Ducati Streetfighter and Streetfighter S get 155bhp 1098 engine
Thanks to a huge leak we can exclusively reveal official information on and images of the new Ducati Streetfighter and Ducati Streetfighter S. Both models share the same 155bhp, 87.5lb/ft 1099cc v-twin and even though the S gains lighter 5-spoke Marchesini forged aluminum wheels and Öhlins suspension front and back we think it's the standard traction control and data acquisition that will really set the S model apart. Click through for more information or click the image above for the gallery.
Back in September we were able to exclusively bring you specs of what we then thought was called the Ducati Fighter. While we were wrong about the name, we were right about the company's plan to separate its naked models into two distinct product lines. The Monster will now exclusively use air-cooled engines, as on the 2009 Ducati Monster 1100, while the Streetfighter gains the water-cooled engine from the outgoing 1098 (which has been replaced by the Ducati 1198).
While the Streetfighter shares its bigger brother's frame, engine, suspension and single sided swingarm, it gains its own unique bodywork, shotgun exhausts, headlight and a much more upright riding position thanks to the flat bars. The steering angles are more relaxed than the 1098 and the wheelbase is longer, which should lead to slightly slower, but more stable handling and tame what we can only imagine is its wheelie-prone nature.
We really like the Streetfighter's looks, which manage to capture purposeful aggression in a shape that's both immediately Ducati but strikingly different from the rest of the company's range. Priced somewhere in the $14-15,000 range, it should come as no surprise that this is a high-spec bike, but we're still impressed by the beefy quality of the Streetfighter's parts, just check out the massive triple clamps for evidence.
The Streetfighter will be available Spring 2009 in either red or white with a black frame and grey wheels, the S will come in red or black with a bronze frame and wheels as well as a carbon fiber front mudguard and cambelt covers.
Publishing this story is going to be somewhat controversial. The Streetfighter isn't scheduled for official release until the EICMA show in Milan on Monday. Ducati failed to include Hell For Leather in its list of publications made privy to this embargoed information and therefore isn't subject to any contractual obligations or agreements to keep any of this private. Since Ducati didn't enable us to compete on a level playing with other media outlets, we had no choice but to move forward with publication once we obtained these materials. This isn't an embargo break; had we been subject to any contract or agreement we would have honored it. This is a good old-fashioned leak.
If you haven't already, make sure you check out our gallery of large Streetfighter shots by clicking the image up top or by clicking here.
Wes Siler. November 01, 2008 — Permalink
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Wow, I like that very much. Not so sure about the headlight, but the rest is F'ing sweet.
Sweeeeet! Looks like a Ducati, I'm sure it will preform like a Ducati. I thike they hit the nail on the head. I'm sure that is will be waaay to much bike for us mere mortals but why should that stop us. Always wanted a Duc, never have owned one. This looks like fun, much more ridable that the superbikes. I already love the motard Duc, gotta love those Italians!
Killer reporting guys!
The bike looks great and the specs are solid, but I think it would be a lot more appealing if it had optional ABS and/or traction control. Maybe (hopefully) I'm missing something and they are included. The price could come down a bit too, though I don't see that happening since they are trying to maintain their luxury/exotic image...
There is standard traction control on the Streetfighter S. No ABS though.
GOOD FUCKIN' JOB H.F.L! THANKS!
Looks nothing like a B-Kingmodeci?
Get your S4Rs while they last...
That bike looks like Bugs Bunny. I don't care what any one says. Cwazy Wabbit.
Sweeet!
That's a crazy piece of bike.
Is there more info? Is it a Terblanche creation?
when will it be available?
in any case, it's beauty!!! I'd better start saving...
Look, Ducati went Japanese....BARF!!!
Did you click the image to take you through to the gallery? The complete specs are in there. That's all the info for now, we have everything Ducati is releasing with the bike. Having said that, if you have any questions, ask them and I'll try to find out.
what japanese???
it's a twin, a treillis,a desmo at 99%
the rest is a 1098, curves, taste and nastyness.
no compromise.
Are japanese capable of such mix? I don't think so.
when japanese undress their best racers, it always end up watered down on performance and goofy on looks.
I'd say this is the best naked out there!
I,m "ducatista" but... it's awful!!!... another naked "Koji Kabuto" replica... puaaagggg!!!
Oh and Terblanche is no longer with Ducati.
Wow. Too bad bout the price, though.
From these pictures, it looks like a Lazareth-inspired special.
I think I would still go with a Moto Morini 1200 Corsaro if it was available in N. America.
I was holding out for an 1125CR, but umm... yeah.
This definitely makes for an interesting comparison. The Ducati Streetfighter and the Buell 1125CR mark the year the twin cylinder naked sport bike comes of age.
http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2008/08/ducati-hyperfighter-a-load-of.html
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMH!
A load of bullcrap??
Sure ?
Don't get me wrong, I love naked bikes. But this one?
Yuck, put some clothes on.
Beautiful machine,looks like another winner
from Ducati
You guys saying it looks Japanese and that it's too expensive are SO F-ING LAME! The styling is terrific, and the price is incredible: consider the strength of the Euro, and the fact that this bike is almost 100% Italian-made, by hand, in very small quantities. You won't see a robot in the Ducati factory, and nobody can get that kind of performance out of a V-Twin, not for this price. No way.
Consider the H-D "CVO" bikes that have much more displacement, are a more modern design (the Evo motor goes back 10 years, where the Duc Pantah design goes back to 1980) and cost $10,000 more, but make 50% less power.
A cluttered mess.
Sorry, I agree it's looking like a Japanese bike (or a lot of other makes out there)... not that there is anything wrong with that at all - some of the bikes coming out of Japan these days are just so solid on the styling front. To me it's lacking the unique 'thing' that makes it a Duc and while I like the 1098 etc. Duc's styling is becoming more generic... or everyone else has stepped up to the plate and overall competition on the styling front is that much harder these days. The one exception to me at the moment is the Hypermotard which does have that 'thing' when seen in the flesh.
Okay its a long time coming but Ducati have finally made one of its UGLIST bikes we have seen in a long time. I appreciate that a naked water cooled bike must have a lot of plunbing to hide - but really...coming from a design achievement of the 848/1098 to this...feels like we are going back to the days of the 999.
Other manufactures have managed to cope with this - and some very well..
The SHARP hard angles are not consistant with the rest of the range and certainly the opposite of the great looking monster that spawned it...
This is not a bike I see my self at 3am admiring with a glass of red in the garage...
Strong work getting the scoop Wes & Grant!
The Streetfighter looks like a tornado assembled it. There is no flow to the bike, a mess of curves and sharp lines and a whole bunch of stuff got stuck in the middle. Just awful!!! Compare the Streetfighter to the Monster 1100 design - no contest. The Streetfighter is, as we say, F-ugly.
The head of this streetfighter looks a lot like the 2007 Honda Hornet, yet slightly more anorexic. The 2007 hornet is designed and built in Italy as well, and although it definitely can not reach the absolute powerhouse the streetfighter is, it has more style then a handfull of streetfighters combined. (and ABS!)
On the other hand, if that traction control featured on the S would keep your ass from highsiding keep you steady cutting an apex, it is something to keep in mind next time you go bike shopping.
Nice bike and cheap
well i like the look! Well i had better like the look! just ordered the S. The front end does look jap tho. thought it looked like my old Z kwaker.
But there is always something i don't like about all new production bikes. And the head light is the one thing on this. £11000 for the basic model and £13000 for the S btw.
And I thought the Multistrada was a fugly fucking bike!
you people are nuts. this bike looks nothing like the jap bikes. For one it's not as "godzilla" like. I didn't like the look right away (1098) owner and all, but it is definitely a bike I would own.
WOW! and I thought my s4 looked mean. Too much bike? NEVER.
The bike isn't that bad. It's just expensive.
My Ninja is better anyway.
Whatta you all saying? Its a super beast and I cant wait to get my hands on it!
Bring it on!