Photoshoot of the Week: December 23rd-29th 2019 – Ducati V4 & Giorgy

Two years after the release of its acclaimed, game-changing V4 superbike, Ducati is updating the Panigale V4 and V4S by adopting features that debuted on the V4R: here there are the 2020 V4 and V4S models folks! Both models now resemble the homologation special, boasting the same slippery bodywork that punches a larger hole through the air and gives the rider a larger cockpit to hide behind. Both models are visually distinguished from the R by their painted steel tanks and plastic winglets (the R features a brushed aluminum tank and carbon fiber wings).
Updating these model for 2020 Ducati aimed to make the Panigale easier to ride without sacrificing its exhilarating nature: to accomplish its goals, it refined the chassis in a number of ways. First, it increased the center of gravity by 5mm to make direction changes easier. It also gave the suspension softer springs with more spring preload, in addition to a new shorter rear shock linkage. Ducati claims the changes help increase rider confidence, especially over rough surfaces. Second, Ducati also massaged the chassis, milling out a section of the cast frame to decrease torsional stiffness by 30 percent and decrease braking stiffness by 15 percent. It’s the same chassis change we saw debut on the V4 R last year, and is aimed to improve front end feel and decrease front tire stress, particularly at deep lean angles.
Compared to the 1299 Panigale, the V4 models are undoubtedly easier to ride, and not just because it’s a little more comfy. There’s more revs to play with and the power and torque spread wider across the range, with a softer, kinder bottom-end and an even more ballistic top-end. The hit of power isn’t quite as in your face, and as a result it takes less time to settle in, gel with it, and understand how it wants to do business. It definitely has taken a chill pill of sorts; it seems to know more than just on or off, and that makes for a great time on the road, with a great ability to bend to your will and match your current mood. Rather than delivering all of its power like a bunker-busting bomb does, all in one giant hit, it’s a smoother, more linear progression as the TFT dashboard animates the digital tachometer and your foot works the worlds smoothest quick-shifter. You could even entertain the idea of going touring with it, should you wish to, or even a commute to work now and again if the mood took you.
Anyway, V4 and V4s models are smoother and far more manageable, but all that can go away with a simple flick into Race mode. Everything dials itself to 11: anti-wheelie goes all but to sleep, traction control finds stealth mode, the Ohlins electronic suspension firms up, throttle response goes stratospheric and tyre-shredding slides become the order of the day. The archetypal Ducati personality returns in an instant, and then some. They’re blisteringly, unbelievably, unfathomably fast, and faster than the 1299 was. In fact, “fast” doesn’t even come close – it’s almost pointless trying to put it into words. The rate at which fuel and gears are consumed and converted into forward momentum is beyond comprehension, and decorated by a soundtrack straight out of the MotoGP paddock.
Despite that, V4 and V4R are still an unbelievably hot place to sit thanks to the rear cylinder’s exhaust headers curling up under the seat next to the bespoke 200-section Pirelli Supercorsa rear tyre. The cockpit is still a wonderful place to be, with a high definition 5″ TFT dashboard which makes it a piece of cake to configure the Panigale V4 through its many different modes. The bars are set wide, just as the 1299’s were, and the front fairing is tiny. You still need far too many revs to pull away from a stand-still, which alerts everyone within at least 250 yards to the fact that you’re on a Ducati – and the stock exhaust is so loud that it only gets away it by sounding so good. It still even sounds like a twin-cylinder thanks to its twin-pulse firing order, and it doesn’t like being ridden at anything less than 20mph: you’ll be lucky to get 100 miles out of a tank of fuel. Every single electronic rider aid is available at your fingertips.