
DUCATI V4 SPECIALE (2018 - on) Review

At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £270 |
Power: | 223 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (32.7 in / 830 mm) |
Weight: | Medium (415 lbs / 188 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesDucati’s stock Panigale V4 S ought to be more than enough style and performance for anyone. It produces a quoted 214bhp, boasts typically stunning Italian lines and only tips the scales at 195kg.
It also delivered speed testing results that revealed it to be the fastest production sportsbike MCN has ever tested. And it is one of the most desirable sportsbikes on the planet. So how do you better it?
Ducati haven’t capped their romantic coupling of rampant performance and sex appeal with the S. This is the £34,995 Ducati Panigale V4 Speciale: a bike that’s vying for the accolade of the most desirable superbike on the planet. Limited to just a 1500-unit production run (this is bike number 108) its intensity will disorientate your senses.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineHowever enjoyable it is on the road, you can never really set it free. To do that you need to go on track. Warming up in the paddock at Cadwell Park, I lower the pressures on the Pirelli Supercorsa SP rubber, select Race mode and that’s it, we’re ready to go.
The Öhlins suspension is semi-active, so will do all the hard work for you as it reacts to your inputs and the track; no spanners required. The Speciale feels narrow, nimble and light, especially through Hall Bends.
I don’t expect a bike with so much power to be so flickable. It’s a slightly alien feeling; big-capacity bikes are usually such a handful in the tight sections but the Speciale isn’t.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe same bore as Ducati’s V4 MotoGP motor and a longer stroke means a capacity of 1103cc. It’s the same engine housed in the V4S.
But now the Speciale is fitted with a Ducati by Performance Akrapovic full exhaust system, which adds 12bhp, increases torque by 5.16ftlb and reduces weight by another 6kg.
In the first few gears there’s a charismatic backfire between gear changes that becomes addictive. And the quickshifter/blipper is utterly seamless, even at low road speeds. You find yourself dancing on the lever just to enjoy the sensory assault.
At tickover it isn't offensive
At tickover it isn’t offensive, but blip the throttle and it’ll turn pensioners’ blue rinses white. It shouldn’t work on the road. That excess of power, the brutal delivery and horizon-compressing speed should conspire against you. But it’s a wildly addictive, soul-enriching experience.
Even over the famous Mountain at Cadwell Park, the Panigale's clever electronics prevent you from being launched at the Moon. The front still lifts, but then you’re enveloped in the system’s control, and you’re almost instantly driving hard again, rather than catching air.
It's like flying a jet plane down a school corridor
Down the two main straights everything gets frighteningly fast. Cadwell Park is so narrow that you feel like you’re flying a jet plane down a school corridor.
I’m so used to riding V-twin Ducatis (and the V4 feels like a V-twin) that I kept short-shifting at 12,000rpm, well short of the redline.
The additional ponies are hard to detect on track. The S would be just as quick in the hands of all but a BSB rider. But does that matter? Of course not. Not when you feel this Speciale.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThere is no reason to question the new V4, we haven’t uncovered any horror stories yet. Minor services are annual or every 7500 miles, while the dreaded Desmo service isn’t until 15,000 miles. With chain-driven cams, there are no belts to change like on pre-Panigale V-twin Ducatis.
Many of these bikes will be pampered to within an inch of their life, too and some will rarely see the road, let alone a trackday. However, with a 24 month warranty, there is support should you need it.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentIn pure performance terms, the Ducati Panigale V4 Speciale is not £11k better than the S. But you don’t buy a Speciale because it makes performance sense. You buy one because you want it, love it, can’t sleep for thinking about it.
Running cost are going to be eye-watering with the Speciale though and tyres will be eaten at an alarming rate and on track we burnt a full tank of fuel in 60 miles.
Logic isn’t welcome here though. It’s the sexiest and most desirable superbike on the planet and the fastest out of the blocks. And at £359pm on PCP there’ll be more demand for what is the most exciting ownership experience you can buy than there is supply available.
Equipment
The Speciale has been parked in my garage all day. It’s not moved. It’s neither living nor breathing, yet I keep visiting it, brew in hand, just to make sure it’s okay.
I’ve been testing bikes for 20 years and few have such magnetic appeal when stationary. But the Speciale does.
The dashes of carbon add to the appeal and the race exhaust looks as good as it sounds. The cheap-looking plastic around the standard exhaust has been binned in favour of carbon.
Even the brake lever guard makes me smile
I love the multi-adjustable pegs, they’re both more practical and have that factory allure. Even the brake lever guard makes me smile.
And when you do take it out into the daylight it turns heads everywhere you go. The booming full-race titanium exhaust grabs everyone’s attention and the styling keeps them looking.
There are very few bikes that can match this for exclusivity and desirability.
For 2019 Ducati have added the V4 Speciale Corse, which boasts a special paintjob that draws on last year’s WDW specials, a single seat unit with Alcantara rider pad and a premium of £1900 over the S.
Specs |
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Engine size | 1103cc |
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Engine type | Desmosedici V4 |
Frame type | Front frame, stressed member, cast magnesium front sub frame |
Fuel capacity | 16 litres |
Seat height | 830mm |
Bike weight | 188kg |
Front suspension | Öhlins NIX30 43mm fully-adjustable fork, semi-active |
Rear suspension | Öhlins TTX36 fully-adjustable single shock, semi-active |
Front brake | 2x330 discs, four-piston Brembo M4.30 calipers, cornering ABS |
Rear brake | 2 x 330mm discs, 4-piston Brembo M4.30 calipers, cornering ABS |
Front tyre size | 120/70-17 |
Rear tyre size | 200/60-17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | - |
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Annual road tax | £101 |
Annual service cost | £270 |
New price | £34,995 |
Used price | £15,800 - £30,000 |
Insurance group |
- How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two years |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 223 bhp |
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Max torque | 96.7 ft-lb |
Top speed | - |
1/4 mile acceleration | 9.96 secs |
Tank range | - |
Owners' reviews for the DUCATI V4 SPECIALE (2018 - on)
4 owners have reviewed their DUCATI V4 SPECIALE (2018 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your DUCATI V4 SPECIALE (2018 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £270 |
Version: Speciale
Year: 2021
Best bike I’ve owned
As comfortable as most modern superbikes . I do prefer a hard initial bite of the brakes on my old s1000rr , but my speciale is more progressive breaking that will stop you .
Superb endless pull of 224bhp .
Been told 250-300 a service, not out of the way for such a bike
Quick shifter n blipper are superb. Dash is clear and easy to use , this is my first Ducati and I got to grips with dash within 2 or 3 days
Buying experience: Treated well from Ducati leeds , didn’t really think I could afford this , but bobbed in “just to talk to them” ….. picked it up 2 days later :-) It’s a bike you are really proud to own & people talk to you where ever you go
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £250
High fuel consumption
Fuel stops generally 130 to 140 miles
Race exhaust
Buying experience: Dealer
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £250
The handling, braking and general composure is the best I have experienced.
Exhaust note.
Buying experience: Dealer
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £300
For the first few miles there was a bit of clutch drag but that soon disappered. The bike is awesome.
Standard suspension needed adjustment but still a fantastic handling machine
Utterly mind blowing.
Very compact bike. There have been a small number of recalls but the bike has performed faultlessly.
Eats tyres. But clearly depends upon how you ride.
Standard exhaust replaced with the Akrapovic race item. Rear sets and levers.
Buying experience: Dealer. Superb service and first class people. £34995.00