2021 Ducati V4R Review: Dyno Tests & Handheld Tuning Insights

2021 Ducati V4R Dyno / Handheld Review

The 2021 Ducati V4R is not just a treat for the eyes; it's a finely tuned beast designed with precision for the racetrack while still being street legal. Here's a fun tidbit: the V4R is just under 1000cc, which is a strategic reduction from the standard V4 model's 1103cc. This tweak ensures the V4R meets the strict qualifications for competing in the World Superbike Championship. The term 'homologated' is key here—it means that despite its racing prowess, the bike must also be roadworthy and reasonably priced to even qualify for the competition.

But the V4R isn't just about compliance. Ducati has packed this model with a host of high-performance enhancements making it more race-focused than its V4 sibling. It boasts advanced aerodynamics with winglets to increase stability at high speeds, a more aggressive suspension setup for sharper handling, and a lighter frame to improve its power-to-weight ratio. All these features elevate the V4R from a standard superbike to a track day dream, providing thrill-seekers and Ducati enthusiasts with an exhilarating riding experience that's hard to match.

As massive fans of Ducati bikes, we couldn’t resist diving deep into a full-throttle review of the 2021 Ducati V4R, supercharged with our BT Moto ECU Flash to unleash its full potential. The results? To say ‘mind blowing’ would be an understatement. Let’s get started.

Firstly, 2021 Ducati Panigale V4R Stock Tuning Review

We took the 2021 Ducati V4R (stock tuning) out on the road, and it quickly became apparent that this track-oriented beast is a ‘tamed’ animal and not like the versatile V4, which offers abundant torque and responsive handling. Unfortunately, the V4R felt somewhat sluggish in comparison, a letdown considering its nearly double price tag compared to the standard V4.

Starting with the basics, engaging first gear immediately lifted the front tire, and the story was the same in second gear—this bike is eager to soar. However, we did encounter a jerky throttle response at lower RPMs, a common Ducati trait that's noticeably absent in competitors like BMW. A quick fix? Throttle spacers might just smooth things out by taking up the slack.

Where the V4R truly shines is in high-speed performance. Despite some minor gripes with the shifter and less-than-smooth downshifting, the bike's power at the upper end of the RPM range is staggering—there's no hitting the limiter here, just endless thrust. And, boy, does it handle! The bike corners like a dream. It truly lives up to the 'R' in its name, especially once you rev it past 10,000 RPM.

We also ran a 60-130 mph test to see how the V4R performs in its stock form. The results were seriously impressive, especially considering how many bikes these days are bogged down by speed limiters. The V4R blasted from 60 to 130 mph in just 4.57 seconds and from 100 to 150 mph in 4.9 seconds. That's really impressive!

With our initial stock tuning assessment complete, our focus shifted to enhancing the ride quality at lower RPMs in our dyno tests. Our goal was to boost torque and power in the lower range to eliminate the jerkiness and fully unleash the bike's fun factor, ensuring it performs as brilliantly at low speeds as it does at high. Also, V4 is just a lot more fun riding around town than V4R and that's something that can be improved upon.

2021 Ducati V4R Dyno Tuning and Results Along With Stage 1 Impressions

We put the Ducati V4R to the test on the dyno, comparing the stock mapping against the Akra UpMap and BT Moto mapping setups. The results? Quite enlightening! The stock mapping delivered a solid 189 WHP. The Akra UpMap gave a slight bump up to 196 WHP. However, the BT Moto mapping stole the show with an impressive 203 WHP, and it even cranked out three more wheel torque than the stock setup.

Achieving these numbers with the BT Moto flash wasn't just a one-shot deal. It involved meticulous cylinder tuning, tweaking the funnel trumpets, and fine-tuning the ignition and limiters. We delved deep into torque values and other tuning tweaks to squeeze out those extra horses compared to the Stock and Akra UpMap. The effort paid off, clearly seen in the superior performance metrics.

Hitting the road on the 2021 Ducati V4R after the flash, the difference was like night and day. Gone was the jerkiness, and the mid-range performance saw a serious boost. The bike came alive, offering smoother throttle action and seamless power delivery for a hiccup-free ride. Truly impressive stuff.

And while the V4R might not have the mid-range muscle of the V4, post-flash, it can outpace it any day when you’re revving above 10,000 RPM on the track. Post-flash, the V4R really stepped up its game in the mid-range. 

Moving on to downshifting, there was a noticeable lag before the flash that disappeared afterward. We then tested the Stage 1 top-end power post-flash, and everything felt fantastic—from turning and shifting to taking corners. The fun really doubled; you could feel the bike was more at home at high speeds. Accelerating and powering out of first gear felt significantly enhanced.

We also ran a 60 through 130 mph test post-flash to measure the improvement. As expected, it clocked in at 4.2 seconds, a clear upgrade from the previous test on the stock setup. If we had given this post-flash V4R the same downward slope as the stock, it likely would have hit around 4 seconds. The test from 100 through 150 mph post-flash came in at 4.3 seconds, down from the stock’s 4.9 seconds—a remarkable improvement of 0.6 seconds. This confirmed that the flash upgrade enhanced both mid-range and top-end performance. Overall, the Ducati V4R post-flash outdid its stock form by a significant margin.

The Bottom Line

The BT Moto flash truly transforms the 2021 Ducati V4R, turning it from a track-capable superbike into a more refined beast on both the road and the track. With the BT Moto mapping, the bike sees a significant increase in power, jumping from 189 WHP in its stock form to an impressive 203 WHP. This isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about how the bike feels. Post-flash, the V4R is noticeably smoother and more responsive, especially at lower RPMs where it previously felt a bit sluggish and jerky.

The reduction in downshifting lag and the overall increase in handling and performance at high speeds make this upgrade a no-brainer for anyone looking to get the most out of their V4R. The BT Moto flash doesn’t just tweak the V4R—it redefines it to provide an exhilarating and seamless riding experience that pushes the superbike’s capabilities to new heights. 

Got questions or need more insights on how the BT Moto flash can elevate your Ducati V4R experience? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.