PERFECTING THE BALANCE
Ducati’s Panigale V2 is just £149 per month right now. Now that is tempting...
There are two ways to look at Ducati’s latest Panigale V2. The clinical one is that it’s effectively a tweaked, rebranded 959. Sure, it has a new single-sided swingarm, sharper styling and smaller exhaust, but it’s otherwise not far removed from a bike that’s been around since 2016. But the other is to recognise that this is the last remaining V-twin superbike on the planet, which means it deserves to be treasured, celebrated and even revered. The clue’s in the new name: the swap from ‘959’ to ‘V2’. This is it: the last surviving specimen. Somebody get Attenborough on the phone.
Ultimate evolution
It’s hard to believe given how immensely popular V-twin superbikes once were. But, one by one, they fell by the wayside. The V2 is also a coming-of-age party for a bike that’s long played the part of Ducati’s ‘junior’ sportsbike. The 959, 899, 848 and 748 were always trusty sidekicks, never the stars of the show. Well, junior’s all grown up.
From the saddle, the V2 certainly feels like a full-fat, credible, desirable Ducati superbike. There’s nothing glaringly ‘budget’ or second-string here. The dash is a modern colour TFT flatscreen item. The top yoke is a pleasingly machined chunk of aluminium you desperately want to stroke. Clip-ons are set low and wide, the tank feels slim and thin between your knees, and the short screen’s swooping curve invites you to bury your lid behind its bulge.
The 955cc motor is surprisingly gentle at low revs, with the bulk of its power and performance tucked in the top third of the range. It isn’t peaky as such – but if you want to feel the V2 at its best, you’re going to need to push harder.
Time to crank it up!
At 6000rpm the digital rev counter turns from grey to orange and the engine starts to come alive. By 7500rpm the urgency ramps up another level, the motor now gagging to launch into the future. Hold on tight and it shrieks past peak torque way up at 9000rpm, just a brief moment before it hits the 11,500rpm redline. It’s an intense top-end rush, delivering the same rear-wheel horsepower as Ducati’s thundering 1098 and comfortably smashes three-figure speeds in third gear.
With its GP-inspired monocoque airbox/frame, Showa big-piston forks and tippy-toe stance (now even more nose-heavy than the 959, thanks to a longer shock and thicker seat), you might imagine it all only works on a hot dry track. But even on cold salt-encrusted roads there’s great feel from both ends, plenty of grip and confidence from the Pirelli tyres, with
‘It flows along A-roads with total serenity’
beautifully balanced steering. The Panigale flows along quiet A-roads with total serenity, ease and rock-solid stability, only needing minimal steering input and zero adjustment mid-corner.
Is there still a place in 2020 for a V-twin superbike? Without a shadow of a doubt. The Ducati Panigale V2 offers a hugely welcome alternative to the wealth of 200bhp four-cylinder hyperbikes. And it’s a nicer, more willing and welcoming road bike than them as a result.
Head to www.ducati.com/gb now to find you nearest dealer – and book a test ride to temptation.