For anybody contemplating a European motorcycle, Ducati is probably top of your wish list. The brand captures a high-performance exotic mystique like no other, and backs it up with some of the best motorcycles money can buy.
These red Italian machines are simply boulevard poseurs; in most cases they’re hardcore, uncompromising track machines. Certainly, the current 1098/1198/848 generation of superbikes require a level of commitment other machines don’t demand. They can be uncomfortable on long journeys and the underseat exhausts can roast your thighs. However, Ducati offers more civilized transport if you’re not looking for a track-day weapon, and its Monster family has a loyal legion of fans.
So when the new Streetfighter was announced, it raised plenty of eyebrows. The prospect of a 155hp 1099cc engine derived from the 1098 superbike in an upright, naked chassis got pulses racing.

We had a brief opportunity to ride the top-spec S version of the Streetfighter and jumped at the chance. The S gets Ohlins suspension front and rear, lightweight Marchesini wheels as well as a carbon front fender and cambelt cover. It also gets traction control as standard equipment – a first for a naked bike.
The first thing you notice about the Streetfighter is its seating position. It moves you forward and upright, feeling more like Ducati’s Hyper Motard than anything else. I’d expected it to be more like a sports bike, so was surprised to find myself seemingly on the tank and looking down over the front wheel.
The advantage of the postioning is it brings your weight over the front end and gives you more leverage on the handlebars. Steering is bent-armed motorcross style, making the Streetfighter feel very nimble. You also seemed to sense the action of the front suspension and brake more acutely, as well as the activity of the front tire.
Combined with the incredibly flexible vee-twin engine, the Streetfighter S was a pleasure to ride. In the tight canyons you could leave it in one gear and allow the torque to pull you out of low-speed corners and propel you strongly and seamlessly to the redline and the next braking point.
I’ve not been a fan of naked bikes in the past but the Streetfighter S made me a believer. Suddenly, the $15k base price for the regular Streetfighter seemed not only reasonable but almost a bargain for so much fun and versatility.
Greg Emmerson