2021 Ducati Panigale V4 Guide

2021 Ducati Panigale V4 : FASTER AND EVEN MORE EXCITING.

Introducing the new 2021 Ducati Panigale V4…

2020 product improvements make the new Panigale V4 faster on the track than its 2019 predecessor. Riders of all skill levels will see the difference. During development on a test ride at the Vallelunga circuit, both an amateur rider and professional rider Michele Pirro benefited from the 2020 improvements with the amateur rider going 1.3 seconds faster and Michele Pirro shaving 0.4 seconds off his time.

The S version comes with Öhlins event-based electronic control; this uses the second-generation Öhlins Smart EC (Electronic Control) system that, exploits the full potential of the IMU 6D.

Year after year, the Panigale V4 is renewed to become faster and more exciting on the track for both the amateur and the professional rider.

The 2020 version of the Panigale V4 boosts performance even further and takes track riding to the next level for amateurs and pros alike.

A series of refinements make for an easier, more user-friendly, less fatiguing ride while simultaneously making the bike faster not just on individual laps but over entire timed sessions. The Aero Pack provides enhanced airflow protection and improves overall vehicle stability, enhancing confidence. The Front Frame, instead, modifies stiffness to give better front-end ‘feel’ at extreme lean angles.

Ducati and Ducati Corse engineers have crunched the feedback/data numbers from customers all over the world and Superbike World Championship events. Their analysis has led to a series of aerodynamic, chassis, electronic control and Ride by Wire mapping changes: designed to increase stability and turn-in speed, these changes make it easier to close corners and ensure riders enjoy more confident throttle control.

For 2021, the Panigale V4 and V4 S models become Euro 5 compliant (only for Markets where Euro 5 is applied), maintaining the maximum power and torque levels unchanged. To comply with the new European standard on polluting emissions, various refinements have been made to the Desmosedici Stradale exhaust line and to the engine calibration.

The electronic package that equips the Panigale V4 also evolves and now includes the latest generation Ducati Traction Control which is even more predictive: the DTC EVO 3 with a strategy derived from Ducati Corse. Thanks to the continuous monitoring of the angular acceleration of the crankshaft and the speed of the rear wheel, the system prevents slippage of the rear wheel in mid-corner, when you are at the maximum lean angle and you reopen the throttle. This translates into a more neutral behaviour of the bike when exiting the corners, giving the rider a better feeling.

The Riding Mode strategy is also new; specifically the Race Riding Mode has been split into two mappings that can now be freely compared in the individual parameters, allowing the rider to quickly compare two different configurations to define the best set-up based on the track and riding style.

The Panigale V4 and Panigale V4 S models are also equipped with new self-bleeding brake and clutch pumps derived from those used for the first time on the Superleggera V4. The body of the new pumps has been designed with a configuration that allows a “natural” bleeding thus eliminating the need to intervene on the system in the event of air present in the circuit. The new pumps are also recognized for the brake and clutch oil tanks in plastic with an elegant smoky colour.

Among the features added to the bike for 2021 is the chain guard fin, an important safety precaution that allows you to avoid dangerous contacts with the chain and crown in the event of a slide. In addition, for those who use the bike all year round, there is now provision for heated grips, while the ignition key has a new, more modern and elegant grip.

2021 Ducati Panigale V4 Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features

Aero Fairing by Ducati Corse

Co-developed by Ducati Corse and the Ducati Style Center, the Panigale V4 MY2020 aerodynamics package now mirrors that of the Panigale V4 R. The result; fairings that – in true Panigale style – meet official Ducati Superbike requirements in full.

As in MotoGP, aerodynamic development involved a series of preliminary CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) studies, followed by optimization on a full-scale wind tunnel model.

The Panigale V4 aerodynamics package includes:

Plexiglas screen, nose fairing and larger lateral fairings
More efficient lateral vents for radiator through-air
Aerofoils

The new Plexiglas screen – higher and more angled – provides better airflow protection for riders, especially in the helmet and upper shoulder areas. The screen works in concert with a new nose fairing that is higher and wider (+15 mm per side) in the arm-shield zone to reduce arm and shoulder-induced drag on the straights.

The lateral fairings have been widened considerably (+38 mm per side) with the dual aim of reducing on-rider airflow impact and maximizing aerofoil efficiency.

On the sides, the stylish air vents of the Panigale V4 have been replaced by more efficient ones that increase air through-speeds on water and oil radiators by 6% and 16% respectively.

The aerofoils take their cue from those on the GP16, designed before regulations led to restrictions on foil shapes. Consequently, Panigale V4 aerofoils are even more efficient that those currently employed in MotoGP.

These monoplane single-element foils have a trapezoidal layout and a profile that tapers from root to tip. Foil performance has been improved thanks to the insertion of the longitudinally arranged strake and the winglet which ‘insulates’ the airflow over its surfaces. To ensure the required strength and stiffness, Panigale V4 aerofoils are made of fiberglass-reinforced thermoplastic.

Working in concert with the fairing design, the aerofoils increase overall downforce (+30 kg at 270 kph). Greater downforce reduces both front wheel ‘floating’ at high speed and the tendency to wheel-up while giving a boost to stability during braking at the turn-in point and through the corner.

This dynamic behaviour lets riders – against a small increase in steering torque that stems from the heightened stability – lower lap times as it reduces electronic control intervention, helping riders keep the throttle open longer and brake later, even when cornering has already begun.

V4 90° layout

The Panigale V4 is powered by the 1,103 cc Desmosedici Stradale (banked 42° back from the horizontal), a MotoGP-derived 90° V4 with Desmodromic timing, a one-of-a-kind engine featuring a counter-rotating crankshaft and Twin Pulse firing order. The engine can deliver 214 hp at 13,000 rpm and a torque of 12.6 kgm at 10,000 rpm, making for awesome road riding.

Desmo: blending tradition and the future

The new engine is designed around the Desmodromic system, a characteristic that helps make Ducati the fastest prototypes of the top racing class in motorcycle racing. With this high-rotation engine the “Desmo” achieves its maximum technical value, reaching levels of sophistication, compactness and lightness never seen before on a Ducati.

Counter-rotating crankshaft

On street bikes the crankshaft rotates in the same direction as the wheels. In contrast, in MotoGP the counter-rotating crankshaft that rotates in the opposite direction is commonly used. The Desmosedici Stradale has borrowed this technical solution to compensate for part of the gyroscopic effect produced by the wheels, making the bike more agile and precise when changing directions. The counter-rotating crankshaft also generates a torque due to inertia that tends to lower the front end during acceleration, and the rear end when braking, thus reducing the wheelie phenomenon.

“Twin Pulse” firing order

Combined with the V engine layout, this particular shaft geometry allows for a special ‘Twin Pulse’ ignition sequence. The distinctiveness lies in the fact that the two left-hand cylinders fire closely together, as do the two right-hand ones. On the timing chart, the ignition points are, then, at 0°, 90°, 290° and 380°. This particular firing order makes the V4 sound just like the MotoGP Desmosedici.

MY2020 changes

Major changes on the Panigale V4 MY2020 chassis have seen the introduction of the Front Frame. Built according to Ducati Corse specifications, the latter features a special suspension set-up with a higher barycentre, an increased chain pull angle and improved use of suspension travel. Thanks to these modifications, the bike is easier to lay into the corner when you ease off the brakes, gets to the apex faster, soaks up any pits or ripples more effectively and behaves more neutrally out of the corner.

Latest-generation electronic controls

The Panigale V4 features a latest-generation electronics package based on a 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (6D IMU) which instantly detects the bike’s roll, yaw and pitch angles.

The electronics package oversees every aspect of the ride: some controls supervise start, acceleration and braking, others govern traction and others again lend a helping hand on corners and out-of-the-corner stretches.

• ABS Cornering EVO
• Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2
• Ducati Slide Control (DSC)
• Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO
• Ducati Power Launch (DPL)
• Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) EVO 2
• Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO
• Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES) EVO

The operational parameters for each of these controls are associated by default with the three Panigale V4 Riding Modes. Riders can personalize parameters to suit their riding style or restore Ducati factory settings. DTC, DWC, DSC or EBC control levels can be adjusted quickly via the left switchgear.

Ducati Riding Mode strategy

Riding Modes provide users with three different pre-set riding styles so that new Panigale V4 2020 performance can be adapted to the rider, the nature of the track/route and weather conditions. Changing the Riding Modes instantaneously changes the character of the engine, the electronic control parameters and, on the new “S” version, the suspension set-up too. Riders can, of course, personalize parameters to suit their riding style and subsequently restore Ducati factory settings.

Race Riding Mode

As the name suggests, Race RM has been developed for expert riders who want to use all the potential of the new Panigale V4 2020 on high-grip racetracks. By selecting Race, the rider can count on 214 hp, with direct Ride-by-Wire throttle response and, on the new “S” version, a very firm suspension set-up to optimize performance. Race mode sets the electronics at a low intervention level, but without reducing safety: to maximize braking performance the ABS kicks is on the front wheel only but the Cornering function remains on at all times.

Sport Riding Mode

Selecting Sport gives the rider 214 hp, with direct sport-style Ride by Wire throttle response and, on the new “S” version, a sport style suspension set-up. Electronic control settings allow even less experienced riders to enjoy effective, spectacular handling. In Sport mode, for example, the Slide by Brake function is engaged, allowing riders to drift into corners safely. Rear wheel lift detection during braking is on and the ABS Cornering function is set to maximize cornering performance.

Street Riding Mode

Street Riding Mode is recommended when riding the Panigale V4 on the road. As with Sport Riding Mode, this RM gives the rider 214 hp and progressive Ride by Wire throttle response; on the new “S” version it features a suspension set-up that is well suited to bumpy or pitted roads. Electronic control settings ensure grip and stability to maximize safety.

Front Frame with Ducati Corse specifications

The Front Frame is now the same as the one on the V4 R but differs slightly on account of the lighter, machined sides; these ensure attainment of the stiffness targets set by Ducati Corse for the SBK championship and reduce weight even further.

Greater frame flexibility means less on-track tire stress and improved front-end ‘feel’ at maximum lean angles.

Completing the chassis is the light magnesium front sub-frame and the shell-cast aluminum seat sub-frame (attached to the Front Frame at the top and bolted to the head of the rear cylinder bank below).

Higher barycentre and increased chain pull angle

The fork mounting has been lowered 4 mm, while the suspension now has two link rods that are shorter by 5 mm. These changes have resulted in a 5 mm higher bike barycentre. The result? The bike is swifter at the drop-in and arrives at the apex faster.

A higher rear end also increases the chain pull angle: this results in an anti-squat effect and, therefore, greater bike stability during acceleration.

With a 24.5° rake and 100 mm trail, steering geometry remains unchanged.

Improved bike balance

The Panigale V4 is equipped with a 43 mm Showa Big Piston Fork (BPF) that provides fully adjustable spring pre-load and compression and rebound damping. The fork bodies house chrome sliders with Brembo radial caliper mountings. A Sachs steering damper completes the front-end package. At the rear there is a fully adjustable Sachs shock absorber, one side of which is attached to the Desmosedici Stradale engine via a forged aluminum bracket.

The Panigale V4 S, instead, mounts an Öhlins NIX-30 fork, an Öhlins TTX36 rear shock absorber and an Öhlins event-based steering damper. On this version suspension and steering damper are controlled by the second-generation Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 system which, among other things, features the new OBTi (Objective Based Tuning Interface).

On both versions, fork and single-sided swingarm have softer, less pre-loaded springs, resulting in more efficient use of suspension travel to even out pits and ripples on the asphalt. The combination of reduced fork stiffness and higher pre-loading gives better dive control during braking, resulting in easier, more intuitive turn-ins, especially for the less expert rider.

New changes for top performances

The Panigale V4 MY2020 features new, specially developed Ride by Wire system mappings with several torque delivery control settings. Track-dedicated RbW mapping aligns rider demand with delivered torque more closely, resulting in smoother, more predictable throttle response.

MotoGP performance

The Desmosedici Stradale was developed to combine racing performance with all the necessities for road use. To maximize mid-range torque – so important for the enjoyability of motorcycles on roads open to traffic – and to achieve torque and power at slower speeds, the engine has a larger displacement than the MotoGP version, specifically 1,103 cc. It delivers a power output of more than 155 kW (210 hp) at 13,000 rpm and a maximum torque of over 120 Nm (12.2 Kgm) from 8,750 to 12,250 rpm in the Euro 4 version.

2021 Ducati Panigale V4 Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits

2021 Updates

ENGINE

Desmosedici Stradale Euro 5

The Panigale V4 and Panigale V4 S models, for MY21, become Euro 5 compliant (only for Markets where Euro 5 is applied), maintaining the maximum power and torque levels unchanged. To comply with the new European standard on polluting emissions, several refinements have been made to the Desmosedici Stradale exhaust line and to the engine calibration.

The silencer, although unchanged from an aesthetic point of view, uses larger catalysts (+10 mm in length) and with a new technology of impregnation of noble metals, essential for maximizing the ability to convert polluting gases.

Lengths and dimensions of the primary exhaust pipes on the rear bank have been optimized to minimize the catalyst “light off”, while maintaining engine performance unchanged. Compared with the Euro 4 models, the manifolds of the rear bank have been shortened by 100 mm and reduced in diameter, going from 42 mm to 38 mm. The new component has allowed for the introduction of a more compact rear heat shield integrated into the body of the bike.

Always with the aim of containing emissions, the introduction of 4 lambda probes, 1 for each cylinder, has allowed for a more refined control of the amount of fuel injected.

In addition to the interventions listed above, a different Variable Intake System (VIS) strategy is added, which controls the lift of the intake trumpets.

The Euro 5 version of the Desmosedici Stradale engine delivers 157.5 kW (214 hp) at 13,000 rpm of power and 124.0 Nm (91.5 lb-ft) at 9,500 rpm of torque (only for Markets where Euro 5 is applied).

ELECTRONICS

Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 3

The Panigale V4 and Panigale V4 S MY21 range is equipped with a further evolution of the Ducati Traction Control characterized by a refined strategy, derived from Ducati Corse, which intervenes in the mid-corner throttle re-opening phase and aims to gently manage the Desmosedici Stradale’s clearance recovery by modulating the torque delivered by the engine and avoiding the peak torque that can occur when recovery is complete, thus making acceleration out of corners even easier and more predictable.

This new strategy is part of the continuous search for improving lap time through interventions that make riding more intuitive, less tiring, and therefore more effective for greater fun on the track.

In corner exit, when you take the throttle in hand, it can normally happen that at the end of the clearance recovery phase of the “drive line”, there is an unwanted and unexpected slippage of the rear wheel due to the acceleration peak of the crankshaft, which disturbs the rider when he is dosing the reopening of the accelerator.

The new software predictively adjusts the torque delivered, calibrating the angular acceleration of the crankshaft in order to make the clearance recovery phase fluid, which translates into a more neutral behavior when exiting the corners with a better feeling for the rider.

The new strategy is active in all the DTC levels indicated for dry track (levels 1 to 4) and in the one for wet track with “rain” tires (level 7).

RIDING MODE

New Ducati Riding Mode strategy

The Panigale V4 for 2021 features a new Riding Mode strategy that allows the rider to make quick comparisons between two different configurations on the track to define the best set-up. The Race Riding Mode has been split into two specific mappings for track use (Race A and Race B), now freely comparable in the individual parameters, which complement the already existing Sport and Street.

The Riding Modes allow you to choose between four different pre-set riding styles to offer the Panigale V4 behavior that is perfectly adaptable to the rider, the type of track and the environmental conditions. Each Riding Mode is programmed to instantly change the character of the engine, the parameters of the electronic controls and, in the “S” version, also the suspension setting. Obviously, the rider is given the opportunity to customize his own riding styles and to subsequently restore the parameters set by Ducati.

Riding Mode Race A – Race A riding mode in its default configuration was developed for experienced riders who want to exploit the full potential of the bike on the track. By selecting Race A, the rider can count on all the engine power with direct ride-by-wire response when the throttle is opened. Race A mode provides for an electronics setting aimed at achieving maximum performance on tracks with consistent asphalt and high grip, without decreasing the level of safety, with the ABS intervening only on the front wheel to offer maximum braking performance, but with the Cornering feature always active. The DES system adjustments, on the “S” version, are set up with a high contribution of dynamic control in the acceleration and braking phases to ensure stability and precision even in the most forced maneuvers.

Riding Mode Race B – by selecting the Riding Mode Race B the rider can count on all the engine power but with reduced torque delivery in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear compared to Race A, in order to make the bike more manageable during long sessions on the track, on circuits with characteristics that favour cornering rather than strong acceleration or characterized by irregular or low-grip surfaces. The electronic controls are set up in such a way as to allow even less experienced riders an effective and spectacular riding style. The DES system adjustments guarantee riding safety and high levels of grip even on bumpy or slippery conditions.

Sport Riding Mode – Selecting Sport gives the rider 214 hp, with direct sport-style Ride by Wire throttle response and, on the S version, a sport style suspension set-up. Electronic control settings allow even less experienced riders to enjoy effective, spectacular handling. In Sport mode, for example, the Slide by Brake function is engaged, allowing riders to drift into corners safely. Rear wheel lift detection during braking is on and the ABS Cornering function is set to maximize cornering performance.

Street Riding Mode – Street Riding Mode is recommended when riding the Panigale V4 on the streets. As with Sport Riding Mode, this RM gives the rider 214 hp and progressive Ride by Wire throttle response; on the Panigale V4 S version it features a suspension set-up that is well suited to bumpy or pitted roads. Electronic control settings ensure grip and stability to maximize safety.

2021 Ducati Panigale V4 – Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $22295 USD
Canada MSRP Price: $25,495 CDN
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £19,995  GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)

2021 Ducati Panigale V4 – Totalmotorcycle.com Canada Specifications/Technical Details

2021 Ducati Panigale V4 – Totalmotorcycle.com European Specifications/Technical Details

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