Through relentless innovation, Ducati prides itself on some of the manufacturer’s most handsome and thrilling performance-oriented motorcycles. Its wide range of bikes keeps growing, and the 2022 lineup received new entrants and a major upgrade to the brand’s flagship superbike, the Panigale V4. Ducati introduced the V-4 powered superbike in 2018, and it has proven an engineering masterpiece packed with the most advanced technology in a motorcycle.
The ever-evolving Panigale V4 saw the most thorough update for the 2022 model year. It introduced major revisions to the engine, chassis, electronics, aerodynamics, and ergonomics and made the bike compliant with the stricter Euro emission regulations. The Panigale V4 is a consumer superbike built for the racetrack, a fighter jet on two wheels, and a motorcycling enthusiast’s dream toy.
10/10 The Ducati Panigale V4 Features An Advanced Engine Braking Software
Ducati’s superbike per excellence keeps getting its yearly dose of electronic improvements. The 2023 model introduces the new Engine Brake Control EVO 2 software which features three levels of engine braking. It uses different gear-by-gear calibrations for each level to optimize engine brake intensity depending on the load on the rear wheel.
The innovation helps improve stability, precision, and directionality when braking or cornering. Riders can adjust to the best set-up depending on circuit conditions.
9/10 MotoGP And SBK Influences
The Ducati Panigale V4 has all the trappings of a serious track racer, featuring plenty of MotoGP and SBK influences. It deploys the Desmosedici Stradale V-4 engine from Ducati’s MotoGP bike.
This powerplant has powered Ducati to two consecutive Constructors’ Titles and the Italian brand’s best year ever in podium finishes. Also, the Panigale V4 borrows the chassis and gearbox of the SBK racing bike, dominating this year’s championship and seeking to win Ducati the first WSBK title since 2011.
8/10 The Panigale V4 Has Wind Cheating Aerodynamic Efficiency
The 2022 overhaul saw incredible aerodynamic improvements on the Panigale V4. The advanced aero package introduced a new winglet design which is small but produces 81lbs of downforce at 186mph. The wing is a MotoGP borrowed tech that seeks to produce downforce without creating too much drag.
It will come in handy on the racetrack rather than on the road, where 186mph is way past most speed limits. But it is more practical when stopping wheelies when accelerating out of corners. Also, the aerodynamic tweaks enable more airflow to the oil coolers and the quick shifter.
7/10 The Ducati Panigale V4 Has An Incredibly Responsive Quick-shifter
A quick-shifter enables a rider to shift gears without adjusting the clutch or throttle, thus providing better performance, control, and focus on the road. The 2023 Panigale V4’s bidirectional quick-shifter gets new programming to improve gearshift fluidity at all throttle openings, whether partial or full.
The system no longer cuts the injection when shifting at partial gas. It retards the ignition timing, which results in smoother on-road shifting. Shifting with the throttle completely open still cuts the injection but comes with a refined torque restitution phase, which results in more stability and a more efficient thrust.
6/10 The Panigale V4 Generates Up To 225 Ponies
Ducati’s Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine is one of the most technically refined motors in motorcycle racing. Its 90o layout provides incredible balance and is the utmost expression of sportiness. The road-going version receives more displacement to maximize mid-range torque and achieve torque and power at slower speeds.
It delivers 215.5 hp at 12,500 rpm, which can rise to 225 hp when you install the aftermarket Akrapovic race exhaust from the Ducati performance catalogue. This power can be addictive when you consider the electronic aids to help you tame the beast.
5/10 Four Power Modes To Tame The Beast
The 2022 model comes with new Power Modes logic with four preset engine configurations: Full, High, Medium, and Low. Also, riders get four customizable riding modes; Race A, Race B, Sport, and Street. The Full Power Mode is the sportiest mode and lets the engine express its full potential of the torque curve without electronic intervention.
The High and Medium Power modes come with a new Ride by Wire map that always allows you access to optimum thrust when you open the throttle. The Low Power Mode is the most convenient for road riding. It limits the maximum output to 150hp and comes with a manageable throttle response.
4/10 Most Advanced Tech On A Motorcycle
The 2023 Panigale V4 brings one of the most advanced electronic suites to a motorcycle, and most features are refined versions of the outgoing bike. These electronic upgrades seek to improve performance and comfort. It has a six-axis internal measuring unit fitted to provide three levels of cornering ABS, eight levels of traction control, and eight levels of wheelie control. Plus, there are three levels of launch control, two levels of slide control, and three levels of engine braking control.
Also, the new bike gets a new cooling fan control strategy, and 2022 Panigale V4 owners can upgrade their bikes to the latest standards at a Ducati Service.
3/10 The Panigale V4 Is Ducati’s Fastest Street Legal Bike
With the Panigale V4, you get MotoGP performance and dynamics on a road bike. Every year, the engineers at Borgo Panigale overwork to make the V4 faster and more excitement-inducing for all types of riders. Ducati claims that the V4 R trim is the world’s most powerful production motorcycle.
It can generate 234 hp when equipped with the optional racing kit. That is incredible for a bike weighing just 379 pounds, and it is no surprise it can hit zero to 60mph in sub-three seconds and effortlessly reach its 199mph top speed.
2/10 Ridiculously Unintimidating To Ride
Some diehard gearheads argue that if you can’t handle the power of a machine, it’s best not to buy it. This sentiment applied to older Panigale bikes but not this one. While the Panigale V4 isn’t suitable for novice riders, and few will reach its performance threshold, it is ridiculously unintimidating to ride.
You have to rev it hard to attain peak power. Also, its cutting-edge and clever electronics provide a high degree of adjustability. It can perform exceptionally in the hands of professionals and make for an increasingly safe and rewarding experience for amateur riders.
1/10 Improved Ergonomics With The 2022 Panigale V4
The Panigale V4 has more forgiving ergonomics than pre-Panigale Ducati superbikes. You get a more upright riding position and clip-on bars wide apart to provide better leverage.
The 2022 Ducati Panigale V4 received a flatter seat with a grippier surface, improving on-track ergonomics by giving the rider better control under hard braking. Still, it has those high foot pegs like all superbikes, resulting in cramped legroom.