Confirming rumors that Borgo Panigale has been working on a smaller-displacement version of its namesake superbike, and that the machine would have a double-sided swingarm, Ducati debuted today its new “supermid” superbike, the 2014 Ducati 899 Panigale.
Showcased ahead of the IAA International Motor Show, where Ducati will preview its 2014 motorcycle line, the Ducati 899 Panigale features an 898cc Superquadro motor that produces 148hp (73 lbs•ft of torque), a monocoque “frameless” chassis design (372.5 lbs dry), and a bevy of electronics (DQS, DTC, RbW, EBC, & ABS).
Priced at $14,995 (red model) & $15,295 (white model), Ducati hopes that the 899 Panigale will create a more affordable entry for motorcyclists that want to own a Ducati superbike.
Clearly ineligible for any supersport racing class, Ducati’s “supermid” sales pitch is not too dissimilar from the line of reasoning behind the MV Agusta F3 800 — a lightweight, yet stout, sport bike package that street and track riders alike can enjoy.
Claiming more horsepower, less weight, and just as many rider aids, the v-twin Ducati 899 Panigale ticks the right boxes when compared against the three-cylindered MV Agusta F3 800, though the verdict is still out on the bike’s double-sided swingarm, and what that will mean for Ducatisti.
Source: Ducati
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