Sports bikes are all about speed and charisma. So if you are a speed demon, this is the kind of bike that will trailblaze some tracks.
Today, we will compare two of the most exciting new sports bikes of 2021. The Yamaha R1 (top speed: 182 miles an hour) and the Ducati Panigale V4 (top speed: 180 miles an hour).
Sports bikes need to be equipped with powerful engines to produce a lot of horsepowers. And the ones that we will talk about today are no strangers to producing horsepower. But which one of these two, Yamaha R1 vs. Ducati Panigale V4, is better than the other.
Keep reading to find the winner of this ultimate showdown of these track beasts.
Industry History
Yamaha
Not very long ago, Yamaha entered the motorcycles market, focusing on producing affordable but quality rides for its consumers. But very soon, it faced some stiff competition, and to be among the industry leaders, it had to differentiate.
And therefore, it came up with an idea to provide different trims to its fans without compromising quality and performance. Today, Yamaha is one of the best brands to go for various trim options according to preferences. And that too with incredible reliability.
Ducati
Ducati is world-renowned for its frequent participation in major superbike championships and events. It has quite a few as well, and all the credit goes to the magnificent amount of power that the company equips in its engines.
When it comes to speed, agility, and handling, Ducati is one of the top brands to choose. And the best part is that they have a wide variety of motorbikes as well. So, you are bound to find one that matches your taste and needs.
Yamaha R1 vs. Ducati Panigale V4 – An Overview
The R1 2021
The YZF R1 is the latest addition to Yamaha’s offering with its 2021 model. The company has upgraded its engine, suspension, and brakes from its previous models. This sports bike is all about speed and maneuverability.
It will allow you to trace the track like a pro, and it also provides you with the ride comfort that many of the sports bikes on the market today don’t have to offer.
The V4 2021
The V4 2021 is an upgrade from its previous model, and it gets superior suspension and brakes. The engine power might not go up in the new model, but you have ride control and comfort.
This is one of the best sports bikes that you can find on the market today when it comes to handling.
Comparison Chart
| Features | Yamaha YZF R1 2021 | Ducati Panigale V4 2021 |
| Fuel and vehicle type | Petrol sports bike | Petrol sports bike |
| Fuel tank capacity | 4.5 gallons | 4.23 gallons |
| Engine type | 4-cylinder, inline DOHC, liquid-cooled engine | 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled, V4 engine |
| Displacement | 998cc | 1103cc |
| Maximum power | 200 HP @ 13,500 RPM | 214 HP @ 13,000 RPM |
| Maximum torque | 112.4 Nm @ 11,500 RPM | 124 Nm @ 9,500 RPM |
| Seating capacity and type | 2, dual stepped | 2, dual stepped |
| Seat height | 33.7 inches | 32.9 inches |
| Wet (curb) weight | ~448 lbs | ~436 lbs |
| Gear transmission | 6-speed slipper clutch w/ wet multi-plate assistance | 6-speed hydraulic slipper w/ wet multi-plate assistance |
| Front and rear suspension | Fully adjustable inverted fork (4.7-inch travel) and fully adjustable mono-shock (4.7-inch travel) | Big piston front fork (4.7-inch) and fully adjustable single-sided swingarm (5.1-inch) |
| Front and rear brakes | Dual hydraulic disc and hydraulic disc (both with ABS and brake control system) | Semi-floating disc brake w/ 4-piston caliper and disc brake w/ 2-piston caliper (both with ABS EVO) |
| Front and rear tires | 120/70ZR17 and 190/55ZR17 | 120/70ZR17 and 200/60ZR17 |
| Wheelbase | 55.3 inches | 57.8 inches |
Engine
Let’s start our comparison of Yamaha R1 vs. Ducati Panigale V4 by discussing their engines. The R1 features an inline DOHC engine with four cylinders, while the V4 features a V4 engine, as the name goes.
Both the engines are powerful when it comes to generating speed and horsepower. But the V4 will take the lead for sure, especially when it comes to traveling over long distances.
Ducati has designed the engine to gain speed over time. So, it will not be overly exciting when it comes to quick bursts with just a twist of the throttle.
For that, you will have to go for the R1 because its DOHC engine is more designed in that fashion. Inline DOHC engines are much easier to repair and maintain than V4 engines because they are much more advanced.
The V4 is much superior in terms of power and torque as well, and its engine displacement is bigger than what the R1 has to offer.
So, if you are looking to run the track for a longer distance, you need to go for the V4. Otherwise, the R1 is a favorable option for quick speeds with a single throttle twist. As we discuss sports bikes and not roadsters perfect for quick speeds in streets, the V4 is the winner.
Weight
Now, let’s talk about the weight in this comparison of Yamaha R1 vs. Ducati Panigale V4. This round will also favor the V4 because it weighs slightly less than the R1.
It means you will get a better chance to control and maneuver your bike when you need to, either on tight corners or the race track. But there is a catch too!
The V4 features a slightly smaller fuel tank as compared to the R1. So, you will have to refill the V4 much quicker than the R1.
But being lighter, your ability to stop, even if you are rolling at high speed, significantly increases. You will notice that your bike is much more responsive on the road yielding some great results.
So, we are going to give this round to the Panigale V4 because it is much lighter. And with a lighter weight, your bike will be able to perform just the way you want it.
Suspension and brakes
The R1 features a fully adjustable inverted fork that can manage a travel of 4.7 inches on the front. On the rear end, it has a fully adjustable mono-shock that provides travel of 4.7 inches.
On the other hand, the V4 comes with a big piston front fork that guarantees travel of 4.7 inches on the front end. And on the rear end, there is a fully adjustable single-sided swingarm that ensures travel of 5.1 inches.
As you can see, in terms of numbers, the V4 is superior because it manages better travel, particularly on the back end. It means this wheel not only is responsive on bumpy roads but will also work pretty well if you are into those wheelies.
So, the V4 is a better performer with more speed over longer distances, but it is a better bike for stunts.
When it comes to brakes, the R1 features a dual hydraulic disc and a hydraulic disc on the front and rear ends, respectively. Both brakes are equipped with ABS and brake control systems.
The V4 has a semi-floating disc brake with 4-piston caliper on the front end and a disc brake with a 2-piston caliper on the rear end. And they both are equipped with ABS EVO.
Both these brake systems have their way of equipping the bike with proper stopping power. The R1 has a hydraulic disc brake that is way better than a mechanical disc brake because it is way more responsive.
The V4’s ABS EVO makes it far better and reliable at high speeds, and it is way stronger as well. So, the V4 has the edge over the R1 in terms of suspension.
Both bikes tie each other when we look at the ins and outs of their braking systems. But overall, this round goes to the V4 due to its better suspension.
Ergonomics
Next up are the ergonomics in our comparison of Yamaha R1 vs. Ducati Panigale V4. Both these bikes are incredibly ergonomic to ride, and you will feel pretty comfortable racing on them.
The handlebar and the footpegs of both the machines are nicely positioned. You can continue to ride both these bikes for longer sessions if you want.
But the V4 has a slight edge over the R1 because it has a lower seat height. It means your center of gravity will be close to the surface you are rolling on. It means you will feel a lot more comfortable when it comes to handling and maneuvering the bike.
The difference between the seat heights is not that much between these two bikes, but it still is pretty significant when you ride on them. There is a difference of almost an inch there. And this is going to make some shorter riders a bit cumbersome.
But there is another thing! You also need to consider the bike’s wheelbase, which needs to be on the higher side. The way you bike will have a bigger footprint while rolling, giving you even more control.
In this department, the V4 outmatches the R1 again because it’s almost three inches longer. So, in terms of ergonomics, the V4 is the winner, fair and square.
Looks and aesthetics
Next, we will discuss the looks and aesthetics in this comparison of Yamaha R1 vs. Ducati Panigale V4. Quite frankly, it’s a matter of high subjectivity and personal preferences of different riders who will come in and play their role.
For instance, some people prefer to ride a blue-colored sports bike while others prefer to ride a red one. If you like a blue-colored sports bike, you need to choose the R1 while the red-lovers V4 is the answer.
Both these bikes have modern looks, but the V4 comes with a no-cylinder design, making it much more intriguing because most sports bikes come with silencers.
The R1 also has a much bulkier look, while the V4 is much slicker. But both these bikes look simply extraordinary. As it’s a matter of personal choice, we will leave you to decide which way you will go.
Pricing
This round will go in favor of YZF R1 because it is significantly less priced than the V4. You’re paying for the brand’s worth here; plus, the V4 is equipped with more modern equipment and engine.
The V4 engine in it is the latest on the market, and it also features powerful brakes and suspension to back it. The R1 comes with a DOHC engine that might be an older one, but it is reliable, and there is much less maintenance cost.
So, for the more powerful engine and the upgrades, the V4 has an auger price tag which is completely justified. If you are looking for more speed and are into stunts, then the V4 is a better option for reliability and is worth it. But the R1 is built for speed, and then comes all the other things.
Yamaha R1 vs. Ducati Panigale V4 – The Similarities
They both might seem like two different bikes because one of them comes with a V4 engine and with an equally powerful suspension and braking system.
In comparison, the other one comes with a standard inline DOHC engine with plenty of backing up from the suspensions and the brakes. But there are some similarities as well.
Fuel and vehicle type
Both these machines are sports bikes, and they both run on petrol. However, the R1 has a slightly bigger fuel tank that can last longer. So, you will have to deal with a refill quicker on the V4 than the R1.
Gearing transmission
Both the machines come with 6-speed manual transmission system. Plus, they both come with wet multi-plate assistance as well. But the Ducati features a hydraulic slipper clutch compared to the traditional mechanical slipper clutch of the R1.
Seat type and capacity
Both R1 and V4 come with dual-stepped design seating. And they both can comfortably accommodate two people. The riding comfort is pretty similar as well.
Yamaha R1 vs. Ducati Panigale V4 – Pros & Cons
Yamaha YZF R1 2021
Pros
- Excellent throttle response.
- Better top speed.
- Larger fuel tank.
Cons
- Low displacement.
- Older DOHC engine.
Ducati Panigale V4 2021
Pros
- Powerful V4 engine.
- Plenty of stopping power.
- Lightweight design.
Cons
- Slightly slow to gain speed.
Conclusion
The winner of this comparison of Yamaha R1 vs. Ducati Panigale V4 is the Ducati Panigale V4 for sure. It is equipped with a powerful V4 engine, and it can pick up speed quite well. There is ample stopping power and handling this bike is nice and smooth. It’s a pretty cool bike for tracks as well as stunts.
