Sky, earth, sky, earth, sky, earth … as I lay in a winded, battered heap next to the smoking and steaming remains of what was an example of Ducati’s latest piece of engineering excellence, I take a few breathless moments to reflect on how I got here. And it had all been going so well.
Indeed, it was an event full of surprises. The first, Ducati’s choice of venue for the launch of their new street bike – Ascari Race Resort. The second, how well the bike worked at said track and the third … well, I think we may have already covered that one.
However, in between these moments of revelation, I did learn a fair bit about the bike. Essentially a stripped down 1098, it’s fair to say a lot of effort has gone into making sure the Streetfighter looks right. It’s the smallest details that count on a bike costing the thick end of £14,000 to you.
Acclaimed as the most beautiful bike of the Milan show last year, it’s not difficult to see why the Streetfighter received so much attention from both paps and celebrities alike. But the Streetfighter is so much more than just a pretty face.
The Streetfighter’s French designer, Damien Basset, the Italian chief project engineer, Giulio Malagoli, and their development team have made an excellent job of hiding any ugly wiring or plumbing, as well as keeping strong elements of the 1098’s stunning good looks in such a way that it really looks like they’ve just pulled the fairing off and had done with it.
Sky, earth, sky, earth, sky, earth … as I lay in a winded, battered heap next to the smoking and steaming remains of what was an example of Ducati’s latest piece of engineering excellence, I take a few breathless moments to reflect on how I got here. And it had all been going so well.
Indeed, it was an event full of surprises. The first, Ducati’s choice of venue for the launch of their new street bike – Ascari Race Resort. The second, how well the bike worked at said track and the third … well, I think we may have already covered that one.
However, in between these moments of revelation, I did learn a fair bit about the bike. Essentially a stripped down 1098, it’s fair to say a lot of effort has gone into making sure the Streetfighter looks right. It’s the smallest details that count on a bike costing the thick end of £14,000 to you.
Acclaimed as the most beautiful bike of the Milan show last year, it’s not difficult to see why the Streetfighter received so much attention from both paps and celebrities alike. But the Streetfighter is so much more than just a pretty face.
The Streetfighter’s French designer, Damien Basset, the Italian chief project engineer, Giulio Malagoli, and their development team have made an excellent job of hiding any ugly wiring or plumbing, as well as keeping strong elements of the 1098’s stunning good looks in such a way that it really looks like they’ve just pulled the fairing off and had done with it.
Price: £11,450/£13,950
Front suspension: USD, fully adjustable Showa/Öhlins
Rear suspension: Showa/Öhlins monoshock, fully adjustable
Front brake: 330mm discs, radially mounted four-piston calipers
Rear brake: 245mm disc, twin-piston caliper
Dry weight: 169kg/167kg (claimed)
Seat height: 840mm
Fuel capacity: 16.5 litres
Colours: Red, White/Red, Black
Engine: 1099cc, liquid-cooled 8-valve V-twin
Power (claimed): 155bhp @ 9,500rpm
Torque (claimed): 84.8lb.ft @ 9,500rpm
Top speed: (est): 155mph
