Failing to drive the Desmosedici GP 18 during the pre-season tests (GP17 at Sepang, then nothing due to a surgery), Casey Stoner, official Ducati test rider, was still able to try the Panigale V4 on the Valencia circuit.
The Australian driver gives his impressions in a video broadcast by the Bologna firm.
Casey Stoner “I really didn't expect such a smooth power delivery. I was really impressed. For me, the 1299 is already a fantastic bike, but the difference in power, in this respect, is much greater. Also, the balance when entering corners is much more stable, it is much calmer to drive through the corner. But it's the power that makes the big difference. To be honest, it's difficult for a production bike to impress me because you have a huge amount of power in MotoGP. But with this stock bike, and with the road tires I rode with, I was very, very impressed and surprised: the bike wanted to do wheelies everywhere! I really wanted to go fast, so I had to be more careful with the throttle than usual. But once I started to feel comfortable and have a little more confidence in the system, then I was able to start reaping the benefits and then much more. At the end of the straight, you feel much greater speed than usual.
To be honest, the fact that I can set everything on the computer and put everything the way I want, it really gives me a feeling very similar to that of my MotoGP. Particularly, for throttle and wheelie control, and traction control is very very smooth, it doesn't over-react too much. And I think that's really what allows the bike to be smooth despite the power, and find a lot more grip and be a lot calmer between corners.
And the sound is that of a Ducati…”
