For so long, Ducati has been defined by its 90° V-twin engine, in production since the early 1970s. After 50 years, however, the potential for development of the V-twin for its sports bikes had reached an end so Ducati had no choice but to turn to a new configuration. The company is no stranger to the V4, with every MotoGP racing bike since 2003 featuring a V-4 engine, but, with the arrival of the Panigale V4 road bike, Ducati has its eyes firmly on the future.

The Engine Is a Work of Art

Barely bigger in external dimensions than the V-twin it replaces, the V-4 in the Panigale still has a V-angle of 90°. It produces a very healthy 216 horsepower at a screaming 13,000rpm and 91 pound-feet at 9,500rpm. Displacement is 1103cc and Ducati has also manufactured a 998cc version as fitted to the V4R to homologate it for World Superbike racing. With the optional race kit fitted, the power output of the 998cc engine is quoted at 231 horsepower.

The Panigale V4's engine rotates in the opposite direction of the wheels, counteracting the gyroscopic effect and therefore decreasing the force necessary to change the direction of the bike. Unlike previous bikes fitted with the V-twin engine, the V4 is not a structural member of the frame, being fitted into a conventional perimeter frame.

Based on the 2015 MotoGP race bike engine, Ducati worked hard to achieve 15,000-mile service intervals.

Ducati Altered the Gear Ratios to Calm Down the Performance

With all that power, the V4 Panigale could have been a real handful, especially out of slow corners so Ducati fitted a gearbox using ratios that largely copy those in their World Superbike racing machines. The first and second gears are taller to try and control the manner the power comes in and the sixth gear is also taller to act as a sort of overdrive gear and make long-distance rides a bit more relaxing, if riding a bike with well over 200 horsepower could ever be called relaxing!

Four Power Modes

Ducati equipped the V4 Panigale with four engine power modes - Full, High, Medium, and Low - as well as four fully customizable riding modes- Race A, Race B, Sport, and Street. With all these adjustments, it is possible to tailor the bike to your exact riding requirements.

‘Low’ cuts power to ‘only’ 150 horsepower for tricky riding conditions. ‘Medium’ and ‘High’ modes have a torque mapping setting for each gear, which is tech brought right out of the MotoGP bikes. The full-beans ‘Full’ mode is strictly for the expert rider as it delivers every single horse and foot pound of torque.

Top-Shelf Electronics

It would be easy to get lost in the thousands of variations of ABS, traction control, while control, slide control, engine braking, and launch control settings.

Naturally, a six-axis internal measurement unit (IMU) is fitted giving 3 levels of cornering ABS, eight levels of traction control, eight levels of wheelie control, two levels of a slide control, three levels of engine braking control, and three levels of launch control.

With such a complex system, you really can simply open the throttle and let the bike do the rest for you.

Suspension

Yet again, nothing but the best for the V4 Panigale in the suspension department. Naturally, Öhlins suspension is fitted front and back, an NPX25/30 set of forks, and a TTX36 rear shock.

The suspension is semi-active and gives a most un-sports bike-like ride whilst being supremely brilliant under braking and cornering loads.

As with the electronics, the suspension is configurable via the full-color TFT dash and the rider can dial in less or more cornering support or braking support almost intuitively to find the setting that best suits your riding style.

Brakes

Brembo handles the braking duties, their Stylema monobloc calipers grip huge 330mm twin discs up front and the rear 220mm disc is similarly clamped. The front brakes offer enormous stopping power and it never feels as if the ABS chimes in intrusively.

MotoGP-Inspired Aerodynamic Add-Ons

Aerodynamic aids are all the rage in MotoGP these days and the V4 Panigale unashamedly borrows the technology. The secret of a wing is to provide downforce without creating too much drag and those fitted to the V4 produce 81 pounds of downforce at a largely academic 186mph! The wings will also help prevent wheelies when accelerating out of corners.

The V4 Panigale also features aerodynamic tweaks to increase airflow across the oil cooler and even the quickshifter!

Ergonomics Relaxed a Little

Superbikes are notoriously unforgiving in terms of their riding position: all the weight is on the wrists and your knees are cranked up near your elbows and this position is needed to cope with the incredible braking, acceleration, and top speed forces. But Ducati has worked hard to try to lessen the extreme riding position. The seat is flat and is covered in a grippy material while the fuel tank is as flat as possible to allow the legs to tuck in out of the wind and to allow the legs to grip as hard as possible. You are still tucked up into as small a shape as possible but that is one of the prices you have to pay to access such performance.

Four Models to choose from

There is a base V4 Panigale which is still an insanely competent and fast motorcycle. The V4S gains electronically-adjustable suspension, a lightweight battery, and forged aluminum wheels.

The V4 Speciale adds an Alcantara-trimmed seat, adjustable foot pegs, carbon fiber fenders, a data analyzer, and a race fuel cap.

Finally, the V4R WSBK homologation version gets a 998cc engine which revs to 15,250rom and produces 217 horsepower and 83 pound-feet of torque. It has a dry weight of 363 pounds and can be identified by the exposed aluminum gas tank. The optional race kit pushes power up to 231 horsepower. The frame has been altered and the swing arm pivot can be adjusted.

Price: If You Have to Ask…

Not only is a V4 Panigale not for the inexperienced or cautious rider, it is also not for those who are not what you might call flush with cash.

The base V4 will set you back a not inconsiderable $23,295 while the V4S ups the ante at $29,995. The V4 Speciale costs $39,995 and the range-topping V4R is not much more at $40,000.



FAQ

Q: How much does a V4 Panigale cost?

The base V4 Panigale costs $23,295, the V4S is $29,995 and both the V4 Speciale and V4R are $40,000.

Q: Is a V4 Panigale good for beginners?

No! There is so much power and the dynamics really need a rider who knows what they are doing.

Q: How fast can a V4 Panigale Go?

The Ducati V4 Panigale top speed is 186 mph.

Q: Is the V4R Panigale Street Legal?

Yes, the Ducati V4R Panigale is street-legal.

Q: How much does a V4 Panigale cost?

The base V4 Panigale costs $23,295, the V4S is $29,995 and both the V4 Speciale and V4R are $40,000.

Q: Is a V4 Panigale good for beginners?

No! There is so much power and the dynamics really need a rider who knows what they are doing.

Q: How fast can a V4 Panigale Go?

The Ducati V4 Panigale top speed is 186 mph.

Q: Is the V4R Panigale Street Legal?

Yes, the Ducati V4R Panigale is street-legal.