When Ducati unveiled the 2018 Panigale V4, my first question was when will the Streetfighter V4 arrive?The Streetfighter V4 was teased, and then officially announced as a 2020 offering during Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Nothing specific was reported except. All I knew was that it basically did what Ducati did with the first-generation Streetfighters – the 2009-2012 1100, and 2011-2015 848. Ducati took its leading sportbikes and stripped them down for comfy ergonomics and aggressive styling.Ducati follows that same strategy for the 2020 Ducati Streetfighter V4 and updated V4 S, but provides just a bit more.Following are the first look fast facts of Ducati’s second-generation Streetfighter.1. Ducati didn’t mess much with the 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale engine that’s also offered in the Panigale V4. The power numbers are slightly reduced due to more streetable engine maps.
Horsepower: 208 @ 12,750 rpm vs 214 @ 13,000 rpm on the Panigale V4
Besides that, the engine remains the same. Ducati makes it known in the press kit that the Streetfighter can produce 220 horsepower and 95.8 ft/lbs of torque if a full-racing Ducati Performance exhaust by Akrapovič is installed.2.In simplest terms, the Streetfighter is astripped-down Panigale V4 fitted with a higher and wider handlebar (no clip-ons here). Though “stripped,” the Streetfighter has a heavier curb weight (with fluids) of 443 pounds (V4 S) versus the Panigale V4 S’s 436 pounds. The SFV4’s alloy versus the Panigale’s aluminum wheels is the main contributing factor to the extra weight.3. Yes, those are winglets. These MotoGP-inspired dual wings, also stock on the 2020 Panigale V4, help generate much-needed downforce at high speeds. Ducati says they add 66 pounds of downforce at 168 mph, and also help cool the engine by increasing the water and oil radiator airflow by two and ten percent, respectively.4. The Streetfighter borrows the 4.2-gallon aluminum fuel tank from the Panigale. The lower section of the tank is modified to accommodate a seat with thicker padding for on-road comfort.5. Before going further, let’s quickly explain the differences between the V4 and V4 S.The Streetfighter V4 S is updated over the standard updated suspension and wheels:
Ducati Electronic Suspension EVO
Öhlins NIX-30 forks with Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 control system
Öhlins TTX 36 shock absorber with Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 control system
Öhlins steering damper with Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 control system
Forged aluminum Marchesini wheels
6. The Streetfighter receives all the benefits of the Panigale V4’s electronics suite, which was updated for 2020 with “Evo 2” versions of the up/down quickshifter and eight-level traction control.The electronics utilize a 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (6D IMU) which instantly detects the bike’s roll, yaw and pitch angles.The 2020 SF arrives with:
ABS Cornering EVO
Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2
Ducati Slide Control (DSC)
Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO
Ducati Power Launch (DPL)
Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) EVO 2
Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO
Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES) EVO (V4 S ONLY)
7. Three Riding Modes are available that change engine and electronic parameters (including the suspension setup on the S model):
Race: Full 208 horsepower, low electronic intervention for maximum performance
Sport: Full 208 horsepower, electronic intervention set maximum on-street safety
Street: 155 horsepower, electronic intervention for maximum traction on surfaces with poor grip
Also, the electronics can be personalized based on the rider’s style.8. Though the V4 S arrives with electronic Öhlins suspension, the base model is no slouch. The base arrives with a fully adjustable 43mm Showa Big Piston Fork, and a Sachs shock absorber. The base model’s suspension also is enhanced with a Sachs steering damper.9. Like the Panigale V4, the Streetfighter V4 relies on Brembo Stylema monobloc calipers for stopping. Two 330mm discs are squeezed by four-piston calipers up front, and a 245mm disc out back is squeezed by a two-piston caliper.10. The base Streetfighter arrives with aluminum five-spokewheels, and the V4 S 3-spoke Marchesini forged-aluminum wheels. Both are shod in Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II tires – 120/17 ZR17 up front, and a massive 200/60 ZR17 out back.11. Thankfully Ducati also borrowed the five-inch full TFT instrumentation from the Panigale V4. The high-resolution screen is easily navigable, and the rider can choose between a “track” or “road” layout.12. Aesthetics are typical of a Ducatinaked, and feature a minimalist full LED headlight that “evokes the crazy grin of the Joker,” the DC Comics character that Ducati designers used as aninspiration. LED lights are also used for the taillights. 13. The Streetfighter V4 will need valve adjustments every 15,000 miles, and services (oil change, etc.) every 7,500 miles.14. Both the SF V4 and V4 S are available in one color: Ducati Red with a dark gray frame and black wheels.15. USA pricing for the base Streetfighter V4 is $19,995 MSRP. The S version adds another $4,000 for a total of $23,995. Both arrive in dealerships in spring 2020.
2020 Ducati Streetfighter V4 and V4 S Specs
ENGINE
Type: Desmosedici Stradale 90-degree V4
Displacement: 1103 cc
Bore x stroke: 81 x 53.5 mm
Compression ratio: 14.0:1
Maximum power: 208 horsepower @ 12,750 rpm
Maximum torque: 90 ft/lbs @ 11,500 rpm
Valvetrain: Desmodromically actuated valves; 4vpc
Fueling: Electronic fuel injection system. Twin injectors per cylinder. Full ride- by-wire elliptical throttle bodies.
Exhaust: 4-2-1-2 system, with 2 catalytic converters and 2 lambda probes
Transmission: 6 speed with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO 2
Clutch: Hydraulically controlled slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch
Final drive: Chain
CHASSIS:
Frame: Aluminum alloy “Front Frame”
Front suspension: Fully adjustable Showa BPF 43mm fork (S Model: Fully adjustable Öhlins NIX30 43mm fork w/ TiN treatment. Electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment with Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 event-based mode)
Rear suspension: Fully adjustable Sachs shock (S Model: Fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 shock. Electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment with Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 event-based mode)
Wheels: 5-spokes light aluminum alloy (S Model: 3-spoke Marchesini aluminum)
Associate Editor Teejay Adams recently attended the Yamaha Champions Riding School in Las Vegas, and she took with her the Yamaha XSR900 that she’s been riding for a while. This is the retro-style version of the MT-09, and Teejay gives us her impressions of the bike, including her thoughts versus the XSR700 that she rode previously.
The guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—one of the most iconic sportbikes ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.
In our second segment, Teejay chats with Cait Maher, a contributing journalist at motorcycle.com and owner of a Yamaha TW200. The two ladies met at the recent launch of Kawasaki’s dual sport KLX230s. Teejay is a total novice off-road. Cait however, although quite experienced in the dirt including her recent venture on the District 37 Barstow to Las Vegas dual-sport ride, still doesn’t consider herself an expert. Both of these girls have a positive, upbeat attitude, and their fun, energetic outlook shines through. Cait is definitely a give-it-a-go type of personality. Her take on the various challenges, experiences and adventures that she’s had make for fun listening.