The most powerful Ducati, the Panigale V4 S ridden on one of the most technical MotoGP circuits, Sepang. To say that our socks were knocked off would be an understatement.
However, the scraping of knees and elbow sliders while leaning into corners, pulling a power wheelie while exiting corners, and getting the tail out going into corners should be a walk in the park for any skilful motorcycle rider – all thanks to a red Ducati sportsbike. Not just any red Ducati, make it the ultimate Ducati sportsbike on sale today, the Panigale V4. MotoGP-style lean angles of over 50 degrees, anyone? Don’t worry, as demonstrated by Valia and as I personally found out on the race track, it’s quite possible to scrape your knee and elbow sliders while still being in absolute control of the motorcycle.
Okay, I may have gotten a little carried away, I didn’t really scrape my elbows. But had I grown big enough gonads to do that, I could have – it’s the sort of a big bike that instills a lot of self confidence, persistently urging you to push your limits on a race track. It’s not just the most powerful Ducati, but at 211bhp, it certainly is the most powerful production sportsbike worth your money, and despite that, it still handles like a dreamy 800cc supersport. Wondering how that’s possible? Well, alongside all those class-leading power figures, there lies a web of best-in-class tech wizardry that works overtime to make life easier in that surprisingly comfortable saddle. You heard it right, the Panigale V4 is a lot more forgiving compared to most of its litre-class rivals and that sort of reassurance isn’t easy to come by.
And when you’re at the helm of what is the most powerful production sportsbike of the modern era, that sort of reassurance helps you calm your nerves. What doesn’t is riding on a technical racetrack like the Sepang International
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Does It Fly?
2024 TVS APACHE RR 310 ₹2.75 Lakh - ₹2.97 Lakh (ex-showroom)
Is It A Scooter? Is It A Bike? No! It Is The BMW CE 02
It is rare when you come across a moment where a company brings out a vehicle into the market without knowing who exactly they want to sell it to.
Aston Martin Valkyrie
The Aston Martin Valkyrie still looks like nothing else on four wheels. Probably because it isn’t.
ONE-MAN BAND
We are a cynical bunch of people as we try our best to narrow down our vision and focus on the things that are lacking.
CRISIS AVERTED! THE EXISTENTIAL KIND
Finally, the Yezdi Adventure won’t be suffering from an existential crisis anymore.
ROYAL ENFIELD HIMALAYAN
ALTHOUGH IT IS A PERENNIAL ORDEAL FOR ANY MOTORCYCLIST to feel sad while parting ways with a motorcycle, it became even sadder for me this time around.
TVS APACHE RTR 310
THE FIRST THING I WANT TO SAY IS - “IT IS A MENACE ON WHEELS”.
ACE OF BASE
What happens when you take Porsche's old school entry level model and give it a very not entry level upgrade? This is a 914 as you've never seen it before
MOMS KNOW BEST
Volvo's XC90 was the stereotypical Soccer Mom car. So how will the all-electric EX90 be received among the soccer pitches of Orange County?
THE THEORYOF EVOLUTION
Ridged bladder seats, an inflating steering wheel and an AI track day coach... has Lotus hit on the supercar’s future, or gone mad’?