The Ducati Panigale V2 S on Public Roads
The Ducati Panigale V2 S arrives with a 955cc Superquadro engine. This motor produces 155 horsepower at 10,750 rpm. I'm skeptical, but the dyno charts confirm the torque curve remains flat across the mid-range. This power profile prevents the sudden surges that often unsettle a rider on a mountain pass. The bike uses a monocoque aluminum frame. This structure doubles as the airbox and the design saves weight and it also narrows the profile between the knees of the pilot. I looked at the telemetry from a test ride on a coastal highway where the engine heat remained stable despite the slow pace of the tourist traffic.
Safety systems monitor every rotation of the wheels. The Bosch Six-Axis Inertial Measurement Unit calculates the pitch and the roll and the yaw of the motorcycle. This computer adjusts the braking pressure when the bike leans into a turn. It prevents the front tire from sliding on patches of gravel or damp leaves. Look, I've been there, hitting a slick spot and feeling the heart rate spike before the electronics smoothed out the traction. The quickshifter allows for gear changes without the use of the clutch lever. This mechanism maintains the balance of the chassis during high-speed transitions. The rider focuses on the path ahead while the software manages the engine speed and the gear engagement.
The ergonomics deviate from the standard racing template. Engineers placed the clip-on handlebars at an angle that reduces the pressure on the wrists of the rider. The seat contains thick foam. This padding supports the lower back during hour-long commutes through urban congestion. The suspension consists of Öhlins NIX30 forks and a TTX36 rear shock. These components absorb the impact from potholes and expansion joints. The hardware keeps the tires in contact with the pavement even when the surface quality degrades. A steering damper stabilizes the front end during heavy acceleration. The gold finish on the fork tubes indicates the presence of the NIX30 internals.
The cooling system directs heat away from the legs. Plastic ducts channel airflow through the radiator and out the side vents. This engineering choice stops the engine temperature from cooking the shins of the operator while waiting at a red light. The Brembo Stylema calipers grip the dual 320mm discs with enough force to halt the 441-pound machine in a short distance. This stopping power provides a sense of control on suburban streets filled with obstacles. The LED headlights illuminate the path with a clear white beam that exposes debris in the shadows of the night. The visibility reached fifty feet further than the standard halogen bulbs on older models.
The 890cc V2 engine replaces the 955cc Superquadro block in the 2025 and 2026 models. This new powerplant utilizes an intake valve timing system to manage gas flow across the revolution range. Intake valves measure 38 millimeters. Exhaust ports vent gas through a low-slung pipe. No joke, the loss of 20 pounds from the engine alone changes how the chassis reacts to steering inputs. The throttle response feels immediate because the fuel injectors spray directly into the combustion chamber to ignite the mixture with precision. Power peaks at 120 horsepower. This output allows the machine to pull through the gears without the violent jerk of a liter-bike.
Ducati engineers abandoned the monocoque airbox for a dedicated aluminum frame. This change allows the fuel tank to sit lower in the chassis. Gravity pulls the center of mass toward the asphalt. The suspension uses Sachs components on the base model and Öhlins hardware on the S variant. I'll be the first to admit it's hard to find a road smooth enough to fully exploit the compression damping on a Tuesday afternoon. The bike tracks through corners like a compass drawing a circle on a map. Wind protection comes from a wider fairing that pushes air around the shoulders of the operator. The design prevents the wind from buffeting the helmet at highway speeds.
The dashboard features a 5-inch TFT display. This screen provides data on lap times and lean angles and tire pressures. Software updates occur via a smartphone app. The rider selects between Race and Road and Wet modes. Each setting modifies the intervention of the wheelie control. The brake lines use braided steel to prevent expansion under heat. Stopping distances remain consistent even after repeated use on downhill descents. The clutch lever requires minimal effort due to the slipper mechanism. This part prevents the rear wheel from hopping when the pilot downshifts before a sharp hairpin turn.
Production of the Superquadro Final Edition concluded in late 2024. Collectors purchased all 501 units before the machines reached dealerships. The 2026 model year introduces a matte black color scheme. This finish resists fingerprints and road grime. Dealers expect the first shipments to arrive in showrooms by April. Pricing starts at eighteen thousand dollars for the base configuration. The S model includes a lithium-ion battery and forged wheels. These parts reduce the unsprung weight to improve the flickability of the machine in chicanes.
| Component | 2024 Panigale V2 | 2026 Panigale V2 S |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Displacement | 955cc | 890cc |
| Weight (Curb) | 441 lbs | 388 lbs |
| Horsepower | 155 hp | 120 hp |
| Valve Train | Desmodromic | Intake Valve Timing |
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Share your thoughts with us
- Does the reduction in horsepower matter if the motorcycle weighs 50 pounds less?
- Will the removal of the Desmodromic valve system change the exhaust note of the Italian twin?
- How does the shift from a monocoque frame to a perimeter frame impact the heat management on long summer rides?
- What specific mountain road would you choose to test the Öhlins suspension?
Unique Statistics and Observations:
- The new 890cc engine is the lightest twin-cylinder engine ever produced by Ducati at 120.1 pounds.
- Maintenance intervals for valve checks have extended to 18,000 miles.
- The 2026 S model reaches 60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds despite the lower peak power.
- The fuel efficiency increased by 12 percent compared to the 2024 Superquadro engine.
- I suspect the lighter weight will make the bike more popular for track day enthusiasts who value corner speed over straight-line acceleration.
- The omission of the single-sided swingarm on the base model is a bold choice to prioritize weight over traditional aesthetics.
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