Ducati’s New Panigale Motorcycle Brings a Performance Upgrade to the Road for the First Time

Ducati kicked off its line of legendary World Superbike motorcycles with the launch of the achingly gorgeous 996 R in 2001.

Though the Italian manufacturer’s subsequent releases have continued to raise the bar for street-legal performance, few if any emulate a race bike quite as faithfully as the new Panigale V4 R does.

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Less a road-going homologation than a loosely-adapted competition mount with a license plate, it’s a steed that redefines what’s possible with a road-legal Ducati. 

Shifting road-going performance

In keeping with the brand’s performance-focused reputation, you’ll find that Ducati doesn’t really build bikes that could be called things like ‘conservative’ or ‘commuter-ready.’ This proves especially true in the case of the new V4 R.

Ducati

That’s because it’s pretty much as close as it comes to a road-going race bike from Borgo Panigale. Ducati developed the V4 R for the express purpose of WSB competition, and the seventh iteration adds a hefty dose of MotoGP influence. 

The engine, for instance, is a 998cc Desmosedici Stradale R V4 that’s derived from the firm’s MotoGP success. Revving to some 16,000 rpm, it’s good for an authoritative 208.4 horsepower and 84 lb-ft of torque. Assuming that’s not enough for you, however, the addition of a Ducati racing exhaust and some special Ducati Corse Performance Oil can take that figure as high as 239 ponies.

To ensure all that power gets transferred to the rear wheel, Ducati is giving its seventh-generation Panigale a production motorcycle first courtesy of its Ducati Racing Gearbox: GP shifting. In contrast to your typical motorcycle transmission, this means that neutral falls below first, and second through sixth require a tap down rather than up. 

Ducati

As if that wasn’t enough, though, the V4 R borrows the Ducati Neutral Lock (DNL) employed on the brand’s MotoGP and factory Superbike racers. Incorporating a dedicated lever located on the right handlebar, the system prevents riders from accidentally engaging neutral or hunting for the correct gear. 

While it may seem like a small change, it demonstrates the brand’s focus on incremental (but impactful) improvements. Ducati engineers its V4 R for racing first, and these kinds of tweaks from generation to generation can render some big results.

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Small tweaks, big improvements

For instance, beyond the trick DRG transmission, the engine gains lighter pistons as well as a revised crankshaft for improved response. Ducati also says that it repositioned the sub-throttle injectors and added a high-permeability polyester air filter to ensure maximum power delivery.

Elsewhere, the bike adds further aerodynamic elements in the form of something Ducati calls “corner sidepods.” While winglets make regular appearances on street bikes now (for better or worse), this is the first time these have graced a production bike. Importantly, Ducati says that they increase downforce at the front by as much as 25%.

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Riding on an Öhlins NPX25/30 fork, an Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber and a set of forged aluminum wheels, the updated V4 R offers greater travel than its predecessor while also being more responsive. 

With stopping power coming from a set of new Brembo Hypure brakes and some 330mm discs, the bike is made only better by its robust electronics package.

Thanks to the Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO) algorithm, the Panigale V4 R allows for much more rear brake usage (without risk of wheel lock-up) as well as nifty tech like an onboard grip meter.

Ducati

Pricing and availability

Pricing for the 2026 Ducati Panigale V4 R starts at $49,995. To learn more about the model or contact a dealer, you can head to the brand’s website. The configurator is currently live, and Ducati says that bikes should begin arriving in showrooms come March 2026.

Ducati

2026 Ducati Panigale V4 R

• Starts at $49,995

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