So reading between the lines, Shane (Shakey) Byrne, let slip on the Eurosport coverage of WSBK Misano today, that some sort of an announcement or press release was imminent regarding the launch of the new 2025 model Panigale V4. He had to stop short of saying when and where, almost accidentally blurting it out, so clearly it's on the cards, but my money is either on WDW2024 (in one of those merry go round private viewing booths - but I think it unlikely) or a safer bet wil be at EICMA in November. Either way that paves the way for a replacement to the current Panigale for 2025, which is more or less right, based on a six year run (with tweaks) of the current incarnation. I don't see there being huge changes to the architecture, maybe electronics, styling, aero and a hike in performance. Then again that is purely an ill-educated guess!
Makes sense as they were saying a new v4r for 2026 which seems to be the cycle. I think the road Panigale will get a bigger engine, the emissions regs now seem to be favouring bigger engines with less revs/less valve overlap. of course they might take the opportunity to fit variable valve timing to the existing engine to meet current emissions and further power targets. side note…. I’m a bit bored of the power race… I’ve watched so much racing this year at club level and seen really sorted ‘2006’ GSXR1K’s lapping within 2 seconds of a guy who rides in super stock to see that most of the extra power is just wasted anyway
That’s probably due to the current BSB SuperStock engines being over the counter standard. The current regs don’t allow any modifications to engine and gearbox. Big changes are coming to WSBK, might take a bit of time to filter down to the national series but the superbike class isn’t, IMO, going to be a super bike. Andy
So can we expect a run of 500 or so 2024 V4R FE’s, and at what premium over the ‘bog std’ bike, and what would the ‘enhancements’ be?
An improvement over the stock bike perhaps, with the addition of a few changes. Not sure about the Iron Man coloured swing arm however. This is a difficult bike to find pleasing to the eye.
You're looking at minimum 45k there, the race of champions bikes were the new V4S, now available on the DUK configurator, that spec above has the full fat exhaust and the STM dry clutch conversion kit fitted, I got to 46k pre labour costs for the upgrades being fitted and before trackday paint for the trackday panel kit, so I reckon its a 50k build ..... how you like those onions ???
yes but only proper tarts get a spray paint job done on track fairings, the rest of us are fighting with shite vinyl kits from flea bay to save a Bob
Why don’t Ducati do a track ready, out the crate bike? For years my loft space has been filled with OE fairings, lights, wheels, exhausts etc… it’s an unwelcome fuckabout I tell thee…
because with Audi they will probably charge you more for less tbf I thought Yamaha were onto a winner when they announced they would sell the R6 as track only, only to find out it was just the road bike with lights and mirrors and the same price, just not registered! I believe they may have now at least moved to selling it with a track fairing etc ready to go
Yeah, the cynical side of me says they’ll have it all covered. Everyone knows it’ll take £15-20k to track ready a current super bike. So they’ll factor in accordingly. The HP4 Race springs to mind. What are they? £60k? Plus an engine exchange at €12k a go every 2,500 miles. Might have my figures a little out, but whichever way you cut it, very expensive… And at the end of the day I’m just a bloke playing on his motorcycle…
I thought they did with some of their previous RS models such as the 748RS for example. Can't imagine it is that difficult to produce something similar for the new Panigale V4/S/R. Rumour is, there is a Tricolore version being unveiled at EICMA 2024. I am guessing if history repeats itself, the R will then launch late 2024/25, followed by a myriad of tweaks and special editions over the lifespan of the new model, in the next 5-6 years.
I guess though when they did the 748RS it’s because they had to homologate the race bike and they weren’t price capped. Also sports bikes were the big sellers until 2010
IMHO, Ducati could have done whatever they want with the "R" model but should have left the "S" model with the SSSA. I could be wrong, but I think the DSSA on the "S" will come back and haunt them in sales. For this kind of money and a DSSA, I'd take the S1000RR with all the bell's and whistles that the Ducati Panigale does not have.
Sales will prove me wrong but I think Ducati is making another erroneous marketing decision such as putting a low powered V4 engine in a Multistrada especially the one catering to off-road. The GS line guys at BMW must be laughing their heads off.
the GS boys aren’t doing any laughing because the GS1300 is buggy as hell, issues with starter motors burning out, SOS issues and various other problems
