The 1199 Panigale sets the most extreme benchmark ever and its arrival represents one of the most historic moments in Ducati’s incredible Superbike history.

Our Designers and Engineers were given a “blank canvas” to reach the apparently impossible 1199 Panigale targets of 10kg less weight and 25hp more power. Every detail, every dimension and every design decision has been driven entirely by a zero-compromise brief to create the highest performance Ducati Superbike of all time.

This new model breaks with our Superbike tradition by adding a name to its 1199cc engine capacity, making a significant association to our historic roots in the Borgo Panigale area of Bologna. In an Italian territory known as “Motor Valley” and where high performance and racing runs through the veins of its passionate people, we now underline our pride in being world ambassadors for the “Made in Italy” title and immortalise our birthplace in the name of the new Superbike.

The 1199 Panigale’s chassis represents a step forward in motorcycle design, merging multiple parts into one compact and lightweight component, while re-evaluating rider posture with a revised ergonomic triangle. Using the Superquadro engine as a stressed member of the chassis, the short and strong aluminium monocoque is made in die-cast aluminium and is responsible for 5kg (11lb) of the overall weight saving of the new design.

The most extreme benchmark ever Ducati’s latest engine, the Superquadro, goes beyond the barriers of engineering to enable the introduction of a futuristic Superbike today. Its no-compromise approach to design, combined with Ducati’s Italian innovation has now set the most extreme benchmark ever and stands as the latest milestone in Ducati’s long and iconic history of Superbike engines.

While the cylinders remain true to Ducati’s signature 90° L-twin configuration, the new engine has rotated the top-end backwards around the crankshaft a further 6° to give more clearance on the front wheel and enable engineers to modify the front and rear weight bias. This also enables a front-end geometry of 25.5° of rake and 100mm (3.94in) of trail.

With such an extreme engine, never before has Ducati's unique Desmodromic system been so vitally important. With the high engine speeds at which the Superquadro operates combined with such large valves, it would be impossible for the valve’s rocker-arm to follow the steep closure profile of the cam lobe using normal valve closure springs. The Desmo system actuates valve closure mechanically with the same method and accuracy as it opens, enabling steep cam profiles, radical cam timings, large valves and high operating speeds. This system is used on every single Ducati motorcycle and is constantly proven on Ducati Corse’s World Superbikes and Desmosedici MotoGP bikes.

The 1199 Panigale uses brand new, incredibly lightweight 50mm Marzocchi usd forks that feature hard-anodized aluminium sliders. This new fork, fully adjustable in spring pre-load and compression and rebound damping, represents a cutting-edge solution, saving a further 1kg (2.2lb).

An electronic Ride-by-Wire (RbW) system administers different mappings (Power Mode) to regulate power delivery, while Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES), by Öhlins, instantly configures the suspension set-up with electronic adjustment. The Ducati Traction Control system (DTC) uses eight levels of system interaction to enhance control by reducing wheel-spin and the latest generation of ABS processor provides ideal anti-lock levels. EBC monitors crankshaft de-acceleration under heavy braking and administers RbW throttle opening to maintain optimum grip.


Ducati has launched 3 models in the 1199 range - 1199 Panigale, 1199 Panigale S and the 1199 Panigale 2 Tricolor. Learn more about each of them at the official Ducati 1199 Panigale mini-site.