Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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VOL. 54 ISSUE 24 JUNE 20, 2017 P115 Race mode I was using than is usual nowadays (don't touch the clutch lever!) all without upset- ting the stability of the Ducati under braking. Magic. Drive out of a turn was also improved. I could feel the Superleggera jump out of a second- or third- gear corner really aggressively, but still controllably with excel- lent grip thanks to the Pirelli rubber, Ohlins rear shock and that new DTC EVO electronic program.. Acceleration is truly phenomenal, but it's not explo- sive because it's delivered so smoothly, and without any steps in the powerband. The legend- ary connection between your throttle hand and the rear wheel is there in spades. With just 10 laps of one of the world's great racing circuits aboard this peach of a bike, I will admit I did almost no play- ing around with the ever-more sophisticated electronics pack- age, relying instead on Ales- sandro Valia's chosen settings. These best of all prevented me frightening myself big time with a repeat of the massive sixth- gear wheelie at near 200 mph towards the end of the main straight that I once suffered test- ing Max Biaggi's factory Aprilia RSV-4 there. That needed a swift change of underwear, but on Valia's setting of four out of eight on the DWC there was no repeat performance, although the Superleggera did occasion- ally pop the front wheel in the air while I was slightly cranked over exiting the Borgo San Lorenzo chicane. No worries, though, the Ducati just shook its head a couple of times and resumed normal service. It felt very stable and forgiving, especially at high speed. Once you learn to exploit its ultra-light steering and ease in changing direction correctly, the 1299 Superleggera is a super- satisfying as well as a rewarding motorcycle to ride fast on. You can practically do so on autopilot, changing gear just when it feels right without necessarily wait- ing for the shifter lights to flash, while reveling in its responsive midrange and poised handling. Ducati—this is a very fine motor- cycle, no question it's the best you've ever made with lights and a license plate. Job done. Nothing succeeds like ex- cess, and the Ducati 1299 Su- perleggera is certainly proof of that, as a fitting last of the line in the desmo V-twin dynasty. Duca- ti has fittingly saved the best for last, for this desmodromic jewel of a motorcycle is practically faultless and totally addictive, as well as a magnificent "beat that" demonstration of Ducati's engi- neering expertise. Even more than with the 1199 Superleggera, kudos to Claudio Domenicali for sanctioning the development of the ultra-light 1299 "Superleg- gerissima," compliments to his engineers for creating it, and congratulations to all 500 of you lucky devils who've ordered one. More than ever this time, I hate you all! CN 2018 DUCATI 1299 SUPERLEGGERA ($90,000) ENGINE: ...........................................Superquadro, liquid-cooled, L-twin, 4-valves-per-cylinder, desmodromic DISPLACEMENT: ........................................1285cc BORE X STROKE:........................... 116 x 60.8mm COMPRESSION RATIO: ................................ 13.0:1 POWER: ............................ 215 hp @ 11,000 rpm TORQUE: ............................................... 108.0 lb-ft @ 9000 rpm FUEL INJECTION: ......................... Mitsubishi EFI, twin injectors per cylinder, Ride By Wire EXHAUST: ...............2-1-2, 2 catalytic converters TRANSMISSION: ..................... 6-speed w/Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down CLUTCH: ......... Hydraulically controlled slipper/ self-servo wet multiplate clutch FRAME: ....................... Monocoque, carbon fiber FRONT SUSPENSION: ...... 43mm USD Ohlins FL 936 fork, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: ....................... Single Ohlins TTX36 shock w/titanium spring, carbon fiber single-sided swingarm, fully adjustable FRONT WHEEL: ................ 10-spoke carbon fiber 3.50 x 17 in. REAR WHEEL: ................... 10-spoke carbon fiber 6.00 x 17 in. FRONT TIRE: ......... Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP 120/70 ZR17 REAR TIRE: ............ Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP 200/55 ZR17 FRONT BRAKE: .................................. 2 x 330mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc Evo M50 4-piston calipers w/ cornering ABS REAR BRAKE: ...... 245mm disc, 2-piston caliper with cornering ABS SEAT HEIGHT: ...........................................32.5 in. WHEELBASE: ............................................. 57.3 in. RAKE: ................................................................ 24° TRAIL: ........................................................3.86 in. FUEL CAPACITY: ....................................... 4.5 gal. CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT: ........................ 339.5 lbs S P E C I F I C A T I O N S