The perfect fusion of power and elegance

The new Panigale V2 Is a beefy yet compact bike of essential design with clear-cut lines that convey power without compromising classic Ducati superbike flair. 

The Panigale V2 features the single-sided aluminium swingarm, the hallmark of every high-end sports Ducati. The extensive fairing highlights the more compact twin-cylinder Superquadro engine (smaller in comparison to the Desmosedici Stradale), creating a bike that is visibly leaner and less intimidating than the Panigale V4.

Dominating the front end are the two large air intakes, the upper parts of which incorporate the full-LED headlight. The new intakes merge with the existing air feed layout via newly designed ducts that, delivery rates remaining equal, lose less pressure than the previous ones, thus boosting intake efficiency.

The headlight has been compacted with the express intent of giving the intakes themselves - especially with the bike at standstill - a more menacing air. Two specially shaped rims on the undersides of the air intakes speed up air inflow. The full-LED headlight consists of a Daytime Running Light (which creates a dual 'eyebrow' effect, highlighting the upper rim of the air intake) and two compact dipped beam / high beam LED modules.

Perfect Ducati Style

The tail is built on a steel Trellis subframe lined with plastic covers that runs from the vertical cylinder to the tailpiece, of winged, spoiler-like design.

The tailpiece incorporates the full-LED tail light, also wing-shaped: while a one-piece assembly, the light has two distinct parts as per Ducati sports bike tradition. The Panigale V2 combines a traditional Ducati Red livery with black 5-spoke wheels of a Panigale V4-inspired design.

Superquadro: The Ducati twin-cylinder

The 955 cm³ twin cylinder Superquadro engine complies with Euro 5 standards. Compared to the engine on the 959 Panigale it delivers an additional 5 hp and 2 Nm more of torque. it also features a new compact exhaust silencer, routed entirely underneath the engine.

With a maximum power of 155 hp at 10,750 rpm and a torque of 104 Nm at 9,000 rpm, this twin cylinder engine delivers power smoothly and enjoyably on the road while remaining forceful - yet always under control - on the track.

Higher Performance: New injectors and inlet ducts

Performance enhancement largely stems from the new injectors (two per cylinder, one above and one below the butterfly, larger, and re-angled) and the new inlet ducts which, delivery rates remaining equal, lose less pressure than their predecessors, thus boosting intake efficiency. Oval throttle body dimensions remain unchanged with an equivalent diameter of 62 mm. Throttle bodies are controlled independently of each other via a full Ride by Wire system.

Silencer

The new silencer has a new internal layout and, back pressure remaining equal, abates noise spikes more easily. This has led to a considerable reduction in silencer bulk. The new silencer also houses two larger. enhanced-impregnation catalytic converters that allow compliance with Euro 5 emissions standards.

90° Cylinders

On the Panigale V2 the engine acts as a stressed member of the frame. Set 90° apart, the cylinders are banked rearwards around the crankshaft axis, resulting in a 21° angle between front cylinder and horizontal plane. The two cylinder heads and aluminium top covers feature a ribbed design to reduce mechanical noise. The crankcases are vacuum die-cast using Vacural® technology to optimise weight saving and ensure consistent wall thickness and increased strength. Crankcase cover, clutch cover and sump are all made of die-cast aluminium.

The Superquadro engine uses brass bushings for the crankshaft, lubricated with pressurised oil via ducting inside the crankcase. This ensures efficient lubrication of the crankshaft and rapid oil recovery thanks to a lobe pump that - as on MotoGP racing engines - lowers the pressure in the connecting rod casing. Operated by a shaft, in turn driven by a gear train, the pump keeps the casing zone underneath the pistons in a controlled, constant low pressure state, thus reducing the resistance encountered by connecting rod rotation at high engine speeds and ensuring efficient oil recovery at all engine speeds.

The compression ratio is 12.5:1. The 955 cm³ displacement is obtained with a 60.8 mm stroke and 100 mm bore, measurements that flawlessly combine good handling and fluid power delivery. A 100 mm bore allows for large valve diameters: 41.8 mm for the intake and 34 mm for the exhaust. The valves are controlled by a Desmodromic system with racing-derived rocker arms, 'super-finished' and with a special DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) facing for reduced friction and increased fatigue strength.

Transmission features a six-speed gearbox with the Ducati Quick Shift up/down EVO 2 system and an oil bathed clutch. The latter has an anti-patter and progressive self-servo mechanism that compresses the friction plates when under drive from the engine without any extra effort required from the rider to release the clutch. 

More comfortable and safe

The Panigale V2 has revised ergonomics aimed at improving comfort. The new seat allows for greater longitudinal movement of the rider and greater comfort thanks to the new foam that raises it by 5 mm. The position of the footpegs remains the same.

Suspensions

The Panigale V2 features the 43 mm Showa BPF fork at the front, which provide full adjustability in spring pre-load, compression and rebound damping. The Showa Big Piston Fork (BPF) considerably improves damping control at low speed, ensuring lower-pressure oil feed and reducing the amount of fluid needed for compression and rebound adjustment. This results in improved suspension performance and significant weight savings compared to traditional fork types. 

A Sachs steering damper completes the front-end package.The rear suspension features a fully adjustable, Sachs monoshock, which reacts to the motion imparted by the die-cast single-sided aluminium swingarm via progressive-rate linkage. The shock absorber is side mounted to make the unit fully accessible for rebound and compression damping and spring pre-load adjustments. 

The Panigale V2 has fork slide out by 2 mm and a new shock absorber 2 mm longer that together with the new Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II tires make the bike more intuitive, agile and fun to ride, moreover a fine-tuning of the suspension hydraulic setting improve comfort in road use.

Wheels and tyres

The Panigale V2 has a 5-spoke, 3.5 inch wheel at the front and 5.5 inch wheel at the rear, both rolling on Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II tyres: 120/70 ZR17 at the front and a nimble 180/60 x ZR17 at the rear. 

Pirelli's first multi-compound bike tyre, the Diablo Rosso Corsa II combines racetrack performance with road versatility, making it just perfect for the Panigale V2. Multi-compound technology was developed out of Pirelli's experience in the World Superbike Championship. The result: dual-compound front tyres, with three different application zones, and tri-compound rear tyres with five application zones to optimise the contact patch and achieve top road and track grip under all surface conditions, dry or wet, at any lean angle. 

A new tread pattern with a slick shoulder zone optimises the contact patch and ensures more even wear. Aspect ratio and structure are also racing-derived and designed to maximise cornering agility and 'feel'.

The best technology and electronics

The Panigale V2 features modern electronics based on a 6-axis inertial platform which instantly detects the bike's roll, yaw and pitch angles.

The new electronics package raises active safety and dynamic control standards by adding the cornering function to the ABS, upgrading the quickshift so it now covers down-changes and including traction control, engine brake control and wheelie control.

As you'd expect, all controls are incorporated in the three Riding Modes (Race, Sport, Street) and can be adjusted via the new 4.3" colour TFT dashboard. Featuring a user-friendly graphic interface browsing menus, adjusting settings and identifying the selected Riding Mode couldn't be easier.