Milan Show: New Ducati 1199 Panigale R

Updated: 20 November 2014

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Right on cue, Ducati has revealed the ultimate iteration of the 1199 Panigale superbike with the ‘absolute flagship’ R version, which sits atop the range and above the existing bikes in terms of spec.

The 1199 Panigale R gets the same engine management mapping and ride-by-wire calibration enhancements as the rest of the 1199 range for 2013 but also gets titanium conrods, lighter crankshaft flywheel, low friction coated rocker arms and revised engine management which allows the twin to rev 500rpm higher to 12,000rpm.

The remainder of the R kit consists of a taller racing windscreen, a full Termignoni exhaust system with dedicated track-only ECU mapping and lower gearing to boost acceleration.

Other parts include a carbon-fibre hugger, carbon fibre swingarm protectors, rear suspension guard, heel guards, ignition switch surround and top fairing inner panels and clutch cover.

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By Richard Newland

Group Editor - With over 40 years of riding experience and 21 years as a bike journalist, Rich has ridden nearly every new bike of the past two decades and many historical models dating back to the 1930s. He is particularly passionate about sportsbikes from the 1990s and early 2000s, and he loves big bikes that handle well and are suited for long-distance travel. Rich enjoys challenging rides, such as a non-stop 1703.5-mile trip from Land’s End to John O’Groats and back. In his personal collection, Rich owns a 2007 Honda VTR1000 SP-2, a 1998 Ducati 996, a 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750 ‘Slabby’, a 1998 VFR800FiW, and a 1975 Honda CB750 SOHC Dunstall.