Panigale V4 updates
The biggest surprise at Ducati’s World Premiere was a pair of updated Panigale V4s with a new aero package and fairing taken from the V4 R racer. The Panigale V4 wasn’t exactly long in the tooth having only been released in 2018 but we’ve since seen the arrival of the Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory and BMW’s S1000RR, which have both taken the shine off the big red bike. One criticism levelled at the old bike was its uncompromising, racebred handling, which made the V4 devastatingly fast in the correct hands but unflattering for less experienced riders. This was especially pronounced after the arrival of the comparatively user-friendly new BMW.
To address this, Ducati have made suspension changes to make the bike’s performance more accessible with added stability under braking and a smoother power delivery.
Ducati say the new V4 is also easier to tip into corners due to changes that put the rider further over the front end with a less stiff frame matching the one in the V4R improving feel.
The new V4s will also be equipped with Ducati’s most advanced electronics yet, including DTC Evo 2 traction control system powered by a 6-axis IMU like that found on the V4 R and the 2019 V4 25° Anniversario 916. To keep everything under control at corner exits, the V4’s ride-bywire throttle now uses new relative mapping in first, second and third gears to meter out power and torque and avoid sliding. If the rear tyre does lose grip, the traction control system has also now been smoothed-out to avoid the oscillating effect sometimes felt with the old system.
All of these improvements mean that prices are unsurprisingly up from the 2018 models, with the standard V4 now costing £19,995, and £24,795 for the S version.