Ducati launched the 959 Panigale Corse in the Indian market recently. The bike goes up against the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. We find out how the bikes fare against each other in this on-paper competition.
Design
The Ducati 959 Panigale Corse sports the same aggressive design as the standard 959 Panigale. However, it gets a red and white paint scheme inspired by the Ducati Corse MotoGP colours. The bike continues to sport the distinctive split-LED headlamps and gets an underbelly exhaust in place of the titanium Akrapovic exhaust on the international-spec bike.
The Ninja ZX-10R also has a sharp design language. It gets a nose fairing and large air-intake at the front. It also gets split headlamps but these offer conventional lighting unlike the Ducati. The bike sports the Kawasaki Racing Team’s colours of green, lime green and black.
Features
Kawasaki has loaded the ZX-10R’s electronics package with a six-axis IMU that controls the cornering management system, three riding modes, a launch control system, engine brake control and traction control system along with ABS. Meanwhile the Ducati 959 Panigale Corse gets ABS, traction control, engine brake control and ride-by-wire throttle and three riding modes - race, sport and wet. While the Ninja ZX-10R gets a uniquely designed tachometer and a digital display, the Ducati sports a full-LCD instrument unit.
Engine
The Ducati 959 Panigale Corse uses a 955cc, L-twin ‘Superquadro’ engine that produces 157bhp and 107Nm of torque. The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, however, is more powerful with its 998cc, inline-four cylinder engine that produces 197bhp and 113Nm of torque. Both bike’s engines are mated to a six-speed gearbox with a quickshifter and final chain drive.
Cycle parts
The Ducati 959 Panigale Corse which is sold internationally gets Ohlins steering damper and Ohlins suspension hardware on both ends. However the bike sold in India rides on 43mm Showa inverted front forks and a fully-adjustable Sachs monoshock. Braking is handled by twin 320mm discs upfront and a single 245mm disc held on by Brembo calipers.
The Kawasaki gets Showa’s inverted 43mm ‘Balance Free Fork’ along with a full-adjustable Showa monoshock at the rear. Braking hardware on the Ninja ZX-10R comes from Brembo with dual 330mm discs for the front and a 220mm disc for the rear.
Pricing
The Ducati 959 Panigale Corse is priced at Rs 15.20 lakhs; a premium of Rs 67,000 over the standard version. Meanwhile, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is more affordable by Rs 2.4 lakhs retailing at Rs 12.80 lakhs.
All prices ex-showroom, Mumbai
