REVIEW – 2022 DUCATI Panigale V2 – New Bike or Rebranded 959?

Ducati Panigale V4

Ducati Panigale B4

is a sports bike with a 1,103 cc (67.3 cu in) Desmodromic 90° V4 engine introduced by Ducati in 2022 as the successor to the V-Twin engine 1299. The smaller displacement version complies with the Superbike category competition rules, which specify "750 to 1000 cc." See" for three- and four-cylinder 4-stroke engines. [3]

The name "Panigale" comes from the small manufacturing town of Borgo Panigale. [4] Panigale V4 uses the new Desmosedici Stradale

V4 based on the Desmosedici MotoGP racing engine.

Development[edit]

The Panigale V4 is Ducati's first V4-powered street bike to be produced in large numbers. Ducati has primarily used V-twin models since the 1960s, with the exception of prototypes and racing motorcycles. [5] They sold a small run of 1,500 street-legal V4 Desmosedici RRs in 2007 and 2008 [6] [7] and made two prototypes of the Apollo V4 in 1964.

Initial development of the Panigale V4 began with the 2015 MotoGP racing engine. Ducati says the Panigale V4 has been designed to combine racing performance while also being a fun and handling motorcycle with a reliable engine. [7] This created the challenge of developing an engine that could retain the MotoGP engine's counter-rotating crankshaft and large bore, but still have the 24,000 km (15,000 mi) service intervals expected on consumer motorcycles. [7] Ducati initially kept the MotoGP bike chassis, but later switched to an all-new front frame which they say has less weight and greater stability. [7]

Design[edit]

Cycle World

stated that despite being a V4, the new Panigale is only slightly wider than the V-twin 1299. [8] Ducati's claimed weight is 4.5 kg (10 lb) heavier than the 1299, with 10 mm higher footpegs ( 0.39 inch). ) higher. [8] Unlike the previous 1199 and 1299 models, where the engine is the main frame element, the engine is surrounded by a more traditional aluminum perimeter frame. [9]

The Panigale V4's electronics include wheel steering derived from the 1299 Superleggera, as well as traction and drift control. [10] The brakes feature new ABS designed for high-speed cornering. [10] [7] Ducati and Brembo developed brake calipers that are 70 g (2.5 oz) lighter than those of the 1299. [11] The Diablo Super Corsa SP motorcycle tires, developed by Ducati and Pirelli, have a new rear compound. [10]

Engine[edit]

Desmodromic 90-degree V4 Panigale V4 engine with a capacity of 1103 cc. cc (67.3 cu in), unlike the previous 1199 and 1299 models where the engine is the main frame element, is surrounded by a more traditional aluminum frame all around. [12] The engine rotates further rearward than other Ducatis, so that the swingarm axis connects to the rear cylinders rather than lower on the engine near the crankshaft. [9] Unlike most street motorcycles and previous Ducatis models other than MotoGP racing machines, the Panigale V4 engine rotates in the opposite direction of the wheels, counteracting the gyroscopic effect and therefore reducing the force required to change the motorcycle's lean. [9]

Driving impressions

I think this is already clear, but I’ll say it anyway: the Ducati Panigale V2 is very good at going fast. And the famous track, with its mix of fast and slow corners and long straights, was perfect for testing all aspects of this bike. When I said that the “baby” can go fast, I didn’t mean how it reacts to the gas, but how smartly its traction is controlled. In the age of 200-horsepower sports cars, “only” 155 horses is a calming figure that allows you to relax and concentrate on more precise shifting, braking and steering.

Indeed, power without handling is nothing, and here Ducati is at its best. The traction control is smooth and linear, with excellent connection between the right wrist and the rear tire. And if your wrist asks for more than the splint can handle, the new V2 electronics step in and make things easier (but remember: it doesn't make you invulnerable!). The traction control, supported by an inertia measurement device, performs excellently in the Sport driving mode. All 155 horses are available in it, but they are slightly less aggressive than in Race mode. Traction control is set to 4 (medium) - it is felt, but not irritating. On other bikes, at full throttle, older versions of traction control make the bike buck and jerk like a half-wild mustang, and the DTC EVO2 fitted to the Panigale V2 significantly reduces jerk and minimizes intervention while everything is running as it should.

Switch the mode to Racing and you get the most direct connection between the throttle and the throttle, and the levels of traction control and C-ABS drop to 2. And here I still did not feel whether the electronics intervened, preventing the rear Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SC2 from stalling (in stock V2 is shod in Diablo Rosso Corsa II). Same for the brakes: I still couldn't figure out if the C-ABS kicked in when I aggressively trail-braked. Speaking of brakes, the Brembos on this sportbike work quite well, they are powerful and responsive, but I would have preferred more initial grip and more active braking.

Cons of the Ducati Panigale V2 2020

Oh, and while we're on the subject of downsides: the quickshifter limits downshift speed to protect the engine from over-torque. In practice, this means that I cannot quickly drop three gears down in a row before a sharp turn, but am forced to slowly click one down three times in a row, alternating shifts with braking. Of course, I could shift the old fashioned way with the clutch, but you quickly get used to the quickshifter. And one more thing: the extra length of the seat is very good, but I wish Ducati would make it even longer, since with a tall person you sometimes sit on the passenger step.

Pros of the Ducati Panigale V2 2020

And now back to the positives, and specifically to steering. I'm not usually a fan of the monocoque (and that's fair enough when it comes to the past Panigale 1199 and 1299), but the V2's comparatively soft character suits its chassis well. It doesn't overload, allowing the bike to dive into corners easily when trail breaking and remain stable when leaning. It lacks that sharp front wheel feedback found on Ducati's cage-frame bikes, but the V2 is still pretty darn good. He is neutral in everything, so much so that his controllability remains in the shadows, as if you don’t notice it, because he simply does what you want. And this is good.

Options [edit]

Panigale V4 S[edit]

The Panigale V4 S is a more performance-oriented version of the base V4. It has Öhlins suspension, which the rider can adjust electronically or set to sport, racing or street modes typical of modern sports bikes. It also features a lightweight lithium battery and forged aluminum wheels to reduce the overall weight of the bike. [ citation needed

]

Panigale V4 Speciale[edit]

The Panigale V4 Speciale has S model variants and adds adjustable footpegs, Alcantara-trimmed seat, upper triple clamp, carbon fenders [ clarification required

], data analysis system and racing fuel cap. It also features a titanium exhaust and racing kit which Ducati claims increases power from a claimed 157.5 to 168.5 kW (211.2 to 226.0 PS, 214.1 to 229.1 L .With.). [1]

Panigale V4 R[edit]

The Panigale V4 R is the WSBK homologation of the standard V4. Compared to the standard 1103 cc engine. cc (67.3 cu in) Panigale V4/V4 S, V4 R uses the 998 cc variant cm (60.9 cu in) according to WSBK rules. This engine produces a claimed power of 174.5 kW (234.0 PS; 237.3 hp) at 15,250 rpm and 112 N⋅m (83 lbf⋅ft) of torque at 11,500 rpm with optional racing kit package. This makes the V4 R the most powerful street production motorcycle available in the world, meaning that with a dry weight of 165kg, the power-to-weight ratio is 1.41. The frame has been redesigned and the swing arm can be adjusted. The fairing was widened by 38 mm (1.5 in) as part of the aerodynamic styling. According to Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali, the winglets applied to the V4 R's fairing are virtually identical to the GP16 MotoGP bike. The suspension uses a fully adjustable NPX titanium nitrided front fork from Öhlins and a fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 monoshock at the rear. [13] [14]

REVIEW – 2022 DUCATI Panigale V2 – New Bike or Rebranded 959?

The entry-level bike of the superbike royal family in 2022 will bear the proud name of DUCATI Panigale V2. As if in an effort to bring the most compact and light motorcycle in the series closer to the titled four-cylinder machines, the Italians carried out an unexpected rebranding, but the matter was not limited to just playing with names.

New products at the world premiere of DUCATI 2020

Along with the new naming, the motorcycle received an impressive package of improvements aimed at increasing performance, handling and safety, so it has every right to be called a completely new representative of the Panigale model range, which was the result of high-quality homologations of the DUCATI 959 of previous years, and not just another restyling.

Compared to its predecessor, the DUCATI Panigale V2 has become 5 horsepower more powerful, more comfortable for the rider, more elegant thanks to a new body kit and more technologically advanced, having received safety systems that have evolved to the second generation.

New junior superbike DUCATI Panigale V2 2022

Updated Superquadro motor for DUCATI Panigale V2

The designers pulled off the most interesting trick in building a new superbike (or rebuilding an old one) with the engine. Panigale V2 hides under a spectacular and unique body kit the same two-cylinder heart with 955 cubes with a camber angle of 90 degrees. But this heart has been carefully tuned for the sake of performance - in 2022, the familiar and familiar Superquadro produces 155 horses and 104 Nm of torque from its two cylinders. In comparison with the same engine in 2022, the figures increased by 5 and 2 units, respectively, despite the fact that the exhaust meets the requirements of Euro 5 standards.

The engineers from Borgo Panigale achieved a noticeable increase in power and traction by restructuring the injection system (two injectors per cylinder, on top and at the damper itself with a changed spray angle), increasing the intake pressure and reducing the volume of the muffler with a decrease in exhaust resistance.

As with all Panigales, the new V2 uses the engine as part of the power structure. The unique location of the engine with a strong tilt against the axis of rotation of the crankshaft made it possible to obtain an ideal balance, which gives the bike that amazing obedience and controllability that is difficult, and for other motorcycle manufacturers, almost impossible to achieve with such power.

2022 DUCATI Panigale V2 engine with part of the exhaust not hidden behind the body kit

Chassis DUCATI Panigale V2 2020

The lightest Panigale with a twin-cylinder engine comes close to the DUCATI Panigale V4, and it's not just a matter of visual similarity. The successor to the 959 even took away the cantilever swingarm made of cast aluminum from the older model.

DUCATI Panigale V2 rear swingarm, cantilever type

The new sportbike is built on a classic DUCATI design using a monocoque front semi-frame, which also serves as an air box directing flows into the intake.

The use of the motor in the power structure and the abandonment of the traditional frame, together with the restructuring of the rear pendulum, made it possible to obtain almost ideal weight distribution along the axes. Weight distribution between the front and rear wheels is 52% and 48% respectively.

The improved suspension also plays a role in handling - a 43-mm Showa BPF fork, complemented by a steering damper as standard, and a Sach rear monoshock absorber with a compensation chamber and a full range of settings, which is connected to the pendulum by a lever system.

Sach rear monoshock of the new DUCATI Panigale V2 2020

The motorcycle has a full range of intelligent safety and control systems that help the rider cope with the increased performance of the sports machine in any conditions - both on the track and on regular roads. These are systems such as:

anti-lock braking system, ABS Cornering EVO;

traction control DTC EVO 2;

wheelie control DWC EVO;

quickshifter DQS EVO 2;

EBC EVO engine braking controller.

Two of these systems - traction control and quickshifter - have reached their second generation of evolution by 2022.

Even a dry list of improvements that the new DUCATI Panigale V2 has undergone in comparison with its predecessor speaks of a completely different character of the motorcycle, but the real character can only be appreciated by riding it. And there is no doubt that DUCATI has created a new bright star to conquer the tracks; all that remains is to wait for the 2022 season to be convinced of this.

Official video of DUCATI Panigale V2

Links[edit]

1. ^ abc "New Opera". Ducati. 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
2. ^ a b https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/ducati-introduces-advanced-aero-panigale-v4-r-/
3. FIM Superbike Rules 2022 (updated version 8 May 2019) Archived 18 May 2022 on the Wayback Machine FIM-live 8 May 2019 Retrieved 16 May 2022
4. Adams, Bradley (21 September 2011), "Ducati announces 2012 superbike as 'Ducati 1199 Panigale'", Sport Rider
5. "2018 Ducati Panigale V4". Bicycle World
   . Retrieved February 22, 2022.
6. "Ducati Model Year Archive". Ducati. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
7. ^ abcde Nieves, Michael (November 5, 2022). "Ducati Panigale V4 project manager talks about development goals". Motorcycle News
   . Retrieved February 22, 2022.
8. ^ ab Courts, Zach (23 January 2022), “The 2022 Panigale V4 S is the fastest Ducati superbike we've ever ridden; Borgo Panigale does superbike right. You are ready?" , Cycle World
9. ^ abc Courts, Zach (23 January 2022), "Behind the Body - Technical Review of the 2018 Ducati Panigale V4; under the skin of Ducati's latest superbike", Cycle World
10. ^ abc Blaine, Loz (November 5, 2022). "Ducati Panigale V4 Announces: 226 PS MotoGP Beast Hit the Road". newatlas.com
    . Retrieved February 22, 2022.
11. "The 2022 Panigale V4 S is the fastest Ducati superbike we've ever ridden". Bicycle World
    . Retrieved February 22, 2022.
12. "We ask the designer of the Ducati Panigale V4 about his sketches". Motorcyclist
    . February 6, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
13. https://paultan.org/2018/11/05/2019-ducati-panigale-v4-r-released-now-with-wings-rest-of-ducati-panigale-superbike-range-gets-updates/
14. https://overdrive.in/news-cars-auto/eicma-2018-ducati-panigale-v4r-unveiled-weighs-165kg-makes-234ps/