THE TRACK WEAPON! 2025 Panigale V4 7th Generation

Date posted on May 15, 2025

The Asian Press Launch of the 2025 Panigale V4 7th Generation was held in Buriram, Thailand. Representing Ducati Philippines and InsideRACING was renowned rider and motorcycle journalist Miguel Bichara and here’s what he can say about the new offering from the Italian manufacturer.

“I won’t argue that going to a well renowned international racetrack and travel overseas just to test an all-new bike is something I enjoy doing. Riding a track capable motorcycle that’s equipped with electronic aids to make riding at your limit far easier and faster is even more fun.

Spending about five 15-minute sessions aboard the all new 2025 Ducati Panigale V4S 7g at Buriram Thailand’s Chang International circuit is the most fun I’ve had on the track. Why? Let me tell you all about this new Ducati Superbike.

Well admittedly, I wasn’t that intimidated to thrash a 214 hp motorcycle around Chang International circuit, as I’ve tested this same bike at the Clark International Speedway a few weeks back and at the Bira Circuit in Thailand as well. So I know what this bike is capable of doing. But Chang International Circuit is a bigger and a more flowing high speed track than the two mentioned earlier, so I would now have a better comparison on what this bike can do when pushed to the limits on a larger, better built and designed track.

This all-new bike makes 216 hp with 89 ft lbs of torque using the tried and tested Stradale V4 Desmosedici motor that is 1103 cc. It’s also lighter by 6kgs compared to the 2024 model. Ducati’s full Akrapovic wheelbarrow exhausts or as we call it here in the Philippines…Ducati Performance Akra’s full titanium shotgun type exhaust system mimicking a two-barrel shotgun under the tail, should give additional 12 hp gain bringing it up to 228 hp. Wow!! That is open superbike class power for the masses!

Anyways, my first test session was to follow DRE International Coach Dario Marchetti around the track and increase speed progressively as tires warm up. By the way, these all new Pirelli Supercorsa SP “V4” specifically designed for the 7G is simply astounding. The grip levels were phenomenal at high corner speeds. I pulled out the track on Sport mode to start with and in a few corners, I was already scraping my knee sliders trying to keep up with A grade Pro rider Dario.

The bike is simply easier to ride fast compared to the previous Gen. Really, it is. It is smoother and way more stable. It’s the all new chassis and geometry that makes this new Panigale much easier to ride so quickly around the track. It’s got new front brake calipers as well called “Hypure”, being lighter and giving better brake feel.

Talking about brakes, this has a new feature called Race eCBS. With this new system, when you apply the front brake lever, it activates the rear brake when entering a corner. Even if I release the front brake, the system still applies 11% rear brake pressure. This helps me push deeper into the braking markers with more confidence than before by planting the rear and further sharpening steering response, making my chase to Dario safer and easier, as I felt my laps were getting quicker and quicker. I was enjoying the bike immensely. I’m the kind of track rider that hardly uses the rear brake when doing fast track sessions or even racing. But this new braking technology is just leaps and bounds, making me feel like a pro rider and increasing my confidence on the track.

What Pro riders do that I can’t do, this bike does it for me. Wow! Such amazing technology put into this superbike. I decided not to switch to race mode during my next sessions as I was told that Race Mode is designed more for riders using slicks which this bike didn’t have.

The tach is now easier to read as it has a bigger 6.9-inch TFT screen. Ducati must be commended for how much it has refined its electronic intervention systems. I wouldn’t be able to stay behind Dario Marchetti the whole time without Ducati’s excellent electronic management which is highly adjustable to match the rider’s skill and riding style. I still have to learn on how to use the different settings and adjustments. It’s just fantastic and so customizable. During the test, they just set it to Sport mode as I guess most people on the road may use that setting.

This 7G is truly less intimidating to ride as the big part of that, is the bike’s electronics, all new chassis and geometry just make it such an easier track bike to ride quick. Without those mentioned above, riding a bike with such a brute of an engine at 216 hp all stock from the factory would have taken my mental and physical toll right away.

Speaking about geometry, the all-new double swingarm is something most riders talk about. Many Press/Media riders and some friends I know have voiced out that the single swingarm is aesthetically better looking and easier to service as well when performing rear wheel removal.

Well as Ducati’s test rider Allesandro Valia explained during our media presentation in Buriram’s Modena Hotel, “Ducati must continue to evolve, because in “racing”, as in life, if you stop, you get left behind”. So Ducati simply did just that. They moved forward with a double swingarm as derived from their “MotoGP Racing” program and eliminated the single swingarm. Why? The new double swingarm is 4.85 lbs lighter being hollow cast aluminum and gives lateral stiffness of 37% at lean angles over 60 degrees. In fact, they mentioned, that with this new 2025 7G, they installed a single swingarm and did laps with a pro rider. They compared lap times and the double swingarm equipped Panigale V4 made quicker lap times, was easier to steer as well with more stability. So that explains why they went that direction.

Also, don’t fret too much as removal of rear wheel is also way simpler than the conventional double swingarm systems of other manufacturers. Ducati knew many would complain about rear wheel removal, so their new rear wheel removal process is derived also from endurance world championships aside from their MotoGP program.

Rear wheel removal is now still quick and easy as the new system keeps the rear caliper in place and rear wheel simply slides in and out in seconds using a canal type guide built into the rear swingarm assembly. All bikes with double swingarms should learn or imitate this new system from Ducati and make it a norm on their superbikes or even sport-touring bikes. It just makes rear wheel servicing better. Bravo Ducati for this new and easier rear wheel removal system.

You simply have to try the new bike over the old one to compare. Hands down this is way better in all aspects. Looks are a matter of opinion…I seem to like the way this 2025 7G looks. It has grown on me and I will choose this over previous one.

Ducati knows a thing or two about design and you will feel that this new bike is a very well-engineered package and the best track weapon out the showroom floor. Even the fairing removal is now easier compared to before.

Price is a bit on the hefty side for me, but if you can afford Php 2.525 M for this “S” variant that comes with electronic NPX forks and TTX race shock with forged wheels, then this is THE track weapon to buy. Nothing out there on the track can achieve and surpass what this new 7G V4 Desmosidici 1103 cc motor can give. Period!

Again, bravo Ducati for creating a motorcycle that is closer to its MotoGP roots, and creating a bike that will dominate the World Superbike scene very soon once the homologated V4 “R” race format motor is released.”