it’s because it is haha. Ironically I’m sort of a bit more tempted by one now that I’ve started thinking I’m done with sportsbikes (well other than my 899 as that’s a keeper) but maybe replace my speed triple with one. Doesn’t that say it all though that I’m considering it as the non sportsbike option
I see in the configurator you can get the lower sports bars. I think the bike will be great for our roads. Exhaust would be changed though once some other options are available
interesting! Surely they have added that later! Maybe they will do an ‘R’ model to homologate for supersport racing next year
Still looks too high at the front. Not a fan of the "jacked up" front end with the wheel dangling in the wind and those big gaps all around it. Looks like the love child of a supersport/motocross bike. The renders posted earlier give it the appearance of cheap 125, as was alluded to in this thread. Not for me I'm afraid.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGA_k5xIy5D/?igsh=MWpxMmVrbnhzZnFmbQ== ‘Stop crying that it’s only 120bhp’.
I have been into Vertu today to have a good look around the V2 Panigale and in direct comparison to the V4 the bodywork is very very similar. The nose has nearly the same shape and it’s mainly the V4 wings that make the difference. The fairing behind the front wheel and gap above the mudguard is again virtually the same, the wings making the nose appear slightly lower but without the wings there is very little in it. With the standard bars I would say it is lower than my Supersport was and if the lower bars were fitted then it would be similar to the V4 and fill in the gap. Only negative in this area is that to enable the higher bars they have made them part of the top yoke. I ‘thought’ the bars would be separate above the top yoke so it’s not a simple put the bars under instead of over. Another couple of cost cutting items are that even on the S the stickers are not lacquered. For the extra amount that would cost would be miniscule. The bike had cruise controls on the switchgear but it needs activating. That’s a bit much to me. The exhaust, hmm, it’s not as bad as I expected and the silencers are quite decent but stevie wonder must have designed that link pipe. It will look much much better with a replacement exhaust. Overall I do like it, not that I’m buying one as I am too old for them and my hips/back/neck couldn’t manage it.
The irony is that the first person to look at it thinks it’s too extreme still (which is fine btw not aimed at the poster) but proves Ducati can’t do right for doing wrong, make it a naked and people want a fairing etc, i just don’t know if it will sell. I’m also a little miffed that the test bikes were all fitted with WSS spec 190/60 tyres, and Ohlins steering dampers. I don’t mind the sticky tyre but fitting a different profile tyre then getting journalists to describe the handling…. I dunno…. Same as the damper, why did they feel the need to do that? Does it get really sloppy on a trackday???
I saw them both in flesh at Excel yesterday and I couldn't say either of them are ‘wow’ bikes. The exhaust on the V2 looks sh1te.
I’ve not watched the video linked but I did watch the 44 Teeth one. Well, had half an eye on it not paying full attention. I think they tested the S version with full ohlins plus half the accessories catalog thrown in. Will watch it properly again sometime. Sounds fun but looks crap if my take. Also £££.
I think I’ll wait till next year when they change the exhaust routing, as it’s really the main thing I struggle with now I’ve had chance to get used to it (and the fact the rear Ohlins is a more basic RSU not a TTX) and the price…
I’ve just watched the 44t video…. With the bars being high, the Tupperware is REALLY high, and once I noticed it it just bugged me! in the 44t the bike sounds really flat on the hills and pulling out of corners, can almost hear it bogging down with a heavier rider on it. Not an issue on the road I’m sure
. WTF! First off they stopped supplying a carbon front mudguard, instead you get a plain black plastic one on the V4 S models. Now they are resorting to not even laquering the decals on the V2. Exactly how paltry an amount must that represent as a cost saving measure. What next? Perhaps they'll just give you a key ring for the S/R model and nowt else. Ducati are really squeezing the lemon these days. So much so that parts which were previously a given on S models, are now "extras". I think for the first time in a very very long time, I'm not swayed in the slightest by either the new V2 or V4, having seen both in the flesh as well. Absolutely acres of black plastic everywhere, which spells accessories catalogue to Bologna's accountants. I think if they follow this trajectory of milking their consumer base, they are in danger of losing out to rival manufacturers such as BMW, where many of these so called extras come as standard on their more exclusive models. Moreover they don't throw in a couple of parts from the accessories bin, just to justify the paint jobs on the limited models. That might sound hypocritical given my current bike, but its purchase was only viable because of the residual I had in it from my last V4. Cannot say there is any justification for the £75K asking price for the Tricolore V4, as even if you add up the extra parts on it and the cost of a decent paint job, on top of say a stock 2025 V4S, it still falls well under the "pull your trousers down" RRP, which quite frankly is not only bonkers but alienating. IIRC Ducati hit the sweet spot when they sold models such as the 916/998/999 S. R and SPS, where the increased asking prices for the more premium editions, had a lot more tangible value to them in terms of what was actually included for your hard earned money, such as carbon bodywork, front and rear huggers, titanium conrods, often the race exhaust as well, a cover, paddock stand etc. Those days are over. It's become an exercise in them making you believe you are getting more, when in essence they are changing your expectations, so what was considered as a given, is now being showcased as a feature of value above a stock model, insinuating it somehow makes it special. Either people have short memories or the younger or new customer base won't miss what they never experienced in former models.
