The Ducati 1199 Panigale superbike first broke cover in 2011 before entering production the following year. Successor to the 1198, the 1199 represented a massive leap forward, introducing a host of MotoGP-derived features and tech and jettisoning the marque’s signature trellis frame in favor of an advanced monocoque chassis. In 2018, the company rolled out the heavily-updated Panigale V4, gaining a substantial facelift and a brand-new V4 engine based on the one used in its MotoGP racer.
Fast forward more-than-half-a-decade-later to today and the Italian firm has now pulled the cover off of the latest generation of its flagship two-wheeler with the 2025 model year Ducati Panigale V4 and Panigale V4 S.
The latest flagship superbike from Ducati is a cutting-edge seventh-generation model that benefits from a host of noteworthy changes both inside and out. Not only did the 2025MY bike receive a major facelift, but under the surface it’s also gotten updated framework and a tweaked powertrain, amongst a host of other minor changes.
Just from looking at the superbike, it’s obvious the 2025 Panigale V4 is a very different beast than its predecessor. While just as aggressive as the 2024 model, the 2025 iteration is even sleeker-looking, with a redesigned headlight assembly sitting above shorter intakes, along with a new tank, and integrated winglets that look like they’ve been plucked straight off Ducati’s MotoGP racers. Though its appearance is undeniably modern, its shorter headlight arrangement manages to pay homage to Massimo Tamburini’s legendary 916 superbike.
The 2025 Panigale V4 range uses similar aluminum monocoque chassis design to last year’s bike, with the engine continuing to be a stressed member. In a bid to shed weight and bolster performance, the Borgo Panigale marque has surprisingly opted to implement a double-sided swing-arm — jettisoning its trademark single-sided swing-arm and making the 2025 model Ducati’s first superbike to have a double-sided unit since the 999.
Thanks to the new shell-cast aluminum double-sided swingarm, the bike tips the scales at just 421lbs at the curb (or an even svelter 412lbs for the S-spec) — a major improvement over its predecessor’s 438lb curb weight (or even the 2024 S-spec’s 431lb figure). The double-sided swing-arm also results in a slightly longer wheelbase of 58.5” versus the 2024’s 57.8” figure. While less-exotic-looking, double-sided swing-arms are lighter and offer better performance — hence why every modern-day MotoGP prototype uses one.
At the heart of Ducati’s newest superbike is the marque’s MotoGP-derived Desmosedici Stradale 90° V4 engine. Now Euro5-compliant, the engine makes roughly the same amount of power as its predecessor despite weighing less. In total, the liquid-cooled 1,103cc four-banger cranks out 209hp and 89.5ft-lbs of torque — though is capable of putting down up to 228hp when fitted with the Superbike’s optional Akrapovič track-only race exhaust.
The 2025 Panigale V4 comes outfitted with a track-ready suspension setup consisting of a top-shelf 43mm Showa BPF fork and a Sachs mono-shock — both of which are fully-adjustable. Also of note is the fact that the 2025 Panigale V4 gets rid of its Brembo Stylema braking hardware and replaces it with the Italian brand’s even newer four-pot Hypure calipers with Race eCBS, which have been paired with 330mm discs — helping to shave more-than-2oz of unsprung weight from the superbike.
While the base model of Ducati’s latest superbike is a wildly impressive machine, the company is nonetheless also offering an upgraded Panigale V4 S variant that gains several noteworthy components. This includes a new third-generation version of Öhlins’ SmartEC suspension, as well as a set of lightweight forged wheels and a race-ready Lithium-ion battery. We also imagine it’s only a matter of time before we see Ducati roll out an R-spec (and maybe even a Superleggera) version of the new face-lifted 7th-gen superbike.
It’s honestly remarkable that Ducati’s engineers have managed to find ways to outdo itself and deliver an even better Panigale superbike for seven straight generations. While there isn’t any one feature that really makes the 2025 model year special, its laundry list of changes collectively add up to a markedly better overall motorcycle — even if it does lose its exotic-looking single-sided swing-arm. And, though none of the Panigale generations look particularly dated even by today’s standards, there’s no denying the fact that the 2025MY is almost certainly the sleekest and best-looking iteration the Ducati Style Center has delivered thus far.
Class: Superbike
Model Year: 2025
Brand: Ducati
Model: Panigale V4 (& V4 S)
Engine: Liquid-Cooled 1,103cc 90° V4
Power: 209HP & 89.5FT-LBs
Weight: 421LBs (or 412LBs for S-Spec)
Seat Height: 33.5”
Wheelbase: 58.5”
Starting Price: $25,995
Scheduled to hit dealerships next month in September, the 2025 Ducati Panigale V4 starts at $25,995 while the 2025 Panigale V4 S starts from $33,895.
The 2025 Ducati Panigale V4 Superbike range gains a host of tweaks — including a dramatic facelift and a new double-sided swing-arm — that collectively make for a faster, lighter, and all-around better and more-capable flagship superbike.
