Once upon a time, 20 years ago, Troy Bayliss won the World Superbike championship aboard a Ducati, setting the brand up for years of success in WSBK. To celebrate, Ducati’s just introduced the new Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary model.
If the extra-long name hasn’t rendered you permanently cross-eyed, here’s some more info. This is not just a re-skin of the standard Panigale V2, a transformation that’s only paint-deep. Of course the bike has flashy graphics, but Ducati also added Ohlins NX30 fork and TTX36 rear shock, and a steering damper. There’s a li-ion battery that drops 3 kg of weight. The bike comes with a single-seat race-style configuration, although buyers can opt for a pillion seat and passenger pegs if they choose so.
Other touches include “sport grips” and a carbon-fibre/titanium muffler cover.
Otherwise, you’re basically getting a Ducati Panigale V2—see CMG’s review of the bike here. The 955 cc liquid-cooled V-twin (or is it an L-twin?) makes a claimed 155 hp at 10,750 rpm, and 76.7 lb-ft of torque at 9,000 rpm. It comes with a full electronic safety package (cornering ABS and traction control, wheelie control engine brake control) a quickshifter, and three riding modes. Although Ducati calls it their “middleweight” superbike, it’s as powerful as flagship superbikes of very recent history, and comes with an electronics package that’s completely up-to-date.
The upgrades on the Bayless edition drive the MSRP up to $23,695, and Ducati says the new machine should available in Canada in November of 2021. Lucky you, you’ve got a few months to stat saving up.
