2014 Ducati 899 Panigale.

                                  2014 Ducati 899 Panigale.

The introduction of the highly-anticipated Ducati 899 Panigale provides a new way to access the exclusive world of Ducati Superbikes with a “Supermid” version designed to provide the thrill of the new generation flagship model with the refined character of an everyday streetbike.

Ducati is passionately committed to further development of the Panigale concept both on the track and on the street and the 899 represents a “Supermid” version, intended to be a method of entry into the world of premium performance. With carefully designed, rider-friendly features, like increased seat cushioning and shorter final drive gearing for enhanced mid-range rideability, the new model achieves a successful mix of authentic Italian performance with everyday usability, offering the very best of both worlds in absolute style.

The 899 is the Ducati 1199 Panigale‘s new little brother, replacing the old Ducati 848 Evo with an all-new motorcycle. Aping its big brother, the traditional perimeter frame is replaced by a “frameless” arrangement that uses an airbox bolted to the front cylinder, doubling as a subframe to hold on the forks. The swingarm is bolted to the engine and a dinky rear subframe bolted to the rear cylinder supports the rider.

This bike is powered by a liquid-cooled 898cc V-twin engine that's capable of producing 148 horsepower at 10,750 rpm. Maximum torque is 99.0 ft-lbs, occurring at 9,000 rpm. Fuel injection makes for effortless cold starts and smooth power delivery. The 12.5:1 compression ratio is just about average relative to all 2014 supersport bikes.

Like the standard 1199 the 899’s gas-charged shock is sourced from Sachs, but operates within a non-adjustable and street-riding friendly progressive-rate link. The fuel tank still gives 4.5-gallons of capacity but is made from steel instead of the 1199’s plastic fuel cell and the front braking calipers are Brembo’s lower-spec M4 calipers.

Front suspension is by Showa 43mm Big Piston Fork, giving 4.7 inches of travel. The bigger the damper piston, the more oil it pumps, and the easier it is to accurately control damping at lower suspension velocities. The rear suspension unit, supplied by Sachs (which supplies BMW, as well) mounts accessibly on the left as on 1199.

Electronic systems include the Ducati Quick Shifter (DQS), Ride-by-Wire (RbW) and switchable engine maps in the Ducati Riding Mode, “triple-stage” ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and Engine Brake Control (EBC). The three riding mode options alter the performance of the ride-by-wire, ABS, traction control and engine braking. Race mode delivers full throttle, race-oriented engine braking and reduced TC assistance, as well as ABS for the front only with reduced anti-rear lift. Sport mode offers all 148 ponies from the engine, same as Race mode, but the RbW throttle is smoother, with more TC intervention, revised engine braking and ABS on both front and rear. The Wet riding mode drops power to 110 hp with even smoother throttle, increased TC input and full ABS.

In Sport mode the 899 feels like a complete bike. The motor punts out its maximum power and while the ABS settings are almost identical to Wet mode, the traction control level is backed off, from eight to five. It’s the additional power, more than the minimized traction control, that makes the difference.

Just like the 1199 Panigale, the 899 has no conventional frame, taking structure from a Vacural-cast monocoque airbox/headstock that attaches directly to the cylinder heads. Rake and trail have been reduced slightly (rake is half a degree steeper, trail is 4mm less) and wheelbase has been trimmed 11mm compared to 1199. "Because the 899 is not so overpowered and wheelie-prone as the 1199," Ducati R&D Director Andrea Forni explained, "we could make the geometry more aggressive for even more responsive handling." A narrower, 180-section rear tire, compared to the 200-section tire on the 1199, should improve turn-in even more.

The 899 Panigale rolls on lightweight 10-spoke wheels in 3.5in front rim width and 5.50in rear, enabling a fast change of direction and enhanced acceleration and braking performances. They are fitted with Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tyres with a 120/70 ZR17, on the front and an agility-enhancing 180/60 ZR17 on the rear.

Specifications:
Engine Class                Fuel Injected
Cylinders                      2
Engine size                   898 cc   
Engine specification     8v V-twin
Cooling System            Liquid Cooled
Gearbox                       6 speed
RAKE                           24°
TRAIL                          96mm (3.78in)
Transmission                Manual
Fuel capacity               17 litres
Top speed                    170 mph
Max power                   148 bhp
Frame                          Aluminum monocoque
Price                             $14,995
Seat height                   32.5 in.
Wheelbase                   56.1 in.
Fuel capacity                4.5 gal.
Claimed curb weight     426 lbs.
Warranity                      2 years unlimited mileage
Version                         Dual seat