When testing of the all-new Ducati 1199 began at the Mugello race track in Italy, Ducati tried to disguise the bike as much as it could. By and large it succeeded but these new spy photos show the important new model in a slightly different light, revealing a few more of the bike's lines.
The front end, for instance, appears to be corroborate with the leaked images released by an Italian magazine, identifying a modern take on the classic 916 headlight design first seen in the '90s.
The spy photos show a red Ducati covered with tape to disguise its appearance, and the front cowling has been smothered by the tape gun but the headlights are still visible and we also have visual confirmation of an underslung exhaust aligned with the bottom of the fairing and exiting just in front of the rear tyre.
Update: New photo shows the Ducati 1199 in red covered in what appear to be post-it notes. It provides a clear view of the new underbody exhaust system that integrates stealth-style into the lower-rear faring. For the record, the rider is also wearing high tech loafers.
It's a very compact motorcycle with a short wheelbase and that's no big surprise. Ducati has built the new bike to win races and assuming the engine capacity is under 1200cc it will be eligible to compete in the Superbike World Championship.
Power is expected to be around the 200hp (147kW) mark, thanks to the superquadrata V-twin engine, which now makes use of chain-drive camshafts to improve its top end. Performance will be boosted yet further via strict dieting, as the new bike is likely to be 10kg less than the current generation Ducati 1098/1198 series, which will improve braking, cornering and acceleration.
A range of power modes will be accompanied by adjustable electronic stability and traction control systems and adjustable suspension will also play a part in the chassis dynamic.
The Italian motorcycle maker appears to have ditched the classic trellis frame and will use a MotoGP-influenced frame that makes used of an integrated airbox.
Ducati is believed to have almost finished work on the next generation superbike, and is currently in the final phases of powertrain and suspension testing.
The Ducati 1199 (aka Ducati Extreme) is due to officially break cover on November 8, 2011, at the world's most important motorcycle expo the EICMA Milan motorcycle show, but expect more leaks as we draw closer to the early November date.
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