Streetfighters are some of the most versatile pieces of engineering in the world of motorcycles. On one hand, you get to hoon around a racetrack and on the other, you can pootle around town at 20 mph. in this league, Ducati has one-upped all the rest of its peers with the new- Streetfighter V4.
To be honest, the Streetfighter V4 is the most unkept of secrets across the industry. Speculations were flying about months before the launch from Ducati. In the flesh though, we're not disappointed at all.
Ducati has been known to be a savant when it comes to two-wheeled transport and the Streetfighter V4 is no exception. With immense power and engineering at your disposal, Ducati has yet again managed to raise the standards of motorcycling.
The Ducati Streetfighter V4 is a 208-horsepower motorcycle that weighs a mere 180 kilograms (dry). With such a power-to-weight ratio, this Italian brute can easily be deemed the fastest streetfighter you can buy. Does it have what it takes to stay on top? Read on to find out.
What Is The Streetfighter V4
Remember the Panigale V4 that roasted all if not most liter-class bikes? Yeah, the Streetfighter V4 is a Panigale without the fairing. There are two versions for the Streetfighter; V4 and V4S. Both of them sport the same ergonomics and tractability but the V4S gets a lot more tech (which we’ll be discussing soon).
Aesthetically, Ducati has nailed the design, as per usual. Stunning is an understatement, with gorgeous curves adorning the length of its body. Being a streetfighter, out goes the clip-ons in favor of an upright handlebar. The headlights look like a miniature version of the Panigale’s twin unit, further complementing the aggressive stance.
The rear has the signature single-sided swingarm with fat Pirelli Ross Corsa II rubber wrapped around. That said, Ducati could’ve given the grippier Supercorsas to squeeze even more out of the streetfighter. Everything else remains identical to the Panigale, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
Let's Talk Numbers
This is where the Streetfighter V4 leaves everything else in the dust. For starters, the Streetfighter gets the same 1,103cc Desmosedici V-4 engine as the Panigale. Ducati claims 208-horsepower in the Streetfighter V4 instead of the 214-horsepower seen in the Panigale. Ducati has designed a highly oversquare piston setup leading the revs to climb like a stabbed rat.
The Desmosedici is good for 90.4 lb-ft of torque which is almost on par with the 91 lb-ft of the Panigale. Paired to a 6-speed wet-clutch gearbox, this translates to a blistering sub-3-second sprint to 60 mph, which, given the unfaired nature of the bike is a gush of air hitting the rider.
Speaking of which, there are winglets along the sides that channel air to the water and oil radiators with increased efficiency of two and ten percent respectively. Furthermore, Ducati says the winglets help generate 66 pounds of downforce at 168 mph.
On a side note, if you find the 208-horsepower ‘not enough’- Ducati has sighted that the Streetfighter V4 can be had with an Akrapovic race exhaust that bumps up the power figures to 220 horsepower and 95.8 lb-ft of torque-Bringing it close to the obscenely fast Panigale V4 R. This slight modification would result in the Streetfighter V4 having a power-to-weight ratio of 1.28 over the standard 1.17.
Technology And Sophistication
Another department where the Streetfighter V4 excels over the competition is the amount of technology it has to offer. As standard the Streetfighter V4 comes with six-axis IMU, cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Slide Control (DSC), Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Ducati Quick Shifter (DQS), and last but not least Engine Brake Control (EBC) along with Ducati Power Launch (DPL).
As mentioned earlier, there are a few extras reserved for the Streetfighter V4 S. You get Ducati Electronic Suspension, Ohlins NIX-30 forks, and TTX 36 shock absorber with Smart EC 2.0 control system along with Ohlins steering damper, and lightweight forged aluminum Marchesini wheels. The V4 S has complete electronic adjustability for the suspension, unlike the regular V4 (manually adjustable) which can be controlled via the 5-inch TFT screen common to both versions.
With 3 dedicated riding modes (Race, Sport, Street), it’s a cinch to control the massive power at your fingertips. Ducati has engineered the Streetfighter V4 to suit riders of all class but we would recommend you not getting the Streetfighter as your first motorcycle- 208 horsepower could be a bit overwhelming, to say the least.
Absurdity Comes With A Price
Here comes the sad bit- Although the Ducati streetfighter is a scintillating piece of machinery, its price tag makes it a dream for many; The base Streetfighter V4 comes at $19,995 whereas the V4 S adds $4,000 more to a total of $23,995.
The motorcycle can only be had in one shade of Ducati Red with dark gray frames and black wheels. The Streetfighter V4 requires valve adjustments at every 15,000 and servicing at every 7500 miles with costs expected to be somewhere around $600 to $1,200.
Sources: Ducati.com, cycleworld.com, visordown.com