A sports bike built for fast roads, real riding and rider confidence

Sports bikes come in many varieties these days, but if you want to ride them well, you need something specific. Practical sports bikes are good to have on the road, but to tackle fast corners and build rider confidence, you need a bike that is precise and fast while being forgiving enough to help you build your confidence and skills.

There is one category of sports bikes that fits this role better than the rest: supersports. These bikes offer a perfect balance of performance, razor-sharp agility and the ability to inspire confidence on the road. These super sports also come in different variants, including the 600cc class or the modern twin-cylinder class, but there is one that stands out from the crowd. Here you will find more about the sports bike that isn’t just built for fast roads but also inspires the rider’s confidence.

Supersports bikes are the best choice for truly sporty riding

You could say that nothing less than a superbike is ideal for real riding. That statement would ideally make sense for a very specific group of people, not all riders. Superbikes, or liter-class sports bikes, no matter how capable they are, have their own limitations. The very thing that makes them ‘super’ actually makes them inaccessible; they deliver way more performance than you can ever use on the road. To push them to their limits, you need to take them to fast race tracks where you can utilize all the nearly 200 ponies of a modern liter-class sports bike.

The same performance also makes them incredibly unforgiving, tamed only by a series of rider aids. This ensures you don’t make mistakes and builds rider confidence, especially if you’re just relying on electronic nannies to keep the rubber side down. Performance aside, superbikes are also heavy; usually 30 to 40 pounds heavier than smaller supersport motorcycles. That extra weight makes them harder to throw into corners. That’s why superbikes on the track outrun everyone on the straight, while supersports usually lead in corners.

Super sports have matured

The supersport segment is constantly evolving and in recent history has mainly referred to 600cc supersports, with the occasional anomaly, such as the Triumph Daytona 675R, making an appearance. Thanks to the latest emissions standards, that has changed, with most 600-class models going out of production or losing updates. Instead, that torch is passed to two- or three-cylinder sports bikes, such as the Yamaha YZF-R9 or the MV Agusta F3 800.

While many may feel that super sports have lost their appeal, that may not be entirely true. The new breed of supersport is just as capable as the older models, and sometimes even better. These bikes are still light and incredibly sharp, and have more than enough power for fast roads. Where they have matured is that, while still dedicated, they also offer a slight comfort advantage without losing their sporting edge. The perfect example of this is Ducati’s latest super sports model.

The Ducati Panigale V2 S is built for ‘real riding’

The current Ducati Panigale V2 may share its name with the older model, but it is worlds apart. The older V2 is derived from the larger superbike platforms, while Ducati built the current Panigale V2 from the ground up to represent the middleweight supersport category. So you get a stunningly beautiful sports bike that is also the lightest Panigale ever. Ducati says this bike inherits the characteristic performance of the older bike, with a touch of comfort this time.

As fast as the old Panigale V2

While the new Panigale V2 may be a middleweight sports bike, Ducati says it proved to be just as fast on the track as its superbike-derived predecessor. During the testing phase, Ducati’s test rider (Davide Stirpe) and an Italian supersport champion achieved very similar lap times with the new engine compared to the previous model. Ducati also assures that it offers better corner entry, cornering and traction performance, as well as better braking performance.

Go for the Panigale V2 S for serious performance

The Panigale V2 is available in two variants. If you want serious performance, the V2 S is the model to choose as it features higher specification components including Ohlins suspension. Accordingly, the price is set at $19,995 for the red model, while the Ducati Yellow carries an additional cost of $500.

V2 power and monocoque precision for fast roads

At the heart of the Panigale V2 is Ducati’s new V2 engine (yes, that’s the name). It’s an 890cc 90-degree L-twin engine that weighs just 119 pounds (19.8 pounds lighter than the old Superquadro L-twin). This weight saving is thanks to the narrow design and some lightweight internal parts, including hollow tuning valves and DLC-coated rocker arms. This makes it Ducati’s lightest two-cylinder engine.

Output is 120 horsepower at 10,750 rpm and 69 pound-feet of torque at 8,250 rpm, and according to Ducati, the power is delivered with a wide spread of torque, with nearly 60 pound-feet arriving at 4,500 rpm. All this without losing top performance, thanks to the innovative electronic variable timing system. This system works by gradually varying the timing of the intake valves over a range of 52 degrees. This, combined with the final drive ratio, would give the Panigale V2 S an advantage in corners. Combined, the engine performance makes this bike something you can push really hard through corners.

Lightweight monocoque frame and top-shelf suspension

The bicycle is supported by a lightweight monocoque frame, which also serves as an airbox. The frame is 37 pounds lighter than that of the older Panigale V2, meaning a curb weight of 388 pounds without fuel. It is combined with a double-sided swingarm inspired by the hollow symmetrical swingarm of the Panigale V4.

Unlike the standard Panigale V2, which sits on a Marzocchi/Kayaba suspension, the V2 S gets a more luxurious Ohlins setup. It includes a 43mm Ohlins NIX-30 fork and an Ohlins monoshock, both fully adjustable. Both variants also feature Brembo M50 monobloc brake calipers and a radial PR16/21 master cylinder. Completing the package is a pair of cast aluminum wheels with Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires.

Sporty ergonomics and electronics provide rider confidence

As with most new types of super sports, the Panigale V2 features a riding position that Ducati likes to call ‘modern’. In other words, it has been redesigned from the ground up to be more comfortable and versatile, all without limiting its performance on the track. That’s not a bad thing. Ducati promises it still offers engaging bike control, so it shouldn’t come between you and your goal of wanting to ride faster. In fact, the slightly more versatile ergonomics should inspire more confidence in you.

Ergonomically everything is in that balance. The chair offers plenty of room to move while sitting 33 centimeters above the ground. The forged semi-handlebar provides excellent mobility and reduces strain on your wrists. Likewise, the pegs are aggressively designed to provide grip and stability, creating plenty of cornering clearance. Even the fuel tank has been optimized for easy knee anchorage and to reduce arm fatigue.

Enough electronics to keep everything under control

While the Panigale V2 S may be designed to help you build your confidence and maximize performance, it still needs to be forgiving enough to handle rider mistakes. Fortunately, it has one of the most comprehensive electronics packages in its category. It features lean-sensing ABS and TCS, along with Engine Brake Control (EBC), Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Ducati Power Launch and Ducati Pit Limiter. There are also four riding and power modes, Ducati Quick Shift 2.0, cruise control and a five-inch TFT display.

And a range of Ducati Performance accessories

Ducati also offers a range of performance accessories and three accessory packs, including Carbon and Dynamic, which add carbon fiber and styling parts. The one to choose is the Time Attack package, which adds a fully-tuned Termignoni exhaust that unlocks 126 horsepower, along with an Ohlins steering damper, adjustable legs, lowered handlebars and more. This package is aimed at those who want to take advantage of everything the Panigale V2 S has to offer, without sacrificing versatility and comfort.

Source: Ducati