Ducati Superleggera 1299 - Most Expensive Motorcycle in India

When it comes to superbikes, we normally think about Japanese motorcycles like Hayabusa, R1, and CBRs. But there is a new Italian contender in the superbike market from Ducati, which has raised the bar so high that I would call it hyperbike, not a superbike. This new hyperbike from Ducati is called Superleggera 1299, which is a translation for "super light" in the Italian language. As its name implies, it really is super light. It weighs only 156 kgs...!!! And do not forget, it is a 1300 cc motorcycle. Some of the Indian quarter litre motorcycles like Pulsar RS 200, KTM RC 200 and Honda CBR 250R weighs more than 150 kg. This motorcycle is a complete replica of the technology and aids which Ducati is using in MotoGP. Ducati has planned to make only 500 units of this motorcycle and all units are already sold out even before the production. Let me tell you India also owns one of this Superleggera. But for all this the price you'll have to pay, is enormous. It costs Rs. 1,12,00,000/- ex. showroom. So, the question is, what makes this Ducati so expensive?

The Build

Superleggera - Underneath its cloth

Carbon Fiber Single side Swing Arm

To make this motorcycle superlight, it is completely made of carbon fibre. The whole chassis is made of only three parts. A carbon fibre monocoque frame which is 40% lighter than the conventional aluminium frame, a carbon fibre subframe, and a carbon fibre single side swing arm. Apart from chassis, all other parts like the fairing, mudguard and also rims are made of carbon fibre. The carbon fibre rims with aluminium hub are 1.4 kg lighter than conventional rims. It has 120/70 - 17 in the front and wide 220/55-17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa in the rear. These are best high-performance street-legal racing tires available in the market.

The Power-Mill

1285 cc L-twin

Superleggera is equipped with a 1285 cc L-twin, liquid-cooled engine. Which produces the power of 215 HP and a 146.5 NM of torque. The engine is capable of taking this motorcycle to the speed of 300+ kph. This engine is connected with the Akrapovic lightweight titanium racing exhaust system, which sounds amazing. This Ducati is equipped with tons of electronic aids to keep you safe during the ride and to handle the enormous amount of power and torque in such a lightweight motorcycle.

Akrapovic Titanium Racing Exhaust

Electronic Aids

It has Bosch's 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (6D-IMU) which continuously monitors speed and lean angle of a motorcycle to make it almost impossible to crash. When you are spending this much amount of money on a motorcycle, you sure do not want to crash it. There are the electronics aid equipped on this motorcycle, just have a look at it:

Ducati Traction Control EVO (DTC EVO)

It has a traction control system which monitors the speed difference between the front and rear tire. And if it founds that one of them is losing traction. It will regulate the power transmission to the wheel by managing valve timing. It works amazingly with the ABS system. If rider applies more brake than available traction, the system will reduce a little pressure from its brake lines and will maintain the traction.

Ducati Slide Control (DSC)

Because of an enormous amount of torque which this L-twin is producing, it is very easy to slide it out at the exit of a corner. But the Ducati Slide Control system works continuously on analysing the data coming to IMU and accordingly it actuates throttle body valve, fuel injection and ignition timing to prevent sliding due to extra torque.

Ducati Wheelie Control

It is really an easy thing, to pop up a wheelie accidentally while accelerating this kind of motorcycle on a straight stretch. But that's not the case with Superleggera. You control your front wheel up-lifts to a certain extent by selecting a different level of settings.

Ducati Power Launch

Power launch is not a feature which you normally find in motorcycles. It normally used by a sports cars during drag race to prevent wheel spins and it transfers torque and power into speed instead of burning your rubber. But here you can do the same thing with your Ducati. Just turn power launch on, pull the lever, built the RPM and release the clutch and bike will launch like a rocket without any drama.

Engine Brake Control

Engine brake control is sometimes a useful thing when you are riding on the streets. But when you are on the track, doing corner leaned towards the tarmac and if you downshift, the engine braking can get you off from the bike while making a corner. But, here in Ducati, the ECU is so smart that it will keep injecting the calculated amount of fuel into the cylinders to make the engine braking as smooth as possible.

Verdict

The one and only Indian Superleggera owner - Vikram Oberoi

In conclusion, I would say that it is not just an expensive motorcycle, it is a piece of art designed by enthusiastic and dedicated engineers. No matter how much someone has paid for this motorcycle but being a part of Ducati territory and also being a limited production motorcycle, I can guarantee the increase in the value of this hyperbike.