DUCATI 1299 PANIGALE R FINAL EDITION: THE END OF AN ERA!
Get your tissues at the ready because this is the final incarnation of Ducati’s world changing V-twin superbike. But, on a more positive note, there’s a V4 coming our way!
Yep, you heard that right! After three decades of twin-cylinder thrashing, it will be all change from the Bologna giants. The 1299 Panigale R Final edition has a lot to live up to then, and Ducati have rightfully booted it up the nines in the snazziest of classic Italian outfits, before throwing in a tonne of extras to make it worth the £34,995 price tag.
Underneath that beautiful Tricolore colour scheme comes 209bhp of solid gold, making it the most powerful production Ducati alongside the 1299 Superleggera. This is thanks to a whole magnitude of changes underneath those fairings: lightened crankshaft, bigger intake and exhaust valves, titanium con-rods and the two 116mm pistons, increased lift on the camshafts, new self-servo slipper clutch… I could almost go on forever. And in case you didn’t notice, check out that incredibly saucy titanium Akrapovic exhaust system – basically a replica of the Superbike spec piece, but with a Euro 4 compliant high dual silencer. Ducati deserve a medal for making those pipes look so good and still legal.
In order to keep you rubber side down, the electronics come in the form of the ever popular Bosch Inertial Measurement Unit, which gives Wheelie Control (DWC EVO), a super trick Traction Control (DTC EVO) which acts with the throttle body valves, quick shifter/auto blipper (DQS), Bosch cornering ABS and engine braking control (EBC), which is all adjustable in and out of the standard rider modes, and is just about what you’d expect on any superbike nowadays. The chassis is the obvious ultra-compact monocoque made famous by the Panigale, which is a vital asset to the Final Edition’s kerb weight of 190kg. The handling elements are incredibly Gucci as well with a set of mammoth Brembo M50 Monobloc calipers and 330mm discs offering the stopping power, and suspension coming in the form of fully adjustable Ohlins NIX 30 TiN-coated upside down forks, Ohlins steering damper and a fully adjustable Ohlins TTX36 monoshock complete with titanium spring. She’ll handle like an absolute babe.
Okay, there have been so many Panigales on the market you could be forgiven for losing interest; but this really is something special. The 1299 Panigale R Final Edition is not only the last in a long line of V-twin heritage: 851, 888, 916, 996, 998, 999, 1098, 1198, 1199 and Panigale R, but as much a superbike as it is a real piece of Italian history. Just look at the tech and kit, and you really won’t need to bolt anything else aboard this stallion. The bikes are all numbered (but not limited) and are available now from your local dealer for £34,995. Go get one, and then let us have a play…