Just when we thought the Panigale V4 couldn?t get any better, Ducati drop this bombshell; ?the most significant evolutionary step? since the V4 was first released in 2018. They?re telling us it?s better on track, less tiring to ride, and generally better in every way. Aerodynamics, ergonomics, engine, chassis and electronics have all been worked on and hopefully, improved, making, Ducati say, the 2022 Panigale V4 faster, more intuitive and easy to ride for professional and amateur riders alike.

In fact Michele Pirro (Ducati?s Official Test Rider) was half a second faster on the new V4. That might not sound a lot, but half a second is a lot to a professional (MotoGP spec) rider like Michele Pirro.

Winger-spaniel

?How have they made such a good bike so much better"? I hear you ask. Well firstly, there?s a new set of wings. They create the same vertical load of up to 37kg at 300km/h (186mph), but the design is thinner and more compact.
And staying in the airflow department, there are some new cooling vents at the bottom of the fairing to help keep the engine cool. This is something that anyone who?s ever ridden a Panigale V4 knows is definitely necessary. You get a lot of heat off the back cylinders on the V4, which can be quite uncomfortable on your legs after a while; so any help to keep things cool is very welcome.

To improve control, particularly on track, Ducati have put a fair bit of work into developing the V4?s ergonomics. The seat is a ...