Sports bikes come in a lot of variety today, but if you want to ride these properly, you need something specific. Practical sports bikes are good to have on the road, but to attack fast corners and build rider confidence, you need a bike that’s precise and fast while being forgiving enough to help you build your confidence and skills.
There’s one category of sports bikes that suits this role better than the rest: supersports. These bikes perfectly balance performance, razor-sharp agility, and the ability to inspire confidence on the road. These supersports also come in a variety, including the 600cc class or the modern twin-cylinder ones, but there’s one that stands out from the crowd. Here’s more about the sports bike that’s not only built for fast roads but also inspires rider confidence.
Supersports Bikes Are The Way To Go For Real Sports Riding
One might argue that nothing less than a superbike is ideal for real riding. That statement would ideally make sense for a very specific set of people, not all riders. Superbikes, or liter-class sports bikes, as capable as they are, come with their own limitations. In fact, the very thing that makes them ‘super’ makes them inaccessible; they have way more performance than you can ever use on the road. To push them to their limits, you’d have to take them to fast racetracks that let you exploit all the near-200 ponies of a modern liter-class sports bike.
The same performance also makes them incredibly unforgiving, tamed only by an array of rider aids. This keeps you from making mistakes and building rider confidence, especially if you only ever rely on electronic nannies to keep the rubber side down. Performance aside, superbikes are also heavy; usually 30 to 40 pounds heavier than smaller supersport motorcycles. That extra weight can make them more difficult to throw around in corners. That’s the reason why, on the track, superbikes rush past everyone on the straight, but supersports usually lead in corners.
Supersports Have Evolved To Be More Mature
The supersport segment is ever-evolving, and in recent history, it mostly referred to 600cc supersports, with an occasional anomaly, like the Triumph Daytona 675R, making an appearance. Thanks to the latest emissions norms, that has changed, with most 600-class models going out of production or losing updates. Instead, that torch is passed on to twin- or triple-cylinder sports bikes, like the Yamaha YZF-R9 or MV Agusta F3 800.
While many may feel like supersports have lost their appeal, that may not entirely be true. The new breed of supersports is just as capable as the older models, and sometimes, even more. These bikes are still light and incredibly sharp, and have more than enough power for fast roads. Where they have matured is that, while still being committed, they also bring a slight comfort advantage without losing their sporty streak. The perfect example of this is Ducati’s latest supersport model.
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The Ducati Panigale V2 S Is Built For “Real Riding”
The current Ducati Panigale V2 may share its name with the older model, but it’s worlds apart. The older V2 was derived from the larger superbike platforms, whereas Ducati has built the current Panigale V2 from the ground up to represent the middleweight supersport category. So you get a stunningly gorgeous sports bike that’s also the lightest Panigale ever made. Ducati says this bike inherits the characteristic performance of the older bike, with a touch of comfort this time around.
As Fast As The Old Panigale V2
Even though the new Panigale V2 may be a middleweight sports bike, Ducati says it proved to be just as fast as the superbike-derived predecessor on the track. During the testing phase, Ducati’s test rider (Davide Stirpe) and an Italian Supersport Champion lapped very similar lap times with the new bike compared to the previous model. Ducati also assures it offers better corner entry, turning, and traction performance, as well as braking.
Go For The Panigale V2 S For Serious Performance
The Panigale V2 comes in two variants. If you want serious performance, the V2 S is the model to go for, as it features higher-spec components, including Ohlins suspension. Accordingly, the price is set at $19,995 for the red model, while the Ducati Yellow comes at an additional cost of $500.
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V2 Power And Monocoque Precision For Fast Roads
|
Engine |
Power |
Torque |
Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
|
890cc Ducati V2 |
120 HP @ 10,750 RPM |
69 LB-FT @ 8,250 RPM |
388 LBS |
At the heart of the Panigale V2 sits Ducati’s new V2 engine (yes, that’s its name). It’s a 890cc 90-degree L-twin engine that only weighs 119 pounds (19.8 pounds lighter than the old Superquadro L-twin). This weight saving comes from its narrow design, as well as some lightweight internals, including hollow stem valves and rockers with DLC coating. This makes it the lightest twin-cylinder engine made by Ducati.
Power output is 120 horsepower at 10,750 RPM and 69 pound-feet of torque at 8,250 RPM, and according to Ducati, the power is delivered with a broad spread of torque, with almost 60 pound-feet arriving at 4,500 RPM. All this is without losing top-end performance, thanks to the innovative electronic variable timing system. This system works by progressively varying the intake valve timing across a 52-degree range. This, paired with the final drive ratio, is said to give the Panigale V2 S an advantage in corners. Combined, the engine performance makes this bike something that you can push really hard through corners.
Lightweight Monocoque Frame And Top-Shelf Suspension
The bike is underpinned by a lightweight monocoque frame, which also serves as the airbox. The frame is 37 pounds lighter than that of the older Panigale V2, meaning a curb weight of 388 pounds without fuel. It’s paired with a double-sided swingarm that’s inspired by the Panigale V4’s Hollow Symmetrical Swingarm.
Unlike the standard Panigale V2, which sits on a Marzocchi/Kayaba suspension, the V2 S gets a fancier Ohlins setup. It includes a 43 mm Ohlins NIX-30 fork and an Ohlins monoshock, both fully adjustable. There are also Brembo M50 monobloc calipers and a radial PR16/21 master cylinder on both variants. Rounding out the package are a pair of die-cast aluminum wheels shod in Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires.
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Sporty Ergonomics And Electronics Deliver Rider Confidence
As with most of the new breed of supersports, the Panigale V2 features a riding position that Ducati likes to call ‘modern.’ In other words, it’s designed from scratch to be more comfortable and versatile, all without limiting track performance. That’s not a bad thing. Ducati promises it still offers engaging control on the bike, so it shouldn’t come between you and your goal of wanting to ride harder. In fact, the slightly more versatile ergonomics should inspire more confidence in you.
Everything ergonomically strikes that balance. The seat offers enough space to move around while sitting 33 inches off the ground. The forged semi-handlebars ensure excellent mobility while reducing the load on your wrists. Similarly, the pegs are aggressively designed to offer grip and stability, ensuring heaps of cornering clearance. Even the fuel tank is optimized for easy knee anchoring and to reduce arm fatigue.
Enough Electronics To Keep Things In Control
While the Panigale V2 S may have been designed to help you build your confidence and extract all the performance, it still has to be forgiving enough to handle rider mistakes. Fortunately, it features one of the most comprehensive electronics packages in its category. It features lean-sensitive ABS and TCS, along with Engine Brake Control (EBC), Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Ducati Power Launch, and Ducati Pit Limiter. There are also four riding and power modes, Ducati Quick Shift 2.0, cruise control, and a five-inch TFT display.
And A Range Of Ducati Performance Accessories
Ducati also offers a range of performance accessories and three accessory packages, including Carbon and Dynamic, which add carbon fiber and stylistic bits. The one to go for is the Time Attack package, which adds a Termignoni full-facing exhaust that unlocks 126 horsepower, along with an Ohlins steering damper, adjustable legs, lower-set handlebars, and more. This package is for those who want to extract all the Panigale V2 S has to offer without letting versatility and comfort get in the way.
Source: Ducati