Troy Bayliss's success in the World Superbike Championship has been commemorated with this limited edition Panigale V2. Featuring special Öhlins suspension and a bespoke paint job, it's lighter than a standard Panigale V2 and, remarkably, makes more power from its 955cc engine than the race 996R he won his first championship on back in 2001! It costs $4,500 more than a standard Panigale V2.

Ducati’s Troy Bayliss Tribute Panigale V2 Is All The Ducati You’ll Ever Need

Throughout the history of World Superbike Racing, there are many iconic bikes and the majority of those originated from within the hallowed workshops of Ducati. Out of the 32 seasons since the first in 1988, Ducati has won the title 14 times while the next most successful is Kawasaki with 8 (7 of which have come since 2013). Even mighty Honda has only won six!

It also helps that some of the riders of those iconic Ducatis are among the most fondly remembered of World Superbike riders. Who can forget the belligerence of Carl Fogarty or the Aussie grit of Troy Corser?

Genuine Affection

However, if there is one rider who combined the best qualities of both those riders and is regarded with genuine affection, it is Troy Bayliss. Three-times champion, ranked third in terms of wins (52, behind Jonathan Rea and Fogarty) and famously the winner of the 2006 Valencia MotoGP race after he had been brought in for the final race of the season to replace injured Sete Gibernau. This was the first time a rider had won a race in the MotoGP and World Superbike championships in the same year.

It wasn’t Bayliss’ first MotoGP race, however. He raced for Ducati in the 2003, 2004 and 2005 World Championship seasons, but without success.

What all this adds up to is that he is a legend and one held in high regard by experts and fans the world over.

Limited Edition Panigale V2

How fitting, therefore, that Ducati has released the limited-edition, track-ready race replica Panigale V2 1st Championship 20th Anniversary, commemorating the 996R bike on which he won in 2001. It’s not the fire-breathing V4-engined model but it is much more appropriate that it is the iconic v-twin, given that is the engine that powered Bayliss to all his championships.

The main differences over the standard Panigale V2 are the red/green/white livery with a large ’21’ and a Shell oil logo. Bayliss’ autograph is on the tank and the top triple clamp has the serial number etched on it.

Apart from the special paint job, there are different Öhlins dampers, no pillion seat or foot pegs, a lighter battery, sportier grips (?), carbon and titanium muffler cover and a red-stitched seat.

More Power Than His 996R Race Bike!

The engine is a 955cc Superquadro V-Twin, producing 155bhp and 77lb ft of torque. Ironically, that is 19bhp more than Bayliss had at his disposal on his 996R race bike in 2001. That’s progress!

Retailing at $21,000, it is R4,500 more than a standard Panigale V2 which sounds like a lot for a fancy exhaust cover and some up-specc’ed suspension. Having said that, it will sell out very quickly for the simple reason that it is a tribute to one of the best-loved Superbike racers. That alone is worth the price.

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