Ducati Streetfighter V4 revealed

DUCATI’S most eagerly awaited naked motorcycle the Ducati Streetfighter V4 has been officially shown to the public for the first time today.

The machine features the Panigale V4 engine and electronics package, together with an aggressive design that sees two sets of wings on either side of the bike – a first in the naked bike category as far as we can recall.

Streetfighter V4 & Streetfighter V4 S pricing

The new machine is available in two versions, the base Streetfighter V4 and the Streetfighter V4 S. As with the Panigale V4 and V4 S, the higher-spec naked gets Öhlins electronic suspension, Öhlins steering damper, and lightweight Marchesini wheels. The bikes are priced at £17,595 for the Streetfighter V4 and £19,795 for the slightly higher specification S model.

Engine

Both versions of the new Streetfighter V4 are powered by the 1,103cc Desmosedici Stradale engine from the V4 Panigale. In standard trim, the unit produces 208 hp (153 kW) at 12,750 rpm, and 123Nm at 11,500 rpm, meaning engine performance is in line with the standard V4 Panigale. As expected, Ducati has tweaked the fuel and throttle maps for the new bike, which when allied to a shorter final drive ratio (when compared to its sportsbike sibling) delivers rear wheel torque is 10% up on the Panigale. For those that feel that 208hp and a naked bike just simply isn’t enough, Ducati offers the option to fit the race-kit Akrapovic exhaust system which will increase power to 220 hp and 130 Nm.

Suspension

Streetfighter V4

The standard Streetfighter V4 uses 43 mm Showa Big Piston Forks (BPFwith spring pre-load and compression and rebound damping adjustability built-in. At the rear, there is a fully adjustable Sachs shock absorber, one side of which is attached to the Desmosedici Stradale engine via a forged aluminium bracket. A Sachs steering damper completes the front-end package.

Streetfighter V4 S

As mentioned above, the Streetfighter V4 S gets a top-spec set of Öhlins NIX-30 front forks, an Öhlins TTX36 rear shock absorber and an Öhlins electronically controlled steering damper. As with the Panigale V4 S, the whole suspension system can be set for semi-active actuation, with the bike providing support under braking and acceleration when needed. The system also allows you to turn off any electronic assistance and use the suspension in a totally passive way also.

Aerodynamic wings

The must-have accessory for any high-performance motorcycle this year seems to be winglets, and Ducati has gone all out to claim the prize for the highest number winlets on the Streetfighter V4. It has two sets of what Ducati are calling biplane wings, mounted on each side of the bike’s side panels. Ducati claim that these wings can generate 28kg of downforce at 167mph thanks to assistance from the aerodynamicists at the Ducati Corse MotoGP team. The wings are also credited with helping to cool the engine, by increasing water and oil radiator throughflow speeds by 2% and 10% respectively.

Frame

As with the rest of the Panigale family, the Streetfighter uses the lightweight and minimalist front frame, mounting the engine at the centre as a stressed member and attaching the trellis subframe at the rear cylinder head.

Brakes

The new bike features top-spec Brembo Stylema monobloc calipers and 330mm discs at the front. Rear braking single 245 mm disc and 2-piston caliper. The braking and ABS system are all regulated through the IMU and Ducati Cornering ABS EVO system.

Ducati Streetfighter V4 electronics

• ABS Cornering EVO
• Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2
• Ducati Slide Control (DSC)
• Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO
• Ducati Power Launch (DPL)
• Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) EVO 2
• Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO
• Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES) EVO

UK pricing and availability is TBC