What are everyones thoughts on the 'NEW' 2020 V4's

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My local dealer has a demo 2020S in the showroom and he offered to let me take it out then take out a new but leftover 2019S. They can’t sell the 2020 one though. It’s demo only. So I sat on them and you can fell it’s a bit wider up front. So they offered a deal on the new 2019 and a demo 2019 as well. So I’m just going over the numbers.
 
I got to sit on both a 19 and 20 S. It’s definitely wider and TBH, I like the wider feel. I’ve come to the conclusion that my 1299S is too narrow for my tastes.

The fit and finish of the V4’s is a step up from 1299. The price of the V4S is almost untouchable and 30K was supposed to be for the signature series not the S. The cycle manufacturers are going to learn quickly that these rising prices is ultimately going to result in longer trade cycles. If I buy a 30k cycle on a 5 year loan, I’m not buying a new cycle for 5 years.

I ride around with my S in the fixed position which defeats all the continuous adjustments, and I can set my own sag now so I may move away from an S. Don’t know, it’s between the V4 and Aprilia for my next bike, just waiting for Aprilia to come with an all new.
 
The extra width sort of made it feel like in inline 4. Not exact but that’s what it sort of felt like. I like a more narrow feel myself, but fat bottom girls make the world go round. So I think it’s a choice for me between a 19S demo with 450 miles on it for X or a new leftover 19S for Y. The demo has about a year left on the warranty and they assure me all of the recalls have been done, oil line and other items.
 
you guys think for a shorter rider looking to get a v4, 2019 vs 2020 will make much of a difference as you state 2020 is a bit wider?, im like 5'5 with a 31 inseam. i havnt sat on one yet, but this spring plan on it
 
I sat on one, I’m 5’9” you should go sit on a floor model.
The original owner of my 1299 lowered it cause he was shorter and it ruined its ride ability, would fight me turning into corners, it sucked. Raised it back up and I can’t flat foot it anymore but it handles amazing!
If you can shift ur butt over a bit when you stop, you’ll be able to flat foot the new V4. I read somewhere the 2020 is even higher than the 18/19 models

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The 2020V4 is a pretty tall bike. Better go sit on one and take a test ride. I’m tall so I have no issues getting my feet down when stopped, but my knees are pretty bent once my feet are on the pegs and I’m riding. I’d like to get rear sets that lower the pegs a bit. If you like a more compact bike I suggest the Aprilia.
 
So coming full circle said:
To answer this question from someone who is in product marketing for a auto company, the answer is no.

The V4R buyer still has visual product differentiation in the tank and it’s a little unmistakable difference, and one that’s too costly for the non V4R owners to decide to buy.

I will admit while at the Ready For Red event I mistakenly thought an 20S was an R because of the wings, but once I was told about wings on the 20’s I no longer make that mistake.

The V4R buyer wants the pinnacle of performance, and can afford a 40k cycle, they are no stepping down cause the Non R’s have wings.

Just my 2 cents
 
Anyone else see the 2020 review by 44teeth? They say the throttle values have been electronically changed resulting in a smoother and faster bike regarding lap times, albeit a slower and less passionate experience.
 
I sat on one, I’m 5’9” you should go sit on a floor model.
The original owner of my 1299 lowered it cause he was shorter and it ruined its ride ability, would fight me turning into corners, it sucked. Raised it back up and I can’t flat foot it anymore but it handles amazing!
If you can shift ur butt over a bit when you stop, you’ll be able to flat foot the new V4. I read somewhere the 2020 is even higher than the 18/19 models

View attachment 29114

Hi DucatiKev,
This picture is the 916 anniversario and it's a 2020 but it's fairing is more like the 2019 V4S. Did you have a chance to sit on one and compare the seat height to a 2019 V4S?
I wonder whether the 916 anniversario is as tall as the new 2020 or shorter like the 2019.
Also, is this picture taken at Ducati Miami?
Thanks
 
Yes, it’s a pic of the 916. while I was at Ducati Miami, my salesman Juan fired her up for me, it had the full Akra on and it sounded so amazing
it may be a 2020 but it has the 2018/19 side fairings.

I did get to sit on 2020 V4S and V4R. Very very similar feeling. The aerodynamic side fairings are much much wider than the previous V4 but where your legs grip seems to be similar width to the 18/19

V4R has carbon front fender, wings and exhaust shield vs V4S has all black plastic pieces

I was scheduled to test drive a 2019 V4S but opted out as the drivers down in Miami seem a little less than safe. I’m dying to test ride a V4. I’m so addicted to the brutal acceleration of my 1299S and want to see how V4 compares because I’m in love with the looks

ps. I had the privilege to install a K40 radar detector on an Alpina B7 back in 2013 and instantly fell in love with that car, Mr BMW Alpina

41256A01-A535-4F17-AB6D-407001DC5CF3.jpeg
 
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Yes, it’s a pic of the 916. while I was at Ducati Miami, my salesman Juan fired her up for me, it had the full Akra on and it sounded so amazing
it may be a 2020 but it has the 2018/19 side fairings.

I did get to sit on 2020 V4S and V4R. Very very similar feeling. The aerodynamic side fairings are much much wider than the previous V4 but where your legs grip seems to be similar width to the 18/19

V4R has carbon front fender, wings and exhaust shield vs V4S has all black plastic pieces

I was scheduled to test drive a 2019 V4S but opted out as the drivers down in Miami seem a little less than safe. I’m dying to test ride a V4. I’m so addicted to the brutal acceleration of my 1299S and want to see how V4 compares because I’m in love with the looks

ps. I had the privilege to install a K40 radar detector on an Alpina B7 back in 2013 and instantly fell in love with that car, Mr BMW Alpina

View attachment 29116

Hi DucatiKev,
Thanks for the information. If everything goes well, I should take home a 916 Anniversario next week. I sat on a 2019 V4/V4s and I like the seating height. Never sat on the 916 Anniversario yet though,...
that is why I am really curios and hoping it is the same height as the 2019 which was perfect height for me.
Omar from Ducati Miami offered that bike in your picture, it's just that the upper triple clamp number of this bike is just a random number and I want one with special number (well special number for me :) )...
I can't wait for next week...
 
Saw that. It’s easier to ride now they say....not sure what to think about that.

Yeah sure. Sounds to me like marginal marketing blabla.
It’s still the same beast. Just a tad more tamed/ refined.

As 44teeth also stated, “easier to ride the 2020 model faster“ is in reality a few tenths faster on track when pushed to the max by a pro rider. IMO only relevant and ‘big deal‘ gain going for a WSBK/BSB championship, like Scott!

Yet if with these new wings, refined chassis geometry, DTS- and throttle mappings required for this ‘gain’, the V4 becomes more ‘German efficient‘ at the expense of loosing ‘Italian amore’ in the process, is this what we want?

To me riding bikes shouldn’t move towards becoming a clean ‘AI governed‘ computer game!
IMO we need/want some level of ‘inconvenience‘ to make our Ducati riding experience a more powerful one.
Panigale evolution shouldn’t cross this fine line as feared by many Ducatisti first going from twin to quattro, to a refined 2020 model and in the future to an ePanigale?

Besides, I never have an issue controlling the 200 whatever horses of my Pani!
Just a matter of good old ‘throttle control’ when using the abundance of power sensibly within my limits. Just as TOTW Keith preached any rider must master. ;)
Instead of relying on all that ‘Pani AI‘ trickery doing it for you, basically overruling your crappy rider input? ;p

As said before, the only thing I do desire on the 2020 model are the wider fairings supporting better engineheat management. Not that I personally find this too much of a problem to my bum&balls, as many complain about.

Fazit, if you desire the Panigale V2/V4 models in general, owning or buying ANY type and year will do make you smile from ear to ear in sheer ecstasy when riding it in appreciation of such raw beauty! #love
 
As 44teeth also stated, “easier to ride the 2020 model faster“ is in reality a few tenths faster on track when pushed to the max by a pro rider. IMO only relevant and ‘big deal‘ gain going for a WSBK/BSB championship, like Scott!

There's a blurb on Ducati's website in the Panigale V4 section that talks about this. It was only a few tenths for Pirro but it was like a second for the "amateur". I don't really think someone that's within six seconds of Michele Pirro can rightfully be called an amateur as they'd likely mop the floor with 90% of riders but a second is nothing to scoff at. I'd argue that their changes are aimed at making less skilled riders more productive rather than the other end of the spectrum though. No one in WSBK/BSB is riding a V4/V4S. The R didn't get these changes.
 
Now, this just might be me justifying not upgrading, but personally I dont like the "pin it to win it" electronics. I like the challenge of being able to control the bike myself and prefer the electronics to save me if I do something stupid, rather than ride the electronic intervention and have it make me faster.

First time I rode this bike it was intervening on my behalf without me even getting good feedback from the bike that I was pushing the limit. Amazing how seamless electronics have become.

As long as they give you the ability to step down the intervention and keep it a handful I'm all for a broader range of choice.

If you cant set it to have that aggressive feel and the intense concentration that requires, then it is a step backwards for a ducati. They have to keep some "personality" or else it may as well be a bmw. And it's hard to go head to head with BMW on the other things like reliability and engineering (well, except for this current s1000rr).

I do understand the pressure to make this bike more and more mainstream since it is the best selling superbike.

Now I am asking myself if a bike can become too good at going fast?

Sent from my SM-N975W using Tapatalk
 
There's a blurb on Ducati's website in the Panigale V4 section that talks about this. It was only a few tenths for Pirro but it was like a second for the "amateur". I don't really think someone that's within six seconds of Michele Pirro can rightfully be called an amateur as they'd likely mop the floor with 90% of riders but a second is nothing to scoff at.

As said, indeed relevant change for the sport, brand innovation and to keep up with competition.
Else we might change religion and buy a ‘real’ German instead (ie s1000rr)? lol

IMO ‘IR-relevant‘ for the majority of DMH’s commercial target-group: the ‘well to do‘ everyday rider ‘at age’ largely cruising through traffic doing (occasional) track-days enjoying the dream (of many). More than some Pani’s just being pampered and blinged-up for bragging rights pulling wheelies, hardly doing any serious mileage at all?

I'd argue that their changes are aimed at making less skilled riders more productive rather than the other end of the spectrum though.

‘AI controlled‘ you mean? Next would be autonomous self-riding Pani’s racing fastest lap-times inhumanly possible? lol sorry
Should “less skilled riders” practice w.o. rider-aids first to be able to learn what’s required to master and then upgrade to superbikes? In their hands our beloved Pani is a suicidal license to kill, a recipe for disaster .

No one in WSBK/BSB is riding a V4/V4S. The R didn't get these changes.

check. most of those ‘2020 model’ improvements now in standard 1103cc versions were initially developed for and carried over from homologated R.
 

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