We also needed to find out if the base Ducati Streetfighter is also worthy of our Italian bike rapture.
At $14,995, the standard Ducati Streetfighter retails for $4,000 less than the upmarket S version, and by doing so it goes without trick Ohlins suspension, Ducati Traction Control and some carbon fiber bits. The 1099cc V-Twin engine is in an identical state of tune as the S, and both bikes share brick-wall Brembo radial-mount brakes and a single-sided aluminum swingarm. The Ducati Streetfighter experience begins even before inserting its key. We brought our bike down to legendary tuner Carry Andrews' Hypercycle Speed Center where it spat out 133.2 roaring ponies at 9800 rpm. To get rolling, you'll have to endure a heavy clutch pull and a slightly grabby dry clutch, but from then on out, the Streetfighter offers an adrenaline-soaked yee-haa! ride. This bike is a traffic ticket waiting to happen.
Speaking of raised things, short people will dislike the 'Fighter's 33.1-inch seat height. This aids front-end feel and stability at speed, but it also places pressure on a rider's wrists that impinges on comfort at normal street speeds.
However, the 'Fighter's ergonomics work surprisingly well on the highway for a naked. The low grips force a more aerodynamic torso position, and the oncoming air pressure alleviates the amount of weight carried by a rider's hands. Once the PITA preload was lessened, we reduced rebound damping to match and also took out a few turns of the compression damping's 5.5-turn range to achieve a more compliant ride. The bloody knuckles were worth it, as the rear suspension was then well matched to the proper wheel control up front. No complaints whatsoever from the insanely powerful Brembo radial-mount 4-piston monoblock calipers and monster 330mm rotors up front. Slippery footpegs don't help matters.
The cylinder head is also the same, making use of four 42mm intake valves and an equal number of 34mm exhaust valves controlled via Ducati’s unique Desmodromic valve actuation system.
Fueling the engine is a pair of Marelli fuel injectors that pump fuel into elongated oval-shaped throttle bodies. The injectors receive fresh air via a modified air tract that is required due to the Ducati Streetfighter s unique front facia design. Where the 1098/1198 Superbike makes use of a radiator and an oil-cooler, the Streetfighter uses twin curved black radiators stacked atop each other. The Streetfighter’s chassis is comprised of a black steel-Trellis frame (the S model gets a bronze painted frame) that appears identical to the 1098/1198 Superbike.
Suspension components including: fork, shock, adjustable rear linkage and steering damper are identical as the outgoing 1098 Superbike. A 245mm braking disc with a twin-piston caliper handles rear braking duties.
The S model adds additional functionality with its standard Ducati Data Analysis (DDA) and Ducati Traction Control (DTC) feature. Like the Ducati Superbikes, the Streetfighter feels exceptionally slim between your legs. With the Ohlin’s components, the Streetfighter settles quickly into the corner. Perhaps one of the most exciting features of the new Ducati Streetfighter S model is its employment of Ducati’s proprietary traction control system.
Engineered based on technology used within Ducati Corse’s world-wide racing efforts, the DTC system uses independent wheel speed sensors to determine if the rear wheel is spinning, signifying a loss in traction. If a loss of traction is detected, the ECU then reduces engine power until traction is restored. Now if Ducati could just somehow discover a way to prevent the front wheel from losing traction
It’s also important to note that at $14,995 in base trim, the Ducati Streetfighter costs $1505 less than its Superbike equivalent.