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2014 Ducati 1199 Panigale R — European Car Magazine

26 Фев 2015 | Author: dima | Комментарии отключены

We swap from four to two…

Most motorcyclists the majority of their time about extremes: cruiser fantasize about gliding coast to coast, adventure imagine tackling the harshest of and wannabe knee-draggers superimpose on a screaming rocket negotiating one of 18 world circuits. So you can imagine my when I found myself a pulsing 2014 Ducati Panigale R in pitlane of the newly Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX; my racing, speed-loving, pre-adolescent

On the surface, Ducati’s latest missile looks like a version of its flagship superbike, obligatory carbon fiber snazzy white stripes and a bare aluminum tank. But hard-earned $29995 (a $7000 over the S model) mainly towards the bike’s mechanicals, primary purpose is to beat the in World Superbike Racing.

The L-twin produces the same as its more affordable stablemate, but power comes 500rpm with maximum revs at a bellowing 12000rpm. Ducati claims the R version returns 18% torque during full-throttle from 124mph.

New titanium connecting rods and a flywheel trim nearly 3 lb, a diamond-like coating on the rocker ensures safe operation as the Desmodromically actuated valves do business at the top end.

Revised ECU boost midrange torque, resolves with a peak of lb-ft. Two extra teeth at the sprocket effectively shortens the ratios, balanced with the redline to yield the same top as the S model.

Other race-ready tweaks a bubblier windscreen for high-speed an aero piece added to the and an adjustable swingarm to optimize or maneuverability. Included with purchase is a free-breathing, track-only exhaust system.

Which us back to Circuit of the Americas, the Panigale R’s rumbling big-twin lusty, alive, and eager to on any and every apex it encounters. truly? Well, sometimes it the best thing to do at a new track on a bike is kick up the sidestand, into gear, and go with the flow.

But with MotoGP rider Hayden in attendance and running demonstration laps, the pressure was on.

Pitlane is the perfect place for a taste of the Panigale R: this uphill straight is quickly after easing into gear, which is engaged via a light release of the slipper left lever.

Set to “Race” mode, throttle is heightened yet smooth, thanks to the injectors. First gear is faster than you can say “redline”, and the quick shifter enables you to tap up to the gear instantaneously, without and time-consuming clutch-pulling rigmarole.