Ducati was absent at a recent MotoGP test at the Circuit of the Americas track in Austin, Texas, attended by Honda and Yamaha‘s riders. But that doesn’t mean Ducati‘s American riders Nicky Hayden and Ben Spies won’t get a chance to ride their newest home track. The Kentucky Kid, Hayden, and Texas’ own Spies recently hit the COTA track on the new Ducati 1199 Panigale R for the sportbike’s press launch.

Our very own Kevin Duke is attending the launch and he’ll provide his first-hand look at the R version of the Panigale, but here’s what we know about the World Superbike and Superstock-homologated racebike. Continue Reading »

The International Motorcycling Federation has updated its homologated model list for the 2013 World Superbike, Supersport, Superstock and Endurance racing seasons. The list is largely unchanged from the list released in February with the exception of a couple of additions.

The Superstock 1000 and Formula Endurance World Championship list now includes the 2013 Ducati 1199 Panigale R and the MV Agusta F4 RR. On the previous list, the F4 RR’s status was listed as being “in progress” while only the S version of the Panigale was initially homologated for Superstock 1000 and Formula Endurance.

Also worth emphasizing is the 599cc Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R remains homologated for the FIM’s Supersport and Superstock 600 championships but the 636cc version is not eligible for those classes. The homologation list distinctly includes the Ninja as the “ZX 600 R F” but not “ZX 636″. AMA Pro Racing differs in this regard, including the 636cc version on its list of eligible racebikes for 2013. Continue Reading »

Max Biaggi who? The Roman Emperor’s retirement after winning the 2012 World Superbike Championship marked the end of an era for Aprilia, with the 2013 campaign marking the first without Biaggi since the Italian manufacturer came back to the WSBK scene with the RSV4. If Aprilia misses its two-time WSBK Champion, it sure didn’t show it with a dominating display at the 2013 season opener in Australia.

Aprilia riders swept the podium in Race One at Phillip Island and nearly did it again in Race Two, taking three of the top four spots. Factory riders Sylvain Guintoli and Eugene Laverty swapped a couple of one-two finishes while Red Devils Roma Aprilia rider Michel Fabrizio added a third- and a fourth-place finish to complete a nearly perfect start for Aprilia’s post-Biaggi era. Continue Reading »

The International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) has released an updated list of motorcycles homologated for the 2013 Superbike, Supersport, and Superstock racing season. Notable additions include the new BMW S1000RR HP4, the MV Agusta F3 and the Superbike-spec Ducati 1199 Panigale R.

To qualify a production-based racebike for FIM homologations, manufacturers have to meet certain production thresholds. Manufacturers must first produce 125 units ahead of a homologation inspection. After that, manufacturers have to produce a minimum of 500 units by June 30 and 1000 units by December 31 of the current year, and a minimum of 2000 units by the December 31 of the following year.

Production counts include both ABS and non-ABS versions of the same model, and at least 250 units of each version have to be produced. Production models must also be available for sale in either the U.S., Europe or Japan by the end of April of the current year to qualify. Continue Reading »

The Ducati Alstare team revealed the livery for its Ducati 1199 Panigale R superbike which will make its racing debut in the 2013 World Superbike Championship.

The Panigale R replaces the highly successful 1098R as Ducati‘s premiere production-based racebike. Riding the 1199 for Ducati Alstare are Ayrton Badovini and Carlos Checa who won the 2011 WSBK title on the 1098R.

The new graphics were designed by Alstare with help from Ducati and remains true to the manufacturer’s history with its Corse Red coloring. Continue Reading »

Ducati has unveiled a new R version of its 1199 Panigale, providing an upgraded version of the sportbike for World Superbike homologation. Unveiled at the 2012 EICMA Show, the 2013 Ducati 1199 Panigale R is based on the S model but with lighter components, ABS standard, a higher-revving engine, an adjustable swingarm pivot and full race kit.

The Panigale R’s 1198cc engine receives new titanium con-rods Ducati claims shaves 1.38 pounds off the overall weight. The crankshaft flywheel is also lighter, trimming an additional 1.54 pounds. The lighter engine components as well as the diamond-like carbon coated rocker-arms and revised engine mapping enable the R’s engine to rev up to 12,000 rpm, a 500 rpm increase on the Panigale S version’s rev limit.

The R race kit includes a high-penetration racing screen, machined alloy fairing mirror caps, full Termignoni exhaust system and track-only ECU mapping. According to Ducati, Panigale R still peaks at 192 hp at 10,750rpm and 98.1 ft-lb. at 9000rpm, but the race kit upgrades add a 3% increase in power at higher revs and a 15% increase in the mid-range. Continue Reading »