KIWI RIDER 06 2020 VOL1 | Page 19

DUCATI V4 RACER W hile we are no strangers to the track weapon that is the Ducati V4 Panigale, the Italian firm has released a new package of accessories to further increase the Panigale’s ontrack performance. The Racing accessories package for the Panigale V4 offers a complete replacement titanium exhaust system, lower and upper racing fairings, oversized headlight fairing, swingarm cover, mirror hole covers, license plate holder removal set, frame cover set, brake lever protection, brake lever protection adapter, side stickers for the fuel tank and a host of carbon fibre goodies. The announcement comes off the back of the news that the ultimate Panigale V4, the Superleggera, is near to entering production. Limited to just 500 bikes, the Panigale V4 Superleggera drops weight further and adds more power to the already formidable Desmosedici Stradale V4. The 998cc 90° V4 that powers the Superleggera V4 is 2.8kg less than the 1103cc version of Ducati’s V4. Thanks to a type- approved Akrapovič exhaust it puts out – in its road-legal configuration – a full 224hp. That figure jumps 10 horses to 234hp when the non-homologated titanium Akrapovič exhaust, included in the Racing Kit supplied with the bike, is fitted. Exclusive to the Superleggera V4 is a special engine calibration for the Akrapovič racing exhaust which gives riders access to a “RaceGP” display. Intended exclusively for track use. The RaceGP display is a direct offshoot of the instrument panel on the Desmosedici GP20. Thanks to extensive use of carbon fibre, titanium and machined-from-solid aluminium components, the Superleggera V4 has a dry weight of just 159kg, which makes for a record breaking power/weight ratio of 1.41 hp/kg. Mounting the Racing kit puts the bike in its track configuration, boosting power to 234hp, dropping the weight to 152.2 kg and raising the power/weight ratio to 1.54 hp/kg. President Noel May North Island Representative Scott Wilkins South Island Representative Rod Price Road North Island Representative SJ Cavell Road South Island Representative Dennis Charlett Off-Road North Island Representative Mac McLeod KIWI RIDER 19