2021 Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary First Look

July 26, 2021

“It was 20 years ago today,” some famous rock band sang many years ago. Ducati recognizes the importance of anniversaries, and isn’t going to let this one slip by unnoticed—Troy Bayliss’ first Superbike World Championship on the 996 R in 2001. While Bayless also took the title in 2006 and 2006, this special edition motorcycle with a particularly unwieldy name is all about the first time—the 2021 Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary.

We’re happy to report that the 2021 Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary isn’t simply a standard V2 with some cool stickers, different colored plastic, and an exorbitant price tag. Befitting a champion, the Bayliss gets high-level functional upgrades so that you can better ride the V2 to its potential.

The most significant upgrade to the V2 is the Öhlins units. You get an NX30 fork, TTX36 shock, and steering damper—all highly adjustable and top-shelf.

Ducati shaves 6.6 pounds from the V2 for the Bayliss model, with most of the weight savings come from a lithium-ion battery and solo seat. Don’t worry, a passenger seat and footpegs come with the bike.

Other technical goodies include a titanium and carbon-fiber muffler cover, along with self-cleaning brake and clutch pumps sporting smoke grey oil tanks.

Looks do matter, of course, and the 996 R livery is recalled in the 2021 Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary. There are plenty of red and green accents on the Ducati Red, plus the #21 that Bayliss famously ran. There’s also a reproduction of Bayliss’ autography on the tank, and the name of the motorcycle and its production number is stamped into the top billet aluminum triple clamp. Further, the seat is unique to the model, as it has two materials, double red stitching, #21 embroidery, plus green and red bands, just in case you forgot that Ducati is an Italian brand. There’s even the iconic Shell logo, though you may fill the tank with any brand of petrol—make sure it’s the high-octane pump.

If you can find your way to Bologna, the Ducati Museum has an exhibition honoring Bayliss—Troy Story: The Legend of a Champion. Don’t dawdle, as it closes on September 19.

The 2021 Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary arrives at your local dealer in October with an MSRP of $21,000.

Studio photography by Giovanni De Sandre

We have tested the Ducati Panigale V2

2021 Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary Specs

ENGINE

Type: Superquadro 90-degree L-twin
Displacement: 955cc
Bore x stroke: 100 x 60.8mm
Maximum power: 155 horsepower @ 10,750 rpm
Maximum torque: 77 ft-lbs @ 9000 rpm
Compression ratio: 14.0:1
Valvetrain: 4vpc w/ desmodromic actuation
Fueling: EFI w/ twin injectors per cylinder
Exhaust: 2-1-2-1 system w/ two catalytic converters
Transmission: 6-speed w/ straight-cut gears and quickshifter
Clutch: Web multiplate w/ assist and slip functions; hydraulically actuation
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS

Frame: Aluminum monocoque
Front suspension; travel: Fully adjustable Öhlins NIX30 43mm inverted fork; 4.7 inches
Rear suspension; travel: Fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 shock; 5.1 inches
Wheels: 5-spoke aluminum
Front wheel: 17 x 5.50
Rear wheel: 17 x 3.50
Tires: Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II
Front tire: 120/70 x 17
Rear tire: 180/60 x 17
Front brakes: Semi-floating 320mm discs w/ Brembo M.4.32 4-piston calipers
Rear brake: 245mm disc w/ 2-piston caliper
ABS: Cornering ABS Evo