Ducati Panigale V4 vs Kawasaki Ninja 650 - 2026 Comparison

The new Ducati Panigale V4 S has that innate quality that makes a 200-plus bhp superbike very accessible and safe around a racetrack. Sure, it's not made for less experienced riders new to litre-class superbikes, and despite the state-of-the-art electronics package, one wrong twist of the wrist can make things go wrong very quickly; after all, all that power and torque over a wide rev range is not to be fooled with, or taken lightly, by any standard.

The Ninja 650 may be a middleweight, but it feels like a small bike, and it doesn't have the intake roar or exhaust note associated with a high-performance motorcycle. It feels at ease handling traffic, and is equally comfortable on the highway, if you're in the mood for occasional long-distance touring. If you're looking to upgrade from a smaller bike, or you're new to motorcycling, the Kawasaki Ninja 650 could well be all the bike you need.