Ducati has recently launched their MotoGP-inspired Powerstage RR Limited Edition e-MTB, and the legendary Italian premium performance motorbike brand debuted their latest addition to the Ducati E-Bike range at Eurobike. As an enthusiast of all things Ducati, the Powerstage RR was high on the list of must-see bikes at Eurobike in Frankfurt.
I had arranged to meet up with Giorgio Favaretto, Head of e-Bicycle Business for Ducati and after some chat about all things MotoGP and the classic Ducati motorbikes I had dreamed of owning, we got down to the details of the Ducati Powerstage RR.
First up was the incredible paint job on the bike, oozing classic Ducati vibes, and Giorgio told me that the livery is designed by Aldo Drudi, who is the creative force behind the helmets worn by the MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi throughout his MotoGP career. Aldo worked in collaboration with the Centro Stile Ducati, Ducati's design studio and together drew inspiration from the official Ducati race team's Desmosedici GP23 race bike, to deliver what is a stunningly good-looking machine with a totally unique character.
Giorgio continues, adding that the Powerstage RR is Ducati's most exclusive e-MTB bike to date and also expands the ever-growing range offered by Ducati. However, the Powerstage RR, is a strictly Limited Edition model with just 230 numbered models in production. Aimed to be a pure Enduro bike, he tells me the name Powerstage comes from recently introduced stages in the e-MTB Enduro circuits which consist of classic downhill stages and super technical uphill routes, which the RR is designed specifically to handle.
Like all the Ducati bikes the frames are made by another Italian brand Thok and the Powerstage RR is currently taking up all the real estate on the Thok Bikes website. Thok is renowned for manufacturing some of the best electric mountain bikes, and Giorgio mentions that the carbon frame is Ducati's first carbon model that has undergone lengthy testing on the toughest routes, with a single goal of achieving maximum enduro bike performance. More attention to stiffness has been given to the steering area, and the rear chain stay, with the engine area also being reinforced by two ribs (T-Ribs).
Additional details on the frame such as the passage of internal cables, protected by a steering stop system (T-Stopper), bearings on the joints, in direct contact with the carbon without the use of bushings and an asymmetrical rear chain stay, which in addition to the high-quality and captivating design, are claimed to offer better responsiveness and uphill traction.
Geometry on the Powerstage RR has one aim to make the bike extremely fast and stable on the roughest routes. The seat tube angle is 78-degree which will place the rider in what Ducati say is an optimal position in the saddle for technical uphill sections, and additionally, the slack 64-degree head tube angle will help overcome any obstacle at top speeds. Other Geometry numbers of importance are a chain stay length of 450mm across the sizing, a reach between 455 and 495mm, and a top tube length between 537 and 682mm, again depending on size.
The new Powerstage is powered by the Shimano EP801 drive unit with 250 Watts of nominal power and 85 Nm of torque, with two built-in assistance profiles, Long Ride and Fast Ride. There is also a Fine Tune mode on the Shimano app that allows users to create their own profiles. The removable 630Wh Shimano battery is positioned inside the downtube which they say will lower the center of gravity, and improve the balance of the bike.
The 180mm fork and 170mm rear spring shock come from the Swedish masters of suspension Öhlins with its RXF38 m.2 air fork up front and the Öhlins m.2 spring shock absorber with TTX technology at the rear which again make the Powerstage RR look like the ultimate enduro slaying monster. Both are fully adjustable in both rebound and compression, which gives precision riding, stability, and rider customization.
Shifting is handled by the reliable SRAM GX AXS 12-speed wireless electronic system with the Braking First brakes, customized with Ducati Corse levers and 203mm rotors delivering what they say is the most powerful braking currently on the market.
Other noteworthy details are the Crankbrothers Synthesis wheels in a standard mullet setup 29-inch front and 27.5-inch rear with a variable thickness carbon rim aimed to deliver improved steering precision and also an excellent weight/strength ratio. Wrapped in the Pirelli Scorpion Enduro S on the front and Pirelli Scorpion EMTB-S on the rear. The finishing kit is as you'd expect, is highly specced with a micro height adjustable dropper post and a Fizik saddle with a special integrated tool holder.
The new Powerstage RR Limited Edition is available now direct from Ducati and selected dealers, it can also be seen in the paddock during the upcoming German MotoGP at Sachsenring. Priced at $TBC / £9,741 / €TBC. Check out Ducati.com for further details.
Ducati Powerstage RR Limited Edition specification
- Frame: Thok UD Full Carbon
- Fork: Öhlins RXF38 m.2 air fork 180mm
- Shock: Öhlins TTX m.2 spring shock 170mm Custom Tuned
- Drive Unit: Shimano Steps EP801 85Nm
- Battery: Shimano 630Wh
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM GX Eagle 12spd
- Shifters: SRAM GX Eagle AXS
- Stem: Ducati CNC Alloy 45mm
- Bar: Renthal Carbon 800mm
- Crankset: SRAM X-Glide 10-50T
- Seatpost: Reggisella Dropper 150-170mm
- Saddle: Fizik with Alpaca integrated tool carrier
- Brakes: First 2 piston 203mm F/R
- Wheels: Crankbrothers Synthesis Carbon 29” F 27.5” R
- Tires: Pirelli Scorpion Enduro S F Pirelli e-MTB S R
- Sizes: M, L, XL
- Price: $TBC / £9,741 / €TBC
