Ducati Formula 73
In its centenary year, Ducati has revisited one of the defining moments in its history and delivered it in contemporary form.
The new Formula 73 is a limited-edition Urban Café Racer inspired by the 750 Super Sport Desmo, the first Ducati road bike fitted with desmodromic valve timing. Only 873 numbered units will be produced globally, linking directly to 1973, the year that cemented Ducati’s racing-derived road bike identity.
The Imola link
The 750 Super Sport Desmo was born from racing success. It was effectively a road-going replica of the 750 Imola Desmo that carried Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari to victory in the 1972 200 Miglia di Imola.
That race, Europe’s first major production-derived event, laid the foundation for what would eventually become the Superbike formula. Ducati’s subsequent dominance in production-based racing now extends beyond 400 victories, along with 16 riders’ and 21 manufacturers’ world titles.
The Formula 73 is positioned as a tribute to that era, and to the cultural and technical shifts of the 1970s that shaped Ducati’s identity.
Design – unmistakably seventies, unapologetically Ducati
The Formula 73 is a contemporary reinterpretation of the 1973 750 Super Sport Desmo. The silver and aqua green livery was developed by the Ducati Style Centre after research through company archives. The vertical gold stripe on the tank references the unpainted strip on the original Imola race bike, which allowed the team to visually monitor fuel level.
Clip-on handlebars, bar-end mirrors, a short fairing and tapered tail establish the Café Racer stance. Billet aluminium components, including brake and clutch levers, footpegs and a Rizoma fuel cap, reinforce its special identity.
Each bike carries its model name and serial number on the steering plate and is delivered with a certificate of authenticity, along with period imagery and design sketches in a dedicated presentation box.
Engine – Desmodue, as it should be
At the heart of the Formula 73 is Ducati’s 803 cc air-cooled Desmodue L-twin.
According to the official technical specifications, the engine produces 73 hp at 8,250 rpm and 65.2 Nm at 7,000 rpm, with an 11.0:1 compression ratio and 88 mm x 66 mm bore and stroke. Electronic fuel injection uses a 50 mm throttle body with Ride-by-Wire control.
A stainless steel Termignoni exhaust system, developed specifically for the model, provides the soundtrack.
Power is delivered through a six-speed gearbox and hydraulically controlled slipper clutch, while final drive is via chain.
The output figure may appear modest in the current superbike era, but that is not the point. The Formula 73 focuses on character and response rather than raw performance metrics.
Chassis – heritage architecture, modern dynamics
The steel trellis frame, painted in aqua green, directly references the original Super Sport Desmo layout. Suspension is handled by a 41 mm upside-down Kayaba fork and a preload-adjustable Kayaba rear shock, both offering 150 mm of travel.
Braking duties are managed by a 330 mm front disc with a radial four-piston caliper and Bosch Cornering ABS, supported by a 245 mm rear disc.
Spoked 17-inch aluminium wheels wear Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres in 120/70 front and 180/55 rear sizes.
Other key dimensions from the official specifications, which are reproduced in full below.
- Wet weight (no fuel) – 183 kg
- Seat height – 808 mm
- Fuel capacity – 14.5 litres
Electronics – modern safety, traditional soul
While the aesthetic and engine architecture lean heavily into tradition, the Formula 73 is not a retro-only exercise.
The electronic package includes:
- Bosch Cornering ABS
- Ducati Traction Control
- Riding Modes (Sport and Road)
- Power Modes
- Ducati Quick Shift up/down
A 4.3-inch TFT colour display provides instrumentation, alongside full-LED lighting with DRL and self-cancelling indicators. The model is Ducati Multimedia System-ready and supports turn-by-turn navigation.
Service intervals are set at 12 months, with valve clearance inspection scheduled at 12,000 km, and the standard warranty is 24 months.
A film to mark the occasion
The Formula 73 is also the subject of the short film “A Piece of Timeless”, featuring Italian actor and Ducati enthusiast Stefano Accorsi. In the film, Accorsi draws parallels between acting and motorcycling, reflecting on performance, authenticity and emotional connection.
Limited to 873 units
Production is capped at 873 numbered motorcycles worldwide. European deliveries are scheduled for spring 2026, with global distribution to follow by the end of summer.
For collectors and riders drawn to Ducati’s formative Super Sport years, the Formula 73 is less about nostalgia and more about continuity, a modern interpretation of the machine that helped define Ducati’s racing DNA.
Ducati Formula 73 Specifications
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Specficiations
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Type
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L-Twin, Desmodromic distribution, 2 valves per cylinder, air cooled
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Displacement
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803 cc (49 cu in)
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Bore x Stroke
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88 mm x 66 mm (3.5 in x 2.6 in)
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Compression Ratio
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11.0:1
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Power
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73 hp (53.7 kW) @ 8,250 rpm
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Torque
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65.2 Nm (6.6 kgm, 48 lb ft) @ 7,000 rpm
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Fuel Injection
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Electronic fuel injection, 50 mm throttle body with Ride-by-Wire system
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Exhaust
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Stainless steel muffler with catalytic converter, lambda probes,
aluminium tail pipes
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Gearbox
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6 speed
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Primary Drive
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1=32/13 2=30/18 3=28/21 4=26/23 5=22/22 6=24/26
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Primary Ratio
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Straight cut gears, Ratio 1.85:1
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Final Drive
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Chain, front sprocket 15, rear sprocket 46
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Clutch
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Hydraulically controlled slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch
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Frame
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Tubular steel Trellis frame
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Front Suspension
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Upside-down Kayaba 41 mm fork
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Front Wheel
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Spoked aluminium wheel 3.00″ x 17″
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Front Tyre
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Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV – 120/70 R17
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Rear Suspension
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Kayaba rear shock, pre-load adjustable
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Rear Wheel
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Spoked aluminium wheel 5.50″ x 17″
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Rear Tyre
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Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV – 180/55 R17
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Wheel Travel (Front / Rear)
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150 mm / 150 mm (5.9 in / 5.9 in)
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Front Brake
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Ø330 mm disc, radial 4-piston caliper with Bosch Cornering ABS
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Rear Brake
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Ø245 mm disc, 1-piston floating caliper with Bosch Cornering ABS
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Instrumentation
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4.3″ TFT colour display
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Wet Weight No Fuel
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183 kg (403 lb)
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Seat Height
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808 mm (31.8 in)
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Wheelbase
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1,434 mm (56.5 in)
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Rake
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22°
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Trail
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92 mm (3.6 in)
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Fuel Tank Capacity
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14.5 l (3.8 US gal)
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Number of Seats
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1
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Safety Equipment
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Riding Modes, Power Modes, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Bosch Cornering ABS
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Standard Equipment
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Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down, TFT colour display, Full LED lighting system,
Daytime Running Light (DRL), Self-cancelling turn indicators, USB port
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Provided Equipment – Ready For
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Anti-Theft, Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), Heated grips, Turn-by-Turn navigation system
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Warranty
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24 months, unlimited mileage
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Annual Service
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12 months
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Oil Service
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12,000 km (7,500 mi) / 24 months
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Valve Clearance Adjustment
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12,000 km (7,500 mi)
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Ducati Formula 73 Images
