Motorcycle specifications Ducati1000 Panigale V4 R 2026 Mastery at its peak

The Panigale V4 R is Ducati’s ultimate dream machine, designed to squeeze out every last ounce of performance. It’s a motorcycle that embodies superlatives, beauty, and perfection. With this third generation, Ducati once again introduces cutting-edge technological solutions to transform the rider into an unstoppable force.

Thanks to constant and close collaboration with Ducati Corse, the Panigale V4 R introduces, for the first time on a road-legal race bike, features such as the Corner Sidepods—which Ducati brought to MotoGP for the first time in 2021—and the Ducati Racing Gearbox (DRG) with Ducati Neutral Lock (DNL).

The heart of the Panigale V4 R, the 998 cm³ Desmosedici Stradale R engine, delivers more sustained torque and power curves across the entire operating range, as well as superior acceleration. The power curve maintains the maximum output of 218 hp but is more sustained, with an average gain of 4 hp from 4,000 rpm up to peak power, thereby regaining the advantage over the previous model, which delivered the same peak power at 16,000 rpm.

The torque curve, meanwhile, is higher than that of the previous model, with a 7% increase at 6,000 rpm and a 3% increase on the maximum value of 114.5 Nm at 12,000 rpm. These figures are the result of the remarkable work by Ducati engineers to homologate the new Panigale V4 R Euro5+, without compromising on the pursuit of top track performance. The Panigale V4 R reaches a top speed of 318.4 km/h, which rises to 330.6 km/h with the racing exhaust system. Until yesterday, this speed was the exclusive domain of MotoGP.

On the track, this engine fully unleashes its potential thanks to the racing exhaust, which allows it to reach 235 hp, and 239 hp with Ducati Corse Performance Oil.

More Aeros

The new Panigale V4 R is equipped, for the first time on a production motorcycle, with corner pylons, a solution introduced by Ducati in MotoGP in 2021. This innovative aerodynamic device, designed for the front and rear wings, was introduced in MotoGP in 2010 by the Borgo Panigale manufacturer. Designed to function at high lean angles, the corner pylons generate downforce, ensuring better tire grip and thus allowing for higher speeds and, consequently, faster lap times.
When riding, especially at high speeds, the rider clearly feels that the bike, starting from the apex of the turn, has naturally shifted inward. This allows for tighter racing lines. It means that the acceleration phase coming out of the turn takes place along a tighter radius.

The V4 R’s fairing, introduced with the 2025 Panigale V4, features new, larger winglets capable of generating greater downforce. Downforce increases by 25%, resulting in an increase in downforce of 4.8 kg at 270 km/h and 6 kg at 300 km/h, with significant gains in terms of stability during acceleration and precision at high speeds.

New Gearbox Control

The new Panigale V4 R is equipped with a race-spec gearbox. The Ducati Racing Gearbox (DRG) positions neutral below first gear, rather than between first and second, exactly as on factory MotoGP and Superbike machines. Thanks to the Ducati Neutral Lock (DNL) system, this solution eliminates the risk of accidentally engaging neutral and losing engine braking during the final, most critical phase of braking when entering a corner in first gear.

Furthermore, the absence of neutral between first and second gear makes gear changes faster, smoother, and more repeatable than with a traditional gearbox. The Ducati Neutral Lock system, patented by Ducati, can be deactivated by operating the lever located on the right handlebar. To shift into neutral, the rider must therefore perform the same maneuvers as official MotoGP and Superbike riders.

A Top-Notch Chassis

The new Panigale V4 R adopts the chassis concepts of the 2025 Panigale V4, notably the front frame, redesigned to reduce lateral stiffness (-40%), and especially the symmetrical hollow swingarm. These two solutions were strongly requested by Ducati Corse to optimize grip with current slick tires and transfer the engine’s maximum performance to the ground. The new frame and swingarm allow the bike to better adjust its lines, thereby improving traction out of corners and the rider’s feel during acceleration.

The Panigale V4 R is equipped with an Öhlins NPX25/30 pressurized fork with 43 mm stanchions and an Öhlins TTX36 mechanical shock absorber, featuring settings specific to the new generation. In addition, the V4 R is equipped with the new Öhlins SD20 steering damper, a first on a production motorcycle, which offers better damping and a wider range of adjustments

Designed for competition, the V4 R offers numerous adjustment options to adapt to the characteristics of different tracks and the rider’s riding style. The swingarm height is adjustable to 4 positions in 2-mm increments. As on the Superbike version, the rear height is adjustable via the suspension link over a wider range (32.4 mm of travel versus 13 mm) than on the previous V4 R. Finally, the rear shock absorber is designed to accommodate a linear suspension travel sensor (optional).

The new Panigale V4 R is equipped with forged aluminum alloy wheels featuring five tangent spokes, fitted with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V4 tires in sizes 120/70 ZR 17 at the front and 200/60 ZR 17 at the rear. For the track, the Pirelli slick tires used in Superbike are identical.

The electronics have been meticulously fine-tuned.

The electronics package of the new Panigale V4 R has evolved significantly compared to the previous model, thanks to the Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO) algorithm, developed directly by Ducati Corse, and the implementation of Cornering ABS with combined braking, which made its debut on the Panigale V4.

Compared to the Panigale V4, the V4 R’s electronics stand out for new performance-oriented combined braking strategies, called Race Brake Control, and for the application of DVO extended to engine braking control. The result of in-house development at Ducati, the Race Brake Control logic allows for the replication of professional riders’ riding techniques, with results even superior to those of the Panigale V4.

The new electronics package is managed via the 6.9-inch dashboard, already introduced on the Panigale V4, which offers two display modes—Track and Road—as well as a graphical interface displaying information on performance and vehicle status. The version fitted to the Panigale V4 R features a display specifically designed for the track, called the Grip Meter, which assists the rider in their quest for maximum performance by graphically displaying the available grip at that moment.

All this without a price increase. Ducati is bound by Superbike regulations, which impose a price cap on motorcycles used for homologating race bikes. The price tag is still quite steep, but the rewards in lap times and riding performance are enough to make you lose your mind.

Manufacturer photos