Ducati today announced the launch of a very special motorcycle, the Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary, priced at INR 21,30,000 (Ex-showroom India). This celebratory bike is characterized by a dedicated livery that recalls that of the Ducati 996 R on which Troy won his first title, by the equipment with Öhlins components and by the attention to detail that enhances its sportiness.
21 has been a magic number for Ducati ever since Troy Bayliss sculpted it with his victories in motorcycling history. Precisely in 2021, twenty years after winning the 2001 Superbike World Championship, Ducati paid homage to the legendary career of the Australian rider by dedicating a special motorcycle to him, produced in a numbered series, which celebrates the first of the three World SBK titles won by Bayliss: the Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary.
Commenting on the launch, Bipul Chandra, Managing Director, Ducati India said, “The Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary, while staying true to the Panigale V2’s roots, pays homage to the legendary Troy Bayliss with a special and distinctive livery reminiscent of Troy’s Ducati 996 R that led him to his first win. As a brand, we take racing very seriously and we take pride in being one of the few brands in the world that constantly bring learnings from the racetrack to the Ducatisti. We’re elated to introduce this special motorcycle in the Indian market so that racing fans from across the country can get their hands on this unique and numbered edition of the Panigale V2.”
The bond between Bayliss and Ducati Corse in the Superbike World Championship is one of the most fascinating stories in the motorsport universe. The results of this beautiful adventure are 52 victories, 94 podiums and three world titles (2001, 2006 and 2008) won with three different bikes: the twin-cylinder 996 R, the 999 R and the 1098 R.
Important to note that Troy Bayliss is the only motorcycle racer in the history of the sport who won a MotoGP and World Superbike race in the same season (2006) and his achievements have indelibly imprinted the Australian’s name in the hearts of all Ducatisti. Now the winning chemistry between Ducati and “Baylisstic” is rekindled with the creation of this celebratory motorcycle, the name of which was chosen directly by the rider, who actively contributed to the creation of the graphic concept.
Made starting from the base of the Panigale V2, the “Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary” version is characterized by its special livery, whose graphics are inspired by that of the 996 R which in the 2001 season powered Bayliss to the conquest of his first world title, revisiting its colours and cuts. Ducati red is the main colour of the bike, and it joins green and white in a tribute to the Italian spirit of the Bologna-based motorcycle manufacturer, while the iconic #21, Troy Bayliss’ race number, and the Shell logo, which visually strengthen the link with the racing bike, stand out on the sides and front.
Troy’s autograph is reproduced on the fuel tank, while the billet aluminium triple clamp shows the name of the bike and the progressive numbering of this unique model. To make the motorcycle even more effective on the track, Ducati has chosen to equip the Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary with Öhlins components. The NX30 front fork and TTX36 rear shock absorber guarantee maximum smoothness and are designed to achieve the best performance on the circuit, with a set-up that makes the bike more precise and offers the rider greater feeling and support in all riding phases. The steering damper, thanks to the adjustments it is equipped with, allows you to customize its calibration by adapting it to riding style and the characteristics of the race track.
Compared to the standard version, the Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary is also 3 kg lighter, thanks to the adoption of a lithium-ion battery and the choice of the single-seater configuration that explicitly recalls the look of the racing bike (passenger seat and footrests are available in the standard equipment). The equipment is completed by the sport grips, the silencer outlet cover in carbon fibre and titanium and the rider seat made by combining two different technical materials with double red stitching. Troy’s number 21 is embroidered in white on the saddle and together with the green and red bands, makes up the Italian flag. The motorcycle is also equipped with self-cleaning brake and clutch pumps with smoke grey oil tanks.
The Panigale V2 is the super-mid of Ducati sports bikes and represents the entry model to the Panigale family. It is powered by the 955 cc Superquadro twin-cylinder unit with a maximum power of 155 hp at 10,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 104 Nm at 9,000 rpm. The chassis is based on the monocoque frame, while the elegant and sporty design is inspired by that of the Panigale V4.
The electronic package, dedicated to active safety and vehicle dynamics control, includes the “cornering” function applied to Bosch ABS, the electronic quick shift that also works when downshifting and traction, engine brake and wheelie controls (Ducati Quick Shift, Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Wheelie Control, Engine Brake Control). All the controls are integrated into the three Riding Modes (Race, Sport and Street) that can be modified using the 4.3″ colour TFT dashboard with graphics and interface designed to make menu navigation and settings adjustment intuitive, as well as immediate identification of the selected Riding Mode.
The twentieth anniversary of Troy Bayliss winning his first title with Ducati was celebrated in Borgo Panigale with a temporary exhibition in the Museo Ducati entitled “Troy Story: The Legend of a Champion” exhibiting the bikes with which Troy was able to write some memorable chapters in the history of motorcycle racing. The exhibition can be re-visited with the following link (here more information on visits to the Museo Ducati).
The Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary will be available in limited numbers across dealers in India and prices start at INR 21,30,000 (Ex-Showroom, India).
