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/1546306
P104 RIDE REVIEW I 2026 DUCATI PANIGALE V4 R CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. Both are extraordi- nary motorcycles, but neither can quite match the Ducati's combination of outright perfor- mance, intuitive electronics, detailed feed- back and sheer desirability. Against the clock, there may be little sepa- rating them. Put equally talented riders on all three, fit comparable tires and test them under identical conditions, and the result could come down to fractions of a second. Even so, I sus- pect the V4 R would emerge on top. Its electronics are the best in the class. Crucially, they aren't reserved for former racers or AMA riders. The settings can be tailored to riders of different sizes, abilities and confidence levels, helping more people access the per- formance without making the motorcycle feel artificial or remote. Previous versions of the V4 R demanded more from their riders, while some rivals were arguably easier to ride quickly. The 2026 Ducati changes that equation. It delivers more feel and clearer feedback despite its immense power. Hustling a 239 hp superbike will never be easy, but after six track sessions, I wasn't excessively fatigued. You no longer feel like a passenger clinging to an angry Italian horse. The motorcycle com- municates what it is doing, giving you a greater sense of control and a better understanding of the available grip. A homologation special must also stir something emotional. It should make your knees weak and look fast while standing still. The V4 R succeeds here, too. The BMW looks purposeful, and the Honda is sublime in its fac- tory racing colors, but neither possesses quite the same visual impact as the Ducati. If I won the lottery, the V4 R is the motorcycle I would put in my garage—or, better yet, park in pitlane wearing slicks and tire warmers. It is the most expensive of the established contenders, but right now, it is also the best. New challengers such as the bimota KB998 Rimini and Norton Manx R may yet complicate that verdict (Norton possibly not). For now, however, the Panigale V4 R has the performance, the technology, the feel and the race results to support its claim. And race results rarely lie. CN 2026 DUCATI PANIGALE V4R ($49,995) Engine Desmosedici Stradale R 90° V4 Drivetrain 4 valves per cylinder, Desmodromic valve actuation Displacement 998cc Bore x Stroke 81.0 x 48.4mm Compression Ratio 14.0:1 Cooling system Liquid Transmission 6-speed Claimed Horsepower 239 hp @ 15,750 rpm (as tested) Claimed Torque 84.4 lb-ft at 12,000 rpm Fuel System 56mm oval throttle bodies, ride-by-wire Clutch Dry, multiplate slipper; hydraulic actuation Frame Aluminum front frame Front Suspension 43mm Öhlins NPX 25/30, fully adjustable Rear Suspension Öhlins TTX 36, fully adjustable Front-Wheel Travel 4.9 in. Rear-Wheel Travel 5.1 in. Front Brake Brembo Hypure radial mount four piston calipers, 330mm discs with Bosch Race eCBS Rear Brake Brembo twin piston caliper, 245mm disc with Bosch Race eCBS Front Wheel Forged aluminum 17 x 3.5 in. Rear Wheel Forged aluminum 17 x 6.0 in. Front Tire Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V4 SP 120/70-17 Rear Tire Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V4 SP 200/60-17 Rake 24.0° Trail 3.9 in. Wheelbase 58.1 in. Seat Height 33.7 in. Fuel Capacity 4.5 gal. Claimed Wet Weight (no fuel) 411 lb.