The New Ducati Panigale V4 S Superbike Is a Polarizing Powerhouse

A new Ducati superbike only comes around once every few years, and its arrival provides a litmus test for brand loyalists. We attended the reveal of Ducati’s seventh-generation Panigale V4 S at the Misano World Circuit in Italy, and the striking superbike set the enthusiast community ablaze with its fluid bodywork, upgraded hardware and software, and one critical element that breaks 30 years of tradition: a dual-sided swingarm.

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This departure from Ducati convention is a more utilitarian engineering solution compared to a single-sided swingarm, which exposes one side of the rear wheel in an evocative display of minimalism and mechanical nakedness. By revealing the full profile of the wheel and only attaching it to one anchor, a single-sided swingarm enables a more elemental visual presence that exudes a certain stylistic je ne sais quoi.

The single-sided swingarm debuted on Ducati’s 916 , which was produced between 1994 and 1998 and is widely considered one of the most beautiful motorcycles of all time. The setup became closely associated with Ducati superbikes, which is why some fans are coming out with pitchforks at the new design.

Curiously enough, Ducati designers say the new Panigale V4’s styling is, in fact, inspired by the great 916—and it shows. The bodywork has been resculpted to make it easier for racers and spirited riders to hang off at high speeds, and new front wings have been blended into the body with automotive levels of surface refinement. The integration is tougher to execute than it looks.

“It’s quite difficult, because from a purely stylistic point of view, something that is really seamless, clean, and apparently simple, in reality is quite complex in terms of the curvature of the surfaces and managing the volumes,” mentioned Andrea Amato, Ducati’s design boss, to Robb Report . “The risk is to create something too simple.”

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The wings help manage aerodynamics at the front end, and lend the bike a more exotic look—though some also contend that it makes the 209 hp two-wheeler look like a catfish. The bike undergoes a series of improvements intended to make it ever-so-much quicker around a race circuit, while being more approachable and easier to ride.

The 1,103-cc V-4 is lighter and produces more power than before, despite stricter Euro 5 emissions standards. A new Ducati Vehicle Observer system leverages the equivalent of over 70 sensor inputs to manage the bike’s electronic aids and thus ensure quicker lap times. In addition, new telemetry incorporates a G-meter, power and torque meter, and lean-angle information.

The controversial swingarm’s hollow design lightens the visual load of wrapping around both sides of the rear wheel, while saving 8.3 pounds of weight at the tail. While the philosophical sea change has the potential to keep some of the brand’s traditionalists from seeing the light, Ducati says the new rear end aids the bike’s suspension and handling capabilities significantly. Those improvements will likely help the homologated race versions of the Panigale sustain Ducati’s success on racetracks, but it is unlikely to quell the complaints of those attached to the brand’s traditional design iconography.

Click below for more photos of the 2025 Ducati Panigale V4 S.

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