By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Ducati 1299 Panigale (MY2015) vs Panigale V4 (MY2018-SP)
Ducati 1299 Panigale vs Panigale V4: fast is a given. What sets them apart isn't.
You'll feel the Ducati 1299 Panigale's Brembos bite hard and then let you meter the squeeze as the nose settles. The Ducati Panigale V4's Stylema lever never goes vague under heavy braking: it's telling you exactly how much stopping is left. The bike hauls down from speed in one clean pull.
So which one do you buy?
The Panigale V4 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Inches ahead: Panigale V4
For the ride to work, the Panigale V4 noses ahead. That comes from friendlier manners. Don't let that alone make the call.
What makes each one tick
1299 Panigale
In the middle of its revs, the 1299 Panigale's Superquadro twin thunders and shoves the bike out of every corner. Over a bump, the stiff suspension doesn't soak much of it up, and the firm seat passes the jolt along. It wants a racetrack. The bars keep reporting what the front tire's doing.
Panigale V4
Near the top of the rev range, the Panigale V4's Desmosedici engine still isn't done, and its surge stays even right to the end. There's no hesitation at corner entry: the Öhlins-damped chassis snaps onto its arc and flicks over for the next bend. The dry clutch rattles away.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 1299 Panigale has the lower wet weight: 419 lb (190 kg) vs 428 lb (194 kg).
- The 1299 Panigale makes more peak torque: 107 lb-ft (145 Nm) vs 91 lb-ft (124 Nm).
- The 1299 Panigale has the larger engine: 1285 cc vs 1103 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not built for this
Long-haul comfort is a weak spot for both. If you tour, shop with that in mind.
Nothing splits them on track days, twisty roads, and running costs. Ride both back to back and the decision usually makes itself.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
1299 Panigale
What owners say
Strengths
- Highly effective electronics suite
- Monstrous V-twin power delivery
- Exemplary chassis and handling
- Powerful Brembo brakes
Trade-offs
- High running costs and spotty reliability
- Heavy clutch pull
- Significant engine heat
- Uncomfortable for extended riding
Panigale V4
What owners say
Strengths
- Glorious Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine
- Telepathic handling with Öhlins Smart EC 2.0
- Benchmark Brembo Stylema brakes
- Sophisticated and unintrusive electronics
Trade-offs
- Aggressive ergonomics limit long-distance comfort
- Intense heat in traffic
Known problems to check before you buy
1299 Panigale
- Oil leaks from valve covers and fork seals Multiple owners report minor oil seepage from valve covers and fork seals, often requiring gasket or seal replacement early in the bike's life.
Panigale V4
- Rear wheel shaft recall (NHTSA 25V570) Recall 25V570000 A potential rear wheel shaft failure could lead to loss of control, prompting a recall covering 2021 models. Ducati replaced the shaft with a strengthened version free of charge.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 330 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 1299 Panigale | Panigale V4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.7 in (830 mm) | 32.9 in (835 mm) |
| Wet weight | 419 lb (190 kg) | 428 lb (194 kg) |
| 1299 Panigale | Panigale V4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1285 cc | 1103 cc |
| Engine | L-twin | V4 |
| Power | 205 hp (151 kW) | 214 hp (157 kW) |
| Peak power at | 10,500 rpm | 13,000 rpm |
| Torque | 107 lb-ft (145 Nm) | 91 lb-ft (124 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 8,750 rpm | 10,000 rpm |
| 1299 Panigale | Panigale V4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 US gal (17 L) | 4.2 US gal (16 L) |
| 1299 Panigale | Panigale V4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear tire | 200/55-17 | 200/60-17 |
| Wheelbase | 56.6 in (1437 mm) | 57.8 in (1469 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 1299 Panigale | Panigale V4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone Connectivity | Not offered | Option |
| LED Headlight | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
