When you think of luxury sports bikes, the mind immediately wanders to the creme de la creme of the segment. Yes, flagship liter-class superbikes. But ask anyone who has ridden one (or owned one), and they’ll tell you just how impractical these things are. So for a luxurious sports bike that is also practical, you’re inevitably left with middleweight offerings.
The growth in the middleweight sports bike segment further sweetens the pot, as there are super impressive motorcycles you can get your hands on. One truly justifies the ‘luxury that can be practical’ definition, though, and here’s what it is.
The Ducati Panigale V2 S Is The Sports Bike That Proves Luxury Can Be Practical
Price: $19,995
We’re talking about the new Ducati Panigale V2 S. Being a Ducati, luxury is a given here. High-quality components, impeccable quality of materials, and an innovative tech suite are all standard inclusions. It can get better, too, as Ducati sells two special editions of the motorcycle. Both celebrate the success of Ducati’s factory MotoGP squad via a Francesco Bagnaia livery and a Marc Marquez livery.
At the same time, practicality has become a strong suit of the new V2. Ducati has tweaked the ergonomics to focus on blending road and track abilities rather than going the back-breaking way like with the older V2. The engine follows the same brief, focusing more on low-end punch and livability than the peaky 955cc Desmo mill. All that does cost serious money, though, but hey, when has luxury been easy on the pocket?
Other than the V2, the Yamaha YZF-R9 can be an alternative. It matches the Panigale in more ways than one, while being way more affordable at under $13,000. However, there are a few things to note. First, Yamaha has never been considered a luxury brand. Second, the R9 has more track-focused ergonomics than the V2. Finally, we believe the V-twin layout will be more practical for the road than the triple-cylinder layout.
Last but not least, there’s the MV Agusta F3 R. This is the only truly handmade middleweight on offer right now, and that’s a real luxury. At the same time, the performance, equipment, and electronics are all top-drawer here. Oh, and the Italian bikemaker has somehow priced this $2,000 less than the Panigale V2. What works against it, though, is the aggressive nature. This is one of the few OG supersport middleweight bikes, which means back-breaking ergonomics and a heavy focus on track abilities. Thus, practicality is a big question mark.
A Non-Desmo 889cc, Twin-Cylinder Engine Powers The Panigale V2 S
Desmo valves have been the way to go for Ducati since its inception. In recent times, though, the bikemaker has been steadily reducing its usage. It’s the same story with the new Panigale V2. The desmo-equipped 955cc engine has been ditched in favor of a new 889cc V-twin powerhouse. The output now lies at 120 horsepower and 69 pound-feet, which is higher than its rivals like the Yamaha YZF-R9 and Aprilia RS 660. A six-speed transmission sends the power to the wheel.
Tractability Is The Priority
Ducati claims tractability is a key priority of this engine. Thus, there’s a new ‘Intake Variable Timing’ system, which ensures says 70 percent of peak torque is available at just 3,000 RPM. This is also the lightest twin-cylinder engine by Ducati so far, and we all know less weight is always a pro. Another noteworthy aspect is the mighty impressive 28,000-mile valve clearance check interval.
The Panigale V2 S Has An Unorthodox Aluminum Chassis
To house the new engine, Ducati has whipped up a new chassis as well. Unlike the usual trellis and twin-spar setups, you get an uncommon aluminum monocoque frame on the V2. This works in tandem with an aluminum subframe and an aluminum dual-sided swingarm. The latter has hollow sections to save weight, just like the flagship Panigale V4 R.
All that aluminum, along with the lightest twin-cylinder engine, helps the V2 S weigh in at just 388 pounds (wet without fuel). The standard V2 sits at 395 pounds, in case you’re curious. Other dimensions are compact as well, with the wheelbase at 57.7 inches and trail at 3.7 inches.
Forget The Yamaha R1 Or Ducati Panigale – This Is The Performance Sports Bike You Need
With 220 horsepower and a sub-$20,000 MSRP, this superbike makes a really strong case for itself in 2026
Premium Ohlins Suspension Sweetens The Pot
This is where the V2 S shines over the V2. Instead of the KYB setup, you get Ohlins NIX30 upside-down forks and an Ohlins monoshock. Both of these have full adjustability to let you fine-tune the riding dynamics for your riding style. Rounding things off is a set of 17/17-inch cast aluminum wheels, where the front houses 320 mm discs and the rear has a 245 mm rotor. You get Brembo M50 calipers at the front, which is a slight bummer since the competition has Stylemas.
A Premium Suite Of Electronic Aids Enhance The Luxurious Experience
Even though electronics are the way forward, only a few middleweight sports bikes have a full suite of rider aids on offer. The Panigale V2 S is one of these bikes, which only enhances the luxurious experience. Front and center is a 5-inch TFT instrument cluster. This is a new-gen display with an improved user interface and lets you toggle through the rider aids.
These include three-mode ABS, eight-level traction control, four-level wheelie control, three-level engine brake control, and multiple ride modes with the option to set it all up to your liking. You also get a two-way quickshifter as standard, launch control, pit limiter, and all-LED lights.