End of the V-Twin Era for Ducati Superbikes

It's time to say goodbye to the Ducati Superquadro engine, because the 2025 Ducati Panigale V2 will be the last Ducati superbike to use the long-running V-Twin Superquadro engine.

Ducati first introduced the Superquadro engine in 2011, and the first superbike to use this new engine was 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale, with an 1198cc displacement. The Superquadro engine evolved over the years, bumped up to 1285cc for the 1299 Panigale, along with smaller displacement versions for the 899 Panigale and 959 Panigale.

Ducati says their Superquadro engine is the "most sophisticated twin-cylinder engine ever produced by Ducati, which began over thirty years ago."

Is this the end of the V-Twin era for Ducati Superbikes?

How will history look back at the Superquadro V-Twin engine?

Which version of the Superquadro V-Twin engine was your favorite?

The "end"? Too many V2 owners (including myself) out there enjoying their bikes still.

man that first gen 1199 was nuts! so raw and aggressive, loved that throttle response! I then got the 1299 and loved that bike even more for the extra midrange and even more torque!

Reliability for those that tracked extensively, or like me lived in the 7-11.5K RPM range, was terrible, and the 11/12 '99 bikes just seemed to suffer with poor top end against the beamer and other liter bikes. But the sound and torque was next level!

I rode the 959 and 899 a couple times, felt like good middle weights, but overall not as fun or powerful...the next gen V2s made better trackbikes...but still low on power.

I wish now, I would have understood the limiting factors with the 11/12 '99 bikes when i had them....

Jag

Jag

Ducati will still have the V2 engine, and it will be powering a lot of their bikes, but it won't be Desmo, and will only be about 900cc's with about 120-125 hP. Still a v-twin, but lighter and more practical. The replacement V-2 Baby-Superbike will have it instead of the 959. Ducati hasn't had a V-2 "Superbike" since they went with the V-4.

There is nothing like the large bore V2 and I am sure it will be around for a long time in different versions. Every motor has unique features so good reason so enjoy them all..=)

Seth Vo said:

There is nothing like the large bore V2 and I am sure it will be around for a long time in different versions. Every motor has unique features so good reason so enjoy them all..=)

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Agreed. I've been working on a lot of 600-750 GSXR's if different era's lately. Just fixed up a 2005 Katana 750 and have a 94 GSXR almost put back together. They are fun, and very smooth with that sewing machine like inline 4. But you have to spin them to get things done. That V2 grunt is just so satisfying, and when you hit 7500+ it's pure adrenaline rush.

I’m biased as to my favorite, as I still own a 1299… every time I track that bike, I have a grin ear to ear, but still have a slight fear of this monster. It is raw power wrapped in a supermodel skin.

I bought a raw ‘08 1098 in a fit of seller’s remorse for selling the bike you see in my thumbnail (1299 base, front-venting Termis, Power Commander V). “We all make mistakes” <sigh>. I do so love that 1098 though, it’s “analog” and easier to work on, but I don’t feel as “safe” without the Pani’s rider aids. I’m 67, so I readily concede that I welcome the rider aids every now and then. Anyway, long live the big twin!

I too bought a V4 for the rider's aids. But consider an 1098/1198 superbike. Around 370 lbs dry as delivered, 360 or less with an exhaust and offing the unnecessary bits. Ducati claims the V4SF are 392 lbs dry (I don't believe this BTW feels heavier). For the most part I prefer my belt drives. The V4 has that absolutely stomping motor but from point my view less useful. Heavier, way shorter range, harder to hang off of, etc. Took a while to get the setting your a** on fire when it's above 80F thing manageable. My friend Pat, when someone was talking about TC, ABS etc., would look at his hand "just think if both could be combined into one compact package". I don't like the weight, complexity and ultimately the unreliability that accompanies all the electronics. But I've ridden so long without them, the aids are less important to me. Hard to break the EVO testaretta's. Easier to service, easier to fix (only thing that has ever failed on my belt drives in probably 200K miles has been the rectifer's).

Gitfo said:

I bought a raw ‘08 1098 in a fit of seller’s remorse for selling the bike you see in my thumbnail (1299 base, front-venting Termis, Power Commander V). “We all make mistakes” <sigh>. I do so love that 1098 though, it’s “analog” and easier to work on, but I don’t feel as “safe” without the Pani’s rider aids. I’m 67, so I readily concede that I welcome the rider aids every now and then. Anyway, long live the big twin!

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I tracked my hot rod '93 900/944 Supersport for years. I'd been looking to upgrade to something with the rider aids and found a 2020 V4 with a salvage title (which translated into a crazy low price) for track use only. I'm 65 and while I love going to the track I'm not keen on crashing. Been there, done that.