When it comes to luxury products worldwide, there are two king countries: France and Italy.

But in the world of mechanical perfection, thrilling speed and racing glory, Italy obviously trumps France in almost every realm. Small volumes, extreme passion, engineering focus all help to deliver a quicker pulse, guaranteed.

Ducati is the latest masterpiece to wear this two-wheeled-Ferrari crown thanks to the race-fast 1299 Panigale, plus its two bad-ass siblings, the 899 Panigale and 1299 Panigale S. With pricing from $25,000 for the Panigale S, there is no better way to enter the Italian mechanical exotica club than this new bike.

Changes versus the 1199 Panigale include a new adaptive damper system by Ohlins, all-LED lighting, and a huge jump in torque across the rev band.

205-horsepower will definitely come on strong, so we’ve also included the official accessories gallery to carbon-fiber bike mods and the full track clothing package: from underwear to reinforced-knee leather suits.

2015 Ducati 899 Panigale

2015 Ducati 1299 Panigale

2015 Ducati 1299 Panigale S

Technical specification

Engine

 

Type

Superquadro L-Twin, 4 Desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder, liquid cooled

 

Displacement

1198cc

 

Bore x Stroke

112×60.8mm

 

Compression ratio

13,2:1

 

 

Technical data referring to power and torque was measured on an engine test stand at Ducati.

 

Fuel injection

Electronic fuel injection system. Twin injectors per cylinder. Full ride-by-wire elliptical throttle bodies.

 

Exhaust

2-1-2 full titanium system with stainless steel exhaust headers, catalytic converter and 2 lambda probes. Twin titanium mufflers with carbon fibre end caps

 

Transmission

 

Gearbox

6 speed with DQS Ducati Quick Shift up/down

 

Primary drive

Straight cut gears, Ratio 1.77:1

 

Ratio

1=37/15 2=30/16 3=27/18 4=25/20 5=24/22 6=23/24

 

Final drive

Chain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 41

 

Clutch

Slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch with hydraulic control

Chassis

 

Frame

Monocoque Aluminium

 

Front suspension

Öhlins NIX30 43mm with TiN, fully adjustable usd fork.

 

Front wheel

3-spoke forged light alloy 3.50″ x 17″

 

Front Tyre

120/70 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP

 

Rear suspension

Fully adjustable Ohlins TTX36 unit. Adjustable linkage: Progressive/flat. Aluminium single-sided swingarm with adjustable pivot

 

Rear wheel

3 spoke forged light alloy 6.00″ x 17″

 

Rear tyre

200/55 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP

 

Front wheel travel

120mm (4.72in)

 

Rear wheel travel

130mm (5.12in)

 

Front brake

2 x 330mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc M50- 4piston callipers with cornering ABS as standard equipment

 

Rear brake

245mm disc, 2-piston caliper with cornering ABS as standard equipment

 

Instrumentation

Colour TFT Display

 

2015 Ducati 1299 Panigale S

2015 Ducati 1299 Panigale S Accessorized

Dimensions and weight

 

Dry weight

162kg (357lb)

 

 

Weight data refers to the dry weight of the motorcycle without battery, lubricants and coolants for liquid-cooled models.

 

Wet weight (KERB)

184kg (406lb)

 

 

Kerb weights indicate total bike weight with all operating consumable liquids and a fuel tank filled to 90% of capacity (as per EC standard 93/93).

 

Seat height

830mm (32.68in)

 

Wheelbase

1442mm (56.77in)

 

Rake

24°

 

Trail

96mm (3.78in)

 

Equipments

 

Standard Equipment

Riding Modes, Power Modes, Cornering ABS, DTC, DQS up/down, DWC, EBC, Fully RbW, DDA+ with GPS and lean angle acquisition, Auto tyre calibration. Titanium connecting rods and valves, balanced crankshaft. Lithium-ion battery. Auxiliary adjustment buttons.

 

Warranty

 

Warranty

24 months unlimited mileage

 

Maintenance service intervals

12.000 km (7,500m) /12 months

 

Valve clearance check

24.000km (15,000m)

Emissions and Consumption