Ducati Panigale V4 R Maintenance Schedule
This is the Ducati Panigale V4 R maintenance schedule and service intervals — sourced from the owner’s manual, also referencing parts diagrams and the shop manual.
It’s based on the Ducati Panigale V4, but has a smaller engine to be within race restrictions, and lighter weight components (that are in some instances lower-tech, e.g. suspension that is high-end but not electronically controlled).
Here are all the Ducati Panigale V4 models:
- Ducati Panigale V4 (base model)
- Ducati Panigale V4 S (including Corse, Speciale) — active Öhlins suspension, Marchesini wheels
- Ducati Panigale V4 R (998cc) — smaller engine, lighter components
- Ducati Panigale V4 SP — race spec but with the 1103cc engine
The Ducati Panigale V4 R is Ducati’s race-spec V4 motorcycle. It’s based on a Desmosedici Stradale 90-degree V4 engine that’s 998cc displacement, smaller than the engine in the V4 and V4 S. It’s otherwise similar, with four desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder, liquid cooling, a 14:0.1 compression ratio, and even similar peak power of 162 kW (221 PS / 218 bhp) — although at higher rpm of 15250.
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Ducati Panigale V4 R Service Intervals
General service intervals on the Panigale V4 R are every 12000 km (7500 miles) or every year. Whenever any of those periods has passed check to see what’s due, which includes an oil / filter change and a host of other checks.
The valve inspection service interval is 24000 km or 15000 miles. Not as generous as the most wide intervals in the twin motors, but not bad. As this is a V4 Desmosedici motor, there are 16 valves, each with both an opening and closing cam… so 32 measurements and potential adjustments to make.
Some items like brake/clutch fluid, coolant, and fork fluid, need to be replaced periodically (every 2, 3, or 4 years).
What you need to service your Ducati Panigale V4 R
The Ducati Panigale V4 R is a high-end sportbike that needs only the best.
Here’s what the manual recommends, and some commonly available (but still high-end) alternatives.
| Part | Ducati Panigale V4 R spec |
|---|---|
| Engine oil | Ducati recommends motorcycle oil that is SAE 15W-50, meets API standard SN, and/or JASO standard MA2. Ducati recommends Shell Advance 4T Ultra 15W-50. Another option is Motul 300V 15W-50 — a commonly mentioned favourite for the V4 that’s competition spec. |
| Oil filter | The V4 engine uses the same oil filter as many other high-end Ducatis, and you can use a HifloFiltro HF159 as an easy-to-obtain replacement. |
| Spark plugs | Standard spark plugs are NGK LMDR10A-JS (easiest to get from a dealer). |
| Air filter | Ducati part number for the air filter is 42610691A (V4 R only). A popular replacement is the DNA high performance air filter with part number DU11S19-01. |
| Brake fluid/ Clutch fluid | Ducati specifies using DOT 4, so use something high quality like Castrol DOT 4 full synthetic. |
| Front brake | Part # for the front brake pad set is 61341271A. You can also use EBC HH brake pads FA447HH. |
| Rear brake | Part # for the rear brake pad set is 61340381A. You can also use EBC HH brake pads FA266HH. |
| Chain management | Ducati doesn’t specify a chain lube, so use something well-liked like Motul chain paste, or maybe clean it with a Motul chain care kit. |
| Coolant | The manual recommends ENI Agip Permanent Spezial antifreeze, or an equivalent. If you track the bike, many prefer Redline Water Wetter and distilled water. |
| Battery | Dead battery? The Panigale V4 R uses a lightweight 4Ah LiFePO4 battery, part number 39540411D. |
Regular maintenance for the Ducati Panigale V4 R
Here’s the table of regular maintenance to do on the Ducati Panigale V4 R.
It’s slightly different to the schedule for the 1103cc V4 Ducati Panigale bikes.
Observe the earlier of the distance or time interval.
| Panigale V4 R — Regular maintenance items | Km / Mi | Months |
|---|---|---|
| Check engine oil level, top up if necessary (Motul 300V 15W-50) | 500 / 300 | 6 |
| Check brake fluid level, top up if necessary (Castrol DOT 4) | 1000/600 | 6 |
| Check tyre pressure and wear, adjust if necessary | 1000/600 | 6 |
| Check the drive chain tension and lubrication (lube with Motul chain paste) | 1000/600 | 6 |
| Check brake pads and replace if necessary (FA447HH, FA266HH) | 1000/600 | 6 |
Maintenance schedule for the Ducati Panigale V4 R
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Ducati Panigale V4 R.
This maintenance schedule is in the same format as in the manual, though altered for display on a web page.
A few notes about maintaining a Ducati Panigale V4 R
- The cams in the Panigale V4 R are chain driven, which means no belts to replace.
- Some of the below items can only be done by a Ducati mechanic (marked [D]) as they need Ducati diagnostic equipment or resources
| km x 1000 | 1 | 12 | 24 | 36 | 48 | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mi x 1000 | 0.6 | 7.5 | 15 | 22.5 | 30 | (months) |
| [D] Read the error memory with DDS 2.0 and check software version update on control units | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| [D] Check the presence of any technical updates and recall campaigns | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Change engine oil and filter (Motul 300V 15W-50, HF159) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Change engine oil mesh filter assembly | ✓ | ✓ | – | |||
| Check and/or adjust valve clearance | ✓ | ✓ | – | |||
| Visually check for wear of the chain timing system | ✓ | ✓ | – | |||
| Visually check the wear of the oil pump drive chain | ✓ | – | ||||
| Change spark plugs (LMDR10A-JS) | ✓ | ✓ | – | |||
| Clean air filter | ✓ | ✓ | – | |||
| Change air filter (P08F1-85) | ✓ | ✓ | – | |||
| Replace the fastening screws of clutch cover, generator cover, and oil sump | ✓ | ✓ | – | |||
| Check thickness of clutch disk pack and/or replace it | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Replace clutch bell | ✓ | |||||
| Check brake and clutch fluid level | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Change brake and clutch fluid (Castrol DOT 4) | 24 | |||||
| Check brake disk and pad wear. Change if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Check the proper tightening of brake calliper bolts and brake disk flange screws | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Check front and rear wheel nuts tightening | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Check front and rear wheel hub bearings | ✓ | ✓ | – | |||
| Check and lubricate the rear wheel shaft | ✓ | ✓ | 24 | |||
| Check the cush drive damper on rear sprocket | ✓ | ✓ | – | |||
| Visually check the proper tightening of final drive front and rear sprocket nuts | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Check final drive chain tension and lubrication (Motul chain care kit) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Check final drive chain sliders for wear | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Check steering bearings and lubricate, if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | 24 | |||
| Change front fork fluid (Shell Donax TA) | 36 | |||||
| Visually check the front fork and rear shock absorber seals | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Check for proper tightening of the frame-to-engine fasteners and swinging arm | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 | |
| Check the screws fastening the RH tripod to the rear bank | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 | |
| Check the freedom of movement and tightening of the side stand | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Visually check the fuel lines | ✓ | ✓ | – | |||
| Check rubbing points, clearance, freedom of movement and positioning of hoses and electric wiring in view | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Lubricate the levers at the handlebar and pedal controls (Lithium soap-based grease) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 | |
| Change coolant (ENI Agip Spezial) | ✓ | 48 | ||||
| Visually check the coolant level and sealing of the circuit | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Check electric fan operation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Check tyre pressure and wear | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Check the battery charge level | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Check secondary air system operation | ✓ | ✓ | – | |||
| [D] Reset the variable-length intake manifold system (VIS) using DDS 2.0 | ✓ | ✓ | – | |||
| [D] Adjust the Bowden cable of the exhaust valve opening through the DDS 2.0 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| Check the operation of all electric safety devices (side stand sensor, front and rear brake switches, engine kill switch, gear/neutral sensor) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Check lighting devices, turn indicators, horn and controls operation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| [D] Reset the Service indication through the DDS 2.0 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Final test and road test the motorcycle, testing safety devices (e.g. ABS and DTC), electric fans, and idling | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| Softly clean the motorcycle | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
| [D] Fill out that the service was performed in on-board documentation (Service Booklet) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 12 |
About the Ducati Panigale V4 R
The Ducati Panigale V4 R is the latest in a long line of race-spec motorcycles from Ducati.
It all began a long time ago with the Ducati 916. But the Panigale line started in 2012 with the Ducati Panigale 1199.
Ducati has for a long time been known for its V-twin motorcycle engines, but starting with the Panigale V4, Ducati has started to also be known for high-power V4s.
The base model of the Ducati Panigale V4 line is just that – the V4. There’s also the higher-spec V4S, which like many of the other “S” models from Ducati, has higher-spec suspension and wheels. But regardless of which spec level you get, they’re both blisteringly fast motorcycles.
For mortals who look at the Ducati Panigale V4 and V4 S (with which the Ducati Panigale V4 R shares a moniker but not many core parts) and think “track bike”, well, the R is even more track bike.
Rather than an 1103cc V4, the Ducati Panigale V4 R is based on a 998cc V4. It is still called a “Desmosedici Stradale” motor, and like the bigger version it is a liquid-cooled four valve-per-cylinder 90-degree V4 with desmodromically actuated valves.
In stock form, the 998cc motor makes 162 kW (221 CV / 217 bhp) at 15250 rpm. But since this is a track-focused bike, you may as well go the full hog and install the full racing exhaust from Akrapovič, getting it to a peak of 174 kW (174 PS / 170 bhp) at 15500 rpm.
The 998cc displacement is so that the Panigale V4 R meets racing requirements of being under 1000cc in displacement. But that’s not all that’s race-spec in the V4 R.
The V4 R also has a host of components that make it lighter weight. These include the lightweight tri-W spoke wheels (which it shares with the V4 S), the Öhlins front and rear suspension, and a host of carbon fibre components.
Ducatisti who miss the rattle of a dry clutch will be happy to hear that the Panigale V4 R has one! This is available as an option on recent models of the V4 and V4 S, but it’s standard on the V4 R. It’s also standard on the Ducati Panigale V4 SP.
The V4 R has an STM EVO-SBK clutch made from billet aluminium. There’s also an optional carbon fibre open clutch cover.
Here’s how the specs of the Ducati Panigale V4 models compare in a nutshell:
| Model | Panigale V4 | Panigale V4 S, Speciale (Tricolore), Corse | Panigale V4 R | Panigale V4 SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine capacity | 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 | 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 | 998cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 | 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 |
| Peak power | 157.5 kW (214hp) @ 13000 rpm | 157.5 kW (214hp) @ 13000 rpm | 162 kW (221 hp) @ 15250rpm; 174 kW (234 hp) @ 1550 rpm with racing exhaust | 157.5 kW (214hp) @ 13000 rpm |
| Peak torque | 124 Nm (92 ft-lb) @ 1000 rpm | 124 Nm (92 ft-lb) @ 1000 rpm | 112 Nm (83 lb-ft) @ 11,500 rpm – 119 Nm (88lb-ft) @ 11,750 rpm with full-racing exhaust | 124 Nm (92 ft-lb) @ 1000 rpm |
| Clutch | Wet | Wet | Dry | Dry |
| Compression ratio | 14.0:1 | 14.0:1 | 14.0:1 | 14.0:1 |
| Front suspension | Fully adjustable 43mm chromed steel USD Showa BPF fork | Fully adjustable 43mm TiN treated USD NIX30 Öhlins fork, electronic compression/rebound adjustment | Fully adjustable Ø 43 mm Öhlins NPX25/30 pressurized fork with TiN treatment | Fully adjustable 43mm TiN treated USD NIX30 Öhlins fork, electronic compression/rebound adjustment |
| Rear suspension | Fully adjustable Sachs rear shock | Fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 damper, electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment | Fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 unit. Aluminium single-sided swingarm. | Fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 unit. Aluminium single-sided swingarm. |
| Front braking | 2 x 330mm semi-floating discs, Brembo Stylema (M4.30) 4-piston calipers | 2 x 330mm semi-floating discs, Brembo Stylema (M4.30) 4-piston calipers | 2 x 330mm semi-floating discs, Brembo Stylema (M4.30) 4-piston calipers | 2 x 330mm semi-floating discs, Brembo Stylema R calipers, Self-bleeding Brembo MCS19.21 master cylinder with “remote adjuster” |
| Steering damper | Adjustable Sachs | Öhlins, electronically controlled | Öhlins, manually controlled | Öhlins, electronically controlled |
| Wheels | 5-spoke light alloy | 3-spoke Marchesini alloy (“Tri-W”) | 3-spoke Marchesini alloy (“Tri-W” | 5-split spoke carbon fiber (ex-Superleggera) |
| Dry weight | 175 kg (385 lb) | 174 kg (384 lb) | 172 kg (379 lb) | 173 kg (381 lb) |
| Kerb weight (90% fuel) | 198 kg (436 lb) | 195 kg (430 lb) | 193 kg (425 lb) | 194 kg (427 lb) |
Many of the other components are common to the base and S models of the Panigale V4. These include the Brembo Stylema calipers, the aerodynamic package (including the winglets), and the tyre size.
Manual for the Ducati Panigale V4 R
The above information comes from the manual for the Ducati Panigale V4 R, also consulting parts diagrams.
You can download manuals for Ducati motorcycles from the website.
