07 November 2024

New Panigale perfectly pitches power to weight

Not averse to the occasional bold move, Ducati has broken the rules with the launch of a new Panigale V2.

The ever-acclaimed supersports now carries much less weight.

And offers significantly less power than its sibling. Who launches a refreshed model with less power?

Mad? Absolutely not reports Paul Browne.

 

 

A new V2 Panigale has broken cover and I want one.

There are the usual standard and S models with the weight saving on the S being a remarkable 17 kilos against the previous bike.

While it takes its lead in the design department from the V4, Ducati is at pains to make sure we know that it’s a brand new bike.

Big, big bike

It’s not, they assure us, a small big bike.

On the surface it is though.

It uses a fairing that produces similar passive cooling and ventilation to the V4 in order to keep the rider happy. Even the lines are similar, as is the shape of the LED headlight.

Down the back the rear fairing and the under seat exhausts take their styling leads from the company’s MotoGP machines. The taillights, once again, are split over both sides of the fairing.

The new wheels feature black Y spokes. They accent the red colour of the bike itself very nicely.

Finding the fun

But the real difference is under the bike’s skin.

While the new frame changes the ergonomics slightly, it’s the new engine where all the fun is.

The new 90° 890cc V2 puts out 120bhp.

Add the race exhaust and that number goes up to 126bhp and the weight falls by another four and a half kilos.

OK, so that’s fewer horses than the 148bhp Superquadro, but the balance between weight and power is exquisite; the new Panigale makes nearly all of its 93.3 Nm of torque below three thousand RPM.

So, whilst that 126bhp with the race exhaust by Termignoni may not sound like a lot, it’s a number that’s easy to use and control. It also gets quite interesting when you take into account that the total weight of the bike is an astonishingly low 176 kilos.

Super spec

A fully adjustable suspension system features a pair of Marzocchi forks married to a Kayaba rear shock. The S version gets the gold treatment with Öhlins all round.

Brembo brakes and Pirelli Diablo Rosso 4 tyres – the rear is a 190 – add to the who’s who list of components.

The electronics package is impressive.

The standard six-axis IMU supports its cornering ABS, wheelie control, engine braking and traction control.

A quick shifter is as standard.

There are four different modes to choose from. The usual three and another that the rider can customise.  There’s even a pit lane limiter!

All of this is displayed on a TFT screen.

Ducati Rosso have all the details including prices. Give Declan a call on 01 464 2211.

Ducati insurance quote? Call our specialist motorcycle team on 0818 945 950.

 

 

 

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