2017 Ducati Superbike Panigale R

Features

• SINGULAR GOAL: The Panigale R has one goal - simply to dominate the track. Every feature is oriented in that direction; no compromises are made. For dedicated enthusiasts who seek the purest experience on track, the Panigale R delivers a shot of racing adrenaline directly to the heart.
• UNEQUALLED BEAUTY: The beauty of speed translated into design. Pure racing spirit is channelled to the rider with a grasp of the 1299 Panigale's handlebars. Large, aggressive air intakes feed the new Superquadro engine and signal no holds-barred competition. The 1299 Panigale and Panigale R feature an advanced headlight with LED positioning lights, while the 1299 Panigale S uses a full LED headlight for the ultimate statement of technical cool. In the rear all models use a full LED taillight which accents the all-new split tail, while a perfectly integrated under-belly exhaust keeps the lines clean and pure. An award-winning integration of engineering and design, the Panigale gets the adrenaline flowing from the first glance.Power, agility, and sophistication, wrapped in the very best Italian style.
• PRECIOUS ELEMENTS: The clutch cover, cylinder head covers, and oil pan are all cast in a golden-color magnesium alloy to ensure the engine's strength with the absolute lowest possible weight.
• LIGHTWEIGHT RACING ENGINE: The Panigale R features an incredible 1198cc Superquadro engine which adopts the most advanced racing-derived features available. A precision-balanced lightweight crankshaft, two-ring Superbike pistons, titanium valves and connecting rods, and extreme camshaft profiles result in a 205 hp output with immediate, aggressive power delivery. Homologated for use as Ducati's platform in World Superbike, the Panigale R's Superquadro is the closest thing available to a dedicated race engine - but incredibly, offers the same generous warranty and long maintenance intervals as the rest of the bike.
• FULLY RIDE-BY=WIRE: The opening and closing of throttle butterflies on the Superquadro is controlled by a fully electronic Ride-by-Wire system. The absence of a mechanical connection between the twistgrip and the throttle bodies allows the engine ECU to regulate power delivery by directly adjusting the throttle; Ride-by-Wire makes it possible to have different power and delivery based on the selected Riding Mode, to alter the level of engine back-torque (EBC), and to control any slipping of the rear wheel (DTC).
• LUBRICATION: The journals of the main bearings are lubricated by pressurised oil admitted through ducts inside the engine block. This serves to assure the efficient lubrication of the new crankshaft, followed by a rapid recovery of the oil thanks to a lobe pump that places the connecting rod compartment under vacuum, similar to the engines used in MotoGP. This pump is driven by gears built in a special high-strength techno-polymer and maintains the crankcase area below the pistons in controlled conditions of constant vacuum, thereby reducing resistance during the pistons' downstroke as well as facilitating oil flow for rapid recovery.
• CRANKCASE: The crankcases, produced through a vacuum casting technology called Vacural®, ensure high strength at low weight along with a uniform wall thickness, and are designed to incorporate water jackets around the cylinder barrels. The engine uses wet barrels coated in Nicasil, which are inserted into the holes of the engine block's housing during the initial stages of assembly. This design allows the head to be fastened directly onto the crankcase, combining the need for rigidity of the engine's structure with a significant advantage in terms of compactness. Due to their thin structure, the cylinder barrels efficiently transfer heat to the coolant running along their walls. In addition to these barrels, the Superquadro's crankcase stands out for the use of plain main bearings, previously utilised on the Ducati Desmosedici RR engine. These bearings allow the use of large-diameter crankshaft journals, which maximise rigidity and mechanical strength to optimise the internal rotating structure to the extreme power of the Superquadro.
• DECOMPRESSOR: At the end of the exhaust camshaft of each cylinder head is a centrifugal decompressor. On start-up, this device allows the profile of the cam opening lobe to be modified, slightly lifting a valve so that part of the combustion charge can escape the chamber during the engine's compression phase. Once the engine fires, the increase in rpm and associated centrifugal force modify the decompressor, cancelling the valve lift effect to bring the engine to normal operating conditions. By temporarily reducing the compression effect of the piston during start-up, a much smaller and lighter starter motor and battery can be used, contributing significantly to the extreme light weight of the overall engine and motorcycle. This ingenious system further underlines the synergistic strength achieved by engineers and designers in the uncompromising creation of the Superquadro.
• ESSENTIAL DESMO: To control the large valves with the precise and efficient Desmodromic system, engineers chose a mixed gear and chain drive system. This chain drive accurately transmits the motion between crankshaft and camshaft, and thanks also to an automatic tensioning adjustment, offers excellent reliability with low routine maintenance costs.
• TRANSMISSION: During development of the first Superquadro engine, Ducati engineers took their design freedom to the limit by increasing the distance between centres of the six-speed gearbox shafts and allowing the use of gears with an increased diameter and superior strength for the transmission of power. The oil bath clutch, similar in design to that used on other Ducati models, is a progressive system which allows the load on its plates to be increased without increasing the effort required by the rider to pull the lever and disengage the clutch. This optimally satisfies the need for a high torque transmission which still provides optimum usability for the rider. In sport riding conditions with abrupt downshifting heavy engine braking, the same mechanism reduces the pressure on clutch plates and allows them to slip as in a racing system, preventing a loss of stability in the rear end and offering excellent modulability during hard braking into corners.
• MONOCOQUE TECHNOLOGY: The Panigale's Monoscocca chassis forms its structural backbone - compact, rigid, lightweight, and multi-functional. Cast in aluminium, it attaches at its rear directly to the heads of the Superquadro engine and contains the steering head and bearings at its front. In addition to performing the function of a traditional frame, the Monoscocca also serves as the airbox and in this way significantly contributes to lowering the overall weight of the motorcycle. Housed inside it are the air filter, throttle bodies and fuel circuit complete with injectors, making it truly unique and a revolutionary advancement to the world of traditional motorcycle construction.
• FORGED WHEELS: The 1299 Panigale S and Panigale R feature Marchesini tri-W spoke forged aluminium wheels, which have an eye-catching racing style and are strong and incredibly lightweight.
• TYRES: All Panigales benefit from Pirelli's Diablo Supercorsa SP tyres, the road version of the tyre used in the Superstock 1000 World Championship: 120/70 ZR17 at front and 200/55 x ZR17 at rear, which provide the contact patch necessary to effectively transmit the Superquadro's power to the ground. Designed to maintain a precise line in straights and on curves, the rear 200/55 x ZR17 tyre maximises the area of contact and corner speed by combining 200 mm width with a high profile. The tyres have structures and compounds deriving directly from Pirelli's experience in the Superbike World Championship, and feature casings specially studied to guarantee rigidity in extreme braking and shoulders that maximise the contact patch. In addition, a special double compound that uses the most advanced polymers facilitates the rapid heating of the tyres together with a constant grip.
• TRACK-FOCUSED GEOMETRY: The Panigale R features a modified geometry that enables it to find the best possible setup for pushing the limits of racing performance. A 24° steering angle gives it incredible agility, while a 5mm longer wheelbase compared to the 1299 Panigale lends it additional stability at maximum speed. Additionally, it gives riders a further degree of freedom in the set-up choice by offering an adjustable swingarm pivot. This allows the rear geometry to be modified to balance rear dive under acceleration and maximum stability, giving maximum flexibility to different track conditions and rider preferences. Four different levels of swingarm pivot are available: starting from a "baseline" of level 0, the pivot can then be raised by 2 mm, or lowered by either 2 or 4 mm.
• ERGONOMICS: The Panigale's ergonomic dimensions assure a perfect integration between rider and motorcycle. The seat and handlebar positions are optimized to provide total control and comfort during sport and track riding, while the switchgear and dash are further designed to be intuitive, informative, and a pleasure to use. Grippy, machined-from-billet aluminium footpegs and a carefully-shaped seat with racing cover allow the rider to perfectly integrate with the Panigale, and focus only on the extraordinary sensations of the ride.
• TRANSFORM AND PERFORM: On or off the track, you can transform your Superbike with two exclusive packages offering a host of high-performance accessories in tune with your needs. Turn your Superbike into the ultimate racing model with specific high-tech components or add features that will improve your experience when touring. Sport and Touring: choose one or both packs to complete the ideal set-up for your motorcycle. These Packages are offered at an additional cost.
• SPORT PACK: Unleash the power. Make every detail count in terms of performance. Benefit from ultimate technologies in this selection of race-bred accessories. Maximise your experience with specially conceived, ultralight componentry and design elements which enhance the streamlined looks. The package includes carbon fibre covers for the ignition switch and rear shock absorber, an adhesive carbon tank protector, a carbon sprocket cover kit, carbon heel guards for the rider footpegs, an aluminium fuel cap and a carbon and aluminium alloy number plate holder. Black handlebar weights are also included. These Packages are offered at an additional cost.
• TOURING PACK: Take to the road. Feel safe and comfortable whatever your destination is. Enjoy the ride with a carefully chosen series of premium quality features designed to provide you with maximum convenience and peace of mind. The package contains a water radiator protection grid kit, an anti-theft system, a rider comfort seat ideal for longer distance trips and soft tank bag. These Packages are offered at an additional cost.