2016 marks 90 years of Ducati and to celebrate the milestone anniversary, the Bologna-based bike manufacturer has come up with a new limited-run 1299 Panigale S superbike.
Unveiled by Australian rider Casey Stoner during World Ducati Week (1-3 July, a three-day week? Okay…), the 1929 Panigale S Anniversario was devised as a thank you to the 81,000 Ducati fans who turned up to the event at the Santamonica stadium in Misano Adriatico, not too far from Ducati’s Bologna HQ.
Limited to just 500 units, the 1299 Panigale S Anniversario has been hailed at “an exclusive bike for an exclusive, knowledgeable and demanding audience”, but what makes it so special?
A quick glance is enough to appreciate how exceptional this bike is. The regular 1299 Panigale S is only available in red, but the Anniversario gets an all-new red and white livery, and gold wheels. Its wow appeal is finished off by a top triple clamp and steering head inserts, both in alloy machined from solid aluminium.
The top triple clamp is laser-etched with its unique production number while the steering head inserts shift the front wheel forward 5mm, providing the same chassis geometry as the incredible Panigale R.
As if any more sporty styling was necessary, a ‘racing kit’ adds a titanium Akrapovič Racing exhaust, billet aluminium mirror blockoff plates, and a cover for the hole created by removing the license-plate holder for track days.
The bike is powered by the same twin-cylinder, 1285cc, 205hp Superquadro engine as the regular 1299 Panigale S, with Engine Brake Control, which optimises vehicle stability under extreme turn-in conditions.
Some weight-saving measures have been employed though so it could be a slither quicker.
The inclusion of a light lithium battery, carbon fibre heel guards, rear mudguard and shock absorber cover has shaved 2.5kg from its total weight.
It also uses a new DTC EVO traction control system; this basically monitors the bike’s lean angle to improve stability.
How much does it cost? Good question. Prices vary country-to-country and at time of writing, Ducati hadn’t confirmed pricing for any market.
However, the standard 1299 Panigale S goes for £21,186, so you can slap a few extra grand on there and you might not be far off from the Anniversario’s asking price.
You can have one from the second half of July.
michell leads forensics
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