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2025 Ducati Panigale V4 S | Full details
A fraction more power, revised fram and some 916-inspired styling tweaks herald a significant update to Ducati’s signature sports bike
Words by: Dan Trent
Published on 2 August 2024 | 0 min read
Stuff the Ducati Panigale V4 probably didn’t really need included more power, less weight and even more sophisticated aids to make total rookies feel like a MotoGP hero on a track day. But all this and more features anyway for this wide-ranging 2025 model year update, a new double-sided swingarm and some 916-inspired tweaks to the styling among the more obvious visual changes.
Available in regular V4 trim with passive suspension for a starting price of £24,395 and bells’n’whistles V4 S form for £29,995 with electronically controlled Öhlins suspension, forged wheels and a lithium battery, both use the same revised 1,103cc Desmosedici engine with 216 horsepower at 13,500rpm and are first to market with Brembo’s latest HypureTM brakes. In S trim the (unfuelled) 187kg kerb weight translates to a 2kg reduction over the previous model, this seemingly minor saving masking much more significant changes.
Available in regular V4 trim with passive suspension for a starting price of £24,395 and bells’n’whistles V4 S form for £29,995 with electronically controlled Öhlins suspension, forged wheels and a lithium battery, both use the same revised 1,103cc Desmosedici engine with 216 horsepower at 13,500rpm and are first to market with Brembo’s latest HypureTM brakes. In S trim the (unfuelled) 187kg kerb weight translates to a 2kg reduction over the previous model, this seemingly minor saving masking much more significant changes.
The revised front frame is over half a kilo lighter while perhaps the most obvious aesthetic move is a switch back to a twin-sided swingarm, this featuring distinctive cutouts on each side. Showing the bike off for the first time in the UK at a VIP dinner ahead of the Silverstone MotoGP round, a Ducati spokesman described this as an ‘emotional’ move given single-sided swingarms have been a visual signature of its sports bikes for a long time now. But the technical benefits were clear, the new swingarm and frame deliberately engineered with more flex in them than before. Which sounds all wrong, until it’s pointed out that when cranked over at 65-degree lean angles the suspension is actually hardly moving at all, and a bit of ‘give’ in the frame actually makes the bike more predictable on the ragged edge. Something confirmed by MotoGP championship leader Francesco Bagnaias, who says the new bike is much easier to ride to the limit than its predecessor.
The bodywork covering all this has been restyled with both looks and performance in mind, the very obvious 916-inspired aesthetics likely to go down a storm with fans while the new fairing is both aerodynamically more efficient in a straight line while pared back from the front wheel to improve cornering response. Footpegs are also a fraction closer in to improve both aero and lean angles. Downforce remains the same as before, while cooling for the engine and its ancillaries has been improved.
The bodywork covering all this has been restyled with both looks and performance in mind, the very obvious 916-inspired aesthetics likely to go down a storm with fans while the new fairing is both aerodynamically more efficient in a straight line while pared back from the front wheel to improve cornering response. Footpegs are also a fraction closer in to improve both aero and lean angles. Downforce remains the same as before, while cooling for the engine and its ancillaries has been improved.
The engine gets new, higher lift cams and ekes out a notional half a horsepower more even running to more restrictive Euro5+ regs. The alternator and oil pump are meanwhile the same as those on the Panigale V4 R while the gearbox housing is from the Superleggera V4. 216 horsepower still not enough? Tick the box for the Akrapovič exhaust and that increases to 228 horsepower, though this is a track-only option.
Helping even regular riders make sense of that is a next gen package of electronics controlling engine, braking and everything in between. This includes a feature that trails the rear brake into the corners even after you release the front to mimic the hand controls used on race bikes. The Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO) meanwhile takes inputs from over 70 sensors to help with the traction, slide and wheelie control systems while a new digital dash display has a range of extra functions for both road and track use. It’s a lot to take in, but in short Ducati promises the electronic support to make even track day amateurs feel like they’re up there with the Francesco Bagnaias of this world.
Helping even regular riders make sense of that is a next gen package of electronics controlling engine, braking and everything in between. This includes a feature that trails the rear brake into the corners even after you release the front to mimic the hand controls used on race bikes. The Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO) meanwhile takes inputs from over 70 sensors to help with the traction, slide and wheelie control systems while a new digital dash display has a range of extra functions for both road and track use. It’s a lot to take in, but in short Ducati promises the electronic support to make even track day amateurs feel like they’re up there with the Francesco Bagnaias of this world.
