The Ducati Streetfighter is a streetfighter motorcycle produced by Ducati in various iterations since 2009. The first model was a naked version of the 1098 superbike, and the line later grew into the V4 and V2 based on the Panigale.
Ducati Streetfighter at a glance
| Maker | Ducati, Borgo Panigale |
|---|---|
| Production | since 2009 |
| First shown | EICMA 2008, Milan |
| Designer | Damien Basset |
| Engine, original | 1,099 cc liquid-cooled Testastretta 90° V-twin |
| Engine, 848 | 849 cc Testastretta V-twin |
| Engine, V4 | 1,103 cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 |
| Engine, V2 | 955 cc Superquadro V-twin, 153 hp |
| V2 dry weight | 178 kg |
History of the Ducati Streetfighter
The original Streetfighter
Ducati unveiled the first Streetfighter at the 2008 EICMA show in Milan. It was designed by Damien Basset of the Ducati design team and used the 1,099 cc liquid-cooled 90° V-twin Testastretta engine shared with the Ducati 1098. Compared with the 1098 it produced five fewer horsepower, because of a different airbox. Beyond the lack of fairing, it also had a longer swingarm, therefore a longer wheelbase, and wider handlebars. An upgraded Streetfighter S was offered with Öhlins suspension, Marchesini forged wheels and carbon-fibre parts.
The 848
After two years the Streetfighter was supplemented in 2011 by the smaller Streetfighter 848, using the engine of the Ducati 848, an 849 cc version of the Testastretta whose valve overlap was reduced from 37° to 11° to improve rideability. With higher handlebars, wider footrests and a modified seating position, it was aimed at riders who wanted something less extreme. With the launch of the 848 the base model was discontinued after 2011, while the Streetfighter S stayed in production until 2013; the 848 itself was dropped after 2015. Cycle World named the 848 its Best Middleweight Streetbike in 2013, and French rider Eric Piscione won the inaugural Motorcycle Middleweight Division race at the 2014 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on one.
The V4
Three weeks before the 2019 EICMA show in Milan, Ducati presented the Streetfighter V4. Like its technical basis, the Panigale V4, it uses the Desmosedici Stradale 90° V4 engine of 1,103 cm³. It has a quickshift gearshift, eight-stage traction control, various riding modes, wheelie control and cornering anti-lock brakes. The S version adds semi-active Öhlins suspension. A special feature of the V4 is a pair of small wings on the side fairings, meant to generate about 150 newtons of downforce at 200 km/h and 280 newtons at 270 km/h.
The V2
The Streetfighter V2 was announced in November 2021 and released for sale in 2022. It is derived from the Panigale V2, has a dry weight of 178 kg and uses the 955 cm³ Superquadro engine with 153 hp. Its swingarm is 16 mm longer than that of the sport bike it is based on.
Design and features
- Naked superbike: the 1098’s Testastretta engine with a different airbox, five horsepower down.
- Longer chassis: a longer swingarm and wider bars than the 1098, for a less extreme riding position.
- 848 rideability: valve overlap cut from 37° to 11° in the smaller model.
- Downforce: the V4’s side wings generate about 150 N at 200 km/h and 280 N at 270 km/h.
- Recognition: Cycle World Best Middleweight Streetbike 2013 for the 848.
Ducati Streetfighter versions
- Streetfighter (2009–2011): the original 1,099 cc model.
- Streetfighter S (2009–2013): Öhlins suspension, forged wheels and carbon parts.
- Streetfighter 848 (2011–2015): the smaller, easier model.
- Streetfighter V4 (2019–): 1,103 cc Desmosedici Stradale V4, with an S version.
- Streetfighter V2 (2022–): 955 cc Superquadro, 153 hp, 178 kg dry.
The first Streetfighter used the engine of the Ducati 1098, and the 848 version that of the Ducati 848. More Ducatis are in the Ducati collection.
Video: Ducati Streetfighter Test – Die nackte Duc im Rennstreckentest
Video by Motorvision Deutschland on YouTube.
Sources
- Ducati Streetfighter, English Wikipedia: models, engines, racing and awards
