I'm sure it cost 2x the new H2 but I wonder if KHI will ever go down this technology path? 215 HP and 386 lbs

Any idea how they hide the big ugly exhaust KHI loves to feature prominently on their new bikes?

I bet Kruz has one in each color already

* Last updated by: cruderudy on 3/15/2018 @ 9:40 PM *

I think it's tucked up under the bottom-center of the bike. May also not need to be quite as big as an I4 motor to hit the target sound level since the tone of big V-twins is deeper vs high pitched ... I'm really guessing on this, though.

Looks like the tubes from the rear cylinders rap up around the rear shock making it kind of look like a hugger. And down at the back edge of the silver panel you can just see the oval opening of the exhaust. I bet that thing sounds sweet!

I'm not seein the 'beautiful Italian' design here.

Cool bike for sure,but eye candy?I don't see it.

I agree Greenie, looks cramped and uncomfortable to me, must be why it going to cost so much. I probably will see the Hub on one at the Rock Store this weekend.

I wonder if they just hit copy/paste on the engine design to go from 2 to 4 jugs?

* Last updated by: cruderudy on 3/16/2018 @ 11:41 AM *

"Hub at the rock store"..shit..I wish you guys would get some vids of your rides.Everything on the net is old stuff.Have fun out there...been to the rock store myself.YEARS ago...when I had my Harley.

I bet Kruz has one in each color already

Looks like the tubes from the rear cylinders rap up around the rear shock making it kind of look like a hugger. And down at the back edge of the silver panel you can just see the oval opening of the exhaust. I bet that thing sounds sweet!

The silver panel is the muffler. Honda has a similar design. No options for aftermarket exhausts but why would you do that to a Ducati anyway?

I guess I was wrong. I would need to have the Turmignoni race exhaust. The stock exhaust sounds weak if you ask me.

* Last updated by: Rook on 3/16/2018 @ 11:33 PM *

Nothing to write home about. Did the V4 win any of these races? Maybe one. Pretty much on par with the others. The ZX-10 wins a lot. I'd be pissed if I bought that Panigale.

Looks like they took a page out of Kawasaki's book and hid it in the exact same spot that K has done on several models...

for example:

* Last updated by: Nightmare on 3/19/2018 @ 7:51 AM *

The ECU is derestricted on the Kaw No wonder. I didn't notice that. I wonder if they flash Ducatis?

* Last updated by: Rook on 3/19/2018 @ 7:56 AM *

Funny you guys should mention the new V4, I picked up two Brit bike magazines with first road tests on the new Ducati V4S just this afternoon on the way home from the airport, fixing to read them here in a few minutes. If I was going to get another bike, that would be the machine for sure, I think it's pure sex on wheels and initial reports are saying right at 200 BHP to the rear tire.

I picked up one of the Honda SPs back in November, have barely had a chance to ride it this winter, been to darn cold this year. Great handler but not in the same league as the V4 or the new ZX-10R powerwise.

The new V4 looks very similar to my baby Panigale but even sexier IMHO:

* Last updated by: Kruz on 3/20/2018 @ 6:49 PM *

OK, I'm pissed off at you guys now! This thread has goaded me into looking at one of these over the weekend and I'm definitely debating whether to pull the trigger on one now. I don't need it but..... the initial ride reports are saying it has other worldly handling,power, brakes, electronics, you name it. Dyno reports have been from 183 rear wheel HP on the low end of the scale up to 199 HP at the back wheel on the high end, most of the difference probably down to break in miles, gotta loosen up them crankshaft bearings! I'm guessing 187-189 HP as a good average. Every report I've seen says this is going to be the bike to own for years to come, the class of the class and it is drop dead gorgeous in the flesh.

They'll still be available in a year. I'd hold off unless someone offers you a genuinely amazing price which we both know ain't gonna happen. Trade in the 959 if they do, you can't use both.

Why not look back at the bikes that were truly legendary and buy those? Hayabusa, S1000rr, H2. Anything brand new won't be different enough to warrant the cost. If it is, buy it in a few years after you know for a fact it really was/is a great bike.

No bike is going to make you ride that much differently. Since you can keep buying bikes, buy bikes that have meaning. Strive to have an eclectic repertoire instead of all close to the same. The Ducati was a step in the right direction but you have 3 other liter bikes that fill the same niche. In fact you have 4. You haven't added the Repsol to your signature yet!!

Dump a repeat and look for something really unique if you want another bike. I think jumping at anything as soon as it comes out is too likely to result in a repeat experience. Look for "different" not "better." There are some bikes that are unique but not many that are better.

Two years from now Ducati will have something better. If it's truly better performance you want, look into the aftermarket and you will outpace the factory bikes a lot better than buying new bikes. Short of power adders which you are not into, I don't think aftermarket parts and various other mods are going to make a huge difference so I know factory bikes won't either. There's no denying, modded bikes are better than factory but not that much better

If you keep buying liter bikes looking for the best one to ride the twisties, I don't think you will find it.

I think a great move would be to try one track day. That will rejuvenate your riding more than any new bike and if it doesn't, it was just a few hundred bucks.

The V4 looks really cool though. If it's better than the 959 and the 1200, get it and trade the 959. Call it quits on Ducati after that. I already know the V4 won't be head and shoulders over the 959 but maybe you jumped too quick at the 959.

How much will they give you for a trade? Maybe they'll take a CBR and a ZX-10 too. I'd sell at least one of those. Probably both. You got two of each already.

I actually like the looks of your 959 better

New V4s are testing at close to 200 rear wheel HP depending on the dyno, the 959 is 133 rear wheel HP, different worlds really, especially when you factor in the autoblipper and slide control in addition to all the other goodies they come with nowadays. I don't need it for sure, don't really need any of these bikes but I like 'em. More interesting facts about the new V4, one recently lapped Valencia, box stock, with a Ducati test rider onboard and would have qualified for the MotoGP race, 5 seconds off Marquez' all time lap record at that track.

Kruz - I'm not sure HP matters as much as torque.

- 2012+ ZX14R: 113.2 ft-lbs (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_Ninja_ZX-14)

- Duc 959: 79.2 ft-lbs (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ducati_959)

- Duc V4: 91.5 ft-lbs (https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/bikes/panigale/panigale-v4)

But I know the V4 is waaaay lighter, so it probably is the fastest thing available. And badass lookin' fer sure.

Post pics if ya go for it!

* Last updated by: extrapolator on 4/3/2018 @ 5:28 PM *

Pretty amazing that for "relatively" little $$$ you can buy a street legal bike like this compared to the cost/performance of a WSB or a GP bike. In order to get a car that just begins to approach the F1 performance its several $M dollars (probably more than even Kruz can afford)

A college at work came into some discretionary cash a few yrs ago in an inheritance. He he bought the Ducacci Superleggera for about $80k and keeps it in his living room as art. He took it to the track once (he is actually behind me in my avatar) and after that it just sits as art.

Very nice high tech toy to have and I hope Kruz gets one takes it to the track and gives a review!

Apparently some of them get hot. VERY hot: http://www.bikesrepublic.com/featured/2018-ducati-panigale-v4-catches-fire-canada/

New V4s are testing at close to 200 rear wheel HP depending on the dyno, the 959 is 133 rear wheel HP, different worlds really, especially when you factor in the autoblipper and slide control in addition to all the other goodies they come with nowadays.

Trade over that lame 959 and get it. It looks better. The smooth side looks better than that slash in the side fairing of the 959 and it has the single sided swing arm and exposed frame. The clutch cover is nicer and the exhaust is neater. Although the exposed mid pipe section is kind cool too, enclosed is better looking. And 130 hp is a joke. My gad don't your two CBRs have more than that? Does the 959 do anything the CBRs don't do? The 600 probably has 110 hp and a lot lighter.

If you're going to do something do it all the way. I'd get the 1299.

Dammit I just KNOW he's gonna get this thing! And I need to fly / drive / ride out to TX to get my pic taken with Kruz and his collection. That would be so

The 1299 is probably not quite as strong and a lot heavier but I bet it can get up and go at any speed. You're not going to feel that hp until you're way past 11000 rpm on the v4.

get the one that you think is coolest. Either one is slower than a modded H2 and you never got that bike.

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/3/2018 @ 7:28 PM *