The Ducati 959 Panigale shares the same innovative stylistic features that characterize its bigger brother, the 1299 Panigale – but with an engine designed for a more enjoyable everyday riding experience and more thrills on the race track. The new 955 cm3 twin-cylinder power unit, comes with a new stroke length and other innovations that have given rise to an even more impressive torque curve and increased maximum power, now 157 hp at 10.500 rpm.
The increased torque and maximum power values do not imply shorter service intervals, therefore, valve clearance inspections are still only required every 24,000 kilometers (15,000 miles). The super-smooth engine continues to be a fully stressed member of the innovative monocoque frame, achieving both an outstanding power-to-weight ratio and ride-enhancing response and agility with a dry weight of only 176 kg* – while still ensuring full compliance with the structural limitations.
The unmistakable 1299 Panigale-derived silhouette of this bike, even with a redesigned nose fairing, headlight and tailpiece, underlines the family DNA: the ducati quick shift (dqs), riding mode technology including ride-by-wire, triple-stage Bosch ABS, Ducati traction control (DTC) and engine brake control (EBC) featured by the Panigale are in line with Ducati’s very own standards of technological excellence.
Every last detail of the 959 Panigale pays tribute to Ducati’s legendary racing heritage. The wider nose fairing and screen improve aerodynamic performance and add to the aggressive look of the new front end, also enhanced by larger-section front air intakes. The split tailpiece design is the final touch to a real work of art: the 959 Panigale fairing, now including redesigned lateral air intakes and new rear view mirrors. The new bike is also equipped with aluminum billet-machined footrests for enhanced boot grip while riding.
The 959 Panigale is available in traditional Ducati red with black wheels or a stunning Arctic White Silk with contrasting red wheels. The 90° L-twin Superquadro engine of the 959 Panigale is a further step forward from the previous version installed on the 899 Panigale. With its 157 hp at 10,500 rpm, and a torque of 107.4 Nm at 9,000 rpm, this twin-cylinder power unit ensures user-friendlier, smooth delivery. The engine size increase was possible thanks to the longer piston stroke – increased from 57.2 to 60.8 mm, while the bore is still unchanged at 100 mm. To achieve the new stroke length, the crankshaft was redesigned to include a brand-new crank journal lubrication system – an absolute first for a Superquadro engine.
The 959 Panigale engine has been built to guarantee a considerably higher torque, for optimized delivery throughout the rev range. The increased torque and maximum power values do not imply shorter service intervals, therefore, valve clearance inspections are still only required every 24,000 kilometres (15,000 miles). General services are required every 12,000 km (7,500 miles) or 12 months.
The 959 Panigale DTC system uses the same software logic developed and used by Ducati Corse for their MotoGP and World Superbike motorcycles and offers a choice of eight settings developed to respond to any environmental condition. While Level 8 administers a confidence-building, high level of interaction from the system by activating upon the slightest detection of wheel-spin, Level 1 offers a much higher tolerance and reduced intervention for highly competent riders.
The 959 Panigale DQS electronic quick shift allows gear changing to be performed virtually instantly. The DQS system, however, can be deactivated for traditional gearbox operation. The system consists of a microswitch built into the linkage of the gear change lever, which, when actuated to select a higher gear, sends a signal to the main engine ECU. The ECU instantly detects which gear the motorcycle is in and then reads the amount of throttle opening before applying a pre-programmed cut in fuel injection and ignition measured in milliseconds. This split-second electronic interruption in drive is programmed precisely to allow the next gear to be selected without having to actuate the clutch or close the throttle. The new Superquadro engine additionally features a brand-new, MotoGP-derived gear sensor – designed to optimize the electronic shifting strategy while improving both performance and comfort.
The EBC system has been developed by Ducati Corse to help riders optimize vehicle stability in corner entry conditions by equalising the positive, negative and retrograde torque forces applied to the rear tyre under severe engine-braking conditions. The EBC monitors the throttle position, selected gear and crankshaft deceleration rate under heavy braking and administers precise, full Ride-by-Wire throttle openings to balance the torque forces acting on the rear tyre. The EBC can be personalized according to 3 different levels.
Each Riding Mode is pre-programmed to instantly change the bike’s personality by adjusting the ABS, DTC and EBC levels of intervention as well as the Power Modes – the different power output curves. The available modes are the result of the application of several, dedicated class-leading technologies. The Ride-by-Wire electronic throttle control system administers three different mappings to regulate power delivery – named Power Modes. The DTC system uses eight levels of system interaction to enhance control by reducing rear wheel spin and the triple stage Bosch 9MP control unit ensures maximum anti-lock efficiency.
Finally, the EBC monitors crankshaft de-acceleration under heavy braking and administers Rideby-Wire throttle opening to maintain optimum grip. By selecting the Race Riding Mode, the rider can use the High Power Mode – ensuring 157 hp power with highly responsive engine behavior to throttle opening. The Race mode also reduces the DTC system degree of intervention, provides a race-oriented EBC and front-only ABS with no rear end lift-up prevention.
By selecting the Sport Riding Mode, the system will select the Med Power Mode – ensuring 157 hp power with a smoother engine response to throttle opening. The Sport mode slightly increases the DTC system degree of intervention, and provides a sport-oriented EBC with front and rear ABS activation for increased rear end lift-up control. The Wet Riding Mode makes the Low Power Mode available for road or track use, with 100 hp power and an even smoother engine response to throttle opening. This corresponds to the maximum level of DTC intervention, with ECB in line with environmental conditions and a more invasive ABS setting in terms of anti-lock efficiency and rear end lift-up prevention.
The 959 Panigale has a compact instrument panel with a data-rich, black-on-white LCD display and three different levels of back-lighting. The rev counter features prominently in the top part of the screen, along with instantaneous speed and selected Riding Mode with the corresponding EBC, DTC and ABS settings – modifiable from the special menu. The rider can navigate the menu using the provided left-hand switchgear buttons and also change the display of secondary information including fuel consumption, time, odometer and trip meter.
The 959 Panigale is equipped with 43 mm Showa BPF forks, fully adjustable in spring pre-load and compression and rebound damping. The titanium grey colored fork bodies house chrome sliders with radial caliper mountings. The Showa Big Piston Fork (BPF) considerably improves damping control at low speed, ensuring lower-pressure oil feeding and reducing the amount of fluid required for compression and rebound adjustment. This results in improved suspension performance and significant weight saving with respect to traditional fork types. An adjustable steering damper completes the front-end package.
The rear suspension unit includes a fully adjustable, side-mounted Sachs monoshock. This unique positioning ensures that the unit is totally accessible for rebound and compression damping and spring preload adjustment, and is designed to provide a progressive-rate linkage directly acting on the twin-sided swingarm.
The 959 Panigale has a 10-spoke, 3.5 inch wheel at the front and 5.5 inch wheel at the rear, both rolling on Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tyres: size 120/70 ZR17 at the front and a nimble 180/60 x ZR17 at the rear. Designed as high-performance equipment for road and track use, the Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tyres are the ideal choice for the 959 Panigale, ensuring amazing grip when leaning into and speeding out of corners. Developed with World Superbike-derived Pirelli technology, the rear tyre uses a three-zone multiple compound to optimize the contact patch and achieve top road and track grip. The 959 Panigale front brakes use twin radially-mounted M4.32 Brembo monobloc calipers actuated by master cylinders. The front calipers grip 320mm discs, while a single 245mm disc at the rear is gripped by a single Brembo caliper.
