2018 Panigale 959 Corse revealed at Ducati World Premier 2018 is worth everything as it becomes, even more, track focused than it was already
Ducati has just revealed the 959 Panigale Corse at the Ducati World Premier 2018, in Italy. A machine we all have been waiting for. The last time Ducati introduced a Corse edition for one of its motorcycles was the 848 Evo Corse launched in 2013. Well, whats new with this Corse edition is the all new paint job, suspension and exhaust, which makes the bike look a complete track demon. Well, it just doesn’t look like one but the latterly revealed 959 Panigale Corse is a track-day dream for enthusiasts.
The Panigale 959 Corse is designed very clearly but in an effective way. What Ducati has done is they have taken an already quick-from-the-factory “midweight”, and add Ohlins suspension, Akrapovic exhaust, a Lithium Battery and a paint scheme inspired by Ducati Team colors in MotoGP. Well, there’s no doubt about how fast this creature will go. All you need is a hell lot of money and proper riding gear to tear down the tracks.
The Ducati Panigale 959 Corse is highlighted by titanium-treated Ohlins N130 43mm fork, and a TTX36 rear monoshock. The fully adjustable Ohlins set-up is complemented by an adjustable Ohlins steering damper. Due to its aluminum fuel tank, lithium battery and titanium exhaust, the 959 Corse weighs 436 lbs. (wet), 5 lbs lighter than the base Panigale. To give it a proper track bike look the 959 Panigale is inspired by the MotoGP 2017 prototypes.
Arriving with an Akrapovic race-styled Euro4 exhaust, the 959’s 959 cc Superquadro engine continues to produce 150 bhp at 10,500 rpm and even the torque figures remain the same at 75 ft/lbs at 9,000 rpm. The 959 comes with a monocoque frame, which uses the engine as a stress member, and a double sided swingarm. Talking about the electronics the bike gets ABS, traction control, quick shift (both up and down) engine brake control, and three riding modes Race, Sport and wet.
The Panigale 959 Corsebraking duties are taken care by Brembo Monobloc M4 32 calipers clipping dual 320 mm semi-floating discs up front, and a single, two-piston caliper at the back compressing a single 245 mm disc. These updates are sure to improve the 959 Panigale Corse’s ride quality by bring the superbike on a whole new level.