Just a few laps into my second session at Jerez, and already the Panigale V2 is in its element. Ducati’s mid-capacity sports bike rips round the Spanish circuit feeling sorted, quick and most of all supremely controllable. It’s the sort of bike that flatters its rider and makes relearning a racetrack rewardingly easy.
The sharply styled red V2 looks much like its big brother the Panigale V4, thanks to its flared nostrils, bright red paintwork, single-sided swing-arm and a stubby silencer tucked in neatly on its right side. But if I were riding the V4 I’d be experiencing very different sensations – battling G-forces and trying to prevent a wild beast from tearing the bars from my hands.
Aboard the Panigale V2 it’s much more civilised; almost relaxed, if circulating a racetrack on a 150bhpplus superbike could ever be described that way. This 955cc V-twin might look much more like the larger capacity V4 than its predecessor the Panigale 959 did, but that is deceptive because neither the Ducati’s ethos nor its eight-valve desmo powerplant has changed. Just like the 959, the V2 is designed to be not merely fast, but rider-friendly and fun to ride, on both road and track.
The Superquadro engine does, however, benefit from the new double-layer fairing, which ducts air more efficiently from those slots at its nose. Together with new, more free-flowing fuel injectors and a redesigned exhaust, which replaces the 959’s twin-pipe system, this increases peak output by 5bhp, to 153bhp at 10,750rpm. (Claimed figures are slightly down on the 959’s because Ducati now measure torque and power in a different way.)
This story is from the February 2020 edition of Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2020 edition of Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Longest Day Teapot
Adventure, cheap motorcycles and a desire to do something good for the world. All combining in one very long day
Northern Spain and the Picos
We're all aware that the world, his wife and his motorbiking dog have been to Northern Spain and the Picos triangle, but Alastair is going to throw his tuppence in none-the-less, for all the right reasons!
Mossy’s Knowledge
Spec sheet terminology Engines
NORTON CEO ROBERT HENTSCHEL
There's been much talk about the rise, fall, and rise of Norton Motorcycles over the last few months, if not years, so who better to ask about the true, behind-the-scenes details than their new head honcho?
FULL CHAT - POWERED BY BIKESUR
Once limited to television chat shows, the world of celebrity interviews has now, in the 21st century, expanded to blogs, vlogs and podcasts that cover an expansive range of subjects and personalities, and it's only natural that the world of motorcycles is covered in that remit
TARMAC TWEAKS
Stepping ever further away from its Dakar Rally racing roots, Honda's overhauled its Africa Twin Adventure Sports to create a seriously capable big-mile tourer that can hold its own with the best of them
How to maintain your battery
Most riders won't notice that anything is amiss with their battery until they press the ignition switch and their motorcycle fails to start. With a little bit of luck, they might be able to recharge the battery, but that takes time. Should the battery have become deeply discharged, and beyond recovery, then it will need replacing, causing more time lost and unwelcome expense. Often overlooked, battery maintenance is simple and, apart from keeping your battery in top working condition, will also significantly extend its lifespan. What's not to like? MSL asked the battery saving experts at OptiMate to explain the theory behind the practice of battery maintenance.
All That Gear
I remember riding from Indianapolis to Tucson in 1962. 1800 miles, a new rider learning how to change the gears
Ready to take on THE WORLD
Ducati keep going from strength to strength, and have upped the adventure bike ante once again with the DesertX Rally, a high-spec and genuinely race-capable development of the excellent DesertX
The big bike that thinks it's small
This brand-new model in the Triumph range could be the perfect answer to many rider's needs. And for Triumph, it may just be the most important model in Hinckley's history