Every now and then a motorcycle gets unveiled that stops me in my tracks. And this is one of them. You only have to read the model name to know that the Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 is going to be a serious piece of kit.

Ducati are calling their latest V4 ?the ultimate racetrack weapon?, and for good reason by the sounds of it. For starters, it?s based on the 2022 Panigale V4, which, as Fagan can vouch for, has taken the most significant step forward since its inception in 2018; this years bike has enjoyed upgrades to its aerodynamics, ergonomics, engine, chassis and electronics. No stone left unturned and all that.

This one though, the V4 SP2, is something even special-er. It?s the top-of-the-range sportsbike from Ducati and ?the highest performing Panigale ever?. And it looks absolutely delicious, too.
So if you?re wondering what they have done to try and make one of the best sportsbikes in the world even better, I?ll tell you.

They?ve given it five-spoke carbon fibre wheels, which are 1.4kg lighter than the standard rims on the V4 S. The lighter wheels reduce inertia by 26% at the front and 46% at the rear. That?ll probably make the SP2 one of the lightest feeling, most agile superbikes on the market.

Top stoppers

You get Brembo Stylema R calipers, Brembo?s top of the range stoppers, with the MCS adjustable master cylinder and span adjuster. They?ve even milled little holes into the ends of the levers, to stop the wind-drag pushing your levers in ...