Make it Punk Rock: Ducati Panigale V4S

A 211-hp V4 Superbike from The One Moto 2022…

In 2018, Ducati, legendary for their V-twin superbikes, introduced the Panigale V4, powered by a 211-bhp Desmosedici Stradale V4 derived from their MotoGP engine:

“It’s genius – the perfect way to move on a V-twin concept that had reached the end of its development path while still allowing the bike the soul it needs.” —MCN

At its launch, Ducati called the Panigale V4 the fastest, most powerful production bike ever made, and track tests soon confirmed their claims. But it wasn’t just the numbers that sold test riders on the new machine, but the character it exuded:

“The engine makes power in the kind of glorious, linear way that makes it easy to exploit, but once it gets revving it simply takes your breath away. It’s got loads of soul and goes through gears so fast it blows your mind. Despite being a V4 it still sounds and feels like a Ducati but it’s all we can do to hold on!” —MCN

At The One Motorcycle Show earlier this year, our man on the ground, Fouad “Moh” Mohiadeen (@astronaut_bear), the founder of Panigale Riders, came across one very special V4S. It’s the work of sign-maker / painter Dan Yoder, president of Wisconsin’s Make Signs Not War.

We tracked down Dan to find out more about the bike, which is a 2019 Panigale V4S — the “S” being the higher performance version, with electronically-adjustable Öhlins suspension, a lightweight lithium battery, and forged aluminum wheels. Dan, whose been into motorcycles since his early 20s, says he’s always had a soft spot for V4 engines — in fact, he previously built a ’99 Honda VFR800 streetfighter. But he wanted to make the new Duc his own:

“I didn’t have a certain influence or concept other than giving the refined Italian bike a little more grit. I always remember Roland Sands saying something along the lines of ‘make it punk rock.'”

He built the tail section from scratch, fabricated the aluminum bodywork, shaved and trimmed the bike in various areas, extended the titanium Termignoni pipes to fit a set of SC Project slip-ons, and more. Then there’s the paint and graphics — his specialty:

“I did all of the paint work using matte clears and all graphics and hand-painted with gloss enamel.”

This Ducati Panigale V4S was one of the most striking bikes at the One Moto, and Dan rides the hell out of it, too:

“Hands down the best bike I’ve ridden. It’s a commuter and touring bike for me.”

Below, we talk to him for more details on the build. Show shots are courtesy of Moh Mohiadeen (@astronaut_bear), while build shots are from Dan himself. Enjoy!

Custom Ducati Panigale V4S: Builder Interview

• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.

I am a sign maker/painter by trade. I have been in the industry for 23 years and in business for 17 years. I got into motorcycles when I was about 22. My first purchase was a new DR650. I built that bike into a supermoto bike. That bike got me interested in building bikes more. The next bike I built was a street-fightered ’99 VFR 800.

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

2019 Ducati Panigale V4S.

• Why was this bike built?

I wanted one of the new V4 Panigales since I first heard of them. I have a soft spot for V4s. I just needed to make it my own. It also displays some of the type of work we are capable of at our company with the aluminum fabrications, and the paint work.

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

I didn’t have a certain influence or concept other than giving the refined Italian bike a little more grit. I always remember Roland Sands saying something along the lines of “make it punk rock.”

• What custom work was done to the bike?

Tail section was built from scratch.

I always loved Ducati tanks but the bodywork connects to the tank on these bikes and I wasn’t stoked on how that looked, so I cut the plastics up to separate the tank from the side panels. I basically patched in fabricated aluminum sections to finish off the cut-up parts.

I fit some of Jeff Wright’s (Church of Choppers/FTWCO) foot pegs on a set of AELLA frame sliders. Filled and shaved passenger peg bungs on subframe.

Shaved exhaust heat shield mounts and skinnied up the heat shield to reveal more of the exhaust. Trimmed lower side plastics to reveal more of the motor. One-off aluminum mirror block off plates.

Extended the Termi TI pipes so I could fit SC project slips on the bike.

CNC racing rear sets, CRG levers and some other little odds and ends. I did all of the paint work using matte clears and all graphics and hand-painted with gloss enamel.