Ducati PANIGALE V4 TRICOLORE

The Ducati Panigale V4 Tricolore is a special edition superbike that dresses the V4 flagship in a livery celebrating Italian racing heritage, instantly marking it out from any standard Panigale on the road or in the paddock. Underneath that livery sits the same 1,103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 as the standard V4, a 90 degree engine with an 81mm bore, 53.5mm stroke, 14.0:1 compression ratio, counter-rotating crankshaft and Twin Pulse firing order producing 216hp at 13,500rpm and 120.9Nm of torque at 11,250rpm.

A six speed gearbox with Ducati Quick Shift 2.0 manages clutchless changes in both directions, sending drive through a 520 chain and 16 tooth front sprocket, and a hydraulically controlled slipper dry clutch keeps the rear wheel settled on hard, aggressive downshifts into a corner. Where the Tricolore pulls ahead of the standard V4 is in its suspension. A pressurised Ohlins NPX 25/30 fork with TiN treatment at the front and an Ohlins TTX36 monoshock at the rear both run Ohlins Smart EC 3.0 semi-active damping, constantly adjusting to road surface and riding style rather than relying on manual settings alone.

An aluminium hollow symmetrical swingarm and Brembo Monobloc Hypure calipers biting on T-drive finned discs, backed by a 245mm rear disc with Race eCBS, sharpen both feel and outright stopping power over the standard bike, while Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP-V4 tyres, a 200 section item at the rear, put the performance down. At 188kg, actually lighter than the standard V4, with an 850mm seat height and a 1,485mm wheelbase, it loses none of the flagship’s poise.

A 17 litre tank carries over unchanged from the standard bike, so none of the extra specification comes at the cost of range. It suits riders who already want everything the Panigale V4 offers but are drawn to a distinctive, collectible finish and semi-active suspension as standard rather than an option. Every element, from the paint to the chassis electronics, marks this out as a Panigale built to be noticed as well as ridden hard. Available now at GT Motorcycles in Plymouth, Ducati’s dealer for Devon and Cornwall, where finance and test rides are on offer for riders wanting to feel the difference for themselves.