Ducati has finally confirmed that it will produce a naked version of the Panigale V4, called the Streetfighter V4, from March 2020.
The company made the announcement over night as it unveiled its Streetfighter V4 prototype to race the famous Pikes Peak International Hillclimb on 30 June 2019.
Ducati says that “as part of the development process of the new model, the ‘Race to the Clouds’ has been identified as an ideal proving ground for testing the high performance of the Streetfighter V4”.
The company has won the Colorado hillclimb three times in 2011 and 2011 with the Multistrada 1200 and last year with the Multistrada 1260.
They celebrated with Pikes Peak versions of these models.
Ducati Multistrada 1200 Pikes Peak
In its official release, Ducati says the Streetfighter V4 “derives directly from the sporty Panigale V4 stripped of its fairings, and fitted with high and wide handlebars”.
One of the prerequisites for motorcycles in the hillclimb is that they do not have clip-on handlebars.
Streetfighter V4
It’s been no secret that Ducati has been working on a Streetfighter V4, but they still have some secrets.
While Ducati has not released any tech specs on the prototype, the race-trim engine is expected to have more power than the Panigale V4’s 213 horsepower (158kW).
“The high performance of the 1100cm³ Desmosedici Stradale is kept in hand by aerodynamic profiles specifically designed for this model,” Ducati says.
However, the street production version may be a little tamer, although probably still more than the Aprilia Tuono’s 173hp (129kW).
Panigale V4 R
“The prototype will race with a ‘pixelated’ livery, designed by the Centro Stile Ducati; unlike the normal practice with prototypes, the livery does not hide the lines, but exalts them by deliberately revealing how the bike will finally look, “Ducati says.
There is not a lot of difference to the Panigale V4.
Gone is the windscreen and full fairing, although there is still a fair amount of aero bodywork for a naked bike. The rear of the bike looks very similar.
The biggest difference is in the short nose cone with very discrete “eyes” as LED headlights.
Ducati boss Claudio Domenicali confirms that the Streetfighter V4 will be “one of the stars of the Ducati World Premiere 2020”.
“Streetfighter V4 is the Panigale for road riding; so there was no better stage than the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for what will be the highest performance Streetfighter ever put into production,” he says.
The bike will be presented to the public at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan in November and will be available in Ducati dealerships from mid-March 2020.
Ever since the Panigale V4 came into production the question on Ducatisti lips has been, ‘are we going to get a V4 Streetfighter?’
Their prayers have been officially answered overnight with Ducati releasing official images of the Ducati Streetfighter V4 prototype ahead of Pikes Peak, and officially confirming that Ducati Streetfighter V4 will go into production in 2020.
Ducati Streetfighter V4
Ducati is also preparing for the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb; in this edition, which will start on June 30th, Carlin Dunne will tackle the most famous hill climb in the world on the Streetfighter V4 prototype.
As part of the development process of the new model, the “Race to the Clouds” has been identified as an ideal proving ground for testing the high performance of the Streetfighter V4.
In keeping with tradition, the Streetfighter V4 derives directly from the sporty Panigale V4 stripped of its fairings, and fitted with high and wide handlebars. The high performance of the 1100 cc Desmosedici Stradale is kept in hand by aerodynamic profiles specifically designed for this model.
The prototype will race in a “pixelated” livery, designed by the Centro Stile Ducati; unlike the normal practice with prototypes, the livery does not hide the lines, but exalts them by deliberately revealing how the bike will finally look.
Ducati Streetfighter V4
“The Streetfighter V4 will be one of the stars of the Ducati World Premiere 2020,” declared Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati. “Streetfighter V4 is the Panigale for road riding; so there was no better stage than the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for what will be the highest performance Streetfighter ever put into production.”
The advance editions of the production bike will be presented to the public at EICMA 2019 and will be available in Ducati dealerships starting from mid-March 2020 onwards.
The ultimate model in a long, long line of Ducati V-twin superbikes – the 1299 Panigale Superleggera.
With a price tag over $100,000 the 1299 Panigale Superleggera is not your regular motorcycle
The 1299 Superleggera (Superlight) was first shown at the EICMA show in late 2016 and deliveries began in mid 2017. The two major changes from the previous 1199 model were the increase in capacity to 1285cc and the use of carbon fibre in place of magnesium.
The 1299 Superleggera features heavy use of carbon-fibre in place of magnesium
In fact it was the first production bike to have a carbon fibre frame, swing arm and wheels. The larger capacity was surprisingly (given the 1199 already had the most radically over-square bore/stroke of any street legal twin cylinder motorcycle at 112 x 60.8mm) achieved by enlarging the bore to 116mm.
Engine capacity was further increased on the 1299 Superleggera
Additional engine improvements included a higher compression ratio (13:1), larger (titanium) valves and new pistons, heads and camshafts. New, more advanced electronics were also fitted.
Bodywork was also matte finish
Other interesting touches are the signed plaque (by the mechanic who timed the Desmodromic camshafts), on the rear cam chain cover and the use of matte finish paint for the bodywork.
A race kit was also provided including titanium Akrapovic exhausts as fitted here
The bike was supplied with a “race” kit which included the titanium Akrapovic exhaust system (as seen here), as well as the parts required to clean up the removal of the number plate hanger, side stand, mirrors etc. Also a paddock stand, bike cover and racing screen were all included.
Ducati Panigale 1299 Superleggera
The dry weight of 156kg was 10kg less than the standard Panigale, with the wet weights being 178kg and 191kg respectively. Power was up to 215hp at 11,000rpm compared to the standard bike’s 205hp at 10,500rpm.
Ducati Panigale 1299 Superleggera
This bike is one of the 31 (of the 500 built) that was exported to Australia, originally carrying an RRP of $109,990.
Ducati have officially opened the new exhibition in the Ducati Museum, ‘Anatomy of Speed’, which will run until October 8, 2019 in Borgo Panigale.
Ducati Museum – Borgo Panigale – Anatomy of Speed
The exhibition illustrates how aerodynamics plays a key role in achieving the performance that is the hallmark of Ducati excellence and visitors will be introduced to aerodynamics as Ducati sees it. The exhibition then examines the research programs and solutions developed over years of intense involvement in racing.
Ducati Museum – Borgo Panigale – Anatomy of Speed
Aerodynamic history is brought to life by photos, videos, display panels and projections that provide the backdrop to – and interact with – an exclusive exhibition of two fairings used by Ducati in the 2016 and 2017 MotoGP championships and of the Ducati Desmosedici GP16.
Ducati Museum – Borgo Panigale – Anatomy of Speed
The Anatomy of Speed display has been organised with the support and technical know-how of Ducati Corse. The opening event was attended by Team Mission Winnow Ducati MotoGP riders Andrea Dovizioso, Danilo Petrucci and Michele Pirro who cut the ribbon together with Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati, and Luigi Dall’Igna, General Manager of Ducati Corse, Edoardo Lenoci, Aerodynamic Development Manager and Alessandro Valia, Ducati Official Test Rider.
Andrea Dovizioso, Danilo Petrucci and Michele Pirro were on hand to open the exhibition
Luigi Dall’Igna – General Manager of Ducati Corse
“I’m extremely proud to inaugurate this third temporary exhibition at the Ducati Museum: indeed, aerodynamics makes bikes magic. This exhibition also aims to involve Ducati enthusiasts in that transfer of knowledge from racing to product that has always been a part of our DNA” stated Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO. “Our commitment aims to ensure Ducati riders benefit from ever-better technology, performance, fun and safety; aerodynamics play an increasingly important role in this philosophy, which is exemplified by the Panigale V4 R. Aerodynamics is undoubtedly an area in which Ducati Corse leads the way with respect to other manufacturers. It’s one of our top-priority fields of development, the goal being to achieve ever-better results in the future.”
Andrea Dovizioso, Danilo Petrucci and Michele Pirro, Claudio Domenicali, Luigi Dall’Igna, Edoardo Lenoci, Alessandro Valia
A major contribution to the organisation of the exhibition also came from our MotoGP friends and technological partners: Lenovo, NetApp, UnipolSai, Riello, Brembo, Cima and VarGroup.
Ducati Museum – Borgo Panigale – Anatomy of Speed
The temporary “Anatomy of Speed” exhibition opened to the public on 30 May 2019 and can be visited, at the Ducati Museum entrance price, until Tuesday 8 October 2019.
Ducati Museum – Borgo Panigale – Anatomy of Speed
For further information on Museum prices and opening times please go to the dedicated page of the website.
A Ducati-branded Chinese-made electric scooter will be imported by Perth-based company Vmoto through Urban Moto Imports, arriving in July at about $5000.
They also emphasised that the scooters were not a Ducati product, but “an electric scooter that wears Ducati’s colours, no more than that under a licensing agreement”.
However, it now appears that they will be sold here in a partnership between Urban Moto Imports and Vmoto.
The fully electric moped is based on the Super SOCO CUx model with special edition sporting Ducati livery.
$5000 ‘Ducati’
Ducati Racing will also use the Super SOCO full electric range of motorcycles and scooters as their preferred “paddock transport” throughout the 2019 MotoGP series.
Super SOCO Spokesman Andy Fenwick says the special Ducati version of the CUx moped would help “add even more credibility to the SOCO range”.
Urban Moto Imports CEO Joseph Elasmar confirms the Special Edition CUx Ducati will be available through the Super SOCO dealer network with pre-orders soon.
“We are expect pricing to be set around $5000,” he says.
Super Soco CUx
The Super Soco CUx scooter is available with four removable battery options for range of 60km to 120km from the 2700 watt maximum Bosch electric motor.
It also features a HD front camera with night vision and a G-force sensor that automatically activates the camera and sends video to a mobile phone in the event of a crash.
Other features include a high resolution dashboard, LED headlight, USB dock and smartphone connectivity that allows the rider to check the battery status.
In 2015, there was the e-Scrambler painted in Scrambler Urban Enduro colours. It was made under licence to Ducati by Italwin, an Italian company specialising in pedal-assisted electric bicycles.
In 2017, Ducati Western Europe managing director Edouard Lotthe said they were looking at both scooters and electrics, while VW Group Chairman Matthias Mueller said Ducati would have an electric motorcycle by 2020.
Ducati e-Scrambler
Ducati Zero electric concept
In the same year the Ducati Zero futuristic design concept was produced by the Milano Scuola Politecnica di Design (Design Polytechnic School).
In 2018, Ducati unveiled its first electric mountain bike, the MIG-RR.
Ducati electric mountain bikeAnd this year Ducati boss Claudio Domenicali admitted he rides a Hypermotard converted to electric power with a Zero FX powertrain and said the company is about to join the electric bike race.
“The future is electric, we’re not far from starting series production,” he said.
So there could be more electrics from Ducati soon, rather than just a licensing agreement for luxury scooters.
Ducati looks like it is planning a GP-inspired Hypermotard 950 and a naked “streetfighter” version of its V4 Panigale.
A Hypermotard 950, customised by the company’s styling shop, Centro Stile Ducati, has won first place in the Concept Bikes: New Design and Prototypes by Manufacturers and Independents category at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este held at Cernobbio on Lake Como, Italy, at the weekend.
The concept features a compact full LED projector plus styling and technology inspired by the MotoGP bike.
The Hypermotard was introduced in 2005 and has been through many iterations.
Now it could have a GP-inspired version.
Let’s just hope it doesn’t have those ridiculous partially red tyres and rims!
Naked V4
There has been talk for some time of a naked version of its V4 Panigale for some time.
Now, Drop Dead Gorgeous magazine has released spy photos of a naked V4 being track tested.
Image: Drop Dead Gorgeous magazine
The blurry images show it has the V4 headlight, but only a lower fairing and bellypan like an Aprilia Tuono.
As a street fighter it gets MX-style bars rather than clip-ons.
Since the famous Pikes Peak Hillclimb in Colorado does not allow bikes with clip-ons, this could just be a prototype to run in the event which Ducati has won on several occasions.
The hillclimb is on June 24, so the track testing seems relevant.
But surely Ducati wouldn’t go to so much effort just for one race. We think a production version will not be far away.
Image: Drop Dead Gorgeous magazine
However, don’t expect the 1103cc engine to have the same 213 horsepower (158kW) as the V4.
No doubt they will tune it down for a street fighter version, probably just a little more than the Tuono’s 173hp (129kW).
The Ducati Desert Sled is the first of the modern scramblers that is actually a capable all-roader.
Many riders criticise the current trend to retro scramblers as not being true to the traditions of a scrambler that is light, low and off-road capable.
When Ducati introduce the Scramblers in 2015 they became an instant hit and are now the top-selling family in the Ducati fleet.
There are now seven in the range, but there have been 13 different incarnations already.
Last year they added the Desert Sled, which is cheekily named after Steve McQueen’s Triumph desert racer. Incidentally the original desert Sled sold at a Bonham’s auction in Las Vegas in January 2016 for $US103,500.
McQueen’s Desert Sled
The Ducati Desert Sled is a little cheaper at $16,990 for the black or $17,290 for this white model (plus on-road costs).
It comes with longer-travel suspension, a skinny 19-inch font wheel with knobby tyres, non-slip footpads with removable rubber inserts, motocross-style handlebars and a high front guard which make it more off-road capable.
Road test
All Ducati Desert Sled images by Mark Taylor of Clayfield Studio
When Brisbane Motorcyclesboss James Mutton offered us a ride on a Desert Sled we were keen to take him up on the offer and see if the bike silences the critics.
After less than one year on the showroom floor, the Desert Sled cashes in on a host of important 2019 updates to the Scrambler fleet including cornering ABS, a fuel gauge, a new LED headlight and self-cancelling LED indicators.
The Desert Sled also gets some cosmetic updates such as a red frame, new seat with colour-coordinated stitching and spoked wheels with black rims.
But most importantly it now features an Off Road Riding Mode that allows the rider to switch off the ABS, plus adjustable Kayaba suspension and engine skid pan.
Like the rest of the Scramblers, it’s light and low, but the taller suspension does make the 170kg Scrambler a little higher in the saddle at 860mm.
That’s 70mm taller than the others, but it is such a narrow seat that most people will still be able to get their feet down on the ground. You can also buy an 840mm low seats option.
And the seat and tank are so slim it is a joy to ride standing up when you’re racing through the bush. Just as well as the hard seat is not very comfortable for long highway stints.
Fresh rubber and engine
Our test bike was brand new with only a handful of kilometres on the clock and the knobby Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRtyres not even broken in yet.
The 803cc L-twin from the Monster 796 and 797 is a sweet engine that pulls well from the midrange and buzzes with excitement when you give it some revs.
It produces a healthy 56kW (75hp) of power at 8250rpm and 68Nm of torque at 5750rpm.
We didn’t throttle it during its running-in stage, but it doesn’t really need to be fed redline revs to get plenty of lively response, anyway.
The gearbox still felt a bit stiff and neutral was hard to find and there was the occasional false neutral.
It’s geared a little tall for single-trail off-loading, but it’s fine for most traffic and highway applications.
Despite fresh rubber, the tyres provided plenty of confidence on the tar.
I was able to get some good lean angles straight away with no flop feeling in the cornering despite the 19-inch high-profile front tyre.
Grip was also good and the bike steers precisely, although the front end does get a bit flighty over corrugations and it tracks a little in longitudinal road cracks.
Like most Ducatis with standard suspension it is over-sprung and under-damped, but a heavier rider than my 75kg might find the ride better.
Rough stuff
Once you hit the rough stuff, the stiffer springs make more sense and it rides out the bumps well.
The off-road setting lets you turn off the cornering ABS, but I found the ABS actually works really well on a loose-gravel road, so I left it on.
Switching it off is a bit of a chore and you have to be stopped to do it.
When you switch off the engine and switch back on again, it defaults to ABS on.
The wide 170mm rear tyre is one of the only drawbacks for dirt roads. It has resasonable go and stop grip, but it makes the bike very taily in corners.
The fuel gauge is a welcome addition to the single digital instrument pod, but it’s a messy and difficult to read display.
Also, the low fuel light comes on as soon as the gauge drops under half way. That’s annoying as you probably have more than 100km of range left in the 13.5-litre tank.
I also found the mirrors too high and wide and line up with the mirrors on SUVs andantes when lane filtering.
They also have a strange shape with a cutout that diminishes the rear view just where you need it.
Conclusion
The Desert Sled definitely silences the critics of modern scramblers.
It’s quite capable in the bush and feels light and low enough for even notices to manhandle down a gnarly track.
We suspect a Desert Sled version of the Scrambler 1100 may also be waiting in the wings to take on the very capable off-roading Triumph Scrambler 1200.
Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled
Engine
803cc, V-twin, 4-stroke, air-cooled
Prices
$16,990 (Black), $17,290 (White) plus on-road costs
Suspension
Front: Kayaba 46mm fully-adjustable upside down front forks
Rear: Side-mounted rear shock adjustable for pre-load, compression and rebound damping
Power
56kW @ 8250rpm
Brakes
Front: Single 330mm disc, Brembo four-piston caliper
Ducati is calling all of you Multistrada and adventure riders who would like to be a part of the legendary Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) Enduro program. The DRE, which has been held only in Europe up to this point, will be coming to the Flying Iron Horse Ranch in Utah this June, and space is limited so sign up fast because you never know if or when it will be back in the States again.
This two-day, hands-on training program will have riders honing their skills aboard the Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro before embarking on an adventure through Utah’s picturesque backcountry roads among the Wasatch and Uinta mountains. Instruction will take place under the guidance of Paris-Dakar veteran Beppe Gualini and a number of guest instructors yet to be named.
The price for this rare opportunity starts at $1,900 per person for the two-day DRE and $2,900 for three days, which includes a two-day riding experience. The cost of admission includes lodging at the Sundance Resort, the rider training program, and a guided tour through the rugged mountain terrain once you’ve acquired the skills necessary to survive the ride. Remember that spaces are limited and they are selling out fast, so if you have the means and the desire to make it happen, go for it. This might be the only opportunity to be a part of the Ducati Riding Experience for most American riders.
2019 Dates And Package Pricing
DRE Session 1
June 3–5
2-day
Ducati Riding Experience Enduro
DRE Session 2
June 5–7
2-day
Ducati Riding Experience Enduro
DRE Intensivo
June 7–10
3-day
Intensivo Ducati Riding Experience Enduro
Adding a guest runs $400 for sessions 1 or 2 and $600 for Intensivo, while riding gear rental is $179.
The agreement was signed a couple of weeks ago, but it us still unclear where the scooters will be sold.
Apparently the scooters will be used as pit vehicles by the Ducati MotoGP team, but whether they will be available or sale anywhere outside of South East Asia remains a mystery.
We tried to contact Vmoto for comment and received this email reply from Super SOCO importer Urban Moto Imports:
We are still working through the processes and complexities that have arisen, and a press release is expected to be circulated in the coming days, which will explain what will happen in the future regarding these scooters.
Vmoto originally said the Ducati/Vmoto scooter would be marketed as a “high-end luxury product at a premium price” and sold globally over the next two years through the “existing worldwide distribution network”.
Meanwhile, Ducati Australia says they will not be sold here.
They emphasise that the scooters are not a Ducati product, but “an electric scooter that wears Ducati’s colours, no more than that under a licensing agreement”.
However, the deal does show that Ducati is not shrinking away from the coming electric two-wheel revolution.
In 2015, there was the e-Scrambler painted in Scrambler Urban Enduro colours. It was made under licence to Ducati by Italwin, an Italian company specialising in pedal-assisted electric bicycles.
In 2017, Ducati Western Europe managing director Edouard Lotthe said they were looking at both scooters and electrics, while VW Group Chairman Matthias Mueller said Ducati would have an electric motorcycle by 2020.
Ducati e-Scrambler
Ducati Zero electric concept
In the same year the Ducati Zero futuristic design concept was produced by the Milano Scuola Politecnica di Design (Design Polytechnic School).
In 2018, Ducati unveiled its first electric mountain bike, the MIG-RR.
Ducati MIG-RR electric mountain bike
And this year Ducati boss Claudio Domenicali admitted he rides a Hypermotard converted to electric power with a Zero FX powertrain and said the company is about to join the electric bike race.
“The future is electric, we’re not far from starting series production,” he said.
So there could be more electrics from Ducati soon, rather than just a licensing agreement for luxury scooters.
