P96
RIDE REVIEW I 2026 DUCATI PANIGALE V4 R
with every corner. The quickshifter
operated cleanly even at partial
throttle, while the Akrapovic ex-
haust barked between changes and
encouraged a faster pace.
The V4 R has always been ad-
dicted to rpm, but Ducati has im-
proved its midrange performance
for 2026. In addition to a three
percent increase in peak torque, the
company claims a seven percent
gain around 6000 rpm.
That makes the motorcycle
surprisingly manageable at lower
speeds. It flows cleanly through the
bottom and middle of the rev range
and can be ridden calmly. Nothing
about the engine feels clumsy or tem-
peramental. But after three warmup
laps, however, calm riding no longer
seemed appropriate.
The Racetrack
Suddenly Gets Smaller
At full commitment, the V4 R is
astonishing.
Donington Park has rarely felt
so narrow or so short. The run
from the Fogarty Esses to Mel
-
bourne Hairpin becomes a brief,
(Right) Forward
thrust is immense
on the V4 R, helped
no doubt by the
race-spec Ducati
Racing Gearbox that
has neutral at the
bottom of the cogs.
(Below) Nothing
screams "race
bike" like a bare
aluminum tank. Note
the conventionally
adjustable Öhlins
NPX 25/30 forks.
