There’s A Smaller Streetfighter From Bologna In Town

Ducati has expanded its Streetfighter family with two new models: the V2 and the V4 SP. Recently, the Streetfighter has more or less been the naked version of the Panigale and the same holds true for the latest V2. Although, there are quite a lot of small changes to the baby Streetfighter.

What Does The Streetfighter V2 Pack?
Besides ditching the sexy Panigale fairing for an exposed look, Ducati has made quite a lot of modifications to make the riding experience of the Streetfighter V2 quite different from the Panigale V2. Obviously, the riding posture has been relaxed to a certain extent, with the flat single-piece handlebar closer to the rider as well as the footpegs pushed slightly forwards and a bit lower.

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Seat height of 845mm remains the same as the Pani V2. What’s different here is that the seat cushioning is thicker and the seat itself is wider and longer.

While the design language of the Streetfighter V2 is in line with the V4, it doesn’t bear the same bi-planar carbon fibre wings as standard. Yes, buyers will be able to buy it from the accessories catalogue and they continue to generate 27kg of downforce at 235kmph, speeds which you would rarely see on public roads.

Speaking of which, the Streetfighter V2’s 955cc Superquadro L-twin motor has also been retuned slightly to suit the naked. It makes 153PS and 101.4Nm, 2PS less than the Pani V2, but thanks to a shorter final drive, it should be just as quick and more importantly, easier to use for daily commutes.

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The usual smattering of electronic rider aids are also found on the Streetfighter V2 like three riding modes (Sport, Road and Wet), three throttle maps, latest-gen of the Ducati Traction Control EVO2, cornering ABS, wheelie control and a bi-directional quickshifter.

Ducati has borrowed the same aluminium monocoque frame, 43mm Showa BP-SFF USD, Sachs monoshock, Sachs steering damper, and Brembo brakes from the Pani V2 as is. In order to lend it better stability, the cast-aluminium swingarm is 16mm longer than the one on the Pani V2 and so are the new Pirelli Diablo Rosso 4 tyres. These are brand new tyres from the Italian tyre maker and are said to be far better than the Rosso 3s. They aren’t as grippy as the Rosso 2s of the Pani V2 but they will last longer.

What’s New On The Streetfighter V4 SP?
Just like the Pani V4 SP, the Streetfighter V4 SP takes things more seriously. Arriving in the sinister ‘Winter Test’ livery that Ducati’s race machines use, the Streetfighter V4 SP is lighter and more dynamic than the V4 S trim.

Despite already being the class leader when it comes to the power-to-weight ratio, Ducati managed to shed 3kg more from the super naked. 1.4kg weight loss was achieved by switching to the carbon rims, which also reduces the gyroscopic effect considerably, lending the Streetfighter the ability to glide like a ballerina from corner to corner.

Then there are the high performance Brembo Stylema R calipers. Brembo have improved upon its top-of-the-line street series of brake calipers and we are glad that the stopping power is just as impressive as the driving force.

And that brings us to the 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 motor that happily puts out 208PS and 123Nm. These numbers can be pushed up to 220PS by fitting the track-only Akrapovic full-system exhaust, which also helps cut down on weight by another 6 kilos. While the exhaust is an accessory, Ducati will provide the STM-EVO SBK dry clutch, carbon fibre front mudguard, lithium-ion battery and the Rizoma billet aluminium adjustable footpegs as standard on the SP.

Each one of the Streetfighter V4 SPs will be numbered and provided to the buyer along with the chance to buy a track-only kit containing the ‘open’ carbon clutch cover and a tail tidy.

ZigSays
Ducati’s Streetfighter series of nakeds have pushed the envelope of what one should expect from a bike of its nature. It marries the Panigale’s track genes with street-friendly riding ergos. While the new Monster remains Ducati’s naked motorcycle to take on the likes of the Triumph Street Triples and the KTM 890 Dukes, the Streetfighter V2, much like the Pani V2, is a bike that is unrivalled and unique, one that certainly defies segment criteria. And that’s what should make it quite special.