So, had a chat with my local dealer, who incidently have been great. I asked them to enquire and see if new bike was an L twin or V4. It's an L Twin, so unfortunately let my interest slide. It will be interesting to see what makes up the £66K. It surely cant be a few lighter components just like the MK 1.....can it!
Any lighter and it will be unrideable. This only makes sense to me if it is a step on in development. Eg new use of ti that will cascade down, or new electronics, or new suspension type. Otherwise its just Ducati trying to justify a parts bin special. The SL was a genuine move on for panigale, 154kg and 200hp The Desmo as close a road bike to GP bike ever produced, easily tuned to MGP-esque hp numbers Interesting article (posted here I tnink) of Rutter riding SL, new R and Bewiser bike back to back and the SL was miles better and quicker than the R, and almost on par with the BW bike (bear in mind no TC etc). Not sure its 40k better tho....
Yeah, good article that. I can believe it as well, the weight lost by the R over the S makes a much bigger difference that I expected, although the engine in particular. It must be pretty amazing to lose another 20kg or whatever it is off the overall weight. Braking performance must be phenomenal on the SL.
Chattinh to @Jolley and he couldnt belive how much easier the 1299 is than the 959 due to lighter wheels.
I have no doubt about the benefits of lighter components particularly with regards to unsprung mass, but what I'm trying to understand is like Bradders says. £40k more! 1199s was 19,995 and SL was £54k so a £35K difference. 1299s was £21K and new SL is £66K. Will be interesting to see what changes have taken place to warrant a £45K hike. Forgive me if I have that wrong!
Yep. Couldn't really trail brake and turn on with the 959 because it was quite reluctant to turn. 1299 turns in very easily by comparison (I expect largely due to lighter wheels), and I was back trail braking straight away. I had thought I had stopped trail braking due to being a bit wet, but I started again on the 1299 without thinking... with hindsight I was forced to come off the brake on the 959 so I could get it to turn. I wouldn't want to lose any weight off of the front!!
Look at the current WSBK for starters, but it's even lighter than the old Superleggera so there are weight saving items even the race bikes don't get. Think Carbon Fibre from what I understand, much more than the last one.
Yes its at least 10kilos (think 20) under the race limit Perfect chance for the first v4 to be show cased, lost
Bear in mind the WSBK/BSB can't run under the minimum weight limit, so they ballast up and move that weight round to suit the rider. The road bike can be as light as they want, the only restriction is rideabilty at that point and the electrics will help that.
as above, quite a lot lighter than everything. For context, its about 30kg lighter than a 1299...If thats true, 149kg with 210 hp....pushing moto gp territory power/weight
Doesn't grab the headlines though. You'd think they'd have this sort of thing under control 3yrs after the Audi money. Is it still under warranty?
