Ducati Panigale V4 Racebike Conversion Project

From the display case to the high-caliber race track machine

Ducati Panigale - the name is well-established and familiar to every seasoned rider. Few other motorcycles represent the evolution of modern racing more, and few stand for exquisite Italian design as much. And it's not just about the design! The V4 engine boasts power and character, the aerodynamics are sophisticated, and the features, especially on the "S" model, are a technical delight from front to back. Respect and admiration are guaranteed for every Panigale rider in the paddock. Paradoxically, even this high-quality base is not enough for serious racing. However, pessimistic thoughts are not appropriate here. Instead, it's the anticipation, the itch in the fingers, and an uplifting euphoria that take over. One of the very special days in the 1000PS editorial office! We've ordered the finest parts again and decided on a wonderfully unreasonable tuning project. We're actually going to lay hands on the red Italian diva.

Mex

published on 04/07/2024

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First Steps: We Remove the Ducati Original Parts

As with any race track project, after the planning phase and parts ordering, everything starts with the removal of expensive, manufacturer-installed original parts designed to meet road approval and various standards. It sounds crazy, but it's essential to prepare the motorcycle for racing use in the way it needs to be: as minimalist as possible, without unnecessary ballast. LED lighting, mirrors, indicators, exhaust with catalytic converter, charcoal filter, etc. - all of this adds weight and is not needed on the race track - so it has to go. This is how our workshop partner MB Bike Performance spends the first working hours.

For permanent use on the race track, changing the exhaust system is also indispensable. Not that the Ducati lacks power and we necessarily need a few more horsepower with the exhaust - of course, you gladly take that - but especially on the Panigale V4, it is also a matter of temperature, which accumulates concentrated below the engine with the original exhaust.

The most expensive motorcycle exhaust in the world! Akrapovic installation at Ducati Vienna Liesing

At Akrapovic, we went straight for the top shelf this time. After a brief research, we even dare to say that this might be the most expensive production exhaust in the world. The high-mounted system, made entirely of titanium and shedding 5 kilos compared to the stock exhaust, is both a visual and auditory delight. For the installation, we headed to Vienna, to the specialists at Ducati Wien-Liesing in the 23rd district. The installation effort should not be underestimated! In addition to the fairing parts, the radiator also needs to be removed to properly fit the intricately designed header pipes. A lot of know-how, special tools, and at least a full workday are required. We hobby mechanics certainly wouldn't have dared to tackle it alone.

Ducati Panigale V4 dyno chart with high Akrapovic titanium exhaust

Rear wheel power of our Ducati Panigale V4 with Akrapovic full system on the test bench

Once the dreamlike full system in Superbike style is installed, it, along with the software provided by Ducati, ensures free flow and a significant increase in power. We confirmed this on the Dynojet test bench by Martin Bauer. It certifies 203.5 HP at the rear wheel of the Panigale - despite the measurement being taken in high humidity and with soft slick tires. Under optimal conditions, an additional 2 HP would probably have been visible on the diagram. Despite all this, the sound is subjectively not extremely loud or even intrusive. Deep and grunty, it roars the finest V4 music from the two compact end cans - pure euphoria!

Panigale V4 Racing Fairing in Carbon by Ilmberger

Right at the beginning, another highlight in the project's development was seeing the vehicle for the first time with the fully assembled Racing fairing from Ilmberger Carbon. The workmanship and fit of the carbon fiber parts from Ilmberger are, as usual, of a high standard. The assembly and alignment were quickly handled by Martin Bauer and his team with only a few adjustments. With the appropriate quick-release fasteners, later assembly and disassembly in the pit lane will also be a breeze. The carbon fiber specialists from Bavaria offer an extremely extensive range of parts, especially for the Panigale. This includes different exhaust variants that are possible on the Ducati.

Ilmberger Carbon Fender for Ducati Panigale V4 Racing

Extremely light and unbelievably beautiful. The fine carbon parts from Ilmberger are a joy to behold.

Ducati Panigale V4 in green? Elaborate paint job by Karosserie Center Klaric

To achieve the perfect look, we handed the bike over to our friend Ivan, owner of the Karosserie Center Klaric. There, it was meticulously transformed into a real eye-catcher with a multi-layer paint job. This time, we dared to step out of the norm in terms of color. Without any research, we knew there were enough red Ducatis out there. This time, it had to be something different. With Ivan's expertise, we chose a turquoise-green effect paint. The shimmer in the sunlight is incredible. In the shade, the bike simply appears green, but depending on the light and viewing angle, turquoise and blue tones blend into the surface. A real head-turner! The logos of our key project partners were applied by the master painter using an elaborate airbrush technique. Working with paint instead of foil is a given for Ivan on such prestigious projects. The only downside: From other vehicles, such as the NastyBlade or the BMW M 1000PS, which were also refined by Ivan, we know that a deep respect always rides along in the saddle to keep the jewel out of the gravel trap - a few tenths are directly lost on the stopwatch...

Paint job by Ivan Klaric for Ducati Panigale V4

Ivan Klaric transformed our Panigale into a visual masterpiece with great dedication and attention to detail.

CNC Racing Parts for the Panigale V4 - Pegs, Controls, and Fine Titanium from Italy

Perfectly adjustable, high-quality, and visually appealing, the parts from CNC Racing in Italy are a real treat. The adjustable rear sets are not only robustly built, but they also offer great grip and provide numerous options for our ergonomic setup. Together with a raised seat (+15 millimeters) from Race Seats, we achieved a really good seating position. The well-shaped tank, along with grip pads, allows for perfect positioning on the bike.

Also from CNC Racing, we ordered machined controls made of aluminum for track use. Thanks to large and color-coded buttons, the most important parameters, such as traction control and engine brake, can still be easily adjusted even in the heat of battle on the track.

As friends of technical perfection, we were all ears when the delivery of fine titanium parts from Italy arrived. CNC Racing understands how to handle this complex material superbly. The rear sprocket flange is not only visually impressive but also shines when placed on the scale. Together with the matching titanium nuts and the lighter sprocket, there's a potential weight saving of 500 grams. That is truly impressive. The build quality of all parts from the Italian specialists is simply outstanding. They enhance not only the function but also the noble appearance of the Panigale significantly.

First rollout with modified Öhlins stock suspension

When it comes to setup, quick success was naturally achieved in this project thanks to our suspension guru and tuning expert, Martin Bauer. While we are still waiting for the exquisite Öhlins FGR 254 Racing fork, he has done a lot with the stock material of the Panigale V4 S. What does "doing a lot" mean with a high-end electronic suspension of the latest generation? Not that the stock suspension is bad. Far from it! The semi-active Öhlins parts already work excellently out of the box. But they were developed to cover a wide range of uses, from leisurely cruising on country roads to the race track. In our project, we can narrow this range and fine-tune the setup for exclusive use on the race track. Harder springs in the fork, combined with a firmer damping setup, help with this. For transparent, easy adjustability and quick adjustment options between rollouts, we also dispensed with the semi-active control and converted to classic, mechanical adjusters for rebound and compression. Martin Bauer conjured up a wonderfully rideable and balanced setup for us in just one 1000PS Trackday Event. The handling is intuitive, and despite all the lightness, there is phenomenal stability and precision in the chassis. The latter helps to quickly build confidence and increase speed.

Manual Adjustment Kit Öhlins Panigale V4 S

From the high-quality series products of Öhlins, much can be achieved even for tough racing use!

Coming soon: Öhlins FGR 254 racing fork for Ducati Panigale V4

We are eagerly awaiting the Öhlins FGR 254, a pure racing fork that is also used in a similar form in the Moto2 World Championship. We expect even more precision and adjustability for our project with the closed TTX internals, which are pressurized by a spring. A separate report on this will follow shortly.

Precise braking thanks to the finest Brembo equipment from Italy

At least as impressive as the V4 performance during acceleration is the way our Ducati Panigale decelerates before the corners. Contributing to this is undoubtedly the high-quality Brembo hardware in the form of fine CNC-machined GP4 MS Monoblock calipers, T-Drive brake discs, and a fully adjustable Corsa Corta brake pump. Just looking at these fine parts makes you eager for the next turn! In practice, the successful setup work by Martin Bauer also helps, of course. The bike remains eerily stable in the braking zone. Turn-in points are repeatedly hit very precisely with little effort while braking. The high-quality Öhlins stock suspension provides detailed feedback in lean and greatly supports building confidence in the front end. Additionally, the brilliant Pirelli Big Size tires ensure a solid and secure feeling on the brakes, even during ambitious maneuvers deep into the corner apex. A truly great overall package!

Brembo GP4 MS on Ducati Panigale V4 S 2024

Visually and functionally a highlight - the exquisite brake system from Brembo!

Lots of grip and confidence thanks to Pirelli Diablo Superbike Big Size Slicks

Without being overly harsh, the Öhlins shock absorber, with a special setup by Martin Bauer, always provides clear feedback. Together with the superb grip of the Pirelli Diablo Superbike Slicks in SC1 compound, which we had used in the first runs with the Panigale, this ensures a lot of speed at the corner exit. The excellent wear pattern also spoke for a well-matched setup at the fast Slovakia Ring. In attack mode, depending on the corner and asphalt condition, slight pumping movements at the rear still occur from time to time. Further fine-tuning will bring improvement here.

HEL Performance Thumb Brake: Unusual but Useful

On this race track bike, we used a thumb brake for the first time. It is a small lever near the left handlebar grip that allows the rear brake to be operated with the thumb. This is particularly advantageous in right-hand corners with high lean angles. In such situations, reaching the foot brake lever is rather difficult and can only be done with compromises in the hang-off position, especially for tall riders. With the product from HEL Performance, we wanted to test a solution often used by professionals in racing. After the first test, we were thrilled that the thumb brake allows for excellent modulation and thus very precise control of the braking force on the rear wheel. However, operating it initially requires a lot of concentration. The process at the handlebar is unfamiliar and must be performed very consciously. It's a real matter of practice! Once you get the hang of it, the thumb brake, with its excellent modulation, can also be used for other purposes - for example, to keep the front wheel on the ground when accelerating out of tight corners or over crests without having to lift the throttle (electronically or manually). Definitely awesome! We will continue to practice with it...