2020 Ducati Superleggera V4

Jan 3

Written By Katelyn McSherry

Most powerful road legal motorcycle, 200 MPH top speed, more downforce than GP race bikes. Is it super?

Generously Lent by Nick Nicholson

Ducati, is a name synonymous with racing and speed. The new Superleggera V4 is the fastest, most technologically advanced production Ducati ever made, limited to only 500 units worldwide. Superleggera, meaning super light in Italian, is the main goal of the model. Weighing in at a dry weight of only 335 lbs., in race kit form, it is the lightest Ducati Superbike currently in production. The Superleggera V4 is based on the already lightning quick Ducati Panigale V4R, but no expense was taken. Much of the weight savings comes from the numerous carbon fiber pieces in the construction of the motorcycle. The wheels, frame, subframe, swing arm, mudguards and fairings are all made of carbon fiber. Its engine is lighter as well. The engine has titanium engine clamping screws, connecting rods, cam cap screws, and an Akrapovic exhaust system. The rear shock uses a titanium spring shock as well. Additionally, the bike is fitted with a dry clutch to be as light as possible. The total weight savings over the Panigale V4R is an astounding 30lbs.

Lightness isn’t only the credit to the Superleggera’s speed. Its 998 cc liquid cooled desmodromic 90° V4 develops 234 hp at 15,500 rpm and 87.7 ft./lbs. at 11,500 rpm, making it the most powerful road legal production motorcycle. This gives it a power to weight ratio of 1.54 hp/kg, an extremely impressive number, far better than the cars you see around you, here in the gallery. All that power is made accessible through a MotoGP derived electronics package. It has 5 different riding modes for street and sport riding along with full blown track modes. The modes allow the rider to safely approach its power. The Superleggera has different power modes, angle-controlled ABS, wheelie control, launch control, slide control, engine braking, and traction control. All of these settings can be customized in the MotoGP inspired dashboard. It also has a quickshifter which allows the rider to make clutchless upshifts and downshifts. The technology allows the Superleggera to do 0-60mph in less than 3 seconds and can achieve a top speed of over 200mph. Keeping the front wheel down at that speed is all made possible from the carbon fiber fairings and wings that were shaped in a wind tunnel. The wings are based on Ducati’s 2016 MotoGP bike, which was unregulated by the rules at the time. This means the Superleggera generates more downforce than modern GP bikes. At 167mph they generate 110 lbs. of downforce, improving handling, keeping the tires firmly planted, giving better traction, and allowing the rider to enter a turn safer at higher speed.

All the technology and engineering in the Superleggera certainly puts it in a class of its own. Most people will never be able to extract the maximum performance out of it, but the select few that can, will truly be riding the current pinnacle of superbikes. This two-wheeler is right at home next to the supercars in the exhibit.