RetroSBK Ducati Streetfighter Custom Motorcycle

This Ducati custom is Affari Seri—Italian for Serious Business, and is a seriously fun bike to ride. A lot of times, customs are just built for show, but this tricked-out Streetfighter's intent was to go, as builder Will Kenefick of RetroSBK will tell you.

"The sheer number hours and time invested into this bike would preclude most people from riding her," says Kenefick. "I have one client who routinely calls me an idiot for even taking her out on the street, let alone the racetrack. But who cares how fast, light or right a bike is if it only sits gathering dust in some garage or conference room? This bike was built to ride get into some trouble on!

"And then he letmeride it! The Ducati's handling characteristics are incredible out of the box. It works best just sitting squarely in the saddle, no hanging off required. With the taller bars, redone seat and increased ride height of the taut Öhlins shock, turn-in is quicker and easier on Serious Biz. You just look where you want to be on the road and there you are.

A few more ponies were unleashed from the 1098-sourced V-Twin, and stumble-prone stock fueling was improved with custom mapping of the ECU. Is more power necessary? It's hard enough as it is to not wheelie everywhere you're going. Putting a stop to all the irreverent behavior are brick-wall Brembo brakes, especially on one of the best bikes ever to test ones stoppie skills. Kenefick also reduced the forward slant of stock seat to minimize sudden collisions between private parts and fuel tank. A grippy suede cover helps keep your voice in the lower octaves, too...

Gorgeous when parked, even better in motion, the RetroSBK Ducati Streetfighter is nice enough to comfortably cruise along for hours, while also allowing you to cross-up wheelie every second-gear corner exit. For the full story, check out the January, 2010, issue of Cycle World.