Ducati 899 Panigale - a supermid masterpiece

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29/11/2013

For some time, fans of the prestigious Ducati motorbike brand have been counting down the days to the release of the Ducati 899 Panigale, which made its UK commercial debut earlier this month.

After all, this latest competitor in the supermid category boasts an impressive heritage, sharing many features in common with its big brother the 1199 Panigale, which was launched to a rapturous reception two years ago.

With deliveries of the bike being taken by dealerships across the country and crowds marvelling at the machine’s contours and stunning looks at the Motorcycle Live event in Birmingham, the question now becomes: can this much-anticipated machine deliver on its promise?

Happily, the answer to that question is a resounding yes. Ducati has made good on its pledge to provide riders with a more accessible entry to the world of high-performance riding, with a range of user-friendly features and options combining with impressive power and a great aesthetic to represent a near-irresistible proposition.

At the heart of the bike is its innovative monocoque frame solution and the new 899 Superquadro  L-twin engine, which offers a revised bore and stroke for a broad power delivery and can produce 148 hp with a torque of 10.1 kgm.

As such, its performance sits comfortably between the track-oriented extreme performance of the 1199 Panigale and the lighter supersport bike class, providing an excellent compromise between power, usability, handling and affordability.

However, the bike’s positioning as a lighter model shouldn’t create any fears that Ducati has skimped on the design. This much should be clear the moment bikers lay eyes on its stunning visual styling, which looks equally futuristic and cutting-edge in both its white/red and red/black variants.

The vehicle also comes loaded with class-leading technologies aimed at enhancing rider confidence, many of which were originally designed for racing applications. These include a latest-generation sports ABS system plus Traction Control, Quick-Shift, Engine Brake Control and Ride-by-Wire features, all of which are programmed into a seamless electronic rider assistance system.

Changes made by Ducati to reduce the cost of the machine compared to the 1199 Panigale – such as the simplification of the swing arm and the reduction of the amount of aluminium used in the frame – never feel like they hurt the appeal of the bike, avoiding any sense that the 899 is a poor relation.

Indeed, the subtle enhancements to its comfort levels mean the new model arguably feels more at home on the road than the track-focused 1199, underlining Ducati’s success in delivering a more accessible take on the high-performance concept.

Of course, when you’re talking about a bike of this level of power, “accessible” is a relative term. The recommended retail price for the 899 Panigale is £12,495, which is likely to be a little too rich for many people’s blood, no matter how much they might admire the machine from afar.

However, for those willing and able to shell out, Ducati’s latest represents a near-flawless example of its craft, which is sure to attract turned heads and looks of envy across the UK over the coming months.

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Ducati 899 Panigale - a supermid masterpiece