Panigale V2 vs V4

[Bob_Defly]

I'm currently obsessed by this bike:

https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/bikes/panigale/paniga...



And can't for the life of me figure out a way to get one (swmbo more than financially). But in all the reading of reviews etc. another thought sprang to mind.

Why the Panigale V2 doesn't seem to get much love around here?

To me it seems like the perfect supersports bike. Just the right amount of power for the road, just the right amount for the average Joe on track, good rider aids, good tech, it looks fookin' amazing. It's light, agile, got great suspension, and give or take 45cc it's basically a litre bike, so not really a 'little brother' entry level ducati like the old bikes used to be.

Looks-wise, I think it looks better than the V4 because it doesn't have the wings, but that's entirely subjective.

Admittedly, I'm no billy big bks when it comes to riding, and I know the V4 would probably scare the bejesus out of me, but I do wonder why I never really hear the V2 talked about much? And I mean by people who actually want a sportsbike (riding position-wise), as from the 'what bikes have you owned' thread, it looks like many people have owned Ducati's largest capacity sports bike at some point.

[MrGman]

You ain’t nobody if you ain’t riding with 200bhp bro!

You’re absolutely right though, I had a 899 and it was a cracking bike for the roads, and for track for that matter.

I wish there were more modern sports bikes with circa 150hp to be honest.

[Jag_NE]

Is the V2 the same size (physically) as the V4?

[Krikkit]

Jag_NE said:

Is the V2 the same size (physically) as the V4?

Bit narrower from a snoop around one, not much different otherwise, fraction heavier.

I really fancy one, supposed to be awesome

[Walter Sobchak]

I quite liked my V4, it was the first version though so I’m not sure how different the updated one is.
If I were buying now though I’d not get either of them, give me the latest Aprilia any day.

[Stuart Fordyce]

I don't love it because I can't afford one...also having sat on the 899 v the V4 at bike shows, I'd have to have an 899. My football ravaged knees and ankles don't bend enough for the slightly more extreme riding position of the big bike

[Jakarta]

I have a V2 in white, the thing is frikkin' awesome. For the previous 12 years I lived in Asia and had to make do with a Husqvarna Nuda 900R, previous bikes in the UK were GSXR 600's.
But the V2 is truly a fantastic bike, and certainly fast enough for me to not keep it pinned in 2nd or 3rd gear for too long.

[dibblecorse]

The V2 is a cracking bike and real sweetspot in the Pani range, couple fo friends have them and have moved onto them from 1299's and V4's, noneof them complain, you will still have all the road compromises as the bigger bikes but they are loving them on track.

[Nick928]

I've just sold a '18 ZX10r and seriously contemplating a V2.
That Bayliss edition looks too nice to ride though.

[Neal H]

The Panigale looks sooooo much better without the wings. They should be a delete option on the V4.

[Zarco]

I like the V2. Been a fan of the 899 since it came out, and it's basically the successor after the 959.

Saw a lady with a white with red wheels V2 at Loomies back in August, so it's clearly a girls bike!

Edited by Zarco on Tuesday 14th December 19:01

[Bob_Defly]

Neal H said:

The Panigale looks sooooo much better without the wings. They should be a delete option on the V4.

100% this!

[poo at Paul's]

There was one on a trackday in the summer, proper tracked up, in fluro yellow, seemed pretty ok pace wise.

Personally, id go for the V4, an older one, higher miles etc, just because it is the V4 and they are bonkers.

[nxi20]

Neal H said:

The Panigale looks sooooo much better without the wings. They should be a delete option on the V4.

They are, certainly on my soon to be delivered Streetfighter V4S.

I also have a V2 & it's a very under-rated bike imho. I'm purely a road rider and from that perspective it only has 2 annoying traits for me:

1) It really doesn't like to potter about; the faster the engine spins the better it feels - it really feels like the flywheel isn't doing much to smooth out the bangs at low revs.

2) The exhaust heat from under the seat is ridiculous in the summer if you're not moving. Nice when it's cold out mind!

I've done 5k very enjoyable miles on it since I got it in March '20 & it's been completely faultless. The build quality is exceptional but even so, I suspect the cost of it puts off many potential buyers.

[Birky_41]

Within my road and track group the same convo was had

One of my lot is adamant it just be the biggest fastest etc and openly says the power and bike ability is way past his

The other has literally just ordered the V2 SF having owned MT10 and 2x Triumph Speed Triples before

We all said those 955cc v2s with circa 150hp is a nice 'real world' amount of power

For me I'd stick with my Aprilia's... Love the Tuono 175hp but I'm an Aprilia fan boy

[Walter Sobchak]

Birky_41 said:

Within my road and track group the same convo was had

One of my lot is adamant it just be the biggest fastest etc and openly says the power and bike ability is way past his

The other has literally just ordered the V2 SF having owned MT10 and 2x Triumph Speed Triples before

We all said those 955cc v2s with circa 150hp is a nice 'real world' amount of power

For me I'd stick with my Aprilia's... Love the Tuono 175hp but I'm an Aprilia fan boy

I prefer the Aprilia too, not that I didn’t like the V4, I just preferred the RSV4 to ride, and if we’re all being honest it sounds much better too.

[HughiusMaximus]

nxi20 said:

Neal H said:

The Panigale looks sooooo much better without the wings. They should be a delete option on the V4.

2) The exhaust heat from under the seat is ridiculous in the summer if you're not moving. Nice when it's cold out mind!

+1 from me

Most of the time its fine, but on a hot summers day in stop start traffic its pretty brutal

Not sure if any other owners experience this but I'm not a massive fan of the brakes.
Plenty of stopping power, but the initial bite doesnt feel very strong.

Some might argue thats better for the road anyway.

[spareparts]

nxi20 said:

They are, certainly on my soon to be delivered Streetfighter V4S.

I also have a V2 & it's a very under-rated bike imho. I'm purely a road rider and from that perspective it only has 2 annoying traits for me:

1) It really doesn't like to potter about; the faster the engine spins the better it feels - it really feels like the flywheel isn't doing much to smooth out the bangs at low revs.

2) The exhaust heat from under the seat is ridiculous in the summer if you're not moving. Nice when it's cold out mind!

I've done 5k very enjoyable miles on it since I got it in March '20 & it's been completely faultless. The build quality is exceptional but even so, I suspect the cost of it puts off many potential buyers.

Nick, I had no idea you were a biker. Are you heading to the Ring on 2 wheels anytime?

[TimmyWimmyWoo]

I do love the Pani V2 - had one in to test for a few weeks back in October. Only thing is I had the latest Supersport 950S the week afterwards. Bit cheaper than the V2, 40hp less on paper, but at road speeds just as fast with a better spread of torque. The Ohlins works better on the road than the V2’s setup, and it’s more fun at road speeds IMO. Only thing is… will your ego let you buy the one that isn’t the hardcore version? That’s what it boils down to - I did a video on the SuperSport and had loads of owners commenting they preferred it to the Pani. The SuperSport is loads comfier too.

If you’re heading to track, get the V2…

[Zarco]

The Supersport does nothing for me