Ducati celebrates the 30th anniversary of the 916 with a limited and numbered series model of 500 units. The Panigale V4 SP2 30° Anniversario 916 is Ducati’s tribute to the bike that marked a milestone in the company’s history. A true icon of design and the world of competition, exhibited at the MoMA in New York, which even today, 30 years later, is still considered the emblem of beauty applied to two wheels.
The unmistakable characteristics and super sports character of the Ducati 916, the bike from which the design DNA of all Ducati sports bikes originates, can be found in the Panigale Anniversario. The genes of the 916 can be discovered in the mass concentrated in the front, in the sinuous view from above, and in elements such as the headlight, the “nose”, the air intakes, the V of the fairing, the sculptural diamond-shaped tank, the short and slender rear section, and the single-sided swingarm.
In the Panigale Anniversario, the tribute to the 916 is celebrated with a color scheme, created by the Ducati Centro Stile, that pays homage to one of the most beautiful competition graphics in Ducati’s sporting history, that of the bike that won the Superbike World Championship with Carl Fogarty in 1999.
The iconic tricolor on the fairing, the white number plates, and the number 1 have been recovered and revisited from a modern perspective, while the black portion on the upper half of the fairing recalls the air ducts of the 916. The lower part of the tank, also in black, is a strong reference to the world of competition. Finally, the tank cover with the laurel wreath logo, in the same golden color as the 916. The fairing logo, which in the original 916 was silver with a golden outline, is revisited and updated here, almost with a 3D effect.
Also made of carbon fiber are the five-arm wheels, which reduce the weight of the wheels by 1.4 kg compared to the forged Marchesini of the V4 S and 3.4 kg compared to the Panigale V4. Inertia is reduced by about 26% in the front and 46% in the rear, making the bike more agile, less tiring, and more precise in acceleration.
The braking system is the best in its class: thanks to the Brembo Stylema R calipers and cooling ducts, it offers high braking efficiency and consistent feel even during long track sessions. The Brembo MCS pump with remote adjustment allows for simple and intuitive regulation of feel and distance to the handlebar without the need to stop.
The STM EVO dry clutch offers great smoothness in all phases of riding with the throttle closed, such as entering a curve, and allows the level of mechanical engine braking to be customized by changing the secondary spring. On the track, with the clutch cover open, enthusiasts can enjoy the sound that characterizes Ducati’s competition bikes.
The adjustable machined aluminum footpegs allow the riding position to be adapted to any physique, and the use of the standard Ducati Quick Shift Up & Down system can be configured for either the operation of a traditional gear shifter or a competition pattern. Finally, the Ducati Data Analyser+ data acquisition system allows the rider’s performance to be monitored.
The bike comes with a track kit, which includes machined aluminum covers for mirror removal*, silver-plate removal kit*, open carbon clutch cover*, and Data Analyser+ data acquisition system.
The Panigale V4 SP2 30th Anniversary 916 was unveiled on the opening day of EICMA 2023, with an international event at the Ducati stand where, until Sunday the 12th, it will be possible to see live the entire 2024 range from the Borgo Panigale manufacturer.
During the event, Ducati will officially announce the dates for World Ducati Week 2024. This meeting, for all fans, is scheduled for the weekend of July 26 – 28, as always at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”.
