Ducati 1199 Superleggera “The Super” by
Roland Sands Designs
In 2014 the
Ducati
1199 SuperLeggera was launched as an ultra-light and ultra-sport
motorcycle. It was a limited edition built with special
materials such as magnesium, carbon fiber, titanium and
aluminum, with an Akrapovič exhaust and weighed 155 kg dry,
producing 201 hp.
Superleggera is Italian for
Superlight, and when Ducati introduced their 1199 Superleggera in 2014, it was
touted as an ultra-exclusive version of the 1199 Panigale R with dramatically
increased power and a significant weight loss to its already supermodel thin
predecessor. The exclusivity came from production of the 1199 Superleggera
being limited to only 500 worldwide.
Roland Sands took the SuperLeggera
and built this naked custom, which he named the “The Super”,
and it took inspiration from the '70s and' 80s, when the riders rode without
protection of a fairing or windscreen.
The magnesium frame and V-Twin engine
formed the base of the motorcycle from which the rest of the bike was build.
According to RSD:
"The fairing was turned into a flat
number plate and intake which also holds the air sensor and GPS module as well
as the gyro maintaining wheelie/ traction control. Full Ti and tweaked Akrapovič
exhausts system was chopped up to narrow and hug the fabricated tail section.
The fuel tank was cut and modified to maintain the stock shape and flow with the
new body lines while also making room for electronics which was the most
challenging aspect of the project. To maintain a fully functional
electronics package and nowhere to hide, the guts had to be exposed or covered
with as minimal effort as possible.
Febur factory race radiator and oil
cooler replaced the stock units and add plenty of cooling and Super Bike grit to
the front of the bike. Carbon high bars were put in place of the standard clip
ons and a custom top triple clamp is being machined to carry custom risers. Next
stop for the machine is the carbon shop to repop many of the aluminum bits in
carbon to further bring the weight down into what will be a lighter version of
the SL.
Paint will be finished by AIRTRIX
with a beautiful mix of chrome, candy grey, bone white and subtle pinstriping
inspired by choppers and hot rods."