A lot of refinements to engine, chassis and electronics, not to mention styling, combine to make the 2025 Ducati Panigale V4 S an incredible machine... We test it... Pics: Alex Photo/Ducati
This new Panigale is lighter, more powerful and with more technical wizardry than ever before to make it the most advanced road-going Ducati ever. Ducati’s target goals for the V4 S were to improve lap times, reduce the riding effort and to allow the bike to boost the skills.
What is new?
The big talking point for many is the introduction of a double-sided swingarm, which takes over from the much-loved single-sider and follows instead the design of Ducati’s dominant MotoGP GP24 bike in a bid to manage ever-increasing levels of power and grip. Despite having a double arm, it’s lighter (by 2.7kg) and has 37 per cent less lateral rigidity. In the flesh, it looks pleasingly elegant, too.
The new traditional double-sided swingarm on the 2025 V4 S, it’s lighter and stiffer than the single-sided one.
Read our full tech details here and check out the Aussie static launch here…
A redesigned ‘front frame’ has also had its lateral stiffness reduced by a comparable 40 per cent, while suspension features the very latest Smart EC 3.0 electronic TTX36 (front) and NPX 25/30 (rear) units from Öhlins.
The familiar 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 with counter rotating crank gets a little more power to keep the headline writers happy (the older machine was hardly lacking), all-new Brembo Hypure calipers make a first-time appearance, there’s more aerodynamic detailing and styling which gives a certain legendary Ducati 916-look to the silhouette, and a reconfigured riding position that includes more inboard pegs and a longer and wider seat.
All-new Brembo Hypure calipers make a first-time appearance on the 2025 Ducati Panigale V4 S.
The second big talking point, however, is the new electronic package, especially the Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO), which features an algorithm developed by the Ducati Corse MotoGP technicians that precisely estimates and optimises multiple rider aids as well as the race eCBS combined lean-sensitive braking system, which in basic terms helps you brake like a MotoGP rider.
Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO) features an algorithm developed by the Ducati Corse MotoGP technicians.
Test conditions at Vallelunga just outside Rome were perfect and with a Ducati Corse technician on standby, Pirelli slicks and six long sessions available, a thorough and fast test of the new Panigale V4 S was very much on the cards…
“This newfound stability might be down to extra flex in the frame and longer swingarm, or the new electronics”.
Panigale V4 S Track Test
The most obvious improvement over the older bike was its improved stability. The V4 S I rode in 2022 was planted enough but around Vallelunga, especially through a fourth-gear and fearsomely fast and committed kink, would gently weave or move the ‘bars to indicate you were towards the limit, forcing me to short-shift through this section.
The 2025 Panigale, however, was much more predictable and even in the first session I had more confidence to make full use of the power. This newfound stability might be down to extra flex in the frame and longer swingarm, or the new electronics, or a combination of everything, but from lap three the difference between the old and new bike was obvious.
“Towards the end of the day I was desperate to forget the lap timer for a while and simply enjoy the new Panigale and have some elbow-dragging fun”…
Rider aids are inspiring; the lap ends with tight, twisty second-gear corners and late apexes, followed by hard acceleration with risky lean angles. But the new rider aids handle everything, allowing aggressive throttle use. The throttle response is nearly perfect, and you can apply power quickly while relying on the aids. I don’t think I’ve ever exited corners so hard and early.
“I don’t think I’ve ever exited corners so hard and early”…
On occasion, I could feel the torque reduce as a slide or wheelspin were corrected, especially when exiting first and second-gear corners hard on the throttle. It’s amazing what you can get away with and how unfazed and planted the Ducati remains.
Chads says he has never got on the gas so hard so early on a street legal Superbike as on the new V4 S…
Stopping is now managed by new Brembo Hypure calipers, and also the new Race eCBS combined ABS system. There are seven levels of ABS, with level 1 the dedicated Race eCBS. This new system combines the front and rear brakes so that even when you release the front brake and arrive at a corner apex, it continues to trail the rear brake, without any rider intervention.
Meanwhile DVO ensures it won’t lock or slide the rear wheel while working out the fastest, safest braking strategy for the corner, you can, in theory at least, steer and lean to the apex. According to Ducati, a trailing rear brake tightens the line and adds stability mid-corner and, most important of all, makes you feel like Ducati Corse’s double world champion Pecco Bagnaia.
“This new system combines the front and rear brakes so that even when you release the front brake and arrive at a corner apex, it continues to trail the rear brake”…
The older Panigale was impressive on the brakes, but the combination of the Brembo Hypure stoppers and new technology is a hugely potent package. You can take real liberties on the brakes: brake so late it’s physically painful; brake so late and with so much power up to the apex it’s almost hard to comprehend and calculate.
Towards the end of the day I was desperate to forget the lap timer for a while and simply enjoy the new Panigale and have some elbow-dragging fun, which is what the Ducati does so well. Yes, you can chase lap times, but as it’s now so much easier to ride fast you can also maintain both a pace and safety margin higher than you thought possible while still having trackday fun.
The astonishing level of grip from the chassis, rider aids and big slick Pirelli rubber allows crazy lean angles. If you ever want to get your elbow down – this is the bike to try it on. The chassis feedback is forensic. You feel in tune with the chassis, understand completely the Pirelli rubber and elevate your riding too. Sometimes electronic suspension can dilute the connection with the bike, but this is not the case on new Panigale.
“The astonishing level of grip from the chassis, rider aids and big slick Pirelli rubber allows crazy lean angles”…
Panigale V4 S Verdict
Ducati has made significant progress. The new 2025 model is more stable and planted and therefore easier to ride. Where the older bike occasionally asked you to use calming shortshifts, particularly on the exits of fast, hanging sweepers, the new one asks for full gas and every one of its Italian horses in all the corners and does so without hesitation. This makes the bike faster and cuts faster lap times.
Secondly, the advancement in rider aids and braking technology is truly breathtaking. Never has a Ducati superbike been this easy to ride consistently and safely. You can take outrageous liberties and rely on the rider aids, which takes a conscious re-configuration of your riding because the new Panigale allows you to do things on a motorcycle you really shouldn’t. It flatters the rider, improves lap times and in turn makes riding on track more enjoyable. In short, it makes you faster.
We don’t know what the new Panigale will be like on the road, and all this new technology comes at a price that now puts the V4 S is close to $50k AUD.
But if I were the competition, I’d be worried. Ducati has taken race-winning MotoGP and WSBK know how and technology and transferred it to their road -going superbike so we can all feel like an elite racer. It is stunning.
Panigale V4 S Talking Points
Electronics – Are you ready for the list? Race eCBS, Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Wheelie Control, Ducati Slide Control, Ducati Power Launch, Ducati Quick Shift 2.0 (up and down), Ducati Brake Control and Ducati Electronic Suspension in partnership with Öhlins.
Brakes – All-new Brembo Hypure monobloc calipers replace Stylema items. The new calipers are lighter (saving on unsprung weight), reduce friction when the force isn’t applied and improve heat reduction. This is complimented by the 7-level race eCBS combined cornering ABS.
Modes – There are four power modes: Full, High, Medium and Low. Additionally, there are five separate riding modes: Race A, which is high power, low rider aids intervention, and suspension on Active Track 1. Race B is full power, a little more support on the rider aids and suspension Active Track 2. Sports Mode is recommended for the road and gives Medium power (with a uncapped peak of 216hp), Active Dynamic 1 on the suspension and more rider aids, ABS is a higher level 6. Road mode has Medium power with more rider aids designed for cold or tricky conditions, and suspension set to Active Comfort 1. Finally, a Wet mode, has power limited to 160hp in Low mode, rider aids increased and suspension now Active Low Grip 1.
More power – Ducati have partnered with Akrapovic again to produce a stunning race exhaust, with the silencers exiting high. Peak power increases 12hp to 228hp and weight drops by a staggering 6.6kg. Decibels increase to 105db, but fitted with a dB-killer drop to 102db. There is an alternative race exhaust which sits under the bike and increases power by 8bhp.
Race eCBS – This new system has been designed in partnership with Bosch and has seven different levels. 1-5 are designed for the track with 6 and 7 for the road. The most extreme and race focused is level 1, which trails the rear brake to the apex, even after you have released the front brake. According to Ducati, this is what their MotoGP riders do naturally…
Suspension – The standard Panigale V4 will arrive with fully adjustable manual suspension, Showa BPF forks, a Sachs rear shock and conventional steering damper. The tested S version comes suspended on the latest Öhlins electronic suspension (EC 3.0) and electronic steering damper.
2025 Ducati Panigale V4 S Specifications
Price: $49,300 Ride Away
Warranty: Two years/unlimited kilometre
Colours: Red
Service: 12k general, 24k valves
Claimed power: 159kW [216hp]@13,500rpm
Claimed torque: 120Nm[91.5ft-lbs]@11,250rpm
Wet weight (no fuel): 187kg
Fuel capacity: 17 litres
Fuel Consumption (Claimed): 6.5L/100km
Fuel Consumption Av (measured): N/A
Top Speed: 299km/h
Engine: Liquid-cooled 1103cc 16-valve DOHC Desmo V4, 81 x 53.5mm bore x stroke, 14:1 compression, twin injectors per cylinder, elliptical throttle-bodies, 4-2-1-2 exhaust.
Gearbox: Six speed, DQS EVO2 quickshifter. Clutch: Wet multi-plate slipper, hydraulic actuation with self-bleeding pump. Final drive: Chain
Chassis: Machined aluminium front frame, engine stressed member, aluminium dual sided swingarm
Rake: 24 degrees Trail: 98mm
Suspension: 43mm Ohlins NPX 25/30 forks, S-EC 3.0 pressurised, 125mm travel. Rear: Ohlins TTX36 (SV) S-EC 3.0 Monoshock, 130mm travelt. Ohlins electronic steering damper.
Brakes: 330mm Brembo Hypure rotors, Brembo four-piston monobloc Stylema calipers, ABS, 245mm rear rotor, twin-piston caliper. Bosch cornering ABC EVO
Wheels & Tyres: Forged alloy Marchesini wheels, 120/70-17, 200/60-17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V4.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 1485mm
Seat Height: 850mm (adjustable)
Ground Clearance: N/A
Overall Length: N/A
Overall Width: N/A
Overall Height: N/A
Instruments & Electronics: New generation 5in TFT Colour Display unit. Riding Modes Race A Race B Sport Road Wet, Power Modes, Race ECBS, DVO, DTC, DWC, DSC, EBC, DPL, DES 3.0, Full LED lighting with Daytime Riding Lights DRL, Auto tyre calibration, Ducati Quickshifter, Lithium Ion battery, Quick adjustment buttons, Auto cancel indicators, racing grips.
Ratings | Bike Review | 2025 Ducati Panigale V4 S
Fast, Refined
Chads hits the track on the high tech and powerful 2025 Ducati Panigale V4 S, wearing out some elbow sliders on the pristine Vallelunga surface. Here is his review.
205 Ducati Panigale V4 S.
The Author
