Ducati Streetfighter Review - Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3 - Pictorial

The Streetfighter comes in a standard guise dubbed funnily enough, Streetfighter, and a slightly higher specification version titled the Streetfighter S.

The latter of the two scores Ohlins suspension in place of the standard model’s Showa equipment, a sprinkling of carbon-fibre, lighter rims and Ducati’s fantastic eight-stage traction control system that first debuted on the $55,000 1098R and was later improved upon in the latest 1198 S. We have covered the traction control system in detail before so won’t bore you with the full run down. Just be comfortable in the fact that it is the smartest and most unobtrusive system on the market and in its latest guise even smarter than the system seen on the 1098R.

The DTC combines with the DDA data logging system to provide a fettler with endless hours of fun examining in fine detail every aspect of the bike’s and rider’s performance. If that’s what floats your boat...

Ducati claim a dry weight of 169kg for the Streetfighter with the S model tipping the scales two kilograms less thanks to its forged Marchesini rims.

Aesthetically the Streetfighter is a winner. It treads a fine line between the genres of a nakedbike blurring into somewhat of a cafe racer given a modern touch. The punters at the huge EICMA Show in Milan certainly warmed to it as it was judged by punters as ‘most beautiful bike in show’. Certainly the pictures don’t do it justice and it has to be seen in the flesh to be appreciated.

Something that few will appreciate however is its price. The Streetfighter will set you back around $26,000 while the S model will cost you over $32,000 by the time government charges have been applied. Then of course you have to add the extra $3159 for the Termi pipes to really allow the Streetfighter to clear its lungs and excite you with that trademark Ducati sound.

That’s a mighty big ask but what you do get for that significant amount of coin is the best four-valve Ducati Streetbike ever made.

I just wish its faired Superbike brethren were half as nice to live with on the street. The Streetfighter’s manners combined with the Superbike’s striking looks really would be a marriage made in heaven.

As it stands though the Streetfighter raises the stakes in the nakedbike market in most measures of outright performance and technology. Combine that performance with the Ducati soundtrack and no doubt there will be plenty of well heeled buyers willing to stump up the extra coin over something like Honda’s CB1000R, Triumph’s Speed Triple or BMW's even more powerful K1300R. Town riders that crave big bottom end urge may prefer Ducati's Monster 1100 as the two-valve engine still has by far the biggest balls at low rpm. But there is no way a Monster will stick with a Streetfighter in the hills or at the track. One thing is for sure, buyers in the nakedbike market are certainly spoiled for choice.

• Model - Ducati Streetfighter
• Engine – 1099cc, liquid cooled, DOHC, L-Twin cylinder
• Bore x Stroke - 104 x 64.7mm
• Compression Ratio - 12.5:1
• Induction - Marelli EFI, elliptical throttle bodies
• Transmission – Six speed, chain drive
• Seat Height – 840mm
• Dry Weight – 169kg or 167kg for Streetfighter S (No battery or fluids)
• L x H - 2120 x 1114mm
• Wheelbase - 1475mm
• Front Suspension - 43mm Showa forks, fully adjustable, Ohlins on S model
• Rear Suspension - Showa shock, fully adjustable, Ohlins on S model
• Brakes - 330mm dual discs, four-piston calipers (F), 245m disc (R)
• Tyres - 120/70-17 (F), 190/55-17 (R)
• Fuel Capacity – 16.5 Litres
• Average Consumption on test – 7 litres per 100km
• Range – 235km
• Warranty – Two years
• Price – Expect to pay around $26,000 for base machine or $32,000 for the S

Ducati Streetfighter Review - Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3 - Pictorial