DUCATI: Panigale and SF V2

Final problem we obtained our first sight of the brand new Ducati V2 engine – an 890cc DOHC non-desmo 90° V-twin, making 115 or 120bhp, however with a brand new lighter building, tipping the proverbial scales at 54.5kg. We contemplated whether or not such a unit can be phat sufficient (he means highly effective sufficient – plain English Ed) for a Panigale or Streetfighter, each of which had nearer 160bhp of their earlier configurations. ‘Ducati could need to do one thing else’, we opined in our frank ignorance. How they should have chuckled in Borgo Panigale after they opened their PocketMags app final month.

Anyway, since then, we’ve seen these, the 2 new Ducati V-twin efficiency bikes: the Panigale sportsbike and Streetfighter supernaked. Each include the brand new engine, each therefore chalk up some neat weight losses, however each additionally include the pretty hefty energy downgrade inherent within the new engine. The previous Superquadro unit had greater than 35bhp extra, and even with weight drops of round 15kg, that’s a lotta ponies to lose.

We’ll come again to that in a second. Within the meantime although, the remainder of the brand new Panigale and Streetfighter updates are fairly tempting. Each bikes are broadly comparable, with the identical new principal body and double-sided swingarm, much like the one on the brand new Panigale V4 (the Streetfighter V2 arm is 30mm longer than the Panigale’s, presumably for extra stability to go well with the upright using place). A standard swingarm like this may all the time be lighter than a single-sider, all different issues being equal, and Ducati additionally says the brand new unit is tuned by way of stiffness to offer higher stability and really feel, whereas additionally benefiting from trendy slick rubber.

The remainder of the chassis bundle is spectacular, although a stage under the full-on V4 superbike equipment – Brembo M50 calipers as a substitute of Hypures, and mechanical Öhlins equipment on the V2 S as a substitute of semi-active digital gizmos. The electronics bundle is also past reproach: the most recent by way of IMU-assisted software program, together with sports activities ABS Cornering with slide-by-brake, Ducati Traction Management, Ducati Wheelie Management, Engine Brake Management, and the brand new Ducati Fast Shift 2.0, as seen on the brand new Panigale V4. The S variations are additionally geared up with a typical Ducati Energy Launch and Pit Limiter. You get 4 Using Modes (Race, Sport, Street, Moist), and the dashboard is a brand new 5” TFT with a recent person interface derived from the brand new Panigale V4. Up to date bodywork completes the image.

However what precisely is that image? We’re beginning to get a imaginative and prescient of a return to ‘correct’ supersports roots for such a bike. Much less concentrate on energy, and extra fascinated by weight and the general using bundle – like the unique Ducati 748, which was down on energy in contrast with the 916 (and in addition no lighter), however provided one thing totally different by way of really feel and expertise. You’ll be able to see the failings in merely aiming for increasingly more energy and capability with a ‘middleweight’ machine; maybe a reset is precisely what was wanted. We’ll be using each new Ducati V2 machines quickly, and we’ll discover out then if Bologna has managed to just do that.

Each bikes will probably 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 model. Phrases: Alan Dowds