Bikes

2020 Ducati Streetfighter V4 First Look

The Panigale V4 stripped of its bodywork and optimized for the street.

October 24, 2019

Introducing the all-new Ducati Streetfighter V4. There will be two versions available, the standard model and up-spec S-model.Ducati

The Ducati Streetfighter 1098 of 2009 was a controversial model, blessed by a terrific design and a great engine, but with chassis balance problems that were never solved. The less radical 848 version enjoyed much more positive image and response from the market, and in fact it won the _Cycle World_ Ten Best Bikes Middleweight Streetbike title in 2013. And now comes the all-new 2020 Streetfighter V4 to storm the streets.

Beginning with the 1,103cc Panigale V4 powerplant and basic chassis, it might seem it wouldn’t take much for Ducati engineers to strip down a superbike and call it a day. Not so fast. Claudio Domenicali confirmed that first prototypes proved unimpressive, requiring the team to restart from square one in order to deliver proper on-road performance.

The Streetfighter V4 shares the same basic engine structure as the Panigale model, but optimized for road riding.Ducati

Power numbers are impressive, not just the 208 hp at 12,750 rpm and 90.7 pound-feet at 11,500 rpm. Domenicali underlined that the torque numbers are very good from just about any rpm above 3,000 and that gear ratios have been duly adjusted in the first four gears to ensure strong acceleration.

Like the updated Panigale V4, the Streetfighter wears a pair of “biplane” wings that are claimed to provide 62 pounds of downforce at 168 mph. MotoGP technology has officially hit the street!Ducati

Likewise, overall design is eye-catching and sure to attract onlookers on any downtown street. A pair of aerodynamic “biplane” winglets have been fitted to the Streetfighter, claiming to provide 62 pounds of downforce at 168 mph for increased stability under acceleration and braking. A minimalist, yet aggressive fairing and full-LED headlight give the Streetfighter V4 a distinctive look, while a 5-inch TFT color dashboard is derived from the Panigale. High, wide handlebars look to relax the riding position and make the Streetfighter viable as a day-to-day companion.

The upper-spec Streetfighter V4 S will come equipped with semi-active Öhlins suspension components, including this TTX 36 rear shock.Ducati

The Streetfighter V4 is set to come in a base and S-model edition, the latter featuring top-shelf parts, including semi-active Öhlins suspension and forged aluminum wheels. Each model comes fitted with a six-axis IMU and full suite of electronics rider aids.

There is no doubt the all-new Streetfighter V4 is an exaggerated naked superbike—at least that's what Claudio Domenicali had to say. It's hard to disagree.

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