Ducati Panigale V2 Troy Bayliss Edition vs BMW S 1000 RR – Super sport you should buy

Ducati has just dropped a special edition bomb in the form of Panigale V2 Troy Bayliss Edition, which is a limited-run version of the already exclusive and expensive supersport motorcycle. Priced at Rs 21.3 lakh, the Ducati Panigale V2 Troy Bayliss Edition is priced dangerously closer to the mighty BMW S 1000 RR, a motorcycle that competes with the more powerful motorcycle over the former, the Ducati Panigale V4. The BMW S 1000 RR is available in three variants in India – Standard, Pro and Pro M Sport, out of which we will be comparing the best of them all, the S 1000 RR Pro M Sport with the Ducati Panigale V2 Troy Bayliss Edition here: 

Price

With a price tag of Rs 21.3 lakh, the Ducati Panigale V2 Troy Bayliss Edition is now the most expensive variant of the Panigale V2 sold in India. On the other hand, the BMW S 1000 RR Pro M Sport is priced at Rs 23.95 lakh, which is the top-spec variant of the super sports monster from BMW Motorrad.

(Both prices mentioned above are ex-showroom, pan India)

ALSO READ: Honda Africa Twin vs Ducati Multistrada 950 S vs Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro

Engine and Chassis

When it comes to the engine, it is the BMW S 1000 RR Pro M Sport that has got a clear advantage over the Ducati Panigale V2 Troy Bayliss Edition. Against the four-stroke, liquid-cooled, L-twin, 955cc engine of the Ducati Panigale V2 Troy Bayliss Edition, the BMW S 1000 RR Pro M Sport has a four-stroke, water/oil-cooled, inline-four, 999cc engine, which is bigger and more refined with the additional two cylinders in its construction. The bigger displacement brings in the advantage of more power and torque outputs in the S 1000 RR Pro M Sport, and the difference is substantial.

The Ducati Panigale V2 Troy Bayliss Edition makes up for the compromise in performance in the rest of the chassis, which feels more premium and expensive than the spec sheet of the BMW S 1000 RR Pro M Sport. The Panigale V2 Troy Bayliss Edition has its front and rear suspension sourced from Ohlins, and a bigger rear disc brake for more stopping power.

ALSO READ: Triumph Tiger 660 Sport vs Kawasaki Versys 650 vs Suzuki V Strom 650 XT

Dimension

The Ducati Panigale V2 Troy Bayliss Edition is the longer motorcycle here and has a taller seat height too. However, in comparison, the BMW S 1000 RR Pro M Sport is wider and taller than the two motorcycles here. It also has a longer wheelbase and a slightly heavier kerb weight in comparison.

Design and Features

The stratospheric pricing of both Ducati Panigale V2 Troy Bayliss Edition, as well as BMW S 1000 RR Pro M Sport, says a lot about how well-equipped and premium these motorcycles are.

The Ducati Panigale V2 Troy Bayliss Edition is the top-of-the-line version of the very capable and modern Panigale V2, which is a limited edition version of the motorcycle. As a part of the limited edition package, the Ducati Panigale V2 Troy Bayliss Edition gets a host of visual updates like exclusive livery with Troy Bayliss’ signature on the fuel tank and billet aluminium triple clamp, Bayliss’ race number (21) positioned on the front part of the motorcycle and rider’s seat.

Apart from these special additional bits, the Ducati Panigale V2 Troy Bayliss Edition is equipped with a host of features, like riding modes, power modes, cornering modes, traction control, wheelie control, engine brake control, auto tyre calibration, bi-directional quick-shifter, 5-inch TFT instrument console, LED headlamps with daytime running LEDs and LED tail lamp and turn indicators.

The BMW S 1000 RR Pro M Sport is the range-topping variant of the motorcycle, which gets as much equipment as the Ducati Panigale V2 Troy Bayliss Edition. It gets a host of features like dynamic traction control, cornering ABS, LED headlamps with daytime running LEDs, full-TFT instrument console, LED tail lamp, LED turn indicators, riding modes pro, dynamic damping control, heated grips, cruise control, tyre pressure control, wheelie control, slide control and engine braking control. It also comes with exclusive M Sport bits like carbon wheels and a lightweight battery. 

Verdict

The Ducati Panigale V2 Troy Bayliss Edition is easily the most desirable form of the very brilliant Panigale V2. The fact that it is a limited edition motorcycle gives it the proposition of an exclusive motorcycle, which makes it a true collector’s item.

However, apart from this aspect of ‘collector’s item’, there is nothing that gives the Ducati Panigale V2 Troy Bayliss Edition an upper hand over the BMW S 1000 RR Pro M Sport. The supersport flagship from BMW is superior to the Ducati Panigale V2 Troy Bayliss Edition in almost all aspects. It gets a more powerful engine with additional two cylinders and more power and torque outputs and bigger dimensions, which give it a better big-bike feel in comparison. The BMW S 1000 RR Pro M Sport feels like a motorcycle from one segment above, which it is, and that’s why it is our pick of the two, despite its slightly more premium price positioning.

ALSO READ:

• Royal Enfield Scram 411 vs Yezdi Scrambler Compared
• Ducati Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro vs BMW R nineT Scrambler
• Suzuki V-Strom SX 250 vs KTM 250 Adventure vs Benelli TRK 251