Road test of Ducati1098 Streetfighter 2009 Le Top Gun Fighter

"Get your fighters ready, 5 minutes to get to the track" announce the loudspeakers before spitting out a piece of metal music. Exactly the way I'd like to wake up every morning!

ducati has given another dimension to the word "Streetfighter"!

so, what is a Streetfighter? Simply put, it's a streamlined version of the 1098 superbike. Ducati could have simply used the engine as is, but it's not the case. Instead, the brand has mixed it with bits and pieces of the 1198 (lower engine, gearbox), lightening it by 3 kilos in the process. As for the chassis, it's the same as the 1098, but with a revised frame geometry and a shortened rear section.

i decided to use the Streetfighter for its intended purpose: wheeling! No straight line is too short or too long for the Streetfighter's front wheel not to obey the will of my right hand! But the great thing about the Streetfighter is that you can set very fast lap times without wheeling out of every corner. It's all down to the 1198-derived frame and extended swingarm. The "fighter" has massive power that's available when you need it, but can be managed when you want to ride quietly. It's a magical combination, and that's why this TNT-based "naked" bike may even suit someone who isn't all about ferocity. As far as I'm concerned, as a ferocious, half-crazed fighter, I found that the Ducati Streetfighter kept up with me when I wanted it to.

the Streetfighter breathes, or rather growls, thanks to two stacked silencers that are one of the few similarities with the old Monster S4RS. The Ducati 1098-style Streetfighter sings as the market demands with its standard mufflers. At the Ducati presentation in Ascari, one of the "fighters" was decked out in existing accessories, including Termignoni mufflers, making for a fantastic sight and sound!

a little tour around the Streetfigher. The designers show off the muscles and brutality on the right-hand side. The large-diameter exhausts emphasize the muscular side of this beast from Bologna. On the left, the tubular frame and swingarm are unadorned, and the small fairing at the head of the forks, believe it or not, was inspired by the 1198. A tiny digital speedo hides above the lights, displaying the same information as the sports bike. On the move, you can clearly distinguish only speed and engine rpm. The over-rev indicator light is ideally positioned. It was easily visible without having to take your eyes off the track. However, the rev counter is in stark contrast to the Streetfighter's styling, and lacks the sophistication of the CB 1000 R, for example. The rear end is classic Ducati, inspired by the classic 916. The passenger seat cover integrates perfectly and is easy to remove.

unfortunately, it was not possible to test the Streetfigther on an open road in heavy traffic. But judging by the relatively upright riding position and accessible handlebars, it must be a delight to throw yourself into traffic.

on the long Ascari circuit, there were plenty of opportunities to test the "fighters" power, suspension, braking and gearbox.on the straights, clutchless upshifts were a breeze, while downshifts were just as precise. First, second and third "fly" very quickly. However, on certain sections of the circuit, I would have liked a shorter second gear, so as not to have to shift first too often, but I doubt that future Streetfighter owners will spend much time on circuits, so this criticism is irrelevant.
We were only able to test the "S" version, fitted as standard with fully adjustable Ohlins. Everything was going well, but as soon as the pace got up, I started having problems with the front end. Understeer here, float there. Two clicks on rebound and two on preload were enough to improve the feeling, and I deduced that the machine had been tuned by Ducati test rider Vittoriano Guareschi, who is much lighter than I am.

the Streetfighter's dry weight is just 167 kg, and with the cream of Brembo monobloc braking, the tone is set. The bite is really quite impressive, and I could have spent all day pushing my braking limit if I hadn't had better things to do (like wheelies!)

a notable feature on the Streetfighter is its ease of diving from left to right compared to its cousin the 1198. This agility comes from its ergonomics and light weight, which make the Streetfighter a lot of fun on the track.

conclusion:

at the end of the day, I found the Ducati Streetfighter to be a good fit in terms of concept, spirit and ergonomics.it's not every day you get to ride the prestigious Ascari circuit, so I'd forgive Ducati for not planning a road test. I've enjoyed this bike so much that, in the near future, I expect to share many kilometers with it. All in all, the Streetfighter is as aggressive as it looks, but becomes very manageable with the DTC. I like the Desmo for its 155 horsepower, torque and music. Add to that a light but superstable chassis and you've got it all. Set the suspension correctly and if you like minimalist instrumentation, there's nothing left to complain about.

By Tor SAGEN - Tradaptation: Sebastien de Malfin