2016 Ducati 959 Panigale Arctic White Silk

2016 Ducati 959 Panigale Arctic White Silk

The fine balance between performance and control that every supersport motorcycle strives to achieve reaches its pinnacle in the new 959 Panigale. All combined in a unique design, which hallmarks the bike as an immediately recognizable member of the Ducati Superbike family. Lightweight and ready to thrill, thanks to its new 955 cc Superquadro engine and exclusive monocoque frame that ensure great handling and precision control. High level componentry such as a Brembo monobloc braking system with Bosch ABS, a slipper clutch, a Showa BPF fork and fully adjustable Sachs rear monoshock, and Riding Modes and Ducati Quick Shift all provide maximum control and safety.

The need to control the enlarged valves with the extremely precise Desmodromic system prompted engineers to replace the belt drive of previous Superbikes, mounted on the first Ducati Pantah in 1979, with a configuration mixing both chain and gears. As a result, the chain timing allows an efficient transmission of the motion between crankshaft and camshaft transmission and thanks to the automatic tensioning adjustment, ensures constant reliability and a reduction in routine maintenance costs.

The engine has been designed as a structural element of the frame. As such, its architecture has been completely reviewed to ensure the best design in terms of structure, weight distribution and robustness.The cylinders, at a 90° angle to each other, are mounted on the crankcase to produce a 21° angle between the front cylinder and the horizontal plane. This allows the engine to sit forward, optimizing the distribution of weight between the front and rear ends and achieving the perfect position of the fastening points of the cylinder heads into the monocoque chassis of the 959 Panigale.

The Superquadro is the most potent twin-cylinder engine on the planet, and in the 959 Panigale it produces a fantastic 157 hp@10,500 rpm, and 107.4 N-m of torque @9,000 rpm. And thanks to the sweet nature of the L-twin, and Riding Mode options, the rider is able to easily modulate this tremendous power and tailor it to his riding style and road conditions.

The 959 Panigale features an advanced six-speed transmission with large diameter gears for superior strength. Perfectly controlling the power put to the ground is a hydraulically actuated multi-plate wet clutch, which has back-torque limiting "slipper" functionality to prevent hopping of the rear wheel during aggressive downshifts. With smooth engagement, superb feel, and light effort at the lever, the 959's clutch helps keep the bike in perfect balance on the street and the track.

The opening and closing of the throttle bodies on the Superquadro are controlled electronically in a system called Ride by Wire. The absence of a mechanical connection between the twistgrip and the throttle bodies allows the engine ECU to regulate the power delivery by acting upon the throttle's opening angle; Ride by Wire makes it possible to have different power and delivery based on the selected Riding Mode (Power Modes), and also to manage engine braking (EBC), as well as allowing the implementation of traction control (DTC).