The 2025 Ducati Panigale V4 recently came up on my radar screen Hubster, most technologically advanced sportbike ever and it has me intrigued.

Not wild about the new looks though as the '22 to '24 version was absolutely drop dead gorgeous and the '25 has some weird styling cues I'm not fond of. The double sided swing arm is a departure from the norm for Ducati and has the devoted among the Ducatisti crying foul and the front end looks like a Chinese knockoff, very un-Ducati like lines.
Also the exhaust breadbox under the bike is absolutely enormous to contain the Euro 5+ catalysts.

My biggest concern is it's a new bike and first year in production, you know there can always be the potential for gremlins in the initial production runs.

Also it's Euro 5+ compliant which means the bike runs very hot until you get it piped and tuned.

Alternative is to try and locate a new 2024 model or lightly used one at a dealership.

What sayest the HUB...

2025

2024

* Last updated by: Kruz on 2/16/2025 @ 8:48 PM *

I think I'm going to go with a very low mileage '24 model, either a V4 or a V4S with the Ohlins suspension and forged alloy wheels. There's a bunch of them over in Dallas at a dealer with as low as 451 miles and remaining factory warranty. The '24 is gorgeous, the '25 is kinda weird looking.

I agree with you on the looks. Just about everything about the 2024 is better looking. As for the tech, they're going to keep that in future bikes and maybe they'll make one that looks as good as the older bikes. You're going to be riding many more years, I'll bet on it.

I went to look at a '23 V4 model with 451 miles in Dallas this afternoon Rook, identical to the '24 model and in absolutely gorgeous, show room condition, couldn't find a scratch on it. Bad news was he wanted $28,200 drive out price which I deemed way too high. I told him I would think about it and I just texted him an offer of $26,000 cash out the door.

I did my research and it seems average list price for this year is somewhere around $22,500 to $23,000 but with higher mileage around 2000-3000 miles typical. So factoring in the exceptional condition and very low miles, plus tax, title and license fees I came up with $25,500, so I rounded my offer up to $26K take it or leave it price.

I'm actually hoping he declines my offer, I don't need bike number 12 and don't have much garage floor space left.

I feel like an idiot buying another expensive bike, I wonder what the Huberator would say...

* Last updated by: Kruz on 2/17/2025 @ 8:54 PM *

It's win/win. The guy accepts your offer, you get another fun bike; guy declines, you feel less dummer! Smart and fun don't seem to go together too well. There's times to be smart and there's times to have fun. Think of it this way, if you went on a real nice vacation abroad, you'd be spending about 150k. Nobody would think you were dumb for that. You buy a bike for a fraction of the cost, heck, you have an actual object the rest of your life and it gives you pleasure forever. I'm certanly not against vacations and I'd like to do one on the real cheap someday but I'll take a bike over that without even thinking.

I make less than half of what you do and I'm spending 30k on my new 14R with the turbo kit. More to come after that, meth injection, wheels and various other light weight parts, engine build, tuning software....I'll easily have 50k in this bike before I'm done. I had over $2000 of bolts on my old 14. Some people might call that dumb but it make me happy any time I think about it.

* Last updated by: Rook on 2/18/2025 @ 3:38 PM *

All very good points Rook, I have never regretted buying more sportbikes, they are as much fun to look at as they are to ride, motorcycle art really and they are a tangible asset and store of real value. Yes they depreciate but have you checked out how fast your dollars are losing their value lately and a motorcycle will never go to zero like your dollars eventually will.

I caught some flack this morning from an old friend when I told him about my plan to pick up a new V4. At least I thought he was a friend, he went off pretty hard on me about having twelve bikes. Usual stuff, irresponsible, poor allocation of my resources yada yada. Who gives a flying F what I choose to do with my money, I earned it right?

* Last updated by: Kruz on 2/18/2025 @ 9:02 PM *

An update on the Ducati V4 deal, the dealer declined my offer today of $26,000 cash drive out on the pre-owned 2023. These guys must be freakin bandidos and robbing people blind! No worries though, I found a brand new 2024 V4 online on Cycle Trader for $1000 less, going to be a bit of a drive to go pick it up, about 1100 mile roundtrip but I know you have some experience with that Mr Rook....

Asking me is a bad influence. I say go for it. Just make sure it fits all suited up with boots and all, leg, arms, back, comfort sitting on the bike with feet up. Sit and wait to see who kicks in first for like arms going numb, angle of the body, etc. I remember riding to Santa Barbara and stopped at that duc dealer in town. They had that style bike and it sure looked long if I remember. I didn't sit on it so I have no clue what will popup with my aches and pain.

You only live once and one day you'll know when the bike ride is over... or maybe not...

Thanks Hub for your blessing on this venture....

I found a new 2024 V4 at Nashville Ducati, one of only three new '24 V4s left in the U.S. Going to pick it up on February 28, a week from Friday, so 10 hour drive one way from Dallas. By strange coincidence a riding buddy of mine is picking up a V4S the same day from a private owner about 20 minutes away from the Ducati dealer, so we're taking his RV and will share trip costs, should be about $250 out of my pocket for fuel. Federal Motorcycle Transport wanted $949 to ship the bike to Dallas, so I declined their offer and will go get it myself.

I'm with you, you only live once and this is very likely the last bike I'll ever purchase, so I wanted to make it a really good one. I plan to retire in two years.

John

going to be a bit of a drive to go pick it up, about 1100 mile roundtrip but I know you have some experience with that Mr Rook....

...congrats on the new acquisition, Kruz. I can't wait to see pictures.

Cool, Kruz. I love the sound of your ape's exhaust note. Probably the duc's sound might match it, doubt it. Remember, follow the rpm break-in times, or you'll windup like that one duc with the oil pouring out of that video you posted long ago if I recall.

Thanks Rook, I am super nervous about this one due to the cost of over $28,000 with tax, title, fees and transport and I literally don't know how I'll fit it into the garage with 11 other bikes already in there, might have to go in the living room. I'm really conflicted on this one but I'm pretty sure I will be excited when I get to Nashville and see it for the first time. I am justifying this in my own mind by the fact it'll be the last bike I'll ever buy as when I retire soon, I won't be able to afford to do this stuff anymore.

I'll be sure to take a lot of pictures of the trip, we are picking up two really nice V4s and I want memories!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 2/19/2025 @ 9:15 PM *

Do an in-house bike rotation. As long as you can do it safely, why not? You won't need to rotate that often with 12 bikes. You have plenty of variety. You might not even notice one missing from the fleet for a while!

* Last updated by: Rook on 2/20/2025 @ 5:58 AM *

Good idea Rook if they will fit through my front door, might have to be one of the Jap bikes though, all my Italian exotics tend to leak either oil or fuel or both and would make a mess of the carpets. Goes with the territory I suppose....

Congrats on the new scoot! I have always admired the Ducati(s). So much, I am likely picking up a used 1199 in the coming weeks. Joined DucatiForum and have tracked your thread. Not sure what your plan is when you are in Nashville, but I am just a couple of hours south of there. If you have time, perhaps we could meet for coffee or something. Let me know.

Cool, Kruz. I love the sound of your ape's exhaust note. Probably the duc's sound might match it, doubt it. Remember, follow the rpm break-in times, or you'll windup like that one duc with the oil pouring out of that video you posted long ago if I recall.

The little RS660 has a different sound, the 270 degree parallel twin configuration responsible for this, it reminds me of an old biplane with a radial engine..lol. I'll follow the Ducati break in guidelines.

John

* Last updated by: Kruz on 2/20/2025 @ 7:56 PM *

Hi BigBS, get the 1199 Panigale, I think you are going to love it, they have an exhilarating two stroke like powerband. I have the 1299 version and love it, great sound and very fast.

I'd love to meet up with you in Nashville if I was going to be traveling alone but I'm riding along with a buddy who is picking up a V4S in Nashville and he's going to be on a pretty tight schedule, so we will probably load up the bikes and head right back to Dallas.

Please keep me posted on the 1199 and post up lots of pics when you pick it up and I'll do the same with my new V4.

hanks for the help guys, called up the dealership and they'll take a look at it. Gotta ship it over to them as it's unrideable. Such a shame I'm having so many issues with my Duke, I love riding her to bits and I hate these down-times.

Quote from a duc site I belong to. No duc, just tech questions to guess at. Anyway, the 'having so many issues with my duke...' is not in my wheelhouse. Yes, he bought it used so who knows what the OO did to it before he got it. I say it's a crapshoot off the assembly line.

Probably will be issue free guys. Used, who knows?

* Last updated by: Hub on 2/20/2025 @ 9:06 PM *

Hub, I think Italian motorcycles in general can be a bit of a crap shoot, I've been pretty fortunate in that respect so far. The 959 is coming up on 9 years old now and other than an annoying forward cylinder oil leak from the valve cover gasket, it's been pretty much trouble free. The 1299 has not had any issues after 6 months of ownership. The RSV4 had an ECU fuse blow right after I bought it that left me stranded roadside but was covered under warranty. Other than that it uses a little oil between changes and that's about it. Aprilia RS660 is a year old and other than dripping fuel on the garage floor from the tank overflow vent it's been fine. Maybe the Italians have gotten better at building bikes or I just have gotten lucky, don't know...

What model Ducati and what year was the OP talking about?

My theory is the design and engineering of Italians bikes is fundamentally sound, assembly line errors are the issue. Japanese workers are like robots, culturally different from Europeans and tend to be excellent assembly line workers, very detail oriented. Italians are a little more care free and sometimes you get a good bike and sometimes you don't, a roll of the dice really.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 2/21/2025 @ 8:24 AM *

Hi BigBS, get the 1199 Panigale, I think you are going to love it, they have an exhilarating two stroke like powerband. I have the 1299 version and love it, great sound and very fast.

I'd love to meet up with you in Nashville if I was going to be traveling alone but I'm riding along with a buddy who is picking up a V4S in Nashville and he's going to be on a pretty tight schedule, so we will probably load up the bikes and head right back to Dallas.

Please keep me posted on the 1199 and post up lots of pics when you pick it up and I'll do the same with my new V4.

Understand, Kruz. I've done a few of those turn and go's. Pulled the trigger on the 1199 and having it shipped. The single-sided swingarm got me. MV Agusta may be next on the list.

Dam I'm sorry we're going to be on such a tight schedule, we're coming in my buddy's toy hauler and I'm along for the ride, just happy that this worked out and we're picking up both bikes in the same location on the same day, it's saving me from having to pay a $949 shipping fee with Federal.

You are going to love the 1199 I think and yes the single sided swingarm is gorgeous!

Post the pics when it arrives and I'll do the same!

PS, I just tried sending you a PM with my contact info but it's not working, please try PMing me and I'll respond.

John

* Last updated by: Kruz on 2/22/2025 @ 11:36 AM *

PS, I just tried sending you a PM with my contact info but it's not working, please try PMing me and I'll respond.

I got the PM and responded.

Roger that good buddy!

Don't think it was a v4, but then again, most don't call out the year, model, miles on it. Said it was not from the cap, not from the mount that holds the rad in place. Said they were backordered with a replacement. Too simple to just go to a shop and have it soldered it up.

Can't remember the heading, plus front page and two deep looking comes up zero.

Teaser:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ecMeQiBbE64