2018 Ducati V4 Its real, well at least the motor

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I'm going to the factory for a tour and meeting with the management team on Aug 2 as part of the 1299 Superleggera experience / track event. I'll try to find out and if I can see any pics of the upcoming bike / V4.
 
Here's the article I translated. Its not 100% perfect, but better than Google Translate, which is a nonsense.

"We were the first, over a year ago now, to reveal the news from Claudio Domenicali, that the company was working on plans for a superbike with a V4 motor. Obviously we were not satisfied to leave it there and we have continued to capitalize on indiscretions, information and gossip to bring you this world first scoop: we photographed the new V4 during it's initial tests at Mugello. We knew that the bike had already been testing for a long time, usually at the Fort Knox that is the Nardò track, but it was only a matter of time before they tested at other tracks and after many unfruitful surveillances, we finally captured it with one of our telephoto lenses! The V4 is still at prototype stage, but we can confirm some information that with hard work we were successful to retrieve. Let's clarify some points quickly: the V4, it's name still being one of the best kept secrets by Borgo Panigale, has very little in common with the MotoGP bike and is still further from the Desmosedici RR that many had hoped it might emulate.

The D16RR, the only V4 approved for the street that the company produced, was in fact assembled by hand, initially 500, then the number went up to 1,500 at a then prohibitively costly 60,000 euros price tag. Practically all were sold and many wealthy individuals who were lucky enough to own one have not been disappointed. It had a lattice frame welded by hand, rear supports in carbon, a box section aluminium swing arm, pressurized forks, a classic 17” front tire 120/70 and 16 inch rear rim with rubber realized from Bridgestone measuring 200/55. Also the motor was born from experience gained at the time of it's development, competition results and data, with a cubic capacity of 990 cm3 with a bore of 86 milimeter that at present is prohibited in all competitions, with sand cast crankcases, that supported the swing arm. Valves and connecting rods in titanium and covers in magnesium. This combination, although it was not certainly the lightest, was also rather bulky because the position of the cylinders was practically too “L” like for purists, and aerodynamic design of the V4 has taken years since then to be refined. The new V4 shares practically nothing, while from the current motor in MotoGP many technological features will be derived, not so much materials, more like the layout, geometries and aerodynamics.

The design has a lot of the Panigale traits within it but will offer more grip, more than could be realised by the current Panigale, of which traces are evident in these shots. The chief stylists during the last few years speak French and the designers, Julien Clement (the father of the Scrambler) and Jeremy Faraud, have seemingly not moved away much from the magnificent lines designed by Gianandrea Fabbro for the 1199: the nose fairing has been modified in size around the headlight and air inlets to accommodate the new LED lighting. The fairings are closer fitting to accommodate the larger cross sectional dimensions of the four cylinders but leave more of the engine exposed revealing more of the mechanical components

Obviously it is on the mechanical side where you'll find most of the marked differences, even if the bike does not incorporate substantial innovations. Anyone expecting a double frame beam in aluminum in MotoGP style will remain disappointed. The wheelbase is shorter in order to compete with industry levels of agility, that currently are so evident in models such as the new Honda Fireblade. The engine remains a stressed member, providing support for an aluminium 1299 style monocoque frame. However the structure will be slightly extended to offer greater flex and yet retain torsional rigidity, currently one of the major limitations of the current Panigale. The swing arm, will be classic Ducati, aluminium SSA, likewise the rear subframe will be aluminium.

The enormous exhausts which share similar style cues from the Panigale, likely feature by pass valves which will work in conjunction with variable length injection inlet trumpets and changes in ignition. Akrapovic will provide a system in titanium for both the collectors and silencers. In view of Euro5 (the norm from 2020), it's also not possible to rule out a side exit system such as on the 959. The motor, as said is wider, but overall is more compact in length and height, the heads are of a lower profile, due in part to the pistons reducing in size from 61mm (1299) to 50mm, hence more Superquadro than V4. The engine has been tilted further back allowing for a single radiator unlike the Panigale. We cannot rule out a more traditional two part system with the lower radiator being an oil cooler, since the engine cannot accomodate an oil/water heat exchanger bolted to it, within the space available.

The rear shock absorber has been relocated into the void in front of the rear swing arm, similar to the Aprilia RSV4. Speaking about electronics, ABS cornering, ride by wire, with the possibility to manage each bank's butterflies differentially, in order to improve the effectiveness of controlling engine braking (as has been used by Kawasaki in Superbike racing); the traction control obviously will be an advanced or mature version of the current EVO system on the later Panigales. As far as the electronic suspension is concerned, it is unknown in what direction Ducati is looking. Ohlins can only propose a solution that is “event based” while true active solutions can at present only be supppied by Sachs (see BMW S1000RR). Its yet to be seen which path they will take.

What is clear is that Ducati are building a power monster, having decided to fight on the same ground as the competition. With a reliable source claiming that on an engine test run, the power output was in excess of 210bhp, the V4 will be able to break the 310kmh threshold for maximum speed. We are practically sure that, as has happened historically, the bike will be offered in three versions. There will be for sure an “R” with a displacement 1000cm3 in order to comply with the rules of homologation in competition, while the “S” and the base will have the larger capacity 1200 engine.

The prices we have unoffically learned from sources, are a 5-10% increase over the Panigale. It's likely entry level models will cost from 23.000 euros, more so for the S, with a smaller comparative hike for the R. Ducati aims to compete in European SSTK as well as the Italian Superbike championship, whilst WSBK will likely not see one until 2019. For many the wait until EICMA 2017 seems long enough!"
 
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There will be for sure an "R" with a displacement 1000cm3 in order to comply with the rules of homologation in competition, while the "S" and the base will have the larger capacity 1200 engine.

Woot was hoping for this exact thing. 1200cc V4 to have comparable torque of the outgoing superquadro motors :D
 
Meh.....

From what has been presented here, no visceral jolts like I had when I first saw the 1299 Panigale.

Although that may change when the actual production model rolls out I hope.
 
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tell me where your mate got his 1299R, would love one of those. Sorry just kidding.

He picked it up here on Long Island at Gold Coast Motorsports www.goldcoastmotorsports.com and I only deal with the owners son Ben who is his partner. He always gives me and my friends really good discounts off of msrp and works well with us on the prep, and delivery costs. Ive bought 3 bikes from them and even my first bike I bought from him Feb 26th 2015 when I walked in on a snowy night at 650pm. 10 mins before closing. I looked at the red 2015 BMW S1000R with premium package. He came up to me and said its snowing. You should be home but since youre here you want a bike. i said I want this one. Give me $1200 off msrp no freight or prep. He said $1000 off and no prep. I said first service free since Im paying freight. He said leave me a $1000 deposit and we have a deal and your info and Ill email you the paperwork tomorrow. I said done and have bought 2 more bike from him because of his easy personality and have sent many others to him. His sales people might get annoyed but business is business. They pick up my bikes and bring them back for services and warranty issues and have sent pickup trucks to get me twice because my panigale stalled out twice for issues relating to a powercommander and still warrantied the work. Why would I go anywhere else for my next bike or my dads or refer anyone to another place.
 
He picked it up here on Long Island at Gold Coast Motorsports www.goldcoastmotorsports.com and I only deal with the owners son Ben who is his partner. He always gives me and my friends really good discounts off of msrp and works well with us on the prep, and delivery costs. Ive bought 3 bikes from them and even my first bike I bought from him Feb 26th 2015 when I walked in on a snowy night at 650pm. 10 mins before closing. I looked at the red 2015 BMW S1000R with premium package. He came up to me and said its snowing. You should be home but since youre here you want a bike. i said I want this one. Give me $1200 off msrp no freight or prep. He said $1000 off and no prep. I said first service free since Im paying freight. He said leave me a $1000 deposit and we have a deal and your info and Ill email you the paperwork tomorrow. I said done and have bought 2 more bike from him because of his easy personality and have sent many others to him. His sales people might get annoyed but business is business. They pick up my bikes and bring them back for services and warranty issues and have sent pickup trucks to get me twice because my panigale stalled out twice for issues relating to a powercommander and still warrantied the work. Why would I go anywhere else for my next bike or my dads or refer anyone to another place.

You really missed the point.
 
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Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk
 
He picked it up here on Long Island at Gold Coast Motorsports www.goldcoastmotorsports.com and I only deal with the owners son Ben who is his partner. He always gives me and my friends really good discounts off of msrp and works well with us on the prep, and delivery costs. Ive bought 3 bikes from them and even my first bike I bought from him Feb 26th 2015 when I walked in on a snowy night at 650pm. 10 mins before closing. I looked at the red 2015 BMW S1000R with premium package. He came up to me and said its snowing. You should be home but since youre here you want a bike. i said I want this one. Give me $1200 off msrp no freight or prep. He said $1000 off and no prep. I said first service free since Im paying freight. He said leave me a $1000 deposit and we have a deal and your info and Ill email you the paperwork tomorrow. I said done and have bought 2 more bike from him because of his easy personality and have sent many others to him. His sales people might get annoyed but business is business. They pick up my bikes and bring them back for services and warranty issues and have sent pickup trucks to get me twice because my panigale stalled out twice for issues relating to a powercommander and still warrantied the work. Why would I go anywhere else for my next bike or my dads or refer anyone to another place.

I'd really love to see a picture of that 1299R :D
 
The 84mm bore size previously mentioned doesn't make much sense to me. Unless there are two distinct variations of the V4 motor that will share some external parts...

84MM bore - Makes perfect sense for a 1200-1300 V4 sportbike or power cruiser and maybe even a true sports tourer too. But...IMO The engine cases would be then be too big and heavy for 1000CC class SBK, which is limited to a 81mm bore.

So I'm thinking that Ducati must be working on a couple similar but different V4 engines. One for competing in WSBK and another will be for high torque street platforms that will be premiering a few years down the road. Pretty smart move considering that Euro V is coming.
 
Ok ok....... I'm going to get in so much trouble for this, but..... cycler's friend wasn't the only one with a 1299R. It was supposed to be a super secret model

 
He picked it up here on Long Island at Gold Coast Motorsports www.goldcoastmotorsports.com and I only deal with the owners son Ben who is his partner. He always gives me and my friends really good discounts off of msrp and works well with us on the prep, and delivery costs. Ive bought 3 bikes from them and even my first bike I bought from him Feb 26th 2015 when I walked in on a snowy night at 650pm. 10 mins before closing. I looked at the red 2015 BMW S1000R with premium package. He came up to me and said its snowing. You should be home but since youre here you want a bike. i said I want this one. Give me $1200 off msrp no freight or prep. He said $1000 off and no prep. I said first service free since Im paying freight. He said leave me a $1000 deposit and we have a deal and your info and Ill email you the paperwork tomorrow. I said done and have bought 2 more bike from him because of his easy personality and have sent many others to him. His sales people might get annoyed but business is business. They pick up my bikes and bring them back for services and warranty issues and have sent pickup trucks to get me twice because my panigale stalled out twice for issues relating to a powercommander and still warrantied the work. Why would I go anywhere else for my next bike or my dads or refer anyone to another place.

Cycler

Hate to burst your big bike bubble but there is no such thing as a 1299R. I was being a little sarcastic.

I always love these "I got my bike cheaper than anyone else" stories. I must be going to the wrong dealers. :rolleyes:
 
Cycler

Hate to burst your big bike bubble but there is no such thing as a 1299R. I was being a little sarcastic.

I always love these "I got my bike cheaper than anyone else" stories. I must be going to the wrong dealers. :rolleyes:


Excuse my ignorance for writing 1299 Panigale R instead of just Panigale R. You can send the grammar police after me. And regarding the cheaper than anyone else comment. I appreciate your smug comment however when its the end of the month. Snowing like crazy for the last 2 days. And its almost closing time you can get a deal. And if you read the post entirely I said I spoke to Ben the OWNER who doesnt make him money on commission. And after sending him many other clients who he took care and me buying 2 more bikes from him between Feb 2015 and November 2016 and sending my dad who got his bikes there I think me getting decent discounts is unheard of. So if you choose to be a hater enjoy by all means. You seem annoyed in your post that I said 1299R instead of Panigale R. I was having fun writing the post and giving gold coast motorsports a great plug since they really are a great dealership to work with and have bent over backwards for me and other every since they bought the place from the previous owner who had the worst reviews Ive ever seen and would not be caught dead buying a bike from his. These new guys revamped the entire dealership to make it look modern. Arent pushy salesmen and take care of customers with their great discounts on all apparel as well.

And lastly can you please show me where I wrote that I got my bike cheaper than anyone else. All I said was I got $1000 off the BMW S1000R. I dont think I mentioned how much I got off on the 1299 or S1000RR? I just said I got a discount
 

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