Ducati News Today

With the global launch yesterday of the new Ducati Streetfighter at the Ascari race track in Southern Spain, first impression reviews are already appearing on the web. Today I have summarized much of this first ride content along with some background information including an interview with the Streetfighter’s designer. UPDATE – Motorcycle News has published their first impressions based on the launch. Streetfighter looks mad but is it too sane? Raptors and Rockets now have an 18 minute video

Latest Updates

The Sun Biker report

Raptors and Rockets 18 minute launch video (embedded below)

First Ride Reports

Ash on Bikes, Motorcycle.com, Motorcycle News, Motorcycle USA and Visordown have all posted first ride impressions from the launch and all are pretty positive even if 2 of the 3 have crashed the Streetfighter already, which is ironic since the reports all describe the machine as looking like a crashed 1098!! Note that the journalists were testing the S model. Some selected comments are highlighted below.

On the Styling

As for its low-fronted, super compact looks, it’s certainly appealling, although for me the older S4R in blue with the offset central white stripe is still one of the best looking street bikes yet made.

link: Ash On Bikes

Style-wise, we think the Streetfighter is a hit. Ducati’s trademark trellis frame is clearly on display, and the single-sided swingarm shows off a sweet Marchesini behind the shotgun mufflers.

link: Motorcycle.com

In the morning sunlight, the stubby 155bhp V-twin looks even better in the metal than it does in pictures. However you can’t help being reminded that it does look like a crashed 1098, but in a good way.

link: Motorcycle News

Essentially a pared-to-the-bone 1198, the design team behind the bike have worked hard, not to mention cleverly, to give the bike a clean look. With no fairing panels to hide behind, the routing of the wiring and plumbing has been carefully planned. This visual cleanliness makes the Streetfighter as good-looking as it is unique.

link: Visordown

Next to sheer performance, aesthetics rank high on a Ducati engineer’s list when crafting a new masterpiece. Yet again, they’ve managed to hit a homerun in the styling department.

link: Motorcycle USA

On the Performance

Direction changes are very rapid, so much so you can get the bike wobbling and flighty when flicking from side to side simply because it’s turning so fast, then with the S you can drive out of a turn as hard as you like, letting Ducati’s awesome traction control look after the rear tyre’s grip – just whack open the throttle and let the electronics do the rest…

link: Ash On Bikes

With all this high-spec, high-performance capability, it should be no surprise this bike shines when ridden hard. We’re confident there isn’t another naked that will lap a track as quick, except perhaps the MV Agusta Brutale 1078RR. The Streetfighter, although down on horsepower, is better able to translate its linear powerband to the pavement.

link: Motorcycle.com

Ducati has managed to build a cross between a giant supermoto with most of the performance of a superbike which is exactly right for the changing world of motorcycling.

link: Motorcycle News

Out on the track, the bike doesn’t feel as crazy as the spec sheet might suggest. The claimed 155bhp is well managed and any thoughts of a mental, wheelie prone piece of engineering lunacy soon disappear as I relearn a track I last rode two years ago. The Ducati makes it pretty easy with minimal gear changes helping me to relax my way round the sinuous five-kilometre playground.

link: Visordown

Stay in the power and you’ll be thrust forward with the immediate traction only a big-bore Twin can deliver. Despite its claimed five horsepower loss (due to redesigned ram-air intake tract) you won’t notice a difference. Yet, engine fueling remains both smooth and precise, while power increases in a progressive manner before the rev limiter cuts in abruptly at 10,200 rpm.

link: Motorcycle USA

Motorcycle News has published their first impressions based on the launch. Streetfighter looks mad but is it too sane?

Video

360 degree video view of the Ducati Streetfighter

Official Ducati Streetfighter Video

Onboard Video from the Launch

Photos

Streetfighter microsite photos

Streetfighter Wallpaper Wednesday feature

Black Streetfighter S wallpapers

Details and Specifications

Ducati Streetfighter Dealers Guide (PDF)

Ducati’s Streetfighter microsite

Streetfighter specifications

Official Accessories

Ducati Performance Streetfighter Accessories

Ducati Streetfighter Clothing Range

Interview with Damien Basset, the Streetfighter Designer

Claudio Domenicali identified an opportunity to use the chassis and engine of the 1098. Because of the new Monster 696, we had to find an alternative for the S4RS. We rapidly decided that the ‘Streetfighter’ had to have its own style. Due to time restrictions, we decided not to modify the 1098’s chassis, engine and airbox. It was clear to me from that point that the ’Fighter would be closely tied to the 1098. So, identifiable details and form language are directly drawn from the 1098, but proportions are clearly more aggressive and the lines are more directional. I also put it on steroids – more muscle. I really wanted it as the ‘pissed-off’ alternative!

link: Faster and Faster: In conversation with Damien Basset

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