The New Ducati Is A Beast On Two Wheels

The phrase "two wheels move the soul" is quite apparent when you swing a leg over the svelte Ducati Panigale V4S. It is Ducati's showpiece and the best that this Italian two-wheeler brand can conjure up, despite an even more extreme version that was launched recently. At heart, the Panigale V4S is a fire breathing monster that will chew and spit out the rider if too many liberties are taken with it. The raucous 1103 cc ‘Desmosedici Stradale’ engine is juxtaposed against a fiery Italian personality that likes to be on the edge.

For the 2025 version though Ducati has tamed the Panigale a bit but there is still plenty of drama offered here. The 213bhp power figure on a superbike as light as this means the acceleration shames a hypercar but the sheer speed is just one side to the story. The raft of electronics is the real star of the show which enable you to explore the limits of this machine without overcooking it. Simply put, Ducati has made it easier to ride but it is still something that must be treated with caution.

The Panigale V4S though is even more track focussed and there is plenty of carbon fibre sprinkled all over the bike, which means weight has been brutally stripped away. The chassis has also been overhauled and cleverly grafted with more learnings from MotoGP. As a result, the bike is quicker than before but there is a greater lean angle and the suspension is more fluid. On offer are five riding modes but riders can customise the settings and tune the bike as per their requirements

while still enjoying its abundant power.

Increasingly stringent emission norms have meant that Ducati had to make certain changes to the exhaust but the typical high-pitched engine note very much remains and has not been toned down.

Visually, the forged aluminium eels and the sharp angles make for an alluring shape that looks fantastic. The purposeful stance comes courtesy the integrated winglets and the new LED headlights. It is perhaps one of the best-looking superbikes and naturally comes wrapped in a lot of carbon fibre, which further ups the ante. Riding it in traffic requires commitment and it is not something you would uncork on a public road. But it is not uncouth and comes with a lot of gadgets including a new TFT screen.

The V4S Panigale trim will set you back by an eyebrow raising Rs. 36.50 lakh and that is a sizeable increase over the Rs. 29.99 lakh 'standard' V4. However, you get one of the most achingly desirable motorcycles out there and one that will blow you away with its sheer power. Sure, you will probably need a race track to even attempt to get near its limits but the appeal of the Ducati badge and its exotic nature ultimately win you over. For the money, you simply cannot get a faster machine.

To read more such stories from Esquire India's July 2025 issue, pick up a copy of the magazine from your nearest newspaper stand or bookstore. Or click here to subscribe to the magazine.