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Ducati debuts three new bikes at EICMA 2012

Zach Bowman — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Misc. Auto Shows, Motorcycle

The minds at Ducati have been busy lately. The Italian manufacturer pulled back the curtains on three new machines at the 2012 EICMA International Motorcycle Show, including the water-cooled 2013 Hypermotard. Using and 821cc variant of the company's Testastretta 11-degree DS V-twin, the Hypermotard dishes out 110 horsepower and 65.8 pound-feet of torque thanks in part to a smaller bore and longer stroke than the standard 848cc engine. The revised Hypermotard tips the scales at 436.5 lbs fully fueled and boasts Kayaba front forks with 6.7-inches of travel. Out back, a Sachs rear shock serves up 5.9-inches of flex, though the Hypermotard SP delivers more inches in both categories.

By most accounts, the Ducati Diavel is as wicked a cruiser as you're likely to find, but that didn't stop engineers from pouring a few tricks from the Ducati Performance line onto the bike. The result is the 2013 Diavel Strada. Designed to serve up easy miles, the new bike offers up a larger windscreen, slightly higher handlebars with heated grips and a gel seat. There's also a higher capacity generator on board to help power additional electronics via two 12-volt ports.

Then there's 2013 Ducati 1199 Panigale R. A subtly tweaked version of last year's bike, the 2013 model now features a 500 rpm rev boost thanks in part to light-weight titanium connecting rods and a lightened flywheel. There's also a four-point adjustable swing arm for the first time, and a full race exhaust and ECU helps the bike spit out 201 horsepower on the top end. More importantly, Ducati says the Panigale R now generates 15 percent more mid range power. Want one? Better pull a stinking $29,995 from your wallet.

Ducati debuts three new bikes at EICMA 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ducati issues five recalls for 1199 Panigale

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Recalls, Safety, Motorcycle

Five recall-worthy issues have been discovered on 2,411 units of the 2012 and 2013 Ducati 1199 Panigale. Two of the issues relate to steering, one each center on the exhaust, front brake and rear swingarm. Regarding the steering, too little Loctite was used on screws that fasten the steering damper to the steering head, the result being that they can unscrew themselves completely and deprive the rider of control. The second steering issue is with the Uniball bearing on the Öhlins damper, which could slip out due to an incorrect assembly tolerance and also cause a loss of steering control.

Further back, it's been discovered that heat from the catalytic converter can melt the bowden cable cover on the exhaust butterfly valve. Should that happen, the cover could smoke and catch fire. It's also possible that the front brake could fail as a result of a damaged hose, or the swingarm shaft could become loose. That's a lot of potential problem points.

Owners can take their bikes to dealers who will repair all of the issues free of charge. Ducati hasn't informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of a notification date for owners, but the five recall notifications below have more details as well as the phone number for Ducati NA.

Continue reading Ducati issues five recalls for 1199 Panigale

Ducati issues five recalls for 1199 Panigale originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Robb Report releases 24th annual Best of the Best list

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Etc., BMW, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Motorcycle, Specialty, Luxury

Robb Report has released its annual Best of the Best issue, and the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 has been awarded top honors in the automotive category. No surprise there - the Italian supercar was chosen as the magazine's Car of the Year earlier in 2012.

Prefer to go topless? In that case, Robb Report suggests you have a look at the Ferrari 458 Spider. The BMW M5 took top honors in the sedan category and the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque was the winning SUV. We approve of the nods given to the Morgan 3 Wheeler and Icon Bronco, too.

If all those options are still too tame for your tastes, perhaps the Ducati 1199 Panigale, the mag's motorcycle of choice, is more up to speed. Have a gander at the full list of winners in the press release below.

Continue reading Robb Report releases 24th annual Best of the Best list

Robb Report releases 24th annual Best of the Best list originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AWD vs. One Wheel Drive: Audi TT RS Plus pitted against Ducati 1199 Panigale S

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Audi, Motorcycle

It was only a matter of time, folks. As soon as Audi finalized its purchase of the Ducati brand, we knew to expect a slew of comparison tests pitting the German automaker's finest wares against the two-wheeled exotica rolling out of Italy's best-known motorcycle maker.

The scribes from Germany's Auto Bild have indeed taken up the challenge. But what machinery to choose? Naturally, the mind first turns to the R8 supercar and its Lamborghini-derived V10 engine, but, in reality, Audi officials have conceded to us that its 360-horsepower TT RS is actually quicker around most race tracks. So, the all-wheel-drive TT RS Plus it is.

Holding the mantle for Ducati is none other than the 1199 Panigale - an easy choice, as this is the marque's premier superbike for 2012. Sure, there was a replica MotoGP machine a few years back called the Desmosedici RR, but that bike is sold out and the Panigale is likely faster in the hands of all but the most talented riders anyway.

So, who wins? You'll have to scroll down and watch the video to find out, but suffice it to say that it wasn't even close.

Continue reading AWD vs. One Wheel Drive: Audi TT RS Plus pitted against Ducati 1199 Panigale S

AWD vs. One Wheel Drive: Audi TT RS Plus pitted against Ducati 1199 Panigale S originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale range bows at EICMA

Zach Bowman — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Motorcycle

Ducati holds a special place in the superbike world of melt-your-retinas speed, and the introduction of the company's new 1199 Panigale ensures that the Italian manufacturer won't be giving up that spot any time soon. In addition to shedding 22 pounds from the curb weight of the 1198, the new Panigale cranks out 20 more horsepower than the old machine, as well. The Superquadro twin-cylinder engine generates 195 horsepower, which should be enough to propel the 361-pound machine to well past the brink of sanity. Ducati has been kind enough to roll in traction control as standard equipment, though anti-lock brakes are a stand-alone option.

The 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale also benefits from a monocoque frame and the first electronically adjustable suspension on any superbike anywhere. That's not the only technology on board, though - a GPS-based data acquisition system will track your performance as you kick the Panigale around your favorite track. That little trick is a first for production motorcycles in general.

The package will set you back $17,995 for the base model, while S trim nudges the MSRP to $22,995. The top-of-the-line S Tricolore will fetch a more heart-stopping $27,995. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale range bows at EICMA

2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale range bows at EICMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ducati unveils new Superquadro engine [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Technology, Motorcycle

Ducati is set to unveil its new 1199 Panigale at the EICMA show in Milan next month, but the manufacturer has given us all a sneak peek into what will power the machine once it goes on sale. Ducati gave its engineers free reign to come up with an engine that provides more horsepower and torque while also increasing user friendliness. At the same time, the company wanted trim weight and reduce ownership costs.

The result is the Superquadro twin-cylinder engine. With an over-square bore and stroke ratio of 1.84:1, the lump churns out a blistering 195 horsepower and 98 pound-feet of torque. Ducati claims that the most power ever for a production twin-cylinder engine.

The engine is kept in check thanks to a number of pre-programmed riding modes to suit rider experience and weather. The tech uses ride-by-wire to control each throttle body independently. Service intervals, long an issue with Ducati's desmo twins, has been stretched to 15,000 miles (24,000 kilometers). Ducati also says the engine will serve as a stressed member of the Panigale's monocoque chassis package.

Ducati also claims that the engine is a weight-saver, though no one is saying by how much. The company has said that the Superquadro does help the 1199 Panigale nab the title of the production bike with the world's best power-to-weight ratio, however. The bike will also feature a new transmission with a slipper clutch, among other innovations. Hit the jump to check out a video as well as the full press blast.

Continue reading Ducati unveils new Superquadro engine [w/video]

Ducati unveils new Superquadro engine [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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