The 2025 Ducati Panigale V2 S has less power than the previous model but does that really matter? Will the new smaller displacement and lighter weight engine pay dividends in the handling, acceleration, and braking? We ride it on the track to find out.
Check out the story at https://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle-reviews/ducati-v2-s-first-ride-review/
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Check out the story at https://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle-reviews/ducati-v2-s-first-ride-review/
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6CLI74xvMBFLDOC1tQaCOQ
Read more from Cycle World: https://www.cycleworld.com/
Buy Cycle World Merch: https://teespring.com/stores/cycleworld
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SportsTranscript
00:00Alright, so sun setting here at the Circuit of Sevilla for the world debut press launch of this 2025 Ducati Pentagalli V2.
00:11Today we spent our time riding on the S version. There's two versions as you know, a standard and then this bike here is the S.
00:20It comes in at $19,000, $3,000 more than the standard version, but what you get is an upgraded suspension, high quality Olin spork and shock.
00:29Also, just a little less weight. It's one of those deals where you can save a little money and go with the Marzocchi fork and KYB shock and probably be plenty happy.
00:41Most of us enthusiasts always would wonder, what am I missing out on? So, you know, it's a tough call.
00:48I'd say you can't go wrong with either bike, but with this S model, you're going to know that you've got race spec suspension that just gives you that little bit more chassis feedback.
00:58So today, out on this circuit, it was a good layout for shaking down a bike such as this, you know, middleweight category bike that's built to be agile.
01:09That's one of the main themes on this revision on the V2. They've shed a significant amount of weight from its predecessor.
01:17A good bit of that comes from the new engine, which is just lighter and more compact in a huge way.
01:23With that comes less peak horsepower, though, which is not a bad thing when you look at the big picture.
01:29This bike, its predecessor, has been racing in World Supersport competition. It's won the last two years.
01:36It actually really impressed me in 2024, the Ducati Panigale V2 in the hands of Davey Todd.
01:45Went to the Isle of Man TT and in its debut there, podium twice that week in the Supersport class.
01:52Michael Dunlop was on fire. There was nobody going to beat that man's, you know, chase for history with TT wins.
02:01But the Ducati V2, first time we've seen a Ducati on a podium at the TT in decades, I'd have to say.
02:11It's just you don't see them there. You don't hear them coming through the threes on the way to Ramsey.
02:17So really, really excited to see it succeed there and look forward to the future.
02:23With this new version of the V2, lighter, less power output, it won't be running in that Supersport category restricted.
02:32And that's the big thing. They try to reach parity in this category these days with the different bikes.
02:39Inline fours, 600cc, let's say. You got your triples. Triumph's been in there for a while.
02:46Ducati's been in there the past few years, but having to limit the peak output for parity.
02:54So what I think's going to happen, this bike, there's probably going to be maybe no limit whatsoever on its engine potential.
03:01And then you also gain the agility of this new platform, just being more compact engine, lighter weight.
03:09And I experienced that today out on this track. We were running Pirelli Slicks, a soft compound slick that they run in World Supersport.
03:18This thing cornered like a cat on carpet. You could just learn into track that none of us knew.
03:24And it's got quite a few blind crest rises. Certain sections kind of look familiar or similar to another section until you get it under your hat.
03:31Bumps you're trying to avoid in areas and whatnot. This bike made mid-corner line adjustments came with ease.
03:40Trying to do the same thing on, let's say, a V4 Pentagoli would have been a workout.
03:45And perhaps even the V2 predecessor. So that was something that I noted right away.
03:51Getting up to speed. It's been a long spell since I was last on a racetrack.
03:55And I expected to suffer from arm pump after the first session of the day.
04:00With this bike, the riding position's a little more relaxed. They've raised the bar slightly from its predecessor.
04:06Puts you up here close enough to the bars. Good leg room.
04:10And it made a difference. You know, six sessions and I'm not totally whipped.
04:14So that's something to say for a man that's 63 years old.
04:17I think the owners are going to really appreciate that aspect.
04:21They've made it a more, you know, accessible, rider-friendly package.
04:25It's going to translate to the street exceptionally well in that regard.
04:30Several riding modes. You know, wet street, road, race and track.
04:38And you can customize these modes with different power maps, throttle response, wheelie control, traction control, engine brake control.
04:46Cornering ABS and adjustments in all these parameters.
04:51It's a new dash. TFT dash and button arrangement on the hand grip.
04:56It allows you to navigate these menus and work through, you know, those options with pretty good ease.
05:02I played around with it, you know, here in the pits today.
05:05You know, it's pretty intuitive. So I think people are going to appreciate the efforts made there.
05:10I think Ducati's, you know, forging ahead into the future.
05:14This modern middleweight super sport category for track and street is just becoming very interesting.
05:21And this bike is just a natural evolution into that, you know, where that category is going.
05:29So it's kind of strange to see a manufacturer reduce power output with an updated model.
05:36And you have to say, what the heck's up with that?
05:39But they are fighting Euro 5 plus emissions and that's something they have to plan for moving forward.
05:45Probably expect to see this V-Twin in multiple configurations in terms of bike platforms.
05:52Obviously a naked version of the Panigale V2.
05:55And we'll see what else we end up with moving down the road.
05:59So good stuff. Looking forward to Cycleworld getting their hands on a production unit to test back home.
06:07Put it through its paces. You know, comparison test against some of the other players in the category.
06:13Road and track in depth. Today was just strictly track. Just a brief impression of what's to come.
06:20So anyhow, hope you enjoyed a ride today here in Sevilla, Spain.
06:24We got lucky. It doesn't always rain in the plain in Spain.
06:28So, take care.
06:37Transcribed by ESO. Translated by —