2020 DUCATI SUPERLEGGERA V4
R I D E R E V I E W
P74
ponents almost overshadows
the behemoth that is the car-
bon bodywork. Modeled on the
Desmosedici GP16 of Andrea
Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone,
when aerodynamic regulations
were not as tight as they are now
in MotoGP, the Superleggera uses
a bi-plane design that forces 110 lb
of vertical load onto the chassis at
167 mph, a figure that improves to
134 lb once you reach 180 mph.
As Briton Adam Child, who rode
this very bike at Mugello a few
weeks ago, said, "it's like having
Dani Pedrosa in leathers sitting on
the front of your bike".
The downforce provided by the
wings gives several advantages
over a non-winged machine,
including better braking, cornering
and corner exit stability, but the
big one is under hard acceleration
when you're trying to impart 234
hp to the tarmac in the fastest and
smoothest fashion possible.
More mechanical force on the
chassis removes the need for
increased electronic intervention
in the form of the Ducati Wheelie
Control (DWC). While one of the
best systems of its kind on the
market, the DWC nevertheless
cuts the power to keep the front on
the ground at a time when all you
want is more of it. The result is pre-
cious meters lost on acceleration
and a slower overall top speed.
The wings help by forcing the
front onto the tarmac, which al-
lows you to run a lower level of
DWC intervention. And if you're
adept at using the rear brake
under acceleration, you'll almost
need no DWC at all. Almost.
Unlike the V4 S, the Superleg-
gera runs conventionally-adjusted
Ohlins Pressurized NPX25/30
forks and a TTX36 shock with a
titanium spring, the overall sus-
pension package saving another
1.3 lb. Internally, the shock runs
Ohlins GP valves, which the com-
pany claims reduces the stick-
ing effect and improves bump
absorption in the initial part of the
high-speed compression circuit.
The brakes are one of the most
impressive parts of the Superleg-
gera. Running Brembo's Stylema
R calipers matched to their race-
spec MCS 19.21 radial master-
cylinder with a remote adjuster
Beautiful, huh? You can buy three Panigale V4 S's
with change for one Superleggera.
