2020 DUCATI SUPERLEGGERA V4
R I D E R E V I E W
P76
(Bottom left) The
carbon wheels
are stunning.
(Bottom right)
Dry clutch,
Racing Kit
exhaust, carbon
everywhere, and
234 hp on tap.
What's not to
love?
on the left handlebar, the feel at the lever
and overall braking power is nothing
short of superb. What you ask for at the
lever, you get, and when you experience
them first hand it makes you realize how
badly some manufacturers skimp when it
comes to decent quality brakes for high-
end sportbikes.
Surprisingly, the 998cc Desmosedici
Stradale R motor, donated by the Pani-
gale V4 R, is only slightly modified in
Superleggera form. Lighter camshafts
with the same lift and duration have been
used, but that's mechanically the only
difference to the V4 R. Ducati has used
titanium engine bolts to save a further
6.2 lb when coupled with the lighter
cams. The exhaust muffler and titanium
headers drop a further 5.5 lb.
It gets better, however, when you fit
the Racing Kit exhaust, which adds a
claimed 10 hp to 234 hp and drops an
impressive 13.3 lb over a base model
Panigale V4.
The electronics suite is an evolution of
what you get with the Panigale V4 R, but
optimized more for the track. As such,
you get a Race A and Race B modes,
with reduced torque delivery in the first
two gears in Race B; Sport mode for
more manageable behavior on the street;
and five User ride modes where the rider
can save any setting they like and switch
between them on the fly.