2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale Redefines the Word ‘Superbike’

 I often get lambasted in the comments section for being pro-Ducati here on Asphalt & Rubber, and that’s fine by me, because I am. It’s hard not to like a company that has basically defined the modern aesthetic for motorcycles, or a company that continues to grow despite being in the worst recession since The Great Depression. It’s also not hard to love a company that continues to release, year-after-year, new compelling motorcycles, as is the case today with the 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale.

Teased ad nauseam, the Ducati 1199 Panigale shouldn’t disappoint the discerning sport bike rider with a strong appetite for Italian food, as the latest v-twin from Bologna sets many firsts for the superbike market segment. As we predicted last year, the Ducati 1199 Panigale drops 20lbs off the Superbike 1198′s design (22 lbs actually), while making an extra 20hp over its predecessor. Not only is the 1199 Panigale the lightest production superbike on the market, with its 361 lbs dry weight (414 lbs wet), it’s also one of the most powerful with its 195hp peak power figure, courtesy of the Superquadro motor.

Other firsts include a revolutionary monocoque frame, the first full-LED headlight on a motorcycle (another story we broke), the first electronically adjusted suspension on a sport bike, the first engine braking control system, as well as the first GPS-assisted data acquisition system for a production motorcycle (the DDA+ package is an optional equipment item for the Panigale). While traction control comes standard, ABS brakes will also be an optional item for the Ducati 1199 Panigale.

Available in April 2012, as we expected the new Ducati 1199 Panigale has gotten a price increase over the Superbike 1198. Accordingly the base model will cost $17,995, the “S” will cost $22,995, and “S” Tricolore will hit the wallet at $27,995 MSRP.

Manufacturer	Ducati
Production	Since 2011
Predecessor	1198
Class	Sport bike
Engine	Liquid cooled 90° 1,198 cc (73.1 cu in) V-twin,4-valve/cyl desmodromic
Bore / stroke	112 mm × 60.8 mm (4.4 in × 2.39 in)
Compression ratio	12.5:1
Power	Claimed: 195 hp (145 kW) @ 10750 rpm
Torque	Claimed: 132 N·m (97 lbf·ft) @ 9000 rpm
Transmission	6 speed, wet multi-plate slipper clutch, chain drive
Frame type	Aluminum monocoque
Suspension	Front: Fully adjustable 50 mm (2.0 in)Marzocchi (base) 43 mm (1.7 in) Öhlins w/ electronic compression, rebound adj. (S and S Tricolore)
Brakes	Front: Brembo radial monobloc calipers, 2×330 mm (13 in) semi-floating discs Rear: 245 mm (9.6 in) disc (ABS optional)
Tires	Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP Front: 3.5"×17" 120/70 ZR17. Rear: 6"×17" 200/55 ZR17 Wheels: 10-spoke alloy (base), 3-spoke forged (S and S Tricolore)
Rake, trail	24° 50'
Wheelbase	1,437 mm (56.6 in)
Seat height	825 mm (32.5 in)
Weight	Claimed: 164 kg (362 lb) (base) 164 kg (362 lb) (S) 166.5 kg (367 lb) (S Tricolore) (dry)
Related	Ducati 899

From : http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/2012-ducati-1199-panigale/