2025 Ducati Panigale V4S First Ride Review
The 2025 Panigale V4S is essentially a street-legal race bike with world-class electronics and surgical precision. It’s built for hardcore Ducati enthusiasts and track-day riders who want the absolute ceiling of motorcycle performance.
- Surgical precision: It does exactly what you ask with zero hesitation.
- World-class tech: Best-in-business UI and button layout makes adjustments feel intuitive.
- Locked-in suspension: Electronic suspension feels like “Elmer’s glue” once leaned over.
- Extremely hot: Heat soaks into your thighs almost immediately.
- Brutal ergonomics: Hard seat + aggressive race tuck = torture device in the city.
- High price tag: $35k for performance that’s hard to exploit on public roads.
Performance Highlights
The Panigale V4S delivers power that feels nearly unlimited on the highway. It can feel a bit sluggish at lower revs during a 40–80 pull because it’s tuned like a race bike — but once it’s in the power band, it transforms. The quickshifter is gorgeous and smooth, and Sport mode throttle response feels like a direct, hardwired connection.
Torque: 89.5 ft-lbs — enough shove to feel endless once you’re rolling.
Rider Experience & Tech
Ergonomics are as racy as it gets: high perch, very firm seat, tight legs, and a long reach to the clip-ons. It’s a compromised position for city riding, made worse by mirrors that vibrate significantly and offer poor visibility.
Tech is where Ducati flexes hardest. The dash is flatter and longer to match the bike’s lines, and it displays a ton of data (including lean angle and G-meters) in a layout that’s actually easy to navigate. The UI and control logic are the benchmark.
The Chase Score & Final Thoughts
With a Chase Score of 70/100, the V4S is perfect at one specific task — going stupid-fast with total precision — but it demands real compromises everywhere else. It’s brilliant the moment you find a corner, yet the heat and ergonomics make daily life rough, and the $35k price tag is hard to justify unless you’ll actually use what it can do.
Who it’s for: hardcore Ducati fans and track junkies with deep pockets who want the sharpest handling and best electronics.
Who should skip: anyone looking for a comfortable commuter — or a bike that won’t cook your legs in traffic.