DUCATI: Panigale and SF V2

Last issue we got our first sight of the new Ducati V2 engine – an 890cc DOHC non-desmo 90° V-twin, making 115 or 120bhp, but with a new lighter construction, tipping the proverbial scales at 54.5kg. We pondered whether such a unit would be phat enough (he means powerful enough – plain English Ed) for a Panigale or Streetfighter, both of which had nearer 160bhp in their previous configurations. ‘Ducati may have to do something else’, we opined in our frank ignorance. How they must have chuckled in Borgo Panigale when they opened their PocketMags app last month.

Anyway, since then, we’ve seen these, the two new Ducati V-twin performance bikes: the Panigale sportsbike and Streetfighter supernaked. Both come with the new engine, both hence chalk up some neat weight losses, but both also come with the fairly hefty power downgrade inherent in the new engine. The old Superquadro unit had more than 35bhp more, and even with weight drops of around 15kg, that’s a lotta ponies to lose.

We’ll come back to that in a moment. In the meantime though, the rest of the new Panigale and Streetfighter updates are pretty tempting. Both bikes are broadly similar, with the same new main frame and double-sided swingarm, similar to the one on the new Panigale V4 (the Streetfighter V2 arm is 30mm longer than the Panigale’s, presumably for more stability to suit the upright riding position). A conventional swingarm like this will always be lighter than a single-sider, all other things being equal, and Ducati also says the new unit is tuned in terms of stiffness to give better stability and feel, while also making the most of modern slick rubber.

The rest of the chassis package is impressive, though a level below the full-on V4 superbike kit – Brembo M50 calipers instead of Hypures, and mechanical Öhlins kit on the V2 S instead of semi-active electronic gizmos. The electronics package also is beyond reproach: the latest in terms of IMU-assisted software, including sports ABS Cornering with slide-by-brake, Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Wheelie Control, Engine Brake Control, and the new Ducati Quick Shift 2.0, as seen on the new Panigale V4. The S versions are also equipped with a standard Ducati Power Launch and Pit Limiter. You get four Riding Modes (Race, Sport, Road, Wet), and the dashboard is a new 5” TFT with a fresh user interface derived from the new Panigale V4. Updated bodywork completes the picture.

But what exactly is that picture? We’re starting to get a vision of a return to ‘proper’ supersports roots for this type of bike. Less focus on power, and more thinking about weight and the overall riding package – like the original Ducati 748, which was down on power compared with the 916 (and also no lighter), but offered something different in terms of feel and experience. You can see the flaws in simply aiming for more and more power and capacity with a ‘middleweight’ machine; perhaps a reset is exactly what was needed. We’ll be riding both new Ducati V2 machines soon, and we’ll find out then if Bologna has managed to do just that.

Both bikes will be on sale for February, priced at £13,990 for the Streetfighter V2 or £15,990 for the V2 S, and £14,995 for the Panigale V2 or £16,995 for the V2 S version. Words: Alan Dowds