2012 DUCATI 848 EVO SUPERBIKE

The 2012 Superbike model line-up presents the exciting new Ducati 848EVO with 140hp, Brembo Monobloc callipers, steering damper and stunning new arctic white silk colour scheme with red frame and red wheels and dark stealth finish with black frame and black wheels. The 1198 now comes equipped with Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Quick Shifter (DQS) and Ducati Data Analyser (DDA) as standard equipment while the brand new, track-ready 1198 SP rolls out with DTC, DQS, DDA, Ohlins TTX rear suspension, slipper clutch and lightweight aluminium fuel tank.

The application of DTC to the standard model 1198 underlines Ducati’s intention to broaden the use of tried and tested race-derived electronics to its high-powered range, while the introduction of DQS to the Ducati 1198 and Ducati 1198 SP marks the first time in history that “quick-shift” electronics have been fitted to a production Ducati.

2012 DUCATI 848 EVO

The Ducati 848 EVO, Ducati 1198 and 1Ducati 198 SP Superbikes are the product of a team of designers and engineers who have combined their Ducati MotoGP and World Superbike technologies to create the finest sportbikes in the world. From race-level engine specifications to World Championship-winning traction control and quickshift electronics, the results are pure excellence. The Ducati Traction Control (DTC) system further confirms Ducati's technology flow from racing to production and demonstrates how solutions developed for the track can be applied to enhance safer performance on the road.

2012 DUCATI 848 EVO

2012 Ducati 848 EVO Superbikes are race bikes, pure and simple. Their striking aerodynamic shapes create a natural riding position, confirmed by Ducati development and factory team riders as the optimum for speed and agility. Performance is first and foremost in every detail. Trademark Ducati features like the high tail section and compact front end combine with twin under-seat silencers and single-sided swingarm to express the sheer engineering beauty of aerodynamics and agility. Add the Testastretta Evoluzione engines as the hearts of the machines and the result is all-out performance Ducati Superbikes that look fast even when parked.

The Ducati 848EVO, Ducati 1198 and Ducati 1198 SP chassis and suspension are the result of a 'performance-first' priority approach to development, in which the goal is always to further reduce weight and increase strength and rigidity to manage the high-powered Testastretta Evoluzione engines.

Developed in cooperation with Ducati Corse, the lightweight Trellis frame features 34mm main section tubes with a material thickness of 1.5mm. The result is an incredibly rigid construction that remains one of Ducati's lightest frame solutions ever. Adding style to performance, the three colour versions for the 848EVO use frames finished in red and racing black while the 1198 is in racing black and both schemes of the 1198 SP are finished in red.

2012 DUCATI 848 EVO

 Both the 848EVO and 1198 feature fully adjustable 43mm Showa forks, with an additional special low friction titanium oxide treatment applied to the sliders of the 1198, while spectacular 43mm Öhlins with low friction titanium nitride-treated sliders are used on the 1198 SP. Both front suspension solutions have radial brake calliper mountings providing superior road holding and incredible feedback to give every rider more confidence and control.

The dual construction technique used for the single-sided swingarm allows the main operational components to use individual aluminium castings so as to ensure strength around the pivot points, wheel hub and suspension links, while lightweight, fabricated aluminium sections are used to complete the construction into a single, beautifully engineered component. The 848EVO, 1198 and 1198 SP all have singlesided swingarms finished in black.

The lightweight front wheels used on all Ducati Superbike models substantially reduces the moment of inertia, enabling a faster change of direction and enhanced acceleration and braking performances. The 848EVO is equipped with Y-shaped, 5-spoke wheels by Enkei which are finished in black while the 1198 rides on 10-spoke wheels finished in a subtle graphite grey, also by Enkei. The 1198 SP goes to the next specification level by rolling out on beautiful black 7-spoke lightweight, forged-aluminium, machine-finished wheels by Marchesini.

2012 DUCATI 848 EVO

The 848EVO, 1198R and 1198 SP models are all fitted with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tyres, at 120/70 ZR17 for the front, 180/55 ZR17 for the rear of the 848EVO and 190/55 ZR17 for the rear of both 1198 models. These high-performance tyres have shoulder areas that maximize the contact patch and carcasses specially designed for stiffness under heavy braking and precision during high speed cornering. This precision in tyre construction enabled Ducati technicians to create extremely fine programs for the Ducati Traction Controls systems used on the 1198 and 1198 SP.

Producing a front subframe in magnesium underlines the attention to weight-saving detail in the Ducati Superbike range. Its construction provides secure support for the headlamp, instruments and fairing, and the weight-saving around this high, forward position contributes considerably to overall 'feel' and control of the machine.

Carefully designed for aerodynamic efficiency and to hug the sleek lines of the chassis, the Superbike bodywork enables the rider to blend effortlessly into the correct riding position. Its race-developed fairing design ensures perfect integration with the cooling system by providing efficient flow through the advanced, large surface area coolant radiator, which is assisted by lightweight, high flow electric fan assemblies and oil coolers. Aerodynamically shaped air ducts positioned just below the headlamps are precisely calculated to provide ample air delivery to the pressurised airbox.

The lightweight bodywork contributes considerably to overall performance by reducing weight, protecting the Testastretta Evoluzione engine's power output, and assisting the rider to effortlessly 'tuck in' from the wind stream and reduce drag to achieve maximum straight-line track speeds.