Ducati’s so-called entry-level sportsbike has been given a full-on face-lift and new name to boot; it’s the Panigale V2 and we really like the look of it. As the name suggests, the baby Pani’ is powered by a V-twin engine, specifically the (now Euro5 compliant) 955cc Superquadro engine which the bike it’s replaced, the 959 Panigale, put to such good use. The engine delivers an extra 5hp (155hp @ 10,750rpm) and 2Nm (104Nm @ 9,000rpm). Safety and control have both been improved with Ducati’s latest and, according to them, greatest (but they would say that, wouldn’t they) electronic package, that now includes cornering ABS, a blipper as well as a ’shifter and all the usual power modes and traction control systems.
It looks the absolute nuts, with its single -sided swinger, LED lights and stubby little side exhaust, and you’re in luck if red is your favourite colour, because that’s the only colour it’s available in. Ducati are claiming that this 155hp, £14,995 motorcycle is the perfect bike for young riders to enter into the sportsbike world – we’re not convinced it’s necessarily the perfect ‘first track bike newbies’ (it’s a 1,000cc sportsbike, near enough), but what we can all agree on is that this little weapon from Bologna ought to be a proper laugh on the track or on the road!