2020 Ducati Superleggera V4 Guide

2020 Superleggera V4: METICULOUS ATTENTION TO DETAIL.

Introducing the 2020 Superleggera V4:

A full immersion experience

Superleggera V4 is not only our most precious production motorbike, it is a totalizing experience that brings you inside Ducati.

For Ducati, the Superleggera V4 – a limited edition of just 500 individually numbered bikes – represents the pinnacle of engineering, innovation, attention to detail and customer care. The Superleggera V4 is extreme, designed and developed to achieve maximum on-track performance and ensure all the reliability and rider- friendliness of a road-legal sport bike.

Many of the components are in carbon fibre. These include the streamlined fairing, which offers an aerodynamic efficiency that matches and exceeds that of current MotoGP bikes. Desmosedici GP16-derived ‘biplane’ wings guarantee a downforce of 50 kg at 270 kph, 20 kg more than that generated by the wings on the Panigale V4 MY20 and V4 R.

The carbon fibre fairings also sport an eye-catching Desmosedici GP19-inspired livery that juxtaposes the red of the GP19 with a naked carbon that emphasises shapes, materials and technical details.

Beneath the carbon skin lies the Desmosedici Stradale R engine, lighter and more powerful than ever. The 998 cm3 90° V4 that powers the Superleggera V4 weighs, in fact, 2.8 kg less than the 1,103 cm3 V4. Thanks to a type- approved Akrapovič exhaust it puts out, in its road-legal configuration, no less than 224 hp (EU homologation figures). That figure rises to 234 hp when the non-homologated titanium Akrapovič exhaust, included in the Racing Kit supplied with the bike, is fitted.

Available only on the Superleggera V4, a special engine calibration for the Akrapovič racing exhaust gives riders access to a “RaceGP” display. Intended exclusively for track use, the latter – designed with valuable input from Andrea Dovizioso – is a direct offshoot of the instrument panel on the Desmosedici GP20.

Thanks to extensive use of carbon fibre, titanium and machined-from-solid aluminium components, the Superleggera V4 has a dry weight of just 159 kg (16 kg less than the Panigale V4), resulting in a power/weight ratio of 1.41 hp/kg: a record-breaking figure for a road-legal sport bike. Mounting the Racing kit puts the bike in its track configuration, boosting power to 234 hp, dropping the weight to 152.2 kg and raising the power/weight ratio to 1.54 hp/kg.

High aerodynamic efficiency, a specifically tuned suspension set-up and a record-breaking power/weight ratio ensure outstanding stability in acceleration and unmatched cornering agility, giving riders confident control and letting them perform to the highest level.

Other equipment items unique to the Superleggera V4 include a lightened Öhlins suspension system with pressurised fork and a Brembo braking system with Stylema® R calipers. In addition, a latest-generation electronics package includes EVO 2 strategies for the DTC and DQS up/down.

Operational parameters for each control are associated by default with three reprogrammed Riding Modes (Race A, Race B and Sport). There are also – for the very first time – five additional Riding Modes that can be personalised with the rider’s preferred settings. Riders can monitor lap times via the upgraded Lap Timer which can record finish line coordinates and intermediate times for five different circuits.

Meticulous attention to detail is also evident in the billet aluminium radiator cap and the dedicated ignition key which has an aluminium insert showing the bike number.

The exclusiveness of the materials and technical solutions is reflected in the limited number of bikes: just 500, all individually numbered and provided with a certificate of authenticity. The bike ID number (XXX/500), which coincides with the VIN, is shown on frame, fork yoke and ignition key.

Equally exclusive is the attention Ducati has reserved for each of its 500 Superleggera V4 customers: during the dedicated SBK Experience event, they’ll have the opportunity to test ride the Panigale V4 R that competes in the SBK World Championship. Tip-top exclusivity will, instead, be reserved for the 30 customers who purchase the MotoGP Experience. They’ll get the chance to live the dream of every Ducatista racing enthusiast: to experience the thrill of being a MotoGP rider by taking to the track on the Desmosedici GP20 – the bike ridden by Dovizioso and Petrucci – with the close support of Ducati Corse technicians.

Superleggera V4 inimitability continues with a dedicated premium leather suite, with incorporated airbag, and a carbon fibre helmet, both emblazoned with the bike’s distinctive graphics. Produced by Dainese, the leathers combine lightness and strength with the safety of the D-air system. Likewise, the meticulously crafted Arai helmet – which features aeronautical-grade carbon fibre – offers unsurpassed performance. Both apparel items can be personalized with logos and are available in a range of colours.

Dreams matter

The moment we have all been waiting for has finally arrived. We share our further step towards engineering excellence with you, Ducati enthusiasts around the world.

Every product we craft is a declaration of our lust for perfection. But none is comparable to Superleggera. In this project, we modeled the most advanced carbon fibre into futuristic aerodynamic-driven shapes. Here we realized our dreams as engineers, manufacturers and passionate riders.

The new Superleggera V4 is, first and foremost, a true statement. It is where we draw the line between trying and doing. It is our foremost pioneristic creature. And I am very proud to present to you our greatest masterpiece of engineering, technology and design by giving you the story of its deepest secrets and its most refined details. A story of style, sophistication, performance and trust.

Dedicated to all dreamers.

Claudio Domenicali.
Ducati Motor Holding CEO.

2020 Superleggera V4 Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features

Fairing
• Carbon fibre fairing
• Aero Package with Desmosedici GP16-derived ‘biplane’ aerofoils
• Dedicated colour scheme inspired by the Desmosedici GP19

Engine
• Desmosedici Stradale R engine, 224 hp at 15,250 rpm and 11.8 kgm at 11,750 rpm (EU homologation figures)
• EURO 4 compliant
• Titanium exhaust manifolds
• Type-approved Akrapovič titanium silencer
• Lighter STM EVO-SBK 8-disc clutch
• Titanium/aluminium screws and bolts
• Oil pump without return stage from heads
• Specially machined, lighter camshafts
• Gear shift drum, perforated to reduce weight
• ORAW2 Regina chain
• Metal platelet with signature of technician who completed the Desmodromic system timing

Chassis
• Carbon fibre Front Frame
• Carbon fibre single-sided swingarm
• Carbon fibre wheels with aluminium hubs
• Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tyres
• Carbon fibre rear subframe
• Carbon fibre fairing with Desmosedici GP16-derived biplane aerofoils
• Lighter, pressurised Öhlins NPX25/30 upside down 43 mm fork
• Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber with titanium spring and GP valves
• Stylema® R front brake calipers
• Brembo MCS 19.21 radial front pump with remote adjuster
• Billet aluminium suspension tie rod
• Ergal crown
• CNC-machined brake and clutch levers
• Seat with carbon fibre base
• Billet aluminium footrest plates, rear brake lever and clutch lever
• Titanium rear wheel nut
• Titanium/aluminium screws and bolts
• Billet aluminium radiator cap
• Machined-from-solid aluminium fork yoke with stamped number (XXX/500)
• Numbered ignition key (XXX/500)

Electronics
• Five personalised Riding Modes
• Full-TFT 5” colour screen with three displays: Track, Road and RaceGP (the latter is enabled by fitting the Akrapovič racing exhaust)
• Latest-generation electronics package with 6-axis inertial platform: ABS Cornering EVO; Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2; Ducati Slide Control (DSC); Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO; Ducati Power Launch (DPL); Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) EVO 2; Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO
• On-board electronics: Ducati Lap Timer GPS (DLT GPS) EVO 2; Pit Limiter (PIT); Ducati Data Analyser + GPS (DDA+ GPS); Ducati Multimedia System (DMS) ready
• Lithium-ion battery

Main as-standard equipment
• Racing kit: complete Akrapovič titanium racing exhaust; open carbon fibre clutch cover; carbon fibre swingarm cover with titanium slider; headlight/tail light replacement kit; plate holder removal kit; kickstand removal kit; billet aluminium mirror replacement plugs; Ducati Data Analyser+ GPS (DDA+ GPS); racing filler cap, brake lever guard, bike cover.
• Front and rear paddock stand
• Battery charge maintainer

The Panigale V4 becomes Superleggera: the dream bike is now a reality, and it’s a Ducati

• The Superleggera V4 is the most powerful and technologically advanced production Ducati ever built and will be produced as a limited edition of just 500 individually numbered motorcycles
• The only street-legal motorcycle in the world with a carbon fiber chassis, swingarm and wheels
• Biplane wings and extreme aerodynamics
• A power/weight ratio of 1.54 hp/kg in racing kit configuration, a record value for a street-legal bike
• Deliveries start in June 2020 at the rate of 5 bikes per day
• Purchasers of the Superleggera V4 will also be offered a track test on the factory Panigale V4 R competing in the Superbike World Championship and, for the first time ever, a unique opportunity to test the Desmosedici GP20

Borgo Panigale, Bologna, 6 February 2020 – With the Superleggera V4, Ducati fulfils the dream of pushing back the limits of engineering, attention to detail and motorcycle design, with a project that represents the Bolognese company’s greatest masterpiece in terms of engineering, performance and design.

After an exclusive preview for its most passionate and loyal clients, Ducati now officially unveils its new Superleggera V4, the most powerful and technologically advanced motorcycle ever made by the Borgo Panigale manufacturer, produced in a limited edition of just 500 individually numbered bikes.

The Superleggera V4 is the world’s only street-legal motorcycle with the entire load-bearing structure of the chassis (frame, subframe, swingarm and wheels) made from composite material, achieving a 6.7 kg reduction in weight thanks to these components.
To ensure the highest quality and safety standards, these components are 100% tested using the most sophisticated techniques borrowed from the aerospace industry, such as thermography, ultrasound inspections and tomography.
The chassis dimensions have been modified for optimised track use by increasing the length of the swingarm.
The overall result is unparalleled deceleration power, faster leaning down into corners and sharper lines riding out of corners.
The level of performance achieved is extremely high: Alessandro Valia, an official Ducati tester, took the bike, fitted with the racing kit and slick tires, around the Mugello circuit in 1:52:45, less than two seconds from the lap time of the Panigale V4 R SBK, winner of the 2019 Italian Motorspeed Championship (CIV) with Michele Pirro.

Many components are made of carbon fiber, moulded into advanced aerodynamic shapes. These include the fairing, which ensures a level of aerodynamic efficiency that matches and exceeds that of current MotoGP bikes. Thanks to the ‘biplane’ aerofoils inspired by the 2016 Ducati MotoGP, with the highest performance in this field, it can guarantee a downforce of 50 kg at 270 kph, 20 kg more than that created by the aerofoils on the Panigale V4 MY20 and V4 R. This downforce improves acceleration, by countering the tendency to wheel-up, and increases braking stability.

The carbon fiber fairings also sport an eye-catching Desmosedici GP19-inspired livery that juxtaposes the red of the GP19 with a naked carbon that emphasises shapes, materials and technical details.

Beneath the carbon skin lies the Desmosedici Stradale R engine, lighter and more powerful than ever. The 998 cm3 90° V4 that powers the Superleggera V4 weighs, in fact, 2.8 kg less than the 1,103 cm3 V4. Thanks to a type-approved Akrapovič exhaust, it delivers no less than 224 CV in road-legal configuration (EU homologation figures). That figure rises to 234 CV when fitted with the titanium Akrapovič exhaust for track use, which is included in the Racing Kit supplied with the bike.
The racing nature of the engine is enhanced by the use of the dry clutch and the individual manual adjustment of the Desmodromic timing system.

Only on the Superleggera V4, a special engine calibration for the racing exhaust gives riders access to a “RaceGP” display. Intended exclusively for track use, and designed with valuable input from Andrea Dovizioso, with direct correlation with the instrument panel on the Desmosedici GP20.

Thanks to extensive use of carbon fiber, titanium and magnesium components and others machined from solid aluminium, the Superleggera V4 has a dry weight of just 159 kg (16 kg less than the Panigale V4), resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of 1.41 hp/kg: a record-breaking figure for a road-legal sports bike. Mounting the supplied Racing kit and switching the bike to its track configuration boosts power to 234 hp, dropping the weight to 152.2 kg and raising the power-to-weight ratio to 1.54 hp/kg.

The electronic controls have also been developed to enhance the racing nature of this motorcycle. Their operational parameters are associated by default with three reprogrammed Riding Modes (named Race A, Race B and Sport). There are also – for the very first time – five additional Riding Modes that can be personalized with the rider’s preferred settings. Riders can monitor lap times via the upgraded Lap Timer, which can record finish line and split times coordinates for five favorite circuits. These can be recalled at the start of each track day without having to repeat the set-up procedure. The default system settings feature the finish line/split time details of: Laguna Seca, Mugello, Jerez, Sepang and Losail.
This is topped by a latest-generation electronics package including EVO 2 strategies for the DTC and DQS up/down.

Other standard items include a lighter Öhlins suspension system, with a pressurised fork and lighter machined aluminium fork bottoms, a titanium shock absorber spring and GP-derived valves that improve the damping of road bumps during the initial compression stage.
The braking system is the best in the Brembo production range, with an MCS calliper featuring a remotely adjusted lever gap and Stylema® R callipers, exclusive to the Superleggera V4, to provide greater front-brake stroke consistency in long track runs.

Meticulous attention to detail is also obvious in the radiator cap machined from solid aluminium and the dedicated ignition key with an aluminium insert showing the bike number.

The exclusiveness of the materials and technical solutions is reflected in the limited number of bikes: just 500, all individually numbered and provided with a certificate of authenticity. The bike ID number (XXX/500), which matches the VIN, is displayed on the frame, fork yoke and ignition key.

The start of deliveries is planned for June and, given the extreme complexity of the production of so many components, the rate is limited to only 5 bikes/day. However, all the bikes will be produced within 2020.

Superleggera customers only have the chance to purchase an exclusive Superleggera V4 premium leather suit with integrated air-bag and a carbon fiber helmet, both emblazoned with the bike’s colors and graphics. Produced by Dainese, the leathers combine lightness and strength with the safety of the D-air® system. Likewise, the meticulously crafted Arai helmet – which features aeronautical-grade carbon fiber – offers unsurpassed protection and comfort.

The package that Ducati has prepared for enthusiasts who purchase a Superleggera V4 also includes access to the “SBK Experience”, allowing owners to ride the Panigale V4 R, which competes in the SBK World Championship, on a test track at Mugello. Even more amazingly, 30 Superleggera V4 owners will have an exclusive opportunity to enjoy the “MotoGP Experience” and live the dream of every racing enthusiast. For the very first time, they will be able to ride a circuit on the Desmosedici GP20 used by Dovizioso and Petrucci, with the close support of the Ducati Corse technicians.

These special events and opportunities are as unique as this new Ducati model. The Superleggera V4 is extreme, designed and developed to achieve maximum on-track performance and ensure all the reliability and rider-friendliness of a road-legal sport bike.

With the Superleggera V4, Ducati pushes back the limits even further. The technical expertise and knowledge developed and continuously evolved in MotoGP is continuously made available to enthusiasts of engineering and performance on two wheels.

2020 Superleggera V4 Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits

Aero Package

The cutting-edge aerodynamics of the Superleggera V4 is an upgrade of the Aero Package mounted on the Panigale V4 MY20 and V4 R. Thanks to biplane-configured airfoils that work in concert with a fairing that shields the rider’s body at high speeds, the Superleggera V4 Aero Package is actually more effective than the one currently employed on MotoGP bikes.

As in MotoGP, aerodynamic development involved a series of preliminary CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) studies, followed by optimisation on a full-scale wind tunnel model.

The Superleggera V4 fairing is made entirely of carbon fibre, as are the biplane airfoils that take their cue from the Desmosedici GP16 – the Desmosedici with the most aerodynamically efficient winged configuration ever!

The upper aerofoil is of the dual taper type, featuring a longitudinally arranged strake and an endplate with two further downforce elements. On the upper element the leading edge has a twist in the angle of attack. The lower aerofoil instead has a two-part “main” and “flap” configuration and is equipped with a fissured endplate to increase extension virtually and, therefore, reduce drag.

This design ensures 50 kg of downforce at 270 kph, 20 kg more than that generated by the airfoils on the Panigale V4 MY20 and V4 R.

Greater downforce means less front-end floating and reduces the tendency to wheelie at high speeds. It also means greater stability during braking, turn-in and cornering and, of course, better bike stability at high speeds.

Wheelie reduction – palpable with this aerodynamic configuration – means riders can gain valuable metres during acceleration. During development it was demonstrated that, when exiting a slow 50 kph corner, the same acceleration time (7 seconds) took the Panigale V4 MY20 four and a half metres further than the same bike without the Aero Package (Panigale V4 MY19). Fitting the new Aero Package increases that gap to six metres. With the Superleggera V4, the improved engine performance and lower weight raises that advantage to nine metres and makes the bike some 6 kph faster out of the corner.

The carbon fibre fairings have a race-like, eye-catching Desmosedici GP19-inspired livery yet are free from any aesthetic elements that might affect performance. Striking graphics juxtapose the red of the GP19 with a naked carbon that emphasises shape, materials and technical details (such as the aerofoils, deliberately left unpainted to highlight the quality of the material they’re made of).

Engine

A lighter, more powerful Desmosedici Stradale R
The Desmosedici Stradale R that powers the Superleggera V4 delivers, in the bike’s road-legal configuration, 224 hp at 15,250 rpm and a torque of 11.8 kgm at 11,750 rpm (EU homologation figures).
At the heart of the Superleggera V4 lies a 90° 998 cm3 V4 engine, lightened thanks to the use of titanium and aluminium bolts, a new, lighter 8-disc clutch, camshafts machined to reduce weight, a lighter gearshift drum, an oil pump without a return stage from the heads and titanium manifolds that work in concert with the road-legal Akrapovič silencer. These modifications have yielded a 2.8 kg weight reduction compared to the 1,103 cm3 V4 engine and produced a gain of 3 hp thanks to the high efficiency of the Akrapovič exhaust.

For those eager to ride the Superleggera V4 in its natural habitat – the racetrack – the bike comes with a complete Akrapovič titanium exhaust (not type approved for road use), included in the Racing Kit; this makes the bike 6 kg lighter than the Panigale V4 and boosts power to 234 hp at 15,500 rpm with a maximum torque of 12 kgm at 11,750 rpm.

On the Superleggera V4 Desmosedici Stradale R engine the Desmodromic system timing procedure is performed manually by an expert; once all required tests have been completed, he certifies the positive outcome by signing the metallic plate that embellishes the rear cylinder bank.

The engine is a 90° 998 cm3 V4: featuring cylinders banked 42° back from the horizontal, it has been designed to act as a fully stressed member of the vehicle. Cylinder bore is 81 mm, with the pistons performing a 48.4 mm stroke thanks to a forged steel counter-rotating crankshaft* driven by four titanium con rods with a centre-to- centre of 104.3 mm.

The crankshaft is mounted on brass bushings and combines a 70° crank pin offset with a 90-degree V engine layout. This solution generates what’s called a Twin Pulse firing order, because it’s as if the engine were reproducing the firing sequence of a twin-cylinder. The distinctiveness lies in the fact that the two left-hand cylinders fire closely together, as do the two right-hand ones. On the timing chart, the ignition points are, then, at 0°, 90°, 290° and 380°. This particular firing order makes the V4 sound just like the MotoGP Desmosedici.

Pistons are made of moulded aluminium, have a single compression ring plus an oil ring and take advantage of “box in box” technology: this contains both skirt height and below-chamber thickness, helping to reduce attrition and inertial loads while maintaining the necessary strength and stiffness.

The four Desmodromic system camshafts operate the valves (Ø 34 mm titanium intake valves, Ø 27.5 mm steel exhaust valves). The valves feature titanium half-cones, a solution usually adopted only on racing bikes.

The Desmosedici Stradale R engine gulps in air through oval throttle bodies and aerodynamic throttle openings (Ø 56 mm equivalent) connected to variable-height air intake horns. This solution optimises cylinder intake across the rev range, giving major advantages in terms of power delivery and handling. The engine breathes through a high-permeability Sprintfilter P08 air filter.
On the Superleggera V4 the Desmosedici Stradale R is equipped with an STM EVO-SBK dry clutch made of machined-from-solid aluminium with a 48-tooth clutch basket and plate set; there are 8 take-up plates and 8 drive plates with a diameter of 138 mm. The dry clutch gives greatly improved ‘feel’ during braking and through the corners. It also allows personalisation of the degree of ‘mechanical’ engine braking and, with the as-standard open carbon fibre clutch cover, is characterised by that iconic mechanical rumble which Ducati fans find irresistible.

Rear wheel drive is performed by a Regina ORAW2 chain – the same as the one used in MotoGP – which turns an Ergal crown; compared to those on the Panigale V4, these two components reduce weight by 1.4 kg.

*However, in racing, there’s no such thing as a free lunch: this layout demands, of course, the addition of the so- called ‘jackshaft’ to transfer crankshaft drive through the gearbox to the rear wheel so it turns the right way. The jackshaft adds an extra transmission element to the crankshaft-wheel connection system. This needs to be taken into consideration when establishing crankshaft power if the latter is obtained from measurements made at the wheel. During both homologation and measurement on acceleration test benches it is, therefore, necessary to consider an efficiency or, in any case, an additional coefficient that is, by law, fixed at 0.98.

Vehicle

The lightness of carbon fibre
The carbon fibre frame and swingarm were 100% internally designed by Ducati, making full use of Ducati Corse experience in terms of calculation procedures, material selection and test methods.

During development, components underwent stringent final tests to ensure integrity under all possible conditions and each item underwent a quality control process similar to that used in MotoGP.

Carbon fibre component structural quality is ensured by three different NDI (Non Destructive Inspection) methods, the same as those used in the aerospace industry:
• Active Transient Thermography: allows inspection of the surface layers of a component, indispensable
for accurate analysis of complex surfaces and edges.
• Ultrasonic Phased Array: based on the Pulse Echo technique, allows for two-dimensional display. Better coverage and greater sensitivity allow for more detailed results compared to conventional ultrasound test procedures.
• Computed Axial Tomography: consists of 3D X-ray inspection that covers 100% of the tested component volume.
These checks are made on every single manufactured part to verify their constructive quality.

The Superleggera Front Frame, made of high-strength carbon fibre and a resin system resistant to high temperatures, also has 7075 aluminium alloy inserts co-laminated into the composite structure. In comparison with the already-light aluminium alloy Front Frame of the Panigale V4 MY20 and V4 R, this construction technology has yielded a weight saving of 1.2 kg. What’s more, the Superleggera V4 mounts an all-new carbon fibre rear subframe that shaves off another 1.2 kg.

Made with the same technology as the frame, the single-sided swingarm weighs 0.9 kg less than its aluminium counterpart on the Panigale V4, despite its increased length.

The lengthened swingarm also increases front-end load. Combined with the downforce generated by the new aerofoils, this lets riders open up the throttle with confidence and exploit the bike’s full acceleration potential without worrying about wheelies.

The cutting-edge 5-spoke wheels of the Superleggera are made of high-strength carbon fibre; the aluminium hubs are screwed into the composite structure while the rear wheel is secured with a titanium nut. Use of these two materials gives a weight saving of 3.4 kg with respect to the aluminium alloy wheels on the Panigale V4, significantly reducing rolling resistance while enhancing direction-changing agility and lightness. The wheels mount Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tyres.

Racing suspension and brakes
The refined Superleggera V4 suspension chassis set-up is completed by race-grade suspension and braking components. For example, the Superleggera V4 mounts an Öhlins suspension system that, overall, weighs 0.6 kg less than the one on the Panigale V4. Up front there’s an Öhlins NPX25/30 pressurised upside-down 43 mm fork with machined-from-solid aluminium fork bottoms. At the rear, instead, an Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber equipped with titanium spring and MotoGP-derived hydraulic valves improves absorption of on-road bumps and ripples during the initial compression stage.

Needless to say, the suspension set-up is designed to make the most of the reduced weight and provide unmatched cornering agility, ensuring riders enjoy confident bike control and perform at the highest level.

At the front end, the braking system consists of two 330 mm Brembo discs working in concert with Brembo Stylema® R monobloc calipers, a Ducati exclusive for this bike only: the racing-derived pistons feature cooling holes that improve brake lever travel stability, even after numerous laps, and reduce residual torque. The front brakes are operated by a Brembo MCS 19.21 radial pump with remote adjuster and CNC-machined lever to reduce drag. At the rear, instead, is a single 245 mm disc.

Combining lightness with a race-grade braking system ensures matchless performance, unlike anything available on other production bikes; even after repeated use, brake lever travel remains unaltered.

Meticulous attention to detail
Not only the fairings but many of the components normally made of plastic have been built in carbon fibre. This maximises weight reduction and offers eye-catching attention to detail. Mudguards, rear cylinder bank cover, dashboard cover, tank cover, rad duct, pinion cover, heel guards, steering splashguards, seat base, intake duct and the rear cylinder head cover are all in carbon fibre.

Complementing the carbon fibre components are titanium parts (e.g. rear wheel nut) and billet aluminium elements such as the radiator filler cap, the tie rod on the rear suspension, the footrest plates and the gear/rear brake foot levers. Together, these parts reduce weight by a further 0.3 kg with respect to the Panigale V4.

Appealingly designed and machined to perfection, the billet aluminium top yoke also shows the bike ID number (XXX/500); the same number is found on the frame and the aluminium insert of the ignition key.

Electronics

Electronic ride dynamics controls
The Superleggera V4 features a latest-generation electronics package based on a 6-axis inertial platform that instantaneously detects the bike’s roll, yaw and pitch angles.

The electronics package has controls for every stage of the ride: start, acceleration, cornering, out-of-the-corner stretches and braking.

• ABS Cornering EVO
• Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2
• Ducati Slide Control (DSC)
• Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO
• Ducati Power Launch (DPL)
• Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) EVO 2
• Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO

Operational parameters for each control are associated by default with the three Riding Modes (Race A, Race B, Sport). DTC, DWC, DSC or EBC control levels can be adjusted quickly via the left switchgear.

ABS Cornering EVO
The ABS system with Cornering function allows ABS operation even with the bike leaned over.

Bosch Cornering ABS EVO can be set at three different levels to fully satisfy the needs of all riders. While level 3 is recommended for low-grip conditions, levels 2 and 1 emphasise braking power and are intended for use on high-grip surfaces. Selecting level 2 activates the Slide by Brake function which lets riders drift the bike into the corners safely. Recommended for pro riders, ABS level 1 restricts ABS intervention to the front brake only, yet retains the Cornering function to allow super-hard braking up to and past the turn-in and recovery from any riding errors.

Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2
The new Ducati Traction Control EVO 2 (DTC EVO 2) strategy stems from the Ducati Desmosedici GP18. In addition to interfacing with the 6-axis inertial platform and adapting intervention on the basis of wheelspin and lean angle, the software significantly improves out-of-the-corner power control thanks to a new ‘predictive’ strategy. Acting not just on the basis of instantaneous rear wheelspin but also its variation, it intercepts any loss of grip sooner and reduces peak wheelspin, ensuring faster, smoother intervention. All this means augmented out-of-the-corner stability, (even in sub-optimal grip conditions), higher acceleration, better lap times and improved long run performance.

In addition to controlling spark advance and injection, the DTC EVO 2 system uses, in all situations not requiring fast intervention, the throttle body valves to maintain optimal combustion parameters and ensure more fluid engine response and control.

DTC EVO 2 can be set to 8 different levels (6 for dry conditions, 2 for wet), letting riders adapt control strategy to their individual riding styles and grip conditions to maximise performance.

Ducati Slide Control (DSC)
Co-developed with Ducati Corse, this new system provides the rider with further support by controlling the torque delivered by the engine as a function of the slide angle; its goal is to improve out-of-the-corner performance by preventing slide angles that might otherwise be difficult to handle.

DSC has two different settings: switching from level 1 to level 2 gives easier control of slide angles that would otherwise be hard to manage. Like DTC EVO, DSC controls torque reduction by acting on the throttle body valves, decreasing spark advance and reducing injection.

Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO
The Superleggera V4 is equipped with the latest version of Ducati Wheelie Control EVO (DWC EVO). Thanks to the information provided by the Bosch IMU 6D, DWC EVO provides more accurate wheelie readings; it thus exerts more precise control, so the bike responds faster to rider input.

Ducati Power Launch (DPL)
This 3-level system ensures lightning-fast yet safe starts, letting the rider focus on releasing the clutch. The DPL makes use of the DWC functions and always keeps DTC active to ensure complete safety at all times. The DPL has three different settings and is activated by pressing the specific key on the right-hand switchgear. Level 1 favours high-performance starts, level 3 is safe and stable.

Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) EVO 2
DQS EVO 2 with up/down function uses lean angle info to maximise bike stability during through-the-corner gearshifts. In addition to minimising shift times, DQS EVO 2 allows clutchless down-changes, making hard braking more effective than ever. The system includes a two-way microswitch built into the shift lever linkage; every time the gear shift is actuated, it sends a signal to the Desmosedici Stradale engine control unit. Thanks to full Ride-by-Wire control, the system works differently for up-changes and down-changes, integrating spark advance and injection adjustment during up-shifts with an auto-blipper function during down-shifts. Extent and duration of system operation are designed to ensure seamless shifting even during extreme track sessions; during down-shifts the system works in concert with the anti-patter clutch and Engine Brake Control (EBC). DQS EVO 2 reduces up-shift times, allowing sportier high-rev gear shifts (over 10,000 rpm) typical of track riding and boosting shift stability during aggressive acceleration and cornering.

Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO
EBC (Engine Brake Control) helps riders optimise bike stability under extreme turn-in conditions. EBC EVO, optimised according to lean angle, monitors the throttle body valve position, the selected gear and crankshaft deceleration during aggressive braking and adjusts throttle aperture to balance out the torque applied to the tyre.

Riding Modes (RM)
The Superleggera V4 is equipped with three reprogrammed, specifically named Riding Modes. Particular to the Superleggera V4, these Riding Modes are Race A, Race B and Sport: two racetrack mappings and one for on- road use. Additionally, for the very first time, riders have five additional Riding Modes at their disposal to save their preferred settings.

Race A Riding Mode – Race A riding mode has been developed for expert riders who want to exploit the full potential of the Superleggera V4 on the track. Selecting Race A gives the rider full engine power with direct ride-by-wire throttle response. Race A mode sets the electronics for maximum performance on tracks with even, high-grip asphalt but without reducing safety levels: to maximise braking performance the ABS kicks in on the front wheel only, but the Cornering function remains on at all times.

Race B Riding Mode – selecting Race B riding mode gives the rider full engine power but, compared to Race A, reduces torque delivery in gears 1, 2 and 3. This makes the bike more manageable during long track sessions, on circuits that emphasise through-the-corner performance as opposed to hard acceleration and on tracks with uneven or low-grip surfaces. Electronic control settings allow even less experienced riders to enjoy effective, spectacular handling. For example, in Race B mode ABS level 2 is calibrated to ensure outstanding straight-line deceleration and the Slide by Brake function (which lets riders drift into corners safely) is activated, while ABS Cornering is set to maximise protection with the bike leaned over.

Sport Riding Mode – Sport Riding Mode is recommended when the Superleggera V4 is ridden on the road. The rider has access to full engine power, the ride-by-wire system responds progressively to throttle twist and torque levels are optimised to ensure outstanding riding pleasure even in the wet.
Rear wheel lift detection during braking is on and electronic control settings ensure grip and stability to maximise safety.

On-board electronics

Pit Limiter (PIT)
The Superleggera V4 R features the Pit Limiter; once switched on (by pressing the relative key on the right-hand switchgear) it auto-limits bike speed in the pit lane. The speed limit can be set within the range shown on the menu (min. 40 kph, max. 80 kph).

Ducati Lap Timer GPS (DLT GPS) EVO 2
DLT GPS automatically detects more than just lap times: it can also take two intermediate times and display them directly on the dashboard at every ride-past. If a lap time is the best of the current track session, the Best Lap function causes it to flash for 5 seconds. On each lap the system records not just the time but also maximum RPM, maximum speed (real, GPS-detected), intermediate times plus lean and yaw angles.

The Superleggera V4 is equipped with the latest system version which lets riders record up to 60 laps and 6 sessions. It also introduces the Best Intermediate time. Another new feature is that riders can save the coordinates of 5 different circuits. These can be recalled at the start of each track day without having to repeat the finish line and intermediate times set-up procedure. The default system settings feature the finish/intermediate coordinates of five iconic circuits: Laguna Seca, Mugello, Jerez, Sepang, Losail.

Ducati Data Analyser + GPS (DDA+ GPS)
The Ducati Data Analyser+ (DDA+) is a telemetry system. Similar to those used in competitions, it consists of a data acquisition device (via CAN line) and analysis software (for Windows or Mac PCs) that takes its inspiration from professional programmes.

The device records ride parameters such as cornering lines, RPM, gear, throttle aperture angle, front brake pressure, DTC intervention etc. and geo-locates them on the track. Once disconnected from the bike and connected to the PC via the USB port, the software lets the user upload the captured data feeds and analyse on-track performance.

Ducati Multimedia System (DMS)
The Superleggera V4 can be fitted with the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS). Using a Bluetooth link, this lets riders take incoming calls, select and listen to music tracks or receive text messages.

TFT Instrumentation
The Superleggera V4 has a full-TFT 5” HD colour display (186.59 PPI – 800xRGBx480); the dominant dashboard feature is the virtual rev counter on the right. Desmosedici Stradale R revs are displayed within a 1,000-16,500 rpm interval by a needle gauge. Movement of the latter is accompanied by a white trail that acts as a ‘shift light’, changing colour from white to orange and then red as the rev limit approaches.

The rider can call up two different layouts: ‘Track’ highlights lap times and the rev counter scale displays the revs used on the track more clearly; ‘Road’, instead, replaces lap times with info on the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), where present, and the rev scale is more appropriate for road use.

By loading the Akrapovič racing exhaust engine map, riders can enable a third “RaceGP” display, intended exclusively for the racetrack. An offshoot of the graphic layout on the Desmosedici GP20 dashboard – designed as per suggestions provided by Andrea Dovizioso – this display is exclusive to the Superleggera V4.

These new graphics provide an at-a-glance overview of all key on-track info. The display foreground highlights the selected gear. Stopwatch and completed laps are shown on the left, DTC, DSC, DWC and EBC levels on the right. The rev counter has been replaced with simple luminous bars (on the upper, clearly visible part of the instrument) that change colour as the engine nears the “over rev” zone.

2020 Superleggera V4 – Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $ See Dealer USD
Canada MSRP Price: $ CDN
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £ GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)

Engine

Desmosedici Stradale 90° V4, lightened, counter-rotating crankshaft, 4 Desmodromic timing, 4 valves per cylinder, liquid-cooled

Displacement

998 cc

Bore X stroke

81 x 48.4 mm

Compression ratio

14.0:1

Power (EU homologation)

165 kW (224 hp) @ 15,250 rpm – 174 kW (234 hp) @ 15.500 rpm with full racing exhaust

Torque (EU homologation)

116 Nm (85.6 lb-ft) @ 11,750 rpm – 119 Nm (87.7 lb-ft) @ 11.750 rpm with full racing exhaust

Fuel injection

Electronic fuel injection system. Twin injectors per cylinder. Full ride-by-wire elliptical throttle bodies with aerodynamic valves. Variable length intake system

Exhaust

4-2-1-2 system, with 2 catalytic converters and 2 lambda probes

Gearbox

6 speed with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO 2

Primary drive

Straight cut gears; Ratio 1.80:1

Ratio

1=38/14 2=36/17 3=33/19 4=32/21 5=30/22 6=30/24

Final drive

Regina ORAW2 chain ; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket in Ergal 42

Clutch

Hydraulically controlled slipper dry clutch

Frame

Carbon fiber “Front Frame”

Front suspension

Fully adjustable 43 mm Öhlins NPX25/30 pressurized fork with TiN treatment, billet fork bottoms, lightweight springs, fully adjustable.

Front wheel

5-split spoke carbon fiber 3.50″ x 17″

Front tyre

Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP 120/70 ZR17

Rear Suspension

Fully adjustable Ohlins TTX36 unit with GP valve and titanium spring. Carbon fiber single-sided swingarm.

Rear Wheel

5-split spoke carbon fiber 6.00″ x 17″

Rear tyre

Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP 200/60 ZR17

Wheel travel (front/rear)

120 mm (4.7 in) – 130 mm (5.1 in)

Front brake

2 x 330 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc Stylema® R 4-piston callipers with Cornering ABS EVO

Rear brake

245 mm disc, 2-piston calliper with Cornering ABS EVO

Instrumentation

Last generation digital unit with 5″ TFT colour display

Dry weight

159 kg (350 lb) – 152.2 kg (335.5 lb) with racing kit

Seat height

835 mm (32.9 in)

Wheelbase

1.480 mm (58,3 in)

Rake

24,5°

Front wheel trail

100 mm (3,94 in)

Fuel tank capacity

16 l – 4.23 gallon (US)

Number of seats

Single seat

Safety equipment

Riding Modes, Power Modes, Cornering ABS EVO, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO, Ducati Slide Control (DSC), Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO, Auto tyre calibration

Standard equipment

Ducati Power Launch (DPL), Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO 2, Full LED lighting with Daytime Running Light (DRL), GPS module, Lap Timer EVO 2, PIT limiter, Ohlins steering damper, Quick adjustment buttons, Lithium-ion battery, Auto-off indicators, Chassis in carbon fiber, Carbon fiber fairings, Carbon fiber wheels, Carbon fiber mudguards, Biplane wings in carbon fiber, High-flow air filter, Type approved Akrapovič silencer in titanium

Additional equipment

Front and rear paddock stands, Battery maintainer, Race Kit: Akrapovič Titanium racing exhaust, Machined mirror block-off plates, License plate mount removal plug, Swing arm guard, Carbon fiber clutch cover,Ducati Data Analyzer+ (DDA+) with GPS module, Side stand removal kit, Front and rear lights removal kit, Bike cover.

Ready for

Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), Anti-theft

Warranty (months)

24 months unlimited mileage

Maintenance (km/months)

12,000 km (7,500 mi) / 12 months

Valve clearance adjustment (km)

24,000 km

Standard

Euro 4

CONSUMPTION/EMISSIONS

8 l/100km – 185 g/km

2020 Superleggera V4 – Totalmotorcycle.com Canada Specifications/Technical Details

2020 Superleggera V4 – Totalmotorcycle.com European Specifications/Technical Details

Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).