Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/330779
DUCATI 1199 SUPERLEGGERA FIRST RIDE P40 other new bikes, as well." Another such item is the eight- stage DWC/Ducati Wheelie Con- trol fitted for the first time to any Ducati streetbike. Keeping the front wheel on the ground wasn't perhaps an issue previously on the Panigale, and indeed Che- ca's Superbike didn't have DWC for most of last season, but now with the extra midrange torque it's certainly a factor. I tried it and was rewarded (on level one) with a massive fifth gear power-wheel- ie cresting the rise just before the pits – phew! Then the same thing but at lower speeds exiting any of the Mugello chicanes, so I resumed following Valia's advice to leave it on level four, and that worked really well in riding the bike like some sort of twist'n'go mega- scooter by holding third gear for most of the lap. But the combi- nation of DWC and DTC traction control set at level three delivered intoxicating drive out of turns, with the extra torque giving no hint of understeer under power, the Superleggera hugging a tight thanks to the dialed-in chassis geometry and the sublime set- tings of the Öhlins rear shock. And the excellent grip from the race-compound Pirelli SC1 the Ducati was wearing for our test. Where you point the Super- leggera is where it goes. It's an ultra-precise, predictable pack- age that's enjoyable and reward- (Right) The Ducati's cast magnesium, semi- monocoque chassis doubles as an air box and bolts to the top of the V-twin desmo engine. ing broadly: "We wondered how long it would take you to discover this!" he laughed. "You're not be- ing lazy – I lap almost the entire track in third gear myself. It's a notable improvement in terms of flexibility over other Panigales, non è vero?" That it is. Now you can let the engine revs drop as low as 5000 rpm in a tight turn like the Scarpe- ria Palagio chicane, and the Su- perleggera will drive cleanly away down the next short straight, coming on strong from 6000 rpm upwards – 2000 rpm lower than the Panigale R will do. Add in the extra 500 rpm at the top end before you hit the soft- action RBW rev-limiter at 12,500 rpm, and you have a much broader spread of power and especially torque, as well as just plain more of each when it mat- ters. Job done – but now can we have the same forgiving flexibility translated to the stock Panigale, please? "All in good time!" said Domen- icali. "We asked our engineers to build the best of the best, and do everything they ever dreamed of in building this bike for our best customers. But then of course, a lot of the things we've developed for the Superleggera will in the long term find their way on to our All alone at Mugello on a Superleggera. Life ain't so bad.