Ducati Formula 73 arrives as retro-inspired café racer
Built to mark Ducati’s 100th year, the Formula 73 channels the spirit of the 1973 750 Super Sport Desmo, pairing archive-led styling with an air-cooled L-twin and modern electronics in a tightly limited production run.
Ducati has marked its centenary year by pulling a notable thread from its past and reimagining it for 2026. The result is the limited-run Formula 73.
Production will be capped at 873 individually numbered units, and the bike takes its inspiration from arguably one of the most important motorcycles ever to leave Borgo Panigale – the 750 Super Sport Desmo.
The styling is slim and restrained, with the silver and aqua-green paint scheme lifted from archive research and paired with a vertical gold stripe that references the practical fuel-check strip used on the original Imola racer. Clip-on bars, bar-end mirrors and a short fairing reinforce the café racer silhouette, while billet aluminium components – levers, footpegs and a Rizoma fuel cap – add a premium sheen.
While externally the bike seems all-new, internally things are more familiar, with power coming from Ducati’s friendly 803cc air-cooled Desmodue L-twin, producing a claimed 73bhp at 8,250rpm. One addition that will keep the purist Ducatisti happy is the Termignoni-developed silencer, which is claimed to deliver the kind of mechanical character this kind of bike needs.
17-inch spoked wheels, wrapped in Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV rubber, are mated to modern electronics including traction control, cornering ABS, a quickshifter and two riding modes.
Each Formula 73 will carry its serial number on the steering plate and ship with a certificate of authenticity alongside archival material from the Ducati Style Centre. Ducati has also produced a short film titled A Piece of Timeless, featuring actor and long-time Ducati enthusiast Stefano Accorsi, to accompany the launch.
The Formula 73 is expected to reach European dealerships in spring 2026, with global distribution following before the end of summer. Pricing is £15,095, and more information can be found on the official website.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
