Ducati’s Panigale V4 platform has been pushing the superbike segment forward with cutting-edge tech since it debuted in 2018. The Bologna, Italy, marque hasn’t grown complacent during that time either, revising the flagship sportbike with minor adjustments over the years. The 2022 Ducati Panigale V4 and V4 S receive the most thorough update yet, with revisions to the engine, chassis, electronics, aero, and ergos.
2022 Ducati Panigale V4 S
The Panigale’s MotoGP-derived Desmosedici Stradale engine maintains it’s 1,103cc capacity in 2022, but a new torque management system and dedicated mapping bump the V4 to 210 horsepower at 12,500 rpm and 90.6 lb-ft of torque at 11,000 rpm. Ducati’s new SBK gearbox helps deliver that power to the back wheel thanks to the lengthened 1st, 2nd, and 6th gear. As a result, the Panigale V4 said to deliver slow-speed cornering, harder corner-exit acceleration, and a higher top speed.
The V4’s updated electronics put the Panigale’s power parameters at the user’s fingertips with new Power Modes. In Full Power Mode, riders can access the motorcycle’s full potential, with no electronic filters dulling the engine’s torque curves (except in 1st gear). High and Medium Modes gain a refined throttle-by-wire map management system, which optimizes thrust upon open throttle. Low Mode limits the Desmosedici Stradale to 150 horsepower while a more manageable throttle response maximizes road riding comfort and enjoyment.
2022 Ducati Panigale V4 S
In addition to the Panigale’s Power Modes, the four Riding Modes (Race A, Race B, Sport, Street) also change the superbike’s personality. The reworked dashboard communicates all those settings with new external lights and functions. At the suggestion of Ducati MotoGP riders, technicians developed a new Track Evo info mode. By shifting the tachometer bar to the top of the display, the gear indicator at center, and the rider aids along the right side, the new layout provides the ideal screen legibility for racers and track riders.
2022 Ducati Panigale V4 S
Ducati’s MotoGP team is known for its aerodynamic packages and the 2022 Panigale V4 lives up to that reputation. The new double-profile winglets are thinner, more compact, and more efficient, but still provide 81 pounds of downforce at 186 mph. Of course, V4 engines are known to generate heat, and additional air-extraction gills on the lower fairing enhance cooling. Rider comfort also improves due to a flatter seat. The grippy seat cover also helps lock the rider in place during hard braking while a reshaped fuel tank offers a better anchor point for the user’s legs.
2022 Ducati Panigale V4 S
While the Panigale V4 and V4 S share much of the same equipment, the up-spec S model features electronically controlled Öhlins suspension, with an NPX 25/30 fork, TTX36 rear shock, and steering damper. And it rolls on premium forged aluminum alloy wheels shod with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tires. The standard V4, on the other hand, opts for a fully adjustable Showa Big Piston fork, Sachs rear shock, Sachs steering damper, and cast aluminum wheels.
2022 Ducati Panigale V4
While the two chassis may employ different suspensions and wheels, both boast premium Brembo braking systems. Each superbike now benefits from a higher swingarm pivot, which increases the Panigale’s anti-squat characteristics under acceleration. Ducati modestly updates the superbike’s cosmetics as well, with both variants featuring the brand’s signature red fairings and new black Ducati logos. However, the V4 S also gains a two-tone seat and red wheel tape.
Available in February, the 2022 Ducati Panigale V4 retails for $23,295 while the 2022 Ducati Panigale V4 S goes for $29,995.
For more information or to find a Ducati dealer near you, visit ducati.com.
In MotoGP, if you didn’t have wings last season you were on the outer and Ducati’s ‘winged’ Panigale V4 R dominated the British Superbike series last year and in World Superbike Ducati looked unstoppable, at one stage… Downforce-generating wings are now everywhere in motorcycle racing and now the technology is filtering down to the end-user on the road, which is great news for me and you. And yeah, they look pretty cool.
Ducati Panigale V4 S aero wings
For 2020 Ducati has added its distinctive wings to the Panigale V4 S along with other improvements such as updated Evo 2 electronics, revised handling, and easier-to-use power characteristics with lower torque in the first three gears.
Ducati Panigale V4 S
We sent international journalist, and former road racer, Adam Child, to Bahrain to test out the new $40,490, V4 S around the very fast 5.4 km F1 track. And yes, it rained, in the desert, where it never rains. But luckily the Brit is use to racing the rain, and if Ducati are claiming their new V4 S is easier to ride, then what better way to find out than in the wet at 180 mph?
Ducati Panigale V4 S
The 2020 V4S’s new wings are the same shape and dimensions as those seen on the WSBK and British Superbike machines that were so dominant last year. Aside from looking good and instantly shouting ‘I’ve bought a new Ducati’, they exist to create downforce and are now standard fitment.
Ducati Panigale V4 S
Like an aeroplane wing (in reverse) they only make a difference at high speed. At 100 km/h they create 4 kg of downforce; at 200 km/h, 16 kg; and at 1300 km/h, 37kg. This downforce has numerous benefits, chief among them a reduction in power wheelies as all that weight is pushed down onto the front end, meaning less electronic intervention by traction control and, for the rider, less rolling off of the throttle.
Ducati Panigale V4 S
Often at high speeds, a conventional front end can get flighty as the rushing airflow lifts the front, and the rider, holding on for dear life, accentuates the effect by pulling on the bars. As speed raises, the forks extend and in extreme situations the shock sits. But wings add downforce, forcing more weight onto the front wheel contact patch, giving a more planted feeling while allowing the bike to steer better and hold a tighter line.
Ducati Panigale V4 S
At Bahrain’s 5.4 km F1 race track, the wings were inspiring, while stability, even in the wet nudging 300 km/h, was excellent. There was a minor weave from the bars, but this was due more to the movement of the wet tyre at speed than aero. In 160 km/h-plus, third-gear corners the Ducati held its line impeccably, understeer lacking as the front tyre was squashed into the track.
Ducati Panigale V4 S
The only downside to aerodynamic downforce is that they create drag, which reduces top speed and will increase fuel consumption. However, Ducati has re-thought the bodywork for 2020, making the bike more aerodynamic to offset this, meaning top speed hasn’t been significantly affected. And hey if you’re worried about fuel economy, then perhaps don’t buy a Ducati Superbike.
Ducati Panigale V4 S
The front fairing is 15 mm wider per side, the screen 34 mm taller and the sides extend outwards 38 mm more than before. The larger fairing gives the rider an easier time; you can tuck out of the wind. And again, the added bodywork aids the stability as the rider, now cocooned behind a larger screen, isn’t holding on as hard and pulling on the bars as they fight the wind-blast.
Ducati Panigale V4 S
Ducati has even improved the air-flow around the bike, which should mean the Panigale might now be cooler in traffic, the now old bike did it’s best to BBQ your inner legs in summer.
Despite the V4S’s huge output, wheelies were never a problem on track in Bahrain, albeit on what is a super-flat F1 surface – though some of this progress could be down to the new V4’s reduced torque and superior electronic riding aids. Ducati has reduced the Desmosedici’s Stradale’s arm-ripping torque in the first three gears to make the bike more rideable before full torque is unleashed in the higher gears.
The four-cylinder Panigale is still rapid – the 1103 cc 90° V4’s peak power remains at 214 hp – but by allowing the rider to get on the power more smoothly and safely in those lower gears, it is markedly easier to use. This doesn’t mean slower – you can get on the power sooner, and without traction control intervention it ultimately means your top speed is higher on the straight and your lap-time is reduced with less effort from the rider.
Ducati have developed the front alloy frame from the V4 R WSBK bike, which reduces torsional and braking stiffness. Optimising chassis stiffness is like wearing race gloves, rather than over gloves: you have more feel, there is a closer connection between the front tyre and the rider. The damp conditions during our test amplified this, you could feel the accessible grip through the front Pirelli. Some sections of the F1 track had marginally more grip than others, a fact translated to my brain by subtle but distinct signals.
Ducati Panigale V4 S Ohlins electronic shock
Although the suspension seems visually the same as before, it’s very different. The bike’s centre of gravity has been raised 5 mm by raising the front by 4 mm while the rear shock is 2 mm longer with a 5 mm longer shock linkage. The rear spring rate is lower and pre-load is set higher.
Lifting a bike and raising the centre of gravity allows it to turn easier, like how tall people fall over easier than short people when drunk. The plusher rear adds grip and feel in the same way the chassis, mentioned above, has improved the front-end feel.
Ducati Panigale V4 S Ohlins electronic forks
The disadvantage of raising the C of G is that it tends to reduce the tyres’ edge grip at high angles of lean. To offset this Ducati has softened the rear suspension to aid grip and feel. The rear shock is a little softer and has more ride height, which has subsequently raised the seat height my 5 mm.
The bike undoubtedly turns with ease, and again wet conditions highlighted the improvements in front-end feel. You can feel the front tyre squirming and discovering grip, both on and off the brakes. The cornering ABS isn’t too intrusive and allows you to manipulate and feel that grip. Those Brembo radial M4.30 brakes are outstanding, the ABS EVO cornering system developed in partnership with Bosch is almost mind-blowingly effective. End of the straight, just shy of 185 mph, in torrential rain, and it’s time to jump on the stoppers for turn one – a first gear crawl of around 40 mph. The only bit we couldn’t test was edge grip at extreme lean. In the wet I wasn’t that brave. We will have to wait for a dry track day back home.
Ducati Panigale V4 S
For any rider to be fast they must have confidence in their bike, know where the limit is, and understand the feeling and level of grip from the tyres – and Ducati has significantly improved this feeling with the new V4S, the test’s wet conditions a great proving ground.
This isn’t just a bike for former racers anymore, a lightweight 214 hp superbike shouldn’t be so forgiving and, dare I say, so easy to ride in the wet. In back-to-back testing with the now old model, Ducati found that ultra-quick test rider, Michele Pirro, was 0.4s quicker on the new bike, while a more average fast track rider was over a second faster, highlighting how much easier the new bike is to ride.
Ducati Panigale V4 S
Some features of the bike have remained untouched. Ducati has kept the same engine spec’ and lay-out. The massive Brembo monobloc brakes remain, as does the cast aluminium single-sided swingarm. Other items carried over include the Marchesini aluminium wheels, magnesium head-lamp and mirror support and cast aluminium sub-frame. Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP rubber comes as standard with a 200/60 section rear but during our test we ran full race wets.
Ducati Panigale V4 S
The new EVO 2 system, which is similar to that used on the R model, is faster and smoother than before. Again, in the damp, you can feel the TC working overtime, but it’s only allowing a fraction less power than you’re asking for to control the slide and spin. In one very wet session it even coped with standing water without too many complaints. And remember, these rider aids can be changed on the move, via the three rider modes: race, sport, and street. Each mode adjusts the power, traction, wheelie and slide control, plus the cornering ABS, engine braking and even damping. With a closed throttle, change the mode, and simply switch over via the toggle on the left bar. It’s not confusing, just straight-forward to use.
Ducati Panigale V4 S
In one session, as the track and grip improved, I changed the pre-set modes, which increased the stiffness in the rear to increase high-speed stability (race wet tyres move around at high speed), and reduced the rider aids a fraction. I immediately noticed the difference these incremental changes made, again highlighting how much feedback the stunning new Ducati V4S gives.
Verdict
Yes, it was wet, more like the UK than Bahrain, and I would have preferred the dry, but in many ways it was a better to test Ducati’s claims of an easier, more forgiving bike for 2020.
Ducati Panigale V4 S
After riding all day in mixed conditions until dark I can confirm the 2020 V4S is more forgiving. I can certainly see a less experienced rider lapping quicker on the new bike, as Ducati found during their testing. You can ride faster and for longer as it’s easier.
Simply put, the beast has been tamed. It’s now far easier to ride, especially for less experienced riders. 214 horsepower has never been so simple to manage, and the wet test amplified this.
Ducati Panigale V4 S
It has arguably the best electronics package on any bike on the market and is also perhaps the most desirable and sexy sportsbike on sale too.
It is expensive and friends will be envious, so it’s not perfect, but close.
Adam Child with the Ducati Panigale V4 S at the world launch in Bahrain
Ducati have announced an updated Panigale V4 and Panigale V4 S for 2020, promising a more rider-friendly and less fatiguing mount that is also able to cut faster laps.
2020 Ducati Panigale V4 S
Much of the inspiration for these changes comes from the V4 R, with revisions to the Ride-By-Wire mapping, an updated aerodynamic package and a new front frame designed to improve feel at the extremes.
2020 Ducati Panigale V4 S
These changes join updates to the electronic aides which make use of a six-axis inertial platform. Ohlins Smart Electronic Control suspension is found on the up-spec S model.
Both Panigale V4 models boast the 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale 90° V4 with Desmodromic timing, a counter-rotating crankshaft and Twin-Pulse firing order. Claimed power comes in at 214 hp at 13000 rpm, with 123.5 Nm of torque.
The V4 feature a 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale 90° V4 engine
The big update for 2020 is a new Ride-by-Wire system with track-dedicated mapping. Ducati promise smoother, more predictable throttle response. Torque curves have been tweaked in gears one through three for a more linear delivery, and vary according to the Power Mode chosen.
The 2020 V4 and V4 S boast updates to the RbW and mapping
The updated aerodynamics package was co-developed by Ducati Corse and the Ducati Style Centre based on computational fluid dynamic and wind tunnel research.
Fairings have been updated and are based on designs prior to current MotoGP limitations on foils
The 2020 Panigale V4 aerodynamic package includes a taller and more angled plexiglass screen with a taller nose fairing to offer the rider better wind protection, and in doing so reduce arm and shoulder-created drag.
A taller screen is joined by wider lateral fairings
Larger lateral fairings are 38mm wider on each side, and there’s more efficient air vents to direct air through the radiators, with Ducati noting these replaced the more stylish Panigale V4 vents previously seen.
Aerofoils take the cue from the GP16 machine, prior to the current restrictions on foil shapes, meaning these are actually more efficient than those found on the current MotoGP machinery. These aerofoils offer 30kg of downforce at 270km/h, reducing front wheel float and boosting stability.
The 2020 V4 and V4 S also feature a new Front Frame design derived from the V4 R
Also new for 2020 is the ‘Front Frame’ designed to Ducati Corse specifications and offering the bike a higher centre of gravity, increased chain force angle and improved use of the suspension travel available, which Ducati say will ensure an easier machine to lay into corners off the brakes, faster apexes and more neutral handling out of corners.
The front frame is derived from that on the V4 R, with lighter machined sides and greater flexibility, and is joined by a magnesium sub-frame alongside a cast aluminium seat sub-frame.
Ohlins electronic suspension is featured on the V4 S
The 2020 V4 features Showa 43mm Big Piston forks with full adjustability, a Sachs steering damper and fully adjustable shock absorber. In contrast the V4 S features Ohlins NIX-30 forks and a TTX36 shock with Ohlins event-based steering damper, all controlled by the Ohlins Smart EC 2.0 system.
Revised springs and pre-load are also an update for 2020
Wheels remain aluminium five-spoke items on the V4, with three-spoke forged aluminium items on the V4 S.
Brakes are also unchanged from the outgoing model, with Brembo Stylema monobloc calipers on 330mm rotors, alongside the Ducati ABS Cornering EVO system.
Five-spoke wheels are found on the V4 with forged aluminium three-spoke items on the V4 S, both clad in Pirelli Supercorsa SP rubber
Electronics are the latest generation package with a six-axis IMU, ABS Cornering EVO, Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Slide Control, Ducati Wheelie Control EVO, Ducati Power Launch, Ducati Quick Shift Up/Down EVO 2, Engine Brake Control and the Ohlins based Ducati Electronic Suspension EVO system. Riding modes offer a range of presets, which on the V4 S include the suspension settings. A 5-inch TFT in full colour is also fitted.
998c Desmosedici Stradale R 234hp at 15,500 rpm – 193kg
2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R
Ducati have unveiled the headline act of the new 2019 model line-up at EICMA, with the Panigale V4 R breaking cover.
2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R
This is the machine designed to take on World Superbike and that will also likely hit the racetracks of Australia in the hands of Ducati legend Troy Bayliss.
2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R
Josh Brookes will also be lighting up the tracks of British Superbike in 2019 onboard this new Desmo demon.
2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R – 221hp and 193kg kerb weight
For this road registrable homogolation special the Desmosedici Stradale 1103cc engine of the regular Panigale V4 is downsized to a 998cc version. This is to comply with race regulations and is tuned to a higher state of competition readiness.
2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R
A host of lighter internal engine components reduce weight by 2kg to bring the Panigale V4R down to 193kg wet.
2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R
Greater air intake efficiency also allows for more rapid engine rev-up, with a higher rpm ceiling along with peak power being moved 2250rpm higher than on the 1103cc V4.
2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R
A staggering 221hp is on offer at 15,250rpm, while a full-racing Ducati Performance exhaust by Akrapovič boosts power to 234hp at 15,500rpm.
2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R
Alongside the race specific engine, and modified suspension set-up the 2019 V4 R also boasts a new fairing designed by Ducati Corse in collaboration with the Ducati Style Centre, further improving aerodynamic efficiency.
2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R
Particularly notable is the inclusion of the aerofoil appendages that stem from the MotoGP prototypes, with carbon-fibre construction for increased stability, with Ducati claiming they further help reduce the reliance on electronic controls, while also aiding rider confidence.
The new Panigale V4 R includes the MotoGP aerofoils
Claudio Domenicali introduced Ducati’s most powerful factory motorcycle, with the brand boasting this new machine as a road-legal WSBK category competition bike, which will constitute the technical foundation for the official Ducati Superbikes that will compete in the World Championship from the 2019 season.
Claudio Domenicali with the new Panigale V4 R
Claudio Domenicali – CEO of Ducati Motor Holding
“Ducati has achieved a striking degree of maturity. It is a global flag bearer of some of the best aspects of Made in Italy excellence. Based on core values of Style, Sophistication and Performance, our company now offers a range as broad as it is state-of-the-art. This year sees the first major overhaul of the entire Scrambler range since its inception, plus a complete renewal of the Diavel and Hypermotard, two bikes that are firm favourites with Ducatisti. Today, safety and rider-friendliness have hit new heights, yet the brand’s sporting soul is as evident as it has ever been. The Panigale V4 R, in fact, is the most powerful factory motorcycle ever built by Ducati. We’re also delighted with our online presence, an area that has enjoyed excellent growth, thus confirming the extraordinary appeal of the entire Ducati product range.”
2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R
2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R Specifications
2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R compared to V4 Speciale
2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R Technical Specifications
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