Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1068866
2019 DUCATI PANIGALE V4 R FIRST IMPRESSION P118 downforce on the front wheel at high speed—35 lb at 125 mph, and 66 lb at 165 mph says Ducati aerodynamics engineer Edoardo Lenoci, all without affecting top speed at all—they undoubtedly play a role in both maximizing front tire grip AND rider confidence. When you sit up and brake for a turn you can just see them peeping out from either side of the new fair- ing design, even though this is 1.4 inches wider on either side than on the V4 S, and 1.1 inches broader at the front. This wind tunnel developed revised bodywork also features a more tightly domed 1.3-inch taller screen, all together result- ing in increased rider protec- tion, though I must admit that at busy, twisty Jerez, the most I spent tucked down behind it was about four seconds per lap! Aragon or Phillip Island would be a different matter. The revamped bodywork also includes large gill-like openings in each flank as a consequence of which the radiators (same as on the V4 S) can dissipate their heat much more efficiently. According to Lenoci, these new vents increase airflow through the water and oil radiators by as much as 6 percent and 16 percent, respectively. Plus, the intake apertures in the nose of the fairing are much larger than on the V4 S, for deeper breath- ing at higher revs. Form follows function. The V4 R's Bosch electron- ics package featuring a six-axis IMU offers everything from a lap timer to launch control, including Cornering ABS, pit lane speed limiter (adjustable from 24/49 mph, so good for avoiding speeding tickets in all those little towns and villages in Italy and elsewhere which see trapping riders for 2 mph over as a use- ful cash cow), Ducati Wheelie Control, Ducati Traction Control EVO, Ducati Slide Control, En- gine Braking Control, etc. The DWC could have worked better— I had a couple of bigtime power wheelies shifting into third gear from second at just the wrong point in the rev range—but the DTC was particularly effective, repeatedly intervening gently but effectively in one session where the rear Pirelli had started to wear after countless journo laps. Ducati has had lots of ex- perience about how to map this properly, and it shows. It also has a lot of experi- ence in how to build Superbike racers-with-lights. This is the latest one—and by some way the best yet. I predict that despite the high price Ducati will sell its 1000-plus examples of the V4 R with some ease, in which case, just wait for BMW to produce a comparable M-version of its new S 1000 RR, with a power-up WorldSBK-spec engine package to go with all the carbon fiber M-parts already on offer. Ex- cept, the Ducati V4 R is already here, delivering a unique level of street-legal performance from a series production motorcycle. Start saving now! CN S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 2019 DUCATI PANIGALE V4 R ENGINE: ...........................Desmosedici Stradale 90° V4, rearward-rotating crankshaft, 8 desmodromi- cally-actuated valves DISPLACEMENT: .................................................998cc BORE X STROKE: ..................................81 x 48.4 mm COMPRESSION RATIO: ............................................14:1 FUEL SYSTEM: .....................Electronic fuel injection system. Twin injectors per cylinder. Full ride-by- wire elliptical throttle bodies with aerodynamic valves. Variable length intake system POWER: ................. 218 bhp at 15,250 rpm (234 hp with Akrapovic race exhaust fitted) TORQUE: ..................................83 lb-ft at 11,500 rpm EXHAUST: ...............4-2-1-2 system, with 2 catalytic converters and 2 lambda probes CLUTCH: ...............................................Dry multi-plate TRANSMISSION: ................ 6 speed with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO CHASSIS: ........................................ Steel monocoque FRONT SUSPENSION: ..........Fully adjustable 43 mm Ohlins NPX pressurized fork with TiN treatment. REAR SUSPENSION: .............Fully adjustable Ohlins TTX36 unit. Aluminum single-sided swingarm. Adjustable pivot position +/- 3 mm FRONT BRAKE: ................2 x 330 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc Stylema (M4.30) 4-piston callipers with Bosch Cornering ABS EVO REAR BRAKE: ...........245 mm disc, 2-piston calliper with Bosch Cornering ABS EVO FRONT TIRE: ................Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP 120/70 ZR17. 3.50 x 17 in. rim. REAR TIRE: .........................Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP 200/60 ZR17. 6.00 x 17 in. rim. WHEELBASE: ..................................................... 57.9 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ................................................... 32.7 in. FUEL CAPACITY: ..............................................4.23 gal ELECTRONICS: .......... Riding Modes, Power Modes, Bosch Cornering ABS EVO, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO, Ducati Slide Control (DSC), Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO, Auto tire calibration WEIGHT: ..................................425 lb (curb, claimed) COLOR: ........................................................ Ducati Red MSRP: ........................................ Starting at $40,000