Ducatis, like Ferraris or MV Agustas, should never find their way into a scrapyard. So, seeing someone take a wrecked one and get it rolling again is heartwarming for us gearheads. But what Matt Spears did to his Panigale V4 goes far beyond getting it rolling. After showing the world how well a V4 rips off-road, he decided to turn it into a snow bike.
Well, he put a paddle tire on the rear and a ski at the front. So, it's not as put together as some of the snow bikes we've featured here, but that also makes it more badass.
Spears' plan was to go as far into Utah's backcountry as possible, which happens to be one of the coldest places in the US, thanks to a cold air trap. Temperatures can dip to -60 degrees Fahrenheit, so it's one of the last places you want to get stranded overnight.
So, when Matt got stuck in some particularly deep powder, he was lucky that it was next to some trees where he could make a fire and camp for the night.
But this wasn't Spears' first time in freezing temperatures, and he was well-equipped to stay stranded but safe for the night. The real problem would come in the morning when we'd find out whether the Panigale V4's battery and engine oil had succumbed to sub-freezing temperatures. Spoiler alert: it did.
So, with Spears stranded in the powder and afraid to heat up the V4 with a fire due to all its magnesium parts—not a material you want going up in flames—the only way to rescue the Ducati was to track back to where his adventure started. And what wasn't without its own difficulties, as you'll see below.
So, with the mutant Panegali V4 running once more, what should Spears tackle next? Or would you like to see him put a dedicated snow track on the back instead of a paddle tire?
