Ducati Streetfighter, the ultimate super-naked

The new naked-fashion racing bike of the Italian motorcycle company will be released in spring and has already eamed applause at the EICMA 2008

Ducati gets more and more naked to the joy of its fans. The Streetfighter, the supernaked par excellence, the new winning model of the company from Borgo Panigale, will be released in spring. Previewed in Milan, at the Eicma 2008, 66th international cycle and motorcycle exhibition, the Streetfighter was chosen as the best bike at the show by more than 500000 visitors with the 25% of votes. An immediate success, anything but fortuitous. Ducati has indeed reached the limit of the naked concept, working out a stripped to the bare essentials model in which every single detail has been left visible to be enjoyed and appreciated.
The Streetfighter represents a genial combination between the latest race technology and the supreme expression of style and design. It combines power – guaranteed by 155 hp at 9500 r.p.m. and 11.7 kgm of torque of the brutal L-twin, four valves per cylinder, desmodromic engine - and lightness, given its 167 kg of weight. In short, it is a “graceful fighter” that is suitable both for urban journeys and open roads.The engine is the awesome 1098 of the superbike, but it is three kilos less, despite the wheelbase is longer. But the Streetfighter does not owe its great success only to its engine. The chassis is not less. The tubular steel Trellis frame in ALS 450 with a 1475 mm wheelbase and a 25.6° rake provides the bike with great solidity. A longer swingarm, hufe fork clamps and an excellent breaking down system complete the picture, assuring stability and handling, even under extreme acceleration. And precisely in the chassis it is possible to identify the difference between the S model and the standard type. The former has Öhlins suspension front and rear with lightweight forged Marchesini wheels to deeply feel the bike. There are differences also in the colours combination. Classic Ducati red or sophisticated pearl white, highlighted by the black frame and subtle graphite grey 10-spoke wheels for the standard type; midnight black contrasting against the bronze frame with carbon fibre front fender and cambel covers for the model S. In few words, elegance and fighter attitude in the design. Last, but not least, to confirm the fact that this last prototype is even more elaborate, Ducati Traction Control and Ducati Data Analysis are given as standard equipment. But the story goes on. Minimalistic controls, instrumentation and headlight design leave the front looking clean and aggressive at the same time, while the rear-axle is made high and sharp by a twin-stacked right side mufflers instead of those under the tail-end. The ride is empowering and absolutely comfortable. In short, the aggressive stance does not preclude controllable and comfortable ride. No other Ducati are like the Streetfighter.
What is then the cultural background from which the latest product of the Italian bike-company takes origin and inspiration? It is easy to tell: the streetfighter tradition of the backstreet of northern Europe at the end of the ’70.
Opposing the Café Racer movement that transformed the traditional bikes in super-sport models, these streetfighters were naked of their sportive fairings and provided with higher bras, becoming progressively “naked” with higher and higher performances. Ducati got inspired by this concept revising it with its well-known genius.
It is necessary to wait for spring to ride this racing bike.
What is its price? So far, only the prices of north-American market have been announced: 18,995 dollars (about 14.295 in euro) for the Streetfighter S, that will come out earlier than the standard model which is estimated at 11.285 euro, namely 4.000 dollars less. Nothing  compared to the adrenaline that will pervade you when on saddle.

M.V.