The dude we built this bike for is a drag racer and he loves speed. MotoGP, Drag Racing...Whatever. He's into it. The bike actually matches a scheme we put together for him for his Top Fuel Funny Car. We were originally inspired by a Jeff Koons BMW art car. We took some of that design and simplified the colors playing with a satin gloss pattern and brushed satin metal finish. It's really a pretty simple build. The Panigale is such a great bike from the factory we really just put the pretty up on it. Chris Wood from Airtrix did the paint, polished gas tank, billet parts, carbon levers, polished triple clamps, custom striped and lettered stock rear wheel and SuperLegerra exhaust.
Leticia Cline from SportBikes Inc Magazine sat down with Roland and wrote a great piece in their February issue. Click here for the full story! Here's just a taste...
LC: What's the bigger picture behind this build and is there a segway into a new market?
RS: We didn't really look to deeply into it. It takes a tremendous amount of effort to develop products for a bike that changes every three to four years. Sportbikes are really tough to stay on top of and they don't build enough of them to make it make sense. I wish it was different because they are some of my favorite bikes and are close to my heart.
LC: Will you be launching any aftermarket Ducati parts?
RS: We are currently doing a collaborative line with Ducati for the new XDiavel. RSD X Ducati Performance with a bunch of crazy parts for the new bike. We designed the last batch of Ducati accessories for the Diavel and this go around they wanted our brand on it. Ducati hasn't done much cobranding on hard parts so it's an honor to do it.
LC: What' projects are next in the line?
RS: We've got another Panigale we're working on. And a Superlegerra Cafe Racer coming down the pipes. A full hand built 9T based custom. A BMW Drag bike...Maybe a Diavel Custom. It's a long list but those are a few of the fun ones.
Engine: K&N Air Filter
Brakes: Brembo M50 Monobloc
Wheels: Factory Front, Hand Lettered "Ride Fast Take Chances" by Tom (The Undertaker) Clark. Rear Factory
Tires: Pirelli Supercorsa
Suspension: Ohlins
Swingarm: Factory
Custom/One Off Accessories: Polished and Painted Gas Tank, TWM Billet Gas Cap, Ducati Mirro Block Offs, Competition Werkes Fender Eliminator, Full Siz Carbon Fiber (Sprocket Cover, Swingarm Guard, Chain Guard, Rear Brake Line Guard, Shock Guard, Rear Exhaust Heat Shield, Countershaft Sprocket Cover, Brake and Clutch Reservoir Mounts, Rear Fender Trim, Engine Bulkhead Covers), CRG Carbon Levers, Bonamici Adjustable Rearsets