This week’s Velocity Learn choice lives as much as its title, with new high-octane race bikes from Ducati and Triumph. The Italian agency has simply launched the 2026 Ducati Panigale V4 R superbike, whereas the British firm has pulled the wraps off the 2026 Triumph TF 450-X. Girls and gents, decide your poison.
2026 Ducati Panigale V4 R
Ducati is having one heck of a race season. Marc Marquez has simply cinched his seventh MotoGP title whereas using for the Ducati Manufacturing unit workforce, and half of the highest 10 riders within the present World SBK rankings are aboard Ducatis. What higher time to disclose the track-bred Ducati Panigale V4 R?
MotoGP bikes are pure prototypes, constructed solely for racing, whereas World Superbike machines should be derived from homologated manufacturing fashions obtainable to the general public. That is the place the Ducati Panigale V4 R matches in—it is the start line for Ducati’s World SBK contender, making it one heck of a monitor racer for well-heeled privateers.
Thrumming away behind the Panigale V4 R’s vibrant pink fairing is the newest iteration of Ducati’s 998 cc Desmosedici Stradale R engine. The race-bred mill redlines at 16,500 rpm in prime gear, with 218 hp [208.4 hp in US spec] and 114.5 Nm of torque on faucet. That is because of a number of upgrades, together with lightened pistons and a brand new crankshaft, derived from Ducati’s MotoGP growth.
As a homologated avenue bike, the Ducati Panigale V4 R has to adjust to ever-tightening Euro requirements. However in case you swap the inventory exhaust out for the non-obligatory race-spec Akrapovič system, and promise solely to experience it on the monitor, the Panigale will fortunately serve up 235 hp (or 239, in case you additionally use Ducati Corse Efficiency Oil). The exhaust mod alone unlocks a stonking prime velocity of 330.6 km/h [205.4 mph].
Different race-derived upgrades embody the Ducati Racing Gearbox (impartial down, six up), and MotoGP-spec ‘Nook Sidepods’—aero elements on the edges of the fairings that complement the bike’s broad entrance wing. The brand new transmission additionally options the identical ‘Impartial Lock’ system as the corporate’s MotoGP and World SBK race bikes, which prevents unintentional shifts into impartial.
The Panigale V4 R borrows the common Panigale V4’s body, with important tweaks. The entrance part has been redesigned to cut back lateral stiffness by an entire lot, and the swingarm makes use of Ducati’s proprietary ‘Hole Symmetrical’ design. The swingarm pivot top and rear experience top are each adjustable, and the rear shock could be fitted with a sensor for knowledge acquisition.
You additionally get a full complement of highly-adjustable Öhlins suspension parts, cast aluminum wheels, Brembo’s new Hypure brakes, and extra digital rider aids than you’ll be able to shake a stick at. If that does not fulfill you, Ducati provides non-obligatory carbon fiber wheels, upgraded braking packages, racing fairings, and extra.
In true Ducati vogue, the Panigale V4 R wears a easy and hanging paint scheme. Retina-searing pink dominates the actual property, punctuated by slim white graphics and refined branding. The aluminum gas tank breaks rank, giving the bike that basic prototype vibe. [Ducati]
2026 Triumph TF 450-X
Triumph’s foray into filth bikes raised a couple of eyebrows, however the British marque has impressed with its burgeoning line of off-road and cross-country bikes. Now they’re pushing additional into the 450 class of motocross racing, with the brand new Triumph TF 450-X.
The TF 450-X is not technically Triumph’s first 450 cc motocrosser—that honor belongs to its predecessor, the TF 450-RC. Named after and developed in collaboration with legendary motocross racer Ricky Carmichael, the TF 450-RC was a restricted version, race-spec bike. Now, Triumph has distilled these learnings into the extra mainstream TF 450-X.
The TF 450-X’s single-cylinder engine boasts goodies like a cast aluminum piston from König, flow-optimized Del West titanium valves, and DLC-coated rockers and cams. It additionally sports activities magnesium engine covers, a 44 mm Dell’Orto throttle physique with a Keihin injector, and an airbox and silencer carried over from the 450-RC. The clutch hub is an upgraded Exedy unit, augmented with Brembo hydraulics and a Belleville clutch spring.
Weighing a paltry 108.3 kilos [238.8 pounds], the TF 450-X makes 62.4 hp at 9,500 rpm, which is wild. A fast-shifter, a brand new transmission selector star, and an Athena ECU that handles every little thing from rider modes to launch management all work collectively to verify the facility goes the place you want it, if you want it.
The engine’s packaged in Triumph’s off-road aluminum twin cradle body, by means of redesigned engine mounts which can be tuned to enhance chassis efficiency. Suspension comes from KYB, the wheels are D.I.D. gadgets, and the brakes are Brembos.
The Triumph TF 450-X cockpit wears Neken yokes, ProTaper carbon core bars, and ODI grips, and non-obligatory equipment embody spare plastics, a gripper seat, a titanium exhaust system from Akrapovič, and extra.
Completed in black and white with jagged neon yellow decals, the Triumph TF 450-X actually seems the half. However since our abilities on a motocross monitor are questionable, we’ll depart it as much as the professionals to see if it has the go to match the present. [Triumph]
