Which 2022 Ducati sportsbike is best for novice trackday riders? Supersport vs Panigale V2 vs V4

Join baldy at Donington Park where he's trying to decide which 2022 Ducati sportbike is best on track – for a novice. He's ridden them all on the road, now he's writing in the third person to bring you some consumer advice for anyone wanting to get into track riding… on a brand new expensive Ducati. It's not as bad an idea as you'd think…
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[rotoehu]

Amazing how far the electronics have come, even 10 years ago the proposition of ‘which Ducati is best on track for a novice’ was analogous to ‘which chainsaw is best to brush my teeth’ 😁

[danieloconnell]

I've got a V2 and a 950S; I'm a bit farther along than a new rider on track, but nowhere near what I'd call a veteran. I find the SS actually has better suspension for track work when set-up properly than the V2 (thank Ohlins for that), but I'd agree the soft seat makes moving around on it a bit sloppy. Did you or someone else set up the SS Ohlins for track work, or were they on 'stock' settings? Stock settings are definitely set for street work only. The V2 is quicker and falls into corners quicker, but I find it lacks composure compared to the SS, and on a shorter track with more corners, I think a good 950S rider will beat a decent V2 rider due to the better torque curve and suspension. I suppose it all depends on two things: what kind of track are you on, and how good the rider is. I've had guys on bikes with less than 100hp blow my proverbial tyres off, and blow the tyres off guys with much more powerful motorcycles than mine. Ducati isn't cheap; owning more than one means you either made a mistake or are well-off; if you can only own one and commute or ride cities a lot, I say the 950S is the best choice as it certainly makes a decent track ride and is great around regular roads. If you're looking just for a track bike, I think the V2 is close enough to a V4 (which I test rode several times) that the massive price difference isn't worth climbing. Ego-aside, I like my 950S with its full Akrapovic system best - plenty fast by all but superbike standards, and in my view, looks better than any other Ducati that doesn't have V4 in the name. Cheers.

[RickFL]

Fitting because wife and I are heading to Ducati tomorrow to inquire about a deposit on a 2023 v2…in that gorgeous rosso white I can’t get out of my mind!

[kirkdunn]

I have heard a few others say same about very easy bike to ride and surprise its actually meant fir doing this sort if thing, 😂

I am here cuz one passed me on my way to LA filtering on the freeway, I was taking a back by how beautiful the bike looked and sounded....

Truly a piece of machinery

[gavin]

Great video with a surprising conclusion, that adds weight to the theory that you don’t have to thrash a motorbike to it’s limit to have a fulfilling time on it.
Loved the voiceover too.

[albertlira]

What a cool day! I love a Ducati. You film beautiful and interesting bikes but Ducati are just sinful and gorgeous.

[colin]

Got the 950 as my first bike. Wish it had a bit more power. Other then that love itm

[Szlejer]

I track ride quite frequently and the simple answer is that NONE of these Ducatis are good sportsbikes for novice track riders... KTM RC390, Yamaha R3 (maybe R7), Ninja 400. These are the choices of many excellent, very experienced track riders, so I have the sneaking suspicion that they should be more than enough for a track novice.

[davecree]

Not really getting the ‘I’m a novice...’ thing - knee down, laying darkies down all over the place doesn’t sound like novice riding. Great vid though, would have liked to seen you out on the Hypermotard, and maybe even a Multistrada too! Keep up the good work.

[Druezy]

Awesome Tim, that was a hell of a day! The V4S is an absolute dream, I hope one day I can justify that level of nonsense, simply stunning!

[marcusgeorge]

You can be a great rider on the streets and really, really slow on a racetrack. Never done a “trackday” as I spent 10 years racing in multiple classes including the Australian Superbike Series. Lots of room on track? Simply means you are going way too slow as Phillip Island was my home track. It’s one of the biggest on tour however feels like it’s only a metre wide when you are at 100%. Great start, we all need that first taste as I truly believe this makes you a better and safer rider. Just subscribed. 👍😎🇦🇺

[hypermotardking]

Donington my favourite track.. love ripping my 2022 Hyper SP in fast group mixing it with the superbikes 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[paulbryan]

I thought that was Chopsy on the Suzuki. Great video, like the track day stuff

[Imotopilot]

They should have had a Multistrada V2 or the V4 (Pikes Peak with its 17” front wheel) as well. Super capable bikes on the track too.

[vladoj]

Hi Tim, congratulations on what you are doing. I'm 6.4 tall and drive a Multistrada 950 S, and I really like the Super Sport 950 S, but there is no where can I try it in Montenegro. Could you make a comparison between these two bikes and whether can I drive the Super Sport as the only bike with this height? Thank you very much

[greenwoodoak]

Nice work Tim, we stopped work on said day, really excellent comparison for track use. I own a v2 its a road bike P E.

[ThiefOfNavarre]

I've been lucky enough to ride a Streetfighter V4S and it's the same vibes as the panigale. Super easy to ride, super civilised untill you turn the electronics down and then it becomes a firebreathing monster

[DCGULL]

So, for say $26K, i can llolligag, eat bon bons and re-schedule my pedicure for say, 4pm. All w/out breaking a sweat.
The SuperSport 950 is a Monster w/ a fairing, is suitable for the street as delivered but lacks the needed stiffness that tracks demand. During the launch, Ducati went to great lengths to ensure the journalists focused on the roadgoing manners. However, it's softer, squishier & lacks ground clearance at the track. I'm pretty sure you'd have to be unreasonable to 'put a knee down' on the street...
At the of the day, I genuinely enjoyed your 'peek' inside of an awesome track day & as a fellow track noob, I appreciate how much effort is required to keep sessions separated in your head to remember highs & lows for each bike!
Good on ya, Tim!

[edsonroadmoto]

Glad Chad gave you a great experience at the track 😊

[JoeyMrTurbo]

I’ve yet to take my SuperSport to the track—I was hoping for you to love it lol.