The new crankshaft is 1,100 grammes lighter, the shaft is driven by four titanium connecting rods with 104.3 mm wheelbase that allow a saving of 100 grammes each. Also the intake valves and the relevant semi-cones are made of titanium. The generator rotor has been lightened as well, with a weight saving of 100 grammes. 

This solution makes it possible to optimise cylinder filling at all rotation speeds with important benefits in terms of power and rideability. The R engine heads have been subject to a fluid-dynamic study which has resulted in the implementation of new oversize intake ducts. The R engine breathes thanks to a high-permeability air filter Sprintfilter P08.

The Panigale V4 R is exclusively equipped with the new pressurised fork Öhlins NPX 25/30 of Ø 43 mm, with TiN treatment of the rods, and the damper Öhlins TTX36 on the rear, both with mechanical adjustment. Even the steering damper Öhlins leaves the electronic adjustment in favour of the mechanical one.

The new NPX 25/30, compared to model NIX 30 of the Panigale V4 S, uses a pressurised damping system derived from that of the racing forks Öhlins WSB. Compared to a traditional system, the pressurised system, minimising the risk of oil cavitation, offers better damping of roughness, ensuring stability and support during braking, that for the rider means more feeling of the front.
     

As it is the case for Öhlins forks used in the MotoGP, the compression damping takes place in the left rod and uses a Ø 25 mm diameter piston, whereas the rebound damping in the right-hand rod uses a Ø 30 mm piston. The special design and manufacture of the fork blades allow a weight saving of 600 g compared to the forks of the Panigale V4 S.

The new Panigale V4 R electronic control package includes:

• Bosch Cornering ABS EVO


• Ducati Traction Control EVO (DTC) EVO


• Ducati Slide Control (DSC)


• Ducati Wheelie Control EVO (DWC) EVO


• Ducati Power Launch (DPL)


• Ducati Quick Shift up/down EVO (DQS) EVO


• Engine Brake Control EVO (EBC) EVO

The operational parameters for each of these controls are associated by default with the three Panigale V4 R Riding Modes. DTC, DWC, DSC or EBC control levels can be adjusted quickly via the left switchgear.

Bosch Cornering ABS EVO

The Bosch ABS system with Cornering function allows ABS operation even with the bike leaned over. Bosch Cornering ABS EVO can be set at three different levels to fully satisfy the needs of all riders.

While level 3 is recommended for low-grip conditions, levels 2 and 1 emphasise braking power and are intended for use on high-grip surfaces.

Selecting level 2 activates the Slide by Brake function, which lets riders drift the bike into the corners safely.

Recommended for pro riders, ABS level 1 restricts ABS intervention to the front brake only, yet retains the Cornering function to allow super-hard braking up to and past the turn-in and recovery from any riding errors.

Ducati Traction Control EVO (DTC) EVO

The DTC EVO interfaces with the 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), constantly measuring the lean angle and using it to accurately calculate the degree of intervention needed to ensure suitable rear wheelspin (according to the DTC EVO level setting).

When set to level 1 or 2, DTC EVO activates the Spin on Demand function. This lets the rider use the throttle, with the bike leaned over, to request more wheelspin than would be given by the normal intervention level so the bike can pivot around its front wheel and complete the taken cornering line.

DTC EVO acts not just on ignition and injection advance but also on throttle body valve aperture to ensure more fluid intervention when fast-action control is not required.

Ducati Slide Control (DSC)

Co-developed with Ducati Corse, this new system provides the rider with further support by controlling the torque delivered by the engine as a function of the slide angle; its goal is to improve out-of-the-corner performance by preventing slide angles that might otherwise be difficult to handle. 

DSC has two different settings: switching from level 1 to level 2 results in easier control of slide angles that would otherwise be hard to manage.

Like DTC EVO, DSC controls torque reduction by acting on the throttle body valves, decreasing spark advance and reducing injection.

Ducati Wheelie Control EVO (DWC) EVO

The Panigale V4 R is also equipped with the latest version of Ducati Wheelie Control EVO (DWC EVO). Thanks to the information provided by the IMU 6D, DWC EVO provides more accurate wheelie readings; it thus exerts more precise control so the bike responds faster to rider input.

Ducati Power Launch (DPL)

This 3-level system ensures lightning-fast yet safe starts, letting the rider focus on releasing the clutch. The DPL makes use of the DWC functions and always keeps DTC active to ensure compete safety at all times

The DPL has three different settings and is activated by pressing the specific key on the right-hand switchgear. Level 1 favours high-performance starts, level 3 is safer and more stable.

Ducati Quick Shift up/down EVO (DQS) EVO

In addition to minimising shift times, the DQS EVO with up/down function allows clutchless down-changes. The EVO version mounted on the V4 R uses lean angle info to maximise bike stability during through-the-corner gearshifts. During downshifting this system works seamlessly with the slipper clutch and Engine Brake Control (EBC) to ensure optimal gear meshing during on-the-edge riding.

Engine Brake Control EVO (EBC) EVO

EBC (Engine Brake Control) helps riders optimise bike stability under extreme turn-in conditions. EBC EVO, optimised according to lean angle, monitors the throttle body valve position, the selected gear and crankshaft deceleration during aggressive braking and adjusts throttle aperture to balance out the torque applied to the tyre.

New Ducati Riding Mode (RM) strategy

Riding Modes provide users with three different pre-set riding styles so that Panigale V4 R performance can be adapted to the rider, the nature of the track/route and weather conditions.

Race Riding Mode - Race RM is designed to let the rider tap into the full potential of the Panigale V4 R on high-grip asphalts. Selecting Race gives the rider 221 hp, with direct Ride-by-Wire throttle response. Race mode sets the electronics at a low intervention level: for example, to maximise braking performance the ABS kicks in on the front wheel only (but with the Cornering function always on).

Sport Riding Mode – Sport RM allows less experienced riders to enjoy effective, spectacular bike performance. Again, the engine delivers 221 hp but with a sports-style Ride-by-Wire throttle response. The Slide by Brake function is activated, as is Cornering ABS, to maximise cornering performance.

Street Riding Mode - Street RM is recommended when riding the Panigale V4 R on low-grip surfaces or the public highway. This RM still delivers 221 hp but, like Sport RM, has a more progressive throttle response. Electronic control settings ensure grip and stability to maximise safety.

Ducati Lap Timer GPS (DLT GPS)

The Panigale V4 R dashboard incorporates a lap timer that has more advanced functions than the one on the Panigale V4. The DLT GPS on the V4 R automatically detects not just lap times: it can also take two intermediate times and display them directly on the dashboard at every ride-past. If a lap time is the best of the current track session, the Best Lap function causes it to flash for 5 seconds. On every lap the system records not just the time but also maximum RPM, maximum speed (real, GPS-detected), intermediate times plus lean and yaw angles.

Ducati Data Analyser + GPS (DDA+ GPS)

The Ducati Data Analyser + GPS (DDA + GPS), allows assessment of bike and rider performance by showing traces for specific data items. DDA + GPS is a vital performance monitoring tool. Not only does it automatically display and record lap times, it also saves other data traces such as throttle opening, vehicle speed, engine rpm, selected gear, engine temperature, distance travelled and the DTC trace. 

Ducati Multimedia System (DMS)

The Panigale V4 R can be fitted with the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS). This lets riders take incoming calls, select and listen to music tracks or receive text messages via a Bluetooth link.

The dashboard is dominated by the round virtual rev counter on the right. Desmosedici Stradale R revs are displayed within a 1,000-16,500 rpm interval by a needle gauge. Movement of the latter is accompanied by a white trail that acts as a shift light, changing colour from white to orange and then red as the rev limit approaches.

The rider can call up two different lay-outs: \'Track\' highlights the lap times and the rev counter scale makes the revs used on the track more clearly visible; \'Road\', instead, replaces lap times with info on the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), where present, and the rev scale is more appropriate for road use.

The DLT GPS of the V4 R allows to automatically measure not only the lap times, but also two splits and to display them at the end of each lap directly on the instrument panel of the bike. The system is provided with the useful “Best Lap” function, which displays for 5 seconds in a flashing way the time result if it is the best of the current lap session. For each lap, in addition to the time, the maximum RPM and the maximum speed (real speed measured by GPS) are stored, as well as the splits and the angles of bending and yawing.