There was a time, not long ago when superbikes were so diabolically cool and stylish that it didn't matter what brand you opted for—you were going to snap necks. I would say 2015 is around that peak, but it wouldn't take much to sway me to even a decade before that.
Go back and look at the 2015 R1, Fireblade, F4, Panigale 1299, or any other brand you can think of from that era and sit with them. Peak cool. Yes, Euro emission restrictions play a big part in how bad some of the current crop of superbikes look when fresh off the production line, just check the latest Fireblade's exhaust.
Manufacturers can't really do anything about that, but when it comes to winglets, they have a choice, and the 2025 Panigale V2 and V2S prove that.
Ducati worked around Euro 5+ emission regulations and still gave these models absolutely beautiful under-tail twin exhausts—in this writer's opinion—and flat-out said "no" to winglets. That combination of decisions and designs makes the 2025 Panigale V2 and V2S two of the most beautiful sportbikes, that have all the modern styling cues and features you could ask for.
The new Panigales are now directly competing with the other supersports that are still in production, including the CBR600RR, ZX-6R, and newly-minted R9. The designers of these models all had the same choice: to winglet or not to winglet. They all made the same decision, and I'm so happy Ducati's designers didn't make the same one when designing these latest models.
After all, they had a blank slate to go off.
I'd go as far as to say the 2025 Panigale V2S looks better than the Ducati Lost Its Mind With the New Panigale V4, Should Be Committed. The exhausts are cooler, and it doesn't have a weird mustache-shaped front end. If you check my profile picture, you'll see it's ironic that I don't like the V4S's Dr. Zoidberg face. The under-tail exhaust system and lack of wings make it seem like these Panigales are from the golden era of superbikes, but they're loaded with the latest tech.
The electronics package doesn't read quite like the supercomputer that is the Panigale V4S, but the V2S isn't far off. It'll feature the latest-generation electronics package with 6-axis Inertial measurement unit (6D IMU): ABS with cornering functionality; Ducati Traction Control (DTC); Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC); Ducati Power Launch and Ducati Pit Limiter (DPL); Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) 2.0; Engine Brake Control (EBC). And you'll read all your information off a slick new 5" TFT dash.
The all-new models are crafted around Ducati's new 890cc V2 V-twin and Monocoque frame that weighs just 8.8 lbs. It spits out 120 HP and 69 lb-ft of torque. The V2S weighs just 388 lbs (wet), while the V2 is a bit heftier at 395 lbs, meaning these are the two lightest Panigales ever made. But I wouldn't read too much into that, as they also make the lowest power of any Panigale ever. And those weights are without fuel, and when fully loaded, they weigh nearly as much as any other supersport.
If this new design gets you going as much as it does me, you'll be happy to know the V2 is significantly cheaper than the previous generation and will set you back $15,995. But if you want all the bling that comes on the V2S—Öhlins adjustable suspension, lithium battery, and a single-seater configuration—you'll need to shell out $18,995.
As with the new Streetfighter V2 lineup, the new Panigales, with their new lower power, lower weight, and lower price tags, just fit in the motorcycle marketplace much neater than before. Tell us what you think about the new models in the comments. Do you agree that they're some of the best-looking supersports around, even more so than the V4?
