The year 2021 has been an amazing one for Ducati. Despite the pandemic, the Italian manufacturer has managed to keep its sales strong by offering some of the most exciting motorcycles on the planet to customers. Last year, Ducati launched the ultimate superbike, the Panigale V4; this year, it brought in the most technologically advanced adventure sports motorcycle, the Multistrada V4, and, it also managed to grab the 2021 Moto GP Constructors Championship.
What makes Ducati's motorcycles incredibly lust-worthy is the engineering behind them. The men and women at Ducati's HQ in Bologna have been hard at work designing and developing these incredible machines and it's hard for the world to not take notice of the fact that the Italian manufacturer is at the top of its game right now. Just this month, Ducatistas around the world were given a preview of some more exciting products that will soon be launched.
I was lucky enough to be one of the few journalists to preview the Panigale V4 when it first came out. In fact, the bike I got to test was the Panigale V4 S version: a fully kitted and loaded-up rocket on two wheels. To put it simply, the bike blew me away. Following its format of launching naked versions of its high-end superbikes, Ducati soon unveiled the Streetfighter V4. This super naked and super sexy Italian motorcycle caught my attention immediately. It's nothing more than a naked version of the Panigale V4, but it has got its own charm and character. The Streetfighter certainly looks like a hooligan bike, and I was eager to find out just how different it would be to ride than the Panigale. Last month I finally got the opportunity to get my hands on the Streetfighter V4, and once again it was the fully-loaded S version. Much to my delight, the Streetfighter V4 S was everything I imagined it to be. It's a speed-crazed wheelie popping hooligan bike, but it is also pretty manageable to live with. Don't believe me? Read on the find out.
Dark Stealth Scheme Doesn't Look As Good As The Red
When the Streetfighter V4 was first introduced it was shown in the manufacturer's typical Ducati Red paint job. It looks outstanding in this color, and when I saw that the loaner bike I got was in the new Dark Stealth paint scheme, I was quite taken aback at how normal the bike looked. Don't get me wrong, it still has quite a devilish design and appeal to it, but it just doesn't stand out on the road as much as the red. I guess that's why it's called 'Stealth': it's got an under-the-radar road presence that doesn't want the extra eyeballs falling on it.
What does stand out though is that sharp LED headlight. It's got evil eyes that are really captivating.
The Streetfighter V4 is more of a semi-naked sports bike because of the long panels along the sides. It also gets biplane wings designed by Ducati Corse, which is something I have never seen before on a Ducati. But they are not just for the aesthetics, they are functional as well. The Streetfighter V4 completes its 'bad-boy' looks by exposing the front frame and the Desmosedici Stradale engine as much as possible. It also gets F1-derived air extractors behind the radiator, single-sided swingarm, chunky 43mm Öhlins front forks, Marchesini aluminum forged wheels, Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa 2 rubber, and two 330mm discs with Brembo Stylema calipers at the front and a 245mm disc at the rear. It's also got a new and pretty nice digital instrument panel.
The overall design of the Streetfighter is distinctive and unique. It stands out over every other super naked, except for maybe the MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR. Interestingly enough, the concept and design of the Streetfighter V4 took inspiration from another unique character, 'The Joker'. The Streetfighter V4 certainly looks villainous and ready to take on the streets. It looks muscular, aggressive, and sexy, and when it wants to get into a fight, it's got Ducati's exceptional engineering behind it.
208-HP Is No Joke But The 1,100cc Desmosedici Stradale Is Manageable
Much like in the Panigale V4, the new 1,100cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 unit in the Streetfighter V4 is an engineering marvel. It's the same engine after all, but slightly updated for 2021. In true Ducati fashion, the engine doesn't want to feel refined and smooth, and instead, it acts aggressive and rough around the edges. When you chug along at lower speeds the engine shudders at the thought of 'slow' and demands you to rev it high and unleash its 208 horses from hell. It's a pure performance mill that has been derived from the 2014 MotoGP Desmosedici GP14 racer.
To make the Streetfighter less jumpy than the Panigale, the engine has slightly less power but it still makes 70% of its 90.4 lb-ft of torque between 4,000 to 9,000 rpm and you get the full pulling effect from 9,000 to 13,000 rpm. The engine does have some V2-like clatter at lower revs, but when you twist the throttle hard enough, the Streetfighter loves to pop-wheelies and the engine does well to keep everything in control.
As you would imagine, with all that power, the bike accelerates as if it just chugged a gallon of rocket fuel. It's terrifyingly quick and it doesn't seem to run out of breath, ever. Experienced riders are more well suited for this machine. Beginners can surely saddle on it, but they are not welcome.
There is soo much technology blended into the Streetfighter V4 and there are enough rider aids to keep the engine in check. You can toggle through the three riding modes to set the tone. There are significant differences in terms of engine responsiveness for each mode. In Street Mode you can easily manage the throttle inputs for a seamless ride in the city or on the highway. When you want the full effect of the engine you can switch to Sport, and if you want to unleash the Streetfighter's inner demons, you can put it in Race. It's a flexible engine that is usable in all situations and that gives it a significant edge over its rivals.
The Streetfighter Can Fight It Out On The Track Better Than Most Race Bikes
I wouldn't have been able to understand just how good the Streetfighter is if I didn't take it on a closed circuit. Luckily for me, I had access to one of the best circuits in the world and although I am no pro, I had a phenomenal time with the Streetfighter. The S version gets some added goodies over the regular V4. It gets an Öhlins NIX-30 fork, an Öhlins TTX36 rear shock absorber, and an Öhlins event-based steering damper. The suspension also features the new Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 system. The V4 S also gets better Pirelli tires as mentioned earlier for that extra grip.
On the road, the V4 S rides very well and even on some bad surfaces, it does a good job at offering a smooth ride. Because it's got a straight bar, the riding posture is more comfortable than on the Panigale, but the rear-set footpegs allow you to be in an aggressive position to take on corners. The seat height is also pretty high but it's manageable for almost all riders.
Take the Streetfighter V4 S on the track and it's ready to delight you to your heart's content. The front-end isn't as well planted as proper race bikes and it doesn't turn into corners as quickly as the Panigale, but it's intuitive enough and you can glide into fast corners with ease. The bike never shakes or loses grip. In fact, you would have to be doing something very stupid to find your tires slipping out beneath you. The Ducati Streetfighter V4 S behaves just as spritely and agile as all other race bikes. If you prefer the naked styling and easy riding over a fully-faired machine the Streetfighter can still be a fantastic track tool to play with.
The Streetfighter V4 S Gets A Complete Electronics Package
If you do decide to let your adrenaline-induced brain get the better of you and push the bike too hard, there really isn't much to worry about because the Streetfighter V4 S is loaded to the brim with a wonderful electronics package. The package uses the 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit that controls and monitors everything about the bike's movements.
The electronics are derived from Moto GP bikes and aside from the riding modes and engine mapping, it includes features such as ABS Cornering, Traction Control EVO 2, Ducati Slide Control, Wheelie Control EVO, and Power Launch. There is also a stat-of-the-art quickshifter, and then of course you also get engine brake control and the electronic suspension.
It is definitely one of the most technologically advanced super naked motorcycles on the road today but all of this comes at a premium. In fact, the V4 S is significantly more expensive than the standard Streetfighter V4. While the Streetfighter V4 costs $19,995, the V4 S will set you back another $5,000. With the Dark Stealth paint scheme we had, the price comes to $24,595. That is significantly higher than all of the competition as well.
Best In The Business Of Performance
Even if the price is high though, I would still love to have one of these sitting in my garage. Actually, I would like a lot of bikes in my garage, but I just couldn't afford them. Owning a liter-class super naked is no joke but the experience a bike like this offers is also unparalleled.
The Streetfighter takes things to a whole other level. It's got the best Moto GP technology and features, and it's all fitted into one of the most beautiful and sporty Italian designs. But what it has that excites us the most is that extraordinary Ducati engine. It delivers power in a way that can only be felt to believe. It has great character and many personalities.
For someone who seeks the thrills of high-speed performance and racing, the Streetfighter V4 is one of the best you will find. It's a 208-HP V4, 400-lb superbike with wings and a Ducati badge on it. Enough said!