Spec comparison: 2025 Ducati Panigale V4 S vs BMW S1000RR vs Honda CBR1000RR-R SP vs Aprilia RSV4 Factory

Gajanan Kashikar Published: July 26, 2024, 07:47 PM IST

Ducati has revealed the new generation Panigale V4 and V4 S globally with Ducati MotoGP derived mechanicals. It brings in a completely new design language, new hardware, overhauled Euro5+ engine, advanced tech, new Brembo braking setup, third-gen Ohlins suspension, upgraded chassis, and new double-sided swingarm, among others. The popular supersport compete against flagship models from other bike makers, such as the S1000RR, RS V4, and CBR1000RR-R. How does it stack up against the competitors? Let us find out.

2025 Ducati Panigale V4 vs BMW S1000RR vs Honda CBR1000RR-R SP vs Aprilia RSV4 Factory: Engine specifications

Ducati has carried over the 1,103cc 90° V4 Desmosedici Stradale engine with a counter-rotating crankshaft and twin-pulse firing. However, it now features updated cams and increased valve lift. It also borrows mechanicals from the V4 R and Superlegerra V4. The variable length intake manifold has also been reworked.

2025 Ducati Panigale V4 & V4 S BMW S1000RR Honda CBR1000RR-R SP Aprilia RS V4 Factory
Displacement 1,103cc, 90° V4, liquid-cooled 999cc, inline four-cylinder, liquid-cooled 999.9cc, inline four-cylinder, liquid-cooled 1,099cc, 65° V4, liquid-cooled
Power output 216PS at 13,500rpm 210PS at 13,500rpm 217.54PS at 14,000rpm 217PS at 13,000rpm
Torque output 120.9Nm at 11,250rpm 113Nm at 11,000rpm 113Nm at 12,000rpm 125Nm at 10,500rpm
Gearbox 6-speed 6-speed 6-speed 6-speed

Despite receiving Euro5+ homologation, it 216PS (up by 0.5PS) and 120.9Nm of torque. Additionally, an optional Akrapovic racing exhaust can bump the power output to 228PS. In comparison, the S1000RR, powered by a 999cc inline four-cylinder engine, delivers 210PS and 113Nm, that is 6PS lower power output than the Panigale V4. Then, the CBR1000RR-R SP offers a slightly higher power output than the Panigale V4 and S1000RR with its 999.9cc inline four-cylinder motor, generating 217.54PS and 113Nm. Last but not least, the RS V4 Factory, equipped with a 1,099cc, 65° V4 unit, matches Honda closely with 217PS but delivers leading torque output of 125Nm.

2025 Ducati Panigale V4 vs BMW S1000RR vs Honda CBR1000RR-R SP vs Aprilia RSV4 Factory: Hardware

Suspension systems play a crucial role in handling, cornering, and comfort. The Panigale V4 S become the first models to feature the third-gen Ohlins NPX-30 forks and an Ohlins TTX 30 monoshock paired with a steering damper. Also on offer is the Ohlins Smart EC 3.0. Having said that, the base V4 model gets Showa BPF forks and Sachs monoshock. They are fully adjustable though. Similarly, the standard RS V4 comes with Sachs front forks with compression and rebound adjustability and rear monoshock with full adjustablity.

On the flip side, the CBR1000RR-R SP is fitted with Ohlins NPX-S front forks and an Ohlins TTX-36 monoshock with Ohlins Smart EC 3.0, while the RS V4 Factory gets Ohlins NIX forks and an Ohlins TTX monoshock but with Ohlins Smart EC 2.0. Whereas, BMW has given the S1000RR simple front forks and a rear monoshock. Notably, all are fully adjustable for pre-load, compression, and rebound damping.

2025 Ducati Panigale V4 S BMW S1000RR Honda CBR1000RR-R SP Aprilia RS V4 Factory
Front forks Ohlins NPX-30 USD (fully adjustable) USD (fully adjustable) Ohlins NPX-S USD (fully adjustable) Ohlins NIX USD (fully adjustable)
Rear suspension Ohlins TTX 30 monoshock (fully adjustable) Monoshock (fully adjustable) Ohlins TTX-36 monoshock (fully adjustable) Ohlins TTX monoshock (fully adjustable)
Brake (f) Dual 330mm discs with first-ever Brembo Hypure callipers Dual 320mm discs Dual 330mm disc with Brembo Stylema R callipers Dual 330 disc with Brembo Stylema callipers
Brake ® 245mm single disc 220mm single disc 220mm single disc 220mm single disc
Weight 187kg (VR S); 191kg (VR) both without fuel 197kg (fully fuelled); 193.5kg with M Package 201kg 202kg with 90% fuel
Fuel tank 17-litre 16.5-litre 16.5-litre 17.9-litre
Tyre (f) 120/70-ZR17 120/70-ZR17 120/70-ZR17 120/70-ZR17
Tyre ® 200/60-ZR17 190/55-ZR17 200/55-ZR17 200/55-ZR17
Seat height 850mm 832mm 830mm 845mm

Weight is another important aspect for performance and handling. The Panigale V4 S weighs 187kg (VR S), while the base V4 is 191kg, both without fuel. In contrast, the S1000RR weighs 197kg when fully fuelled or 193.5kg with the M Package. Honda's CBR1000RR-R SP tips the scales at 201kg, while the RS V4 Factory weighs 202kg with 90 per cent fuel.

Further, the Panigale V4 and V4 S sport dual 330mm front discs featuring the Brembo Hypure callipers and a 245mm single rear disc. The CBR1000RR-R SP and RS V4 Factory also use dual 330mm front discs but they get Brembo Stylema callipers. The S1000RR, on the other hand, has dual 320mm discs at the front. Except the 245mm rear disc of the Panigale V4 twins, remaining three supersport come with a 220mm single disc at the rear.

All four supersports get a 120/70-ZR17 section front tyre. When it comes to the rear tyre, the Ducati and Aprilia feature 200/60-ZR17 section rear unit, while the BMW and Honda use 190/55-ZR17 and 200/55-ZR17 rear tyres, respectively. Depending upon the model, seat heights vary slightly, with the Panigale V4/VR S at 850mm, the S1000RR at 832mm, the CBR1000RR-R SP at 830mm, and the RS V4 Factory at 845mm.

All in all, the 2025 Ducati Panigale V4 and V4 S boast significant upgrades over their predecessors and emerge as a modern-day litre-class supersport with a lot to offer (at least on the paper) to motorcycling enthusiasts. On the flip side, the BMW S1000RR, Honda CBR1000RR-R SP, and Aprilia RS V4 Factory each feature their own unique blend of power, technology, mechanicals.

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