With its Panigale V4 S Replica series, Ducati wants to show its appreciation for its riders and remind everyone that it's THE brand that dominates the scene.
But not all riders have a bike to their name. Zarco, for example, has not been selected despite his achievements and the noble gestures he has made. Nor was Luca Marini, despite his talent and his affiliation with a certain Rossi.
There is, however, a Panigale replica Mooney VR46 in this special collection. With a certain Marco Bezzecchi as its representative.
"Le Bez" made a remarkable impression in the 2023 MotoGP championship. So much so, that the title was in his sights for a period. He finished 3rd that season and became one of Ducati's sharpest knives. As a result, dozens of Panigales will adopt the same dress as his Desmosedici GP, the matte black of which will be seasoned with the gold of the Öhlins fork and the yellow frills on the belly.
The term "Replica" is not a misnomer at Ducati, which is keen to perfectly transpose the scent of racing into its special productions. What's more, the Panigale V4 gains quite a bit of equipment to justify its exclusivity and despicable price tag. For more horsepower, the engine gets an STM-EVO SBK dry clutch. Its breath is channeled through two titanium Akrapovic mufflers, saving 2 kilos in weight. The brakes are also more efficient, with Brembo Stylema R and an MCS master cylinder with remote adjustment.
Before you can take advantage of all this, you'll first have to get it out of the wooden crate in which it's delivered. It's a sarcophagus you won't want to throw away, and could even sell for a fortune on Good Corner. You'll also find its certificate of authenticity, a personalized cover, disassembly kits for the number plate and mirrors, a GPS module for checking your lap times on the track, and an aluminum fuel filler cap cut from solid aluminum.
On the bike, you won't have finished appreciating the carbon parts scattered everywhere: the openwork clutch cover, the exhaust manifold protection, the rear mudguard, the brake caliper cooling ducts, the heel guards and the swingarm protection. What??? For 63 plates, we don't need an all-carbon cladding!?!! There was a time when Ducati was much more generous for less. Even adding a steering column adjuster for more affordable R models - the last straw.
but never mind! Let's get back to the adjustable aluminum Rizoma footrests, the high racing bubble, the special seat with the rider's nickname embroidered on it, and the magnificent brushed-aluminum upper fork crown with the bike's name, progressive limited-series number and race number laser-engraved. The 72 owners will also be entitled to a dedicated key, awakening a specific animation on the dashboard and then the 215 impatient horses in the bowels.
Marco Bezzecchi signed each of the tanks, which received a protective coat of varnish. As a racing bike, this Panigale V4 is strictly single-seater. But it's a safe bet that few of them will be ridden on road or track. Ducati is increasingly flirting with the collectors' market for its prestigious models; who won't take the risk of ruining or just scratching these moments of glory.
