1199 Superleggera has started production

TAK1 said:

Actually there is Starbucks in Oz.

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Really,
Well there you go.
You learn something new everyday
It appears as though once again, Sydney is at the pointy end of the downward spiral of this once great nation

I doubt it's much of a difference, going further, I think most people would be faster on track with an R6. Doesn't mean it's any less fun. I don't think there is anyone posting on this forum that actually makes money racing or has a shot at a big title. So at the end of the day, it comes down to doing whatever makes you smile the most. If caning a special edition Ducati around a racetrack does that for you, then go for it!

every time one of these bikes comes out, people who don't have them have to come up with some half-wit reason that they don't think it'll ever make the track, and it'll be only at starbucks, etc, etc. . Must be jealousy or envy but who knows. . I know for a fact that I have seen quite a few desmo's out on the track, and I know that the 1098R's also made the track quite often. . The percentages of people who own these bikes that track them might actually be higher (could even be /much/ higher) than the non-limited edition bikes. So this sentiment that people have seems to be quite flawed.

you have to remember, a lot of people who buy these bikes are enthusiasts who track bikes regularly and also to many, the cost of this bike isn't that great. . 65K - big deal, thats like tracking a BMW M3. . how about those tracking Ferraris, Lambo's, Porsches, Corvettes, etc, etc. . It might be a large figure to some (which it is) - but in the overall scheme of things, if you're willing to track a high performance sports car, this isn't much different.

anthem said:

every time one of these bikes comes out, people who don't have them have to come up with some half-wit reason that they don't think it'll ever make the track, and it'll be only at starbucks, etc, etc. . Must be jealousy or envy but who knows. . I know for a fact that I have seen quite a few desmo's out on the track, and I know that the 1098R's also made the track quite often. . The percentages of people who own these bikes that track them might actually be higher (could even be /much/ higher) than the non-limited edition bikes. So this sentiment that people have seems to be quite flawed.

you have to remember, a lot of people who buy these bikes are enthusiasts who track bikes regularly and also to many, the cost of this bike isn't that great. . 65K - big deal, thats like tracking a BMW M3. . how about those tracking Ferraris, Lambo's, Porsches, Corvettes, etc, etc. . It might be a large figure to some (which it is) - but in the overall scheme of things, if you're willing to track a high performance sports car, this isn't much different.

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I tend to agree with you, all Desmo and 1098R owners that i know track their bikes regularly but they are also multiple bike owners and bring more than one bike to the track. Sure there are a number of people who buy them just to have the latest and greatest but i don't necessarily think thats the typical owner.

I'm sure some of the dealership owners on this board could enlighten us more but for some reason there are a lot of haters out there that just seem to think these bikes will be only used to go to starbucks or will be a trophy bike and should not be ridden.

Yeah, it's pretty comical to see the characterizations of high-end Ducati owners on this and other DUCATI forums, compared to the reality of who we are selling those bikes to. From my experience the guys buying D16RR's, 1098R's, 1199R's and 1199SL's are not posers who don't know how to ride and looking for a fashion piece to park at Starbucks. These are guys who know how to ride, they own multiple bikes, many are track day riders or racers, they appreciate the technology and performance the bikes offer, and they've been successful enough in their careers to be able to afford those kinds of luxury purchases without taking out a 2nd mortgage on their house. I think a lot of time there is an assumption made that luxury bikes are similar to luxury cars, but that couldn't be further from the truth. There are a LOT of luxury sports cars being sold to people who don't know how to drive, see the car as a status symbol either for ego or because their career demands they maintain an image, and they are not necessarily an "enthusiast". That doesn't happen with luxury bikes for the most part, it is normally a real enthusiast who is buying that high-end bike. There are no leased Ducatis parked at country clubs, but there are a ton of Porsche 911's.

Seems to me if money were no object and I wanted to track a Panigale, I would figure out a way to get ahold of an 1199RS, not use an SL. For me the SL would be a street bike for club meets and shows etc.

Course I personally would choose a Desmo and do some mods like 17" wheels and such for a dedicated track toy.

I'll be getting a 458 Italia first tho, but I'm a cary guy first and foremost anyway

I am not as experienced as many as I only took up riding on the pavement/ street November of 2012. I did race moto cross up until I was 19 and quit do to marriage and then family commitment. That was 40 years ago. I have been in to cars though for years and had many.

I make a decent living so can afford some finer things and bikes in comparison to my sports cars of the past are cheap. My first street bike was a Diavel that I now have 11,000 miles on. In December I picked up a Tri color and it has 1K miles on it. I have stopped at Starbucks a couple of times. I don't give a $hit what anyone thinks about the image for whatever but for my both bikes put big grin on my face every time I start down the street. First ride on the Pani I found myself giggling like a school girl upon going though my first set of switch backs.

Sloopy said:

I am not as experienced as many as I only took up riding on the pavement/ street November of 2012. I did race moto cross up until I was 19 and quit do to marriage and then family commitment. That was 40 years ago. I have been in to cars though for years and had many.

I make a decent living so can afford some finer things and bikes in comparison to my sports cars of the past are cheap. My first street bike was a Diavel that I now have 11,000 miles on. In December I picked up a Tri color and it has 1K miles on it. I have stopped at Starbucks a couple of times. I don't give a $hit what anyone thinks about the image for whatever but for my both bikes put big grin on my face every time I start down the street. First ride on the Pani I found myself giggling like a school girl upon going though my first set of switch backs.

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I don't see any reason why you have to explain yourself. As long as you're happy with your decisions, that's all that matters.

If I could afford one I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Who really cares about riding to its potential, it's basically a work of art as well.

You know, seeing those actual pictures, the SL actually doesn't look as special as the R with its exposed aluminum tank. From a casual glance, it looks like a base or S with a graphics kit and upgraded wheels and of course the exalted Akra exhaust

BTW, that graphics kit is already available on carbonworld.de for about $130 with free shipping and discount applied:



carbonworld.de - Aufkleber kit "Superleggera" schwarz / weiß für Ducati 899 1199 Panigale V060W

I've got Vultur Bike pieces on my bike now, and they are excellent quality if anyone is interested in making an SL replica. I was going to get this kit for my track bodywork but went with something a bit more subtle.

they are being delivered in Holland as we speak... don't know of a delivery in Belgium yet.. Greenalien is expecting only in July ( feel or you, Bro ! )

as to performance on an equal term rider: It amazes me how much people seem to underestimate the difference a 12 kg weight loss and 5-8 bhp more from an engine with lighter internals actually makes.. the word from people who know is that they are amazed Ducati put that engine out in the first place. and that they are willing to put a warranty on it..when looking at the specs , never has an engine been so close to a RS engine..

the difference between SL en R is expected to be the same as to R and S. If it is really 10-12kgs lighter then the extra pull from the engine will make quite a difference..

that is for a rider who can and is willing to tap into the last 500 revs.. i m just in the process of finding out what tapping into 11K-11.5k territory is and it makes a real big difference.. much more than you'd expect from grunty a 2cyl.

the difference will get smaller by every kg the rider weighs more as the diff of total weight becomes smaller. Expect the suspension to be quit a bit better as well... in fact its a 2,2k upgrade from Ohlins ... lesser weight on better suspension sounds good to..

the bike will be quit a step over an R for every rider.. the max will only be gotten from it from top racers ... but it still will make a average rider ( aren't we all?) better..

I expect tests to be pritty enthusiastic.. but of course, i may be mistaken..

Talked to my tech and he had a chance to preview an engine. Said the rev response is other worldly. More like an F1 engine due to crank and other internals.

acowsik said:

Lucky bastards.. they get to enjoy it early

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looks like a few people are starting to take delivery, have they given you a delivery date yet??

Sloopy said:

Talked to my tech and he had a chance to preview an engine. Said the rev response is other worldly. More like an F1 engine due to crank and other internals.

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I am in the process of fitting SL cams and titanium inlet valves to my R will be interesting to feel the difference .
Most of the power of the SL comes from the top end of the motor the pistons are lighter and this will help the engine to rev .

honestly it really depends on people! If a student like me were to buy a SL I probably would park it in my living room and take it around just to enjoy the ride, since I won't have the money to replace it again. On the other hand I would take my 1199s to the track any day!!!

JeffD said:

You know, seeing those actual pictures, the SL actually doesn't look as special as the R with its exposed aluminum tank. From a casual glance, it looks like a base or S with a graphics kit and upgraded wheels and of course the exalted Akra exhaust

BTW, that graphics kit is already available on carbonworld.de for about $130 with free shipping and discount applied:

carbonworld.de - Aufkleber kit "Superleggera" schwarz / weiß für Ducati 899 1199 Panigale V060W

I've got Vultur Bike pieces on my bike now, and they are excellent quality if anyone is interested in making an SL replica. I was going to get this kit for my track bodywork but went with something a bit more subtle.

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I was actually thinking of putting a tricolor kit on my s, was just not sure how the quality of these decals are! is it safe to put on and what if in the future I don't like it will it be easy to take it off ?

pixar2dg said:

I was actually thinking of putting a tricolor kit on my s, was just not sure how the quality of these decals are! is it safe to put on and what if in the future I don't like it will it be easy to take it off ?

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Yes, they are just high quality pre-cut vinyl. They really are intended to be clear-coated over so won't be as ultimately durable if you apply them on existing bodywork. If you park you bike outside in bright sunlight every day for the whole day, there is a chance that you might see some fade outlines if you were to remove them, but normal use and storage will be fine.

I've had my kit on for a couple months and I clean the front with a water spray bottle and microfiber cloth after every ride to keep the bug guts from staining, and the Vultur Bike kit is still brand new after about 3,000 miles. It's important you mount it correctly with clean surface and no bubbles, which is why I had the guy that installed my clear bra kit do the install on this as well.

JeffD said:

Yes, they are just high quality pre-cut vinyl. They really are intended to be clear-coated over so won't be as ultimately durable if you apply them on existing bodywork. If you park you bike outside in bright sunlight every day for the whole day, there is a chance that you might see some fade outlines if you were to remove them, but normal use and storage will be fine.

I've had my kit on for a couple months and I clean the front with a water spray bottle and microfiber cloth after every ride to keep the bug guts from staining, and the Vultur Bike kit is still brand new after about 3,000 miles. It's important you mount it correctly with clean surface and no bubbles, which is why I had the guy that installed my clear bra kit do the install on this as well.

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oh nice ! I was just looking on ebay to purchase the tricolor decal and it says mounting level is advanced. I guess if I do it myself I gotta be extra careful

pixar2dg said:

oh nice ! I was just looking on ebay to purchase the tricolor decal and it says mounting level is advanced. I guess if I do it myself I gotta be extra careful

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Like everything, there is a certain technique. My guy said that these cannot be put on with the "wet" method, where you spray a mixture of water with a drop of soap that allows you to align the decal, squeegee it to remove bubbles and simply let dry. These need to be applied with a heat gun/hair dryer "dry", which is a bit trickier to get perfect. Also, they are cut to go on race fairings so my guy also used a razor to trim the fit so they look perfect. If you're not comfortable with all of that, then I suggest seeking a professional.

Also, carbonworld.de (the same guys that have the eBay auctions) offer a 10% discount and free shipping (from Germany, even) with this coupon code: 986532E

Check your prices with this coupon against the eBay auction prices, it usually is cheaper to order direct from them. I've ordered 4 different times from them, takes about 2 weeks to arrive to Florida. Plus, their selection is much bigger than just what they have on eBay.