Mission Impossible Accomplished
IMPROVING AN ALREADY EXCELLENT BIKE IS A DIFFICULT job. However, as Ducati inform us, ‘this is the most significant development since its birth’. The stop-watch does not lie. During exclusive consecutive testing with the 2021 and 2022 models, two testers joined official Ducati test-rider Michele Pirro on track. By the end of the day, one rider improved by 0.9 seconds, the second by 1.2 seconds, and Pirro by 0.5. In fact, Pirro was only three seconds slower than the lap-time set during race one in the highly competitive Italian Superbike Championship.
Ducati have chopped lap-times, especially so for less inexperienced riders, by improving the aerodynamic package, ergonomics, engine, chassis, and rider aids. Interestingly, Ducati staged a similar trick on the 2020 model, making it easier to ride than the previous Panigale, which we tested in Bahrain. We headed to Jerez in Spain to see if the new Panigale could live up to the expectations.
Ducati have revised the V4’s ergonomics, making it less physical and easier to ride, by creating a more supportive tank shape while increasing the size of its capacity by one litre. The seat (with two-tone colours on the “S” model)
