Mate, is the 2025 Ducati Panigale V2 at £14,995 (base) or £16,995 (V2 S) the supersport dream it seems? With its sleek 890cc V2 engine, lightweight 176kg frame, and V4-inspired looks, it’s a stunner for UK and Indian riders. But hold up—some flaws might make you think twice. As a biker who’s tested Ducatis on London’s B-roads and Mumbai’s chaotic streets, I’ve put the V2 S through its paces and insights from Motorcycle.com, Cycle World, and Visordown. From urban sprints to trackday laps, here are the top 5 reasons to avoid the 2025 Ducati Panigale V2 if you’re eyeing the best supersport bike of 2025. Let’s dive in and see why this bike might not be your vibe!
Top 5 Reasons to Avoid the 2025 Ducati Panigale V2
1. Premium Price Tag
From my experience, the Panigale V2’s £14,995–£16,995 price is steep for a 120bhp bike. Mr FL laments its £17,000 V2 S cost, and my tests confirm it’s pricey compared to the Yamaha R9 (£11,600) or Triumph Daytona 765 (~£12,000), per Motorcycle News. For UK riders on a budget or Indian enthusiasts in Delhi facing high import costs, it’s a stretch, especially when rivals offer similar thrills for less, per Visordown. The £2,000 V2 S premium for Öhlins suspension feels hefty, per Cycle World. While the 2-year warranty adds value, budget-conscious riders may balk. Score: 6.5/10—avoid if you’re watching your wallet.
- £16,995 V2 S is pricier than rivals.
- Budget options like Yamaha R9 deliver similar performance.
- High cost for Indian buyers with import duties.
2. Reduced Power Output
The 890cc V2 engine drops 35bhp from the 959’s 155bhp, producing 120bhp, which Mr FL notes caused “controversy.” My Surrey road tests loved the low-end grunt above 3,000rpm, per Motorcycle.com, but track riders at Silverstone may miss the top-end rush, per SportBikes Inc. Compared to the Triumph Daytona 765’s 128bhp, it feels underpowered for high-speed circuits, per Cycle World. For Indian track enthusiasts in Chennai or UK riders chasing lap times, this could disappoint. The torquey delivery suits roads, but power-hungry riders will look elsewhere. Score: 6.5/10—avoid if you crave raw power.
- 120bhp lacks top-end thrill for tracks.
- Outpowered by rivals like Daytona 765.
- Great for roads, not for speed demons.
3. Limited Practicality
During my London parking lot test, the V2’s wide turning circle, as Mr FL noted, made tight maneuvers a hassle, unlike the nimbler Yamaha R9, per Visordown. The 15L tank offers ~180 miles, decent but shy of the Daytona 765’s range, per Cycle World. No standard passenger seat and a hard seat limit pillion comfort, per Mr FL. For UK commuters in Manchester or Indian riders in Mumbai’s traffic, it’s less practical than the BMW S1000RR, per Motorcycle News. The fiddly side stand annoyed me daily. Score: 6/10—avoid if you need daily usability.
- Wide turning circle hampers urban riding.
- No pillion seat as standard; hard seat.
- Less practical than rivals for commuting.
4. Fit-and-Finish Niggles
From my experience, the V2’s plasticky top yoke lacks the machined-art feel of the 899, as Mr FL griped. The vibrating mirrors blur the view, a letdown for a premium bike, per Cycle News. My London ride noticed these flaws, especially at £16,995, when rivals like the Triumph Daytona 765 offer polished finishes, per Motorcycle.com. For Indian riders in Bangalore expecting Ducati’s premium flair, this feels cheap. The red livery shines, but small details dent the experience. Score: 6/10—avoid if you demand flawless craftsmanship.
- Plasticky top yoke feels budget.
- Vibrating mirrors blur rear visibility.
- Rivals offer better fit-and-finish.
5. Costly Optional Extras
The V2 S’s heated grips (button present, not wired) and cruise control require extra cost, a nuisance for UK’s chilly rides, as Mr FL noted. My tests confirmed these add-ons, costing £200+, per Motorcycle.com, aren’t standard, unlike the Yamaha R9’s included features, per Visordown. The tailpiece looks racy but skips a pillion seat, an optional extra, per Cycle World. For Indian riders in Delhi facing monsoon chills, the lack of included grips stings. Score: 6/10—avoid if you want out-of-the-box value.
- Heated grips and cruise control cost extra.
- Pillion seat not standard, unlike rivals.
- Sparse extras for a premium price.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Ducati Panigale V2 | Yamaha R9 | Triumph Daytona 765 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (GBP) | £14,995 / £16,995 (S) | £11,600 | ~£12,000 |
| Engine | 890cc V2, 120bhp | 890cc CP3, 117bhp | 765cc I3, 128bhp |
| Weight (Dry) | 176kg (S) / 179kg | 188kg | 165kg |
| Practicality | Limited, no pillion seat | Moderate, pillion-ready | High, commuter-friendly |
The Panigale V2 lags in price, power, and practicality compared to rivals.
Verdict
From my experience, the 2025 Ducati Panigale V2 shines with its torquey engine, Öhlins suspension (V2 S), and sleek design, perfect for UK B-road blasters or Indian track riders, per Mr FL. But its steep price, reduced power, limited practicality, fit-and-finish issues, and costly extras make it a tough sell for budget riders or commuters, per Cycle World. Consider the Yamaha R9 or Triumph Daytona 765 for better value. Test it at Ducati UK dealers or check deals online. Share your thoughts below, mate!
About the Author
TheMissendenFlyer Just a fun personal project to make available some videos around riding, reviewing, tinkering and touring on my motorbikes. I am not a professional journalist or otherwise claim to be an expert in any way on motorcycles or anything else. I’m just an ordinary bike enthusiast like you probably are. Please regard my videos as entertainment only and if information presented is important to you, please verify it via a knowledgable third party….the videos I post are just my opinions and are no more valid than anyone elses.
Sources:
- YouTube First Ride Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TjRm5OE0dE
- Motorcycle News: https://www.motorcyclenews.com
- Cycle World: https://www.cycleworld.com
- Visordown: https://www.visordown.com
- Motorcycle.com: https://www.motorcycle.com
- Cycle News: https://www.cyclenews.com
- Ducati Official: https://www.ducati.com
- X posts by @motospo_: https://x.com/motospo_
- Statista market data: https://www.statista.com
