, a full LED headlight and a carbon fiber front fender. Like the standard model, it has DDA+ GPS compatibility, TFT instrumentation and automatic tire size/final drive calibration. Both the standard and the S model weigh a claimed 367 pounds dry.

All models feature Brembo M50 front calipers. Standard 1299 Panigale has cast wheels; S and R models have forged wheels.
All models feature Brembo M50 front calipers. Standard 1299 Panigale has cast wheels; S and R models have forged wheels.

At the top of the food chain is the 1299 Panigale R, with Öhlins mechanical suspension (NIX30 fork, TTX36 shock), an adjustable Öhlins steering damper, a lithium-ion battery, an Akrapovič full titanium exhaust, DDA+ GPS, TFT instrumentation and automatic tire size/final drive calibration. The R model weighs a claimed 353 pounds dry.

All three models are equipped with top-shelf Brembo monobloc radial M50 front brake calipers and their wheels wear Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tires in 120/70-ZR17 front and 200/55-ZR17 rear sizes. The 1299 Panigale and 1299 Panigale S are available in Ducati Red with black wheels, and the 1299 Panigale R is available in special Ducati Corse livery, with Ducati Red paint with white accents. Prices and availability are TBD.

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