This is the Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss. Back in 2001, Troy Bayliss really pushed a 996R to the max to clinch his first out of three WorldSBK titles. He didn’t stop there though; he went on to become one of Ducati top racers ever. The man is the ONLY Ducati rider to win three world titles on different models (the 996R, the 999, and the 1098R). To celebrate that first big win, Ducati has unveiled a 20th anniversary Bayliss-inspired Panigale that’s individually numbered and powered by a V-twin.
It’s got some fancy parts that you’d also find on the Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition, like top-notch race suspension & brakes.
Superbikes have evolved tons since 2001. Back then, World Superbike rules let a 1000cc twin race against 750cc four-cylinders. Now, things are different. Troy’s youngest son Oli races a Panigale V2 in World Supersport where 1000cc twins go head-to-head with 600cc four-cylinders (thanks to some performance balancing). So, while the 955cc Panigale V2 might match the engine specs of those old Superbikes, it’s not on par with today’s Panigale V4s tearing up the Superbike category.
But hey, let’s be real—a slightly more relaxed version of a Superbike could be just what folks need if they wanna make the most outta their ride without handling over 210hp.
Starting off with an already awesome base model Panigale V2, the Bayliss edition gets cool performance upgrades making it worthy of bearing the number 21. The main oomph comes from the upgraded Öhlins NIX30 fork & TTX36 rear shock. This Swedish tech is fully adjustable both front and back and stands out with its gold titanium-nitride coated fork stanchions.
A non-performance perk (though some might say it adds 50hp!) is the gorgeous green-and-white accented paint job mimicking the iconic Infostrada livery complete with Shell logo and number 21. The bike also trims some kilos with a single-seat setup & a lighter lithium battery.
Other neat bits include a carbon muffler cover that makes the exhaust look slicker, a seat with better grip & number 21 stitched into it, an adjustable Öhlins steering damper, track-spec hand grips, Bayliss’ signature on the fuel tank and a swanky billet-aluminum yoke engraved with its special edition number. These goodies do add $4000 more to the price tag.
The Panigale V2’s heart is a 955cc Superquadro V-twin engine with desmodromic valves. Cranking out 153hp and 104Nm of torque, it thrives at higher revs. Sure, it’s torquey because it’s a twin, but initial power isn’t crazy. You gotta really wind it up to see that front wheel lift towards the sky unless you’re pushing hard. I feel like the 937cc Testastretta engine in the Supersport 950 has more grunt at lower revs but can’t match up to Superquadro’s mid-to-top-end blast off. The power rushes all the way to redline without skipping a beat.
Read the full story here >>> https://amcn.com.au/editorial/ducati-panigale-v2-bayliss/
Link to the dealers page here >>> https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/bikes/panigale/panigale-v2-bayliss-1st-championship-20th-anniversary