Ducati Streetfighter 848

The new Streetfighter 848 offers pure motorcycling thrills thanks to its perfect combination of 848 Testastretta 11° engine and a new Trellis frame with Superbike 848 EVO-derived geometry. Outstanding control and precision make the Streetfighter 848 irresistible. Thanks to the superb handling offered by the new frame, the progressive easy-to-manage power delivery provided by the Testastretta 11° engine, the confidence-inspiring upright riding position and Ducati Traction Control, which keeps watch over the power, this latest interpretation of the fighter concept delivers instant, knock-out riding enjoyment.

Combining a new and brilliantly engineered 848 Testastretta 11° engine with the enhanced geometry of a chassis that provides confidence-inspiring agility, the Streetfighter 848 has enriched its user-friendliness with a smooth and flexible power delivery, revised ergonomics and Ducati Traction Control.

The Ducati Streetfighter scored a round one knock-out when it entered the ring for the first time at the Milan show back in November 2008, winning the 'Most Beautiful Bike' award and raising the bar for extreme nakeds. Its asphalt-ripping reputation became the desire of sport naked connoisseurs throughout the world and the Streetfighter 848 will now widen that appeal even further with enhanced usability.

Available from November 2011 onwards, the new fighter is dressed in red for Ducati traditionalists, while yellow makes a return for mid-range purists and "dark stealth" provides a matte-black reminder of the Streetfighter's aggressive image.

Ducati Streetfighter 848 Key Features

ENGINE

Magnesium alloy covers - Attention to weight reduction is further underlined with both cam covers and clutch outer cover cast in manesium alloy.

Vacural crankcases - The Testastretta 11° engine on the Streetfighter 848 features a crankcase produced by pressure die casting under vacuum using Vacural® technology: this gives significant weight savings and ensures constant wall thickness and greater strength.

Wet clutch - The Testastretta 11° engine transmits drive to a sophisticated wet clutch that is a full kilo lighter than the corresponding dry version; it is also characterised by enhanced durability, improved 'feel' and lower noise levels, making riding a real pleasure whatever the circumstances.

Power & torque curves - With its 132 hp and awesome torque of 9.5 Kgm (93.5Nm) at 9,500 rpm , the 848 Testastretta 11° provides pure Desmodromic performance. Radical changes to the timing diagram have allowed achievement of a full torque curve even at low revs, which considerably increases then ridability of the Steetfighter 848 and, because it remains constant throughout an extremely wide power band, ensures maximum enjoyment at high revs too.

848 Testastretta 11° - A masterpiece of Desmodromic engine design, the 848 Testastretta 11° can deliver 132 hp at 10,000 rpm and a torque of 9.5 kgm at 9,500 rpm. A direct offshoot of the Testastretta Evoluzione used on the Superbike 848EVO, it makes the most of the Testastretta 11° technology that has already proved so successful on the Multistrada and Diavel, giving awesome torque even at low revs. With respect to the Testastretta Evoluzione the overlap angle has been reduced from 37° to 11° to ensure unbeatably fluid power delivery, a much wider power band and reduced consumption and emissions. The Testastretta 11° maintenance schedule requires valve regulation just once every 24,000 km.

Crankshaft - The Streetfighter 848 lightweight crankshaft assembly operates a ‘over-square' bore and stroke with 94mm pistons and 61.2mm strokes.

Exhaust system - The massive 2-1-2 exhaust system is made from weight-saving 1mm thick steel and flows from 58mm to 63.5mm diameter pipes. The system uses two lambda probes to ensure precise fuel mapping for optimum performance and an electronic valve in the mid-section to achieve a wide spread of power.

The cannon-style, vertically stacked, brushed steel mufflers deliver the famous Ducati L-Twin sound synonymous with raw, Desmo power.

CHASSIS

Fighter 848 frame - Thanks to an exceptional dry weight of 169 kg, the Streetfighter 848 has the best power-weight ratio in its category. The new Trellis frame, characterised by a rake angle of 24.5° and a fork yoke offset of 103 mm, has the same geometry as that on the Superbike 848, ensuring maximum responsiveness to rider control.

Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tyres - The Streetfighter 848 mounts Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tyres, created using technology developed in the World Superbike Championship. The front 120/70ZR17 tyre is built with a 0° steel circumferential belt that ensures maximum performance during both extreme braking and at the turn-in point, while the new rear 180/60ZR17 tyre has the same aspect ratio as the tyres used in national and world Supersport competitions. The rear tyre offers a larger contact surface area than the 180/55, rendered even more effective by a slick zone at the maximum lean angle. The higher and slightly wider profile increases rider comfort, while the larger 'footprint' gives increased traction during acceleration and improved stability on the straight.

Lightweight 10-spoke wheels - The 10-spoke wheels, 5.5 inches at the rear and 3.5 inches at the front, made of lightweight black-finished aluminium, help reduce overall bike weight and also make sure that limitation of unsprung weight (i.e. the mass of all the components between the suspension and the road surface - wheels, tyres, brake calipers and discs etc.) is achieved. When these parts rotate they would, if too heavy, affect the handling characteristics of the bike on account of the gyroscopic effect.

Sachs rear suspension - A fully adjustable Sachs monoshock at the rear operates through a progressive linkage and is also fully adjustable in spring preload and damping, both in compression and rebound.

Brakes - The new Streetfighter 848 uses powerful 4-piston radially-mounted Brembo calipers on dual 320 mm discs at the front and a 2-piston caliper at the rear that acts on a 245 mm disc , thus ensuring efficient, instantly available, awesome braking power

Marzocchi forks - Fully adjustable 43mm Marzocchi forks feature a natural chrome slider finish and radial mounts for the brake callipers and are fully adjustable in spring preload as well as compression and rebound damping.

Ergonomics - The riding position on the Streetfighter 848 gives maximum control thanks to a dominant stance achieved through in-depth study of seat-footpegs-handlebar distances, providing maximum comfort without changing the unique 'feel' that only a Ducati-designed naked can offer its rider.

Single-sided swingarm - At the rear, the all-new single-sided swingarm, finished in black, is a high-grade aluminium cast that has been lengthened by 35 mm with respect to the Superbike, thus taking the overall wheelbase to 1475 mm for even more uncompromising acceleration.

CONCEPT

Streetfighter design - The Ducati Streetfighter is equipped with everything that made the Superbike a legend: Awesome L-Twin muscle with brutal, big-bore torque, thoroughbred chassis technology, beautiful single-sided swingarm, planet-stopping Monobloc brakes and pure, sophisticated class.

While the tank and seat shapes leave no doubt as to the Streetfighter’s roots, it is the upright and commanding riding position that really starts to shape the character of this ultimate naked. New, minimalistic controls, instrumentation and headlight design leave the front looking clean and mean, while twin-stacked right-side mufflers at the rear leave the tail-end high and sharp. No other Ducati has ever achieved such an aggressive stance while providing a comfortable, empowering, controllable and enjoyable ride.

Streetfighter culture - The Streetfighter culture was born on the backstreets of Northern Europe during the late 70s and 80s. If the Café racer movement had taken traditional bikes and transformed them to establish out-and-out sportbikes, then Streetfighters were definitely anti-establishment. They evolved by removing the fairings from sport bikes, fitting higher bars and customising to create high-performance, over-the-top nakeds.

Ducati’s Streetfighter project was inevitable. The passion to build the most successful Superbikes ever, mixed with the desire to create iconic, naked motorcycles was a rush of adrenaline just waiting to happen. Who else would create a bike for out-and-out purists to celebrate naked power in all its forms? A bike with muscle-engine performance, aggressive chassis engineering and intelligent electronics all laid bare to appreciate, respect and enjoy? Ducati build bikes for enthusiasts – for bikers who appreciate the details that come together to make an awesome bike.

EQUIPMENT

Stopwatch - The digital display is programmed with a stopwatch function that, when enabled, can be triggered by using the high-beam flash button and each recorded time stored in a memory. After your journey or track session, the times or lap times can be recalled from the memory and scrolled through by using the instrumentation buttons on the left-hand switchgear.

DDA ready - The instrument display also doubles as a control panel for the activation of the Ducati Data Analyser (DDA) system, which is available as an accessory from Ducati Performance. The bike has been built ‘system-ready’ for the data acquisition kit, which consists of special DDA software and a memory key that slots into a plug under the seat. The same plug also doubles as the connection for a handy new battery charger available as an accessory from Ducati Performance.

Lighting - The aggressive looking headlight is the ‘face’ of the Streetfighter and it leaves little doubt as to its character. While the main lighting source and multi-reflector design provides powerful illumination to cut through the night, its two evil eye strips of LED positioning lights give a striking and unmistakable identity to the bike.

Keeping design matters clean and stylish, the directional indicators remain unobtrusive with clear lenses and coloured bulbs, while the rear light is integral to the shape of the tailpiece, providing unobscured illumination while maintaining the smooth and elegant look to the high and sharp rear-end.

Fighter controls - The handlebars are gripped by beautifully shaped clamps that flow sleekly into the bar-risers. Symmetrically mounted, remote brake and clutch reservoirs are small, low and compact and feed slim, radial master-cylinders by Brembo to complete the clean and uncluttered controls arrangement.

Minimalist switchgear - The switchgear presents minimalism at its best. The slim-line bodies house easy-to-use switches and buttons and feature a unique weapons-like ‘trigger catch’ that slides down to cover the starter button when activating the kill-switch.

Compact instruments - The Streetfighter’s instrumentation blends into the aggressive line of the headlight. Information additional to the default read-outs is managed from the left-hand handlebar-mounted switch gear, allowing the rider to scroll through and select from various menus.

The display presents rpm and speed, with the former displayed across the screen in a progressive bar graph. Additionally, the instruments display lap times, DTC status and level selected (if activated on Streetfighter S) time, air temperature, coolant temperature, battery voltage, two trips and a trip that automatically starts as the fuel system goes onto reserve.

Warning lights illuminate to signify neutral, turn signals, high beam, rev-limit, low oil pressure, fuel reserve, DTC intervention (if activated on Streetfighter S) and scheduled maintenance.

The instrument display is also used as the control panels for the DDA and DTC systems as well as listing lap times recorded by using the high-beam flash button as a stopwatch.

DTC - Accessible from the left-hand switchgear and displayed on the digital instrumentation, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) offers a choice of eight profiles, or ‘sensitivity levels’, each one programmed with a wheel-spin tolerance matched to progressive riding levels of skill, graded from one to eight.

While level eight administers a confidence-building, high level of interaction from the system by activating upon the slightest amount of wheel-spin, level one offers a much higher tolerance, resulting in less intervention for highly competent riders.

Once the level is selected and DTC activated, both are displayed on the instrumentation. The system then analyses data sent from front and rear wheel speed sensors to detect wheel-spin. Should the system recognise wheel-spin above a certain threshold, the DTC ECU instantly evaluates the many possible wheel-spin scenarios before administering two types of interaction in varying amounts.

DTC is able to sense the exact use that the bike is being put to. From slow mid-corner acceleration with considerable vehicle inclination to high speed corner exits while almost upright, DTC is intelligent enough to react according to each and every situation. It’s even smart enough to not intervene if you decide to perform a burnout or a wheelie.

The first ‘soft’ stage of system interaction is executed by high speed software that instantly makes electronic adjustment to the ignition by administering varying amounts of retardation to reduce the engine’s torque output.

During this initial stage of DTC interaction, both outer warning lights on the instrumentation – normally used to signify over-rev – illuminate to signify that DTC is being applied.

If the DTC software detects that the first ‘soft’ stage of system interaction is inadequate to control the wheel-spin, it continues to administer ignition retardation and instructs the engine ECU to initiate a pattern of constantly increasing injection cuts until, if necessary, full injection cut. During this second stage of system interaction, both outer and central warning lights fully illuminate to signify that DTC has also initiated injection cuts.

After either stage one (ignition retardation) or stage two (pattern of injection cuts or full cut), the system incrementally returns to the original ignition and injection mapping as the wheel speeds approach equalisation. This carefully programmed return to full power delivery is the real key to DTC’s smooth and efficient operation.

In developing its World Championship-winning traction control system for road use, Ducati continue to demonstrate their strategy of transferring technologies from their race bikes into the production environment, and show how solutions developed for performance on the track really can be applied to enhance safety on the road.

Ducati Quick Shift system - The Streetfighter 848 has fixtures to mount the Ducati Quick Shift system. Usually used in racing, this device allows you to change gear without using the clutch and keeping the throttle open, minimising shift times, which contributes significantly to reducing lap times.
The DQS has a microswitch inserted in the shift control transmission rod unit, available as a Ducati Performance accessory, that is used to start the system.

Ducati Streetfighter 848 Model Highlights

Confident contender – Supreme fighter

2012 sees the excellent new Streetfighter 848 take its place alongside the awesome firepower of the Streetfighter S to broaden the stylish and exciting, high-performance naked family.

The Streetfighter 848 delivers pure motorcycle enjoyment with the sophisticated combination of a brand new and brilliantly engineered 848 Testastretta 11° engine and the enhanced geometry of a frame that ensures optimum agility with confidence-inspiring “feel”. With user-friendliness now enriched by a smooth and flexible power delivery, revised ergonomics and DTC, Ducati’s unique fighter style is set to create more excitement than ever.

The Streetfighter S takes its 155hp 1098 Superbike soul and mixes fighter attitude with naked sophistication to create a cocktail of Desmo adrenaline. Stripped to the bare essentials, its race technology, skeletal 368lb (167kg) styling, and 85lb-ft (11.7kgm) of torque takes Ducati’s big naked concept to the very top of the fighter food chain.

The Ducati Streetfighter S scored a round one knock-out when it entered the ring for the first time at the Milan show back in November 2008. Its supreme elegance stole the ‘Most Beautiful Bike’ award and raised the bar for extreme nakeds. Its asphalt-ripping reputation became the desire of sport naked connoisseurs throughout the world and the Streetfighter 848 now widens that desire with everyday accessibility. The new 848 fighter is dressed in red with a red frame for Ducati traditionalists, while yellow makes a comeback and the stunning dark stealth scheme underlines the Streetfighter’s aggressive image, both with frames finished in racing black. The Streetfighter S comes to the fight in Ducati red and the brand new for 2012 “race titanium matte”. Both schemes have red frames and black wheels.

Streetfighter reborn

The Streetfighter culture was born on the backstreets of Northern Europe during the late 70s and 80s. If the Café racer movement had taken traditional bikes and transformed them to establish out-and-out sportbikes, then Streetfighters were definitely anti-establishment. They evolved by removing the fairings from sport bikes, fitting higher bars and customising to create high-performance, over-the-top nakeds. Ducati took that concept and applied their own Italian sophistication to a stunning, factory-prepared Streetfighter. The Ducati Streetfighter is equipped with everything that made the Superbike a legend: Awesome L-Twin muscle with brutal, big-bore torque, thoroughbred chassis technology, beautiful single-sided swingarm, racebred brakes and pure, sophisticated class.

While the tank and seat shapes leave no doubt as to the Streetfighter’s roots, it is the upright and commanding riding position that really starts to shape the character of this ultimate naked. Minimalistic controls, instrumentation and headlight design leave the front looking clean and mean, while twin-stacked right-side mufflers at the rear leave the tail-end high and sharp. No other Ducati has ever achieved such an aggressive stance while providing a comfortable, empowering, controllable and enjoyable ride.

Add the awesome street-going Ducati Traction Control as standard equipment and Ducati Data Analysisready electronics and it’s clear that the Streetfighter perfectly balances the essential DNA of an exciting naked motorcycle with the latest race-derived electronic technology.

Ducati passion

Ducati’s original Streetfighter project was inevitable. The passion to build the most successful Superbikes ever, mixed with the desire to create iconic, naked motorcycles was a rush of adrenaline just waiting to happen. Who else would create a bike for out-and-out purists to celebrate naked power in all its forms? A bike with muscle-engine performance, aggressive chassis engineering and intelligent electronics all laid bare to appreciate, respect and enjoy? Ducati build bikes for enthusiasts – for bikers who appreciate the details that come together to make an awesome bike, for perfectionists who instantly recognise excellence when they see it.

Ducati motorcycles are not just a means of transport, they are the realisation of dreams that set their riders apart from the rest of the world. They are an extension of character and the ultimate personal statement. The Streetfighter is built with pure Ducati passion and it’s ready to impress.

Naked Ducati detail

More attention to detail than ever before went into creating the Ducati Streetfighter. Repositioning many of the components usually hidden by bodywork and continuing to keep them out of sight was a major challenge for the design and engineering teams, but they pulled it off with impressive results. Add details such as the perfectly formed passenger seat cover, a rear hugger fitted as standard equipment and the pre-minimalised licence plate holder, and it’s plain to see that Ducati have gone that extra step to achieve the highest level of finish.

STREETFIGHTER FAMILY FEATURES

Taking control

The Streetfighter 848 and Streetfighter S riding positions are now even more empowering, with 20mm higher handlebars enhancing the overall ergonomic triangle and, for the 848, 10mm wider foot-pegs improving foot positioning. This continuous study on seat, footpeg and handlebar relationship has maximised comfort without losing the desired feeling of an extreme naked Ducati.

Showing attention to detail typical of all new Ducatis, the handlebars are gripped by beautifully shaped clamps that flow sleekly into the bar-risers. Even the switchgear presents minimalism at its best. The slimline bodies house easy-to-use switches and buttons and feature a unique weapons-like ‘trigger catch’ that slides down to cover the starter button when activating the kill-switch. Symmetrically mounted, remote brake and clutch reservoirs are small, low and compact and feed slim, radial master-cylinders with adjustable levers by Brembo to complete the clean and uncluttered controls arrangement.

The Streetfighter’s instrumentation continues that same clean look with a compact shape that blends into the aggressive line of the headlight. Information additional to the default read-outs is managed from the lefthand handlebar-mounted switch gear, allowing the rider to scroll through and select from various menus. The display presents rpm and speed, with the former displayed across the screen in a progressive bar graph. Additionally, the instruments display DTC status and level selected, lap times, time, air temperature, coolant temperature, battery voltage, two trips and a trip that automatically starts as the fuel system goes onto reserve. Warning lights illuminate to signify neutral, turn signals, high beam, rev-limit, low oil pressure, fuel reserve, DTC intervention and scheduled maintenance.
 

The instrument display can also be used to manage Ducati Traction Control settings, list lap times recorded by using the high-beam flash button as a stopwatch and additionally as a control panel for the activation of the Ducati Data Analyser (DDA) system, which is available as an accessory from Ducati Performance for the Streetfighter 848 and supplied as standard equipment on the Streetfighter S. It consists of a special DDA software and memory key that slots into a plug under the seat, which also doubles as the connection for a handy battery charger also available as an accessory from Ducati Performance.

Intelligent muscle

The Streetfighter S was Ducati’s first ever naked sportbike to be fitted with the awesome Ducati Traction Control (DTC) system and now the Streetfighter 848 inherits the same full eight-level DTC as standard equipment. In developing its World Championship-winning traction control system for road use, Ducati continue to demonstrate their strategy of transferring technologies from their race bikes into the production environment, and show how solutions developed for performance on the track really can be applied to
enhance safety on the road.

Accessible from the left-hand switchgear and displayed on the digital instrumentation, the system offers a choice of eight profiles, or ‘sensitivity levels’, each one programmed with a wheel-spin tolerance matched to progressive riding levels of skill, graded from one to eight. While level eight administers a confidence-building, high level of interaction from the system by activating upon the slightest amount of wheel-spin, level one offers a much higher tolerance, resulting in less intervention for highly competent riders. Once the level is selected and DTC activated, both are displayed on the Streetfighter’s instrumentation. The system then analyses data sent from front and rear wheel speed sensors to detect wheel-spin. Should the system recognise wheel-spin above a certain threshold, the DTC ECU instantly evaluates the many possible wheel-spin scenarios before administering two types of interaction in varying amounts.

DTC is able to sense the exact use that the Streetfighter is being put to. From slow mid-corner acceleration with considerable vehicle inclination to high speed corner exits while almost upright, DTC is intelligent enough to react according to each and every situation. It’s even smart enough not to intervene during a burnout or a wheelie.

The first ‘soft’ stage of system interaction is executed by high speed software that instantly makes electronic adjustment to the ignition by administering varying amounts of retardation to reduce the engine’s torque output. During this initial stage of DTC interaction, both outer warning lights on the Streetfighter instruments – normally used to signify over-rev – illuminate to signify that DTC is being applied.

If the DTC software detects that the first ‘soft’ stage of system interaction is inadequate to control the wheelspin, it continues to administer ignition retardation and instructs the engine ECU to initiate a pattern of constantly increasing injection cuts until, if necessary, full injection cut. During this second stage of system interaction, both outer and central warning lights fully illuminate to signify that DTC has also initiated injection cuts.

After either stage one (ignition retardation) or stage two (pattern of injection cuts or full cut), the system incrementally returns to the original ignition and injection mapping as the wheel speeds approach equalisation. This carefully programmed return to full power delivery is the real key to DTC’s smooth and efficient operation.

Exhaust system
The stylish Streetfighter 2-1-2 exhaust system is made from weight-saving 1mm thick steel and flows from 58mm to 63.5mm diameter pipes. The system uses two lambda probes to ensure precise fuel mapping for optimum performance and an electronic valve in the mid-section to achieve a wide spread of power. The cannon-style, vertically stacked mufflers sport a brushed steel for the Streetfighter 848 and black brushed steel for the Streetfighter S, both delivering the famous Ducati L-Twin sound synonymous with raw, Desmo power.

Single-sided swingarm

At the rear-end of both Streetfighters is a brand new, black-finished, single-sided swingarm beautifully cast in aluminium. 35mm longer than the Superbike it brings the total wheelbase to 1,475mm (58in) and ensures the Streetfighter’s acceleration is never compromised.

Lighting

The aggressive looking headlight is the ‘face’ of the Streetfighter and it leaves little doubt as to its character. While the main lighting source and multi-reflector design provides powerful illumination to cut through the night, its two evil eye strips of LED positioning lights give a striking and unmistakable identity to the bike. Preserving the clean and stylish design, the directional indicators remain unobtrusive with clear lenses and coloured bulbs, while the rear light is integral to the shape of the tailpiece, providing unobscured illumination while maintaining the smooth and elegant look to the high and sharp rear-end.

DUCATI STREETFIGHTER 848

Streetfighter-style excitement

The 848 Testastretta 11° engine is a masterpiece of Desmodromic engineering. 132hp and an exhilarating 69lb-ft of torque is delivered with silky smooth precision by using innovative cam timing solutions proven on the now legendary Multistrada and Diavel power plants. The new engine lives and breathes Streetfighterstyle excitement, while revised chassis ergonomics and race-derived, eight-level electronic Ducati Traction Control ensure enhanced rider comfort and a confident ride.

A chassis born to fight

At a class-leading 169kg (373lb) dry weight, the Streetfighter 848 boasts an incredible power-to-weight ratio. The beautifully built Trellis frame uses the same 24.5° of rake as the Superbike 848EVO to provide optimum agility, while 103mm of trail gives the confidence-inspiring “feel” of a well-planted front-end.

The Streetfighter 848 is armed with fully adjustable 43mm Marzocchi forks up front and a fully adjustable Sachs monoshock at the rear, giving the bike high performance handling and the rider absolute confidence and a comfortable ride. The matte champagne coloured fork bodies house natural chrome finished sliders, are fully adjustable in spring preload and compression and rebound damping and feature radial mounts for the Brembo brake callipers. The lower triple-clamp is formed in a strength-enhancing gull-wing shape for increased rigidity, it maintains a vice-like grip on the fork legs, giving a precise and solid feeling through the bars on fast direction changes.
 

On the rear, the single Sachs unit operates through a progressive linkage and single-sided swingarm and is also fully adjustable in spring preload and damping in both compression and rebound. The new Streetfighter uses Brembo’s powerful four-piston radial callipers gripping twin 320mm discs on the front and a two-piston calliper on the rear with a 245mm disc to provide user-friendly and dependable braking performance.

10-spoke wheels with a rear rim width of 5.5in and 3.5in on the front are made in black-finished, lightweight aluminium to help keep the overall motorcycle weight down and maintain an all-important control on unsprung weight. This weight is made up of all the components between the suspension and the road and includes tires, brake discs and callipers etc, but when rotating at high speed, it is the wheels that store most of the kinetic energy and offer the most resistance when steering, accelerating or braking. Their weight
saving, therefore, is a serious contribution to both the handling and performance of the motorcycle and the Streefighter pulls out all the stops achieve the best results.

New tire technology

The Streetfighter 848 confidently relies on Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tires created using technologies developed in the Superbike World Championship and perfected for street use - the ideal methodology for bringing race technology to performance street products. The construction and profiles ensure optimum agility and control by providing enhanced support during vehicle inclination.

The 120/70ZR17 front tire uses a 0° steel belted construction that guarantees maximum support under heavy braking and corner entry. The new 180/60ZR17 sized rear tire is constructed with three compound zones, featuring a softer compound on the shoulders (25% on each side) for performance in cornering and a harder compound on the centre section for longer tire life.

The 180/60ZR17 rear tire implements an aspect ratio used in World and National Supersport competition and offers a larger contact patch compared with the 180/55, further enhanced with an increased “slick” area when at maximum lean angle. The higher and slightly wider profile improves riding comfort and the larger contact patch spreads road stresses throughout the contact area for reduced wear of both rear compounds. Transversal grooves between the rear tire’s central and side shoulder sections quickly disperse residual water, providing excellent grip in wet conditions, while the central non-grooved rib ensures maximum rubber on the ground for traction under acceleration and improved straight line stability.

848 Testastretta 11°

Ducati’s 848 mid-range Superbike engine has been a massive success since its first introduction in 2008. Enhanced to “EVO” spec for 2011, its thrilling, flexible and user-friendly power delivery made it a popular Superbike choice. Now, combined with the factory’s latest Testastretta 11° technology, it is transformed into what many consider to be Ducati’s perfect engine and provides the Streetfighter 848 with a power-to-weight ratio to be proud of.

With 132hp @ 10,000rpm and a colossal 69lb-ft (93.5Nm) of torque @ 9,500rpm, the 848 Testastretta 11° engine is all about authentic Ducati Desmodromic performance. Radical cam timing adjustment enabled Ducati to achieve strong torque through a wider rev-range, considerably enhancing the 848 Streetfighter’s ridability, while ensuring plenty of power remains on tap for high-rpm fun.

For an engine with brute power on tap when needed and smooth, user-friendliness available for an effortless and comfortable ride, Ducati revised the configuration of the cam timing with particular focus on the valve overlap angle. The overlap angle is defined as the interval of crankshaft rotation, measured in degrees, during which both the intake and exhaust valves are open at the same time. This overlap occurs between the end of the exhaust stroke and the start of the intake stroke. High performance engines, which are subject to compromising smoothness for extreme power delivery, use high values of this parameter in order to benefit from the pressure waves to improve engine performance by maximising volumetric efficiency.

On the 848 Testastretta 11° engine, this angle has been reduced from 37°, used in the Testastretta Evoluzione engine which powers the 848EVO Superbike, to 11°. As a result, the fresh inlet charge from the MotoGP-derived elliptical throttle bodies is less compromised by the exiting exhaust gases, producing a much smoother combustion, improved fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions.

The valves are controlled by Ducati's signature Desmodromic system, which activates valve closure mechanically instead of relying upon normal valve springs to follow the steep closure profile of highperformance cam profiles. This system, which closes the valves mechanically with the same level of accuracy that they are opened, is used on every single Ducati motorcycle including the world-beating Superbike and Desmosedici MotoGP power plants.

Ducati’s Streetfighter 848 engine harnesses the track-ready power of the Superbike and makes it smooth and tractable, while a high performance six-speed box with user-friendly wet clutch ensures a smooth riding experience in all conditions. Everything about the 848 Testastretta 11° engine is a direct result of Ducati’s engineers making massive advances in balancing high-performance with an enjoyable ride. Decades of experience combined with constant investment in advanced materials and precision engineering techniques has enabled the distance between the major service intervals (valve clearence check) to double from 12,000 to 24,000 kilometres (15,000 miles). This continual attention to detail and development of twincylinder technology makes Ducati ownership even more accessible and enjoyable than ever.

Streetfighter 848 colours
While the Streetfighter looks stunning in traditional Ducati red with red frame, yellow makes its return set against a racing black frame and dark stealth underlines the Streetfighter’s aggressive image also with racing black frame. All three options roll on 10-spoke wheels finished in black.

DUCATI STREETFIGHTER S

Power and precision

Ducati’s ‘S’ treatment of the Streetfighter pushes its tech spec to the red line. Öhlins suspension front and rear and lightweight Marchesini forged wheels stack up serious credibility, while the front fender and cam belt covers in super-light carbon fibre help reduce the dry weight to an extreme 167kg (368lb). The true Ducati spirit is captured with a powerful Desmodromic L-Twin 1098 “Testastretta Evoluzione” engine producing 155hp with an incredibly wide spread of power thanks to 85lb-ft (11.7kgm) of torque.

The Streetfighter’s power and precision is further maximised by weighing in at just 368lb (167kg) and further benefits from technology derived directly from Ducati’s MotoGP and Superbike projects. Ducati Traction Control and Data Analysis, racing-style braking system, fully adjustable suspension and forged wheels all come as standard equipment on the ‘S’ to complete the battle-ready package.

1098 power

The world-beating 1098 Testastretta Evoluzione needs little introduction. Debuting in 2007, it went on to form the basis of a motor that powered Ducati to Superstock and Superbike World titles and now its incredible torque powers Ducati’s most extreme naked and the results are mind-blowing. Producing a ballistic 85lb-ft (11.7kgm) of torque and 155hp (114kW), the Streetfighter’s awesome 1098 engine fears nothing of the naked sports competition. The L-Twin, Testastretta Evoluzione engine gives both the best power-to-weight and the best torque-to-weight ratios in its class.

Using the Testastretta narrow valve angle, super-straight intake ducts and specially shaped combustion chambers, the Desmodromic motor continues to breathe through MotoGP-derived elliptical throttle bodies and four large diameter valves per cylinder to achieve its incredible spread of torque.
 

A high performance six-speed box and racing-style dry clutch makes sure the transmission package delivers 155hp as efficiently as possible. Engine surface features include enhanced detailing on the cam belt covers as well as a new black finish for the magnesium dry clutch cover and main outer casings and carbon-grey finish for the crankcases

The Streetfighter’s power is protected by twin coolant radiators, carefully curved in pure naked style for optimum performance and stunning with visual effect. The upper radiator is assisted by lightweight, high flow electric fan assemblies while the lower sits in the front of the belly pan, which also houses a highly efficient oil heat exchanger.

S-spec precision
At a class-leading 167kg (368lb) dry weight, the Streetfighter S also comes to the fight with the highest power-to-weight ratio in its class. The purpose-built Trellis frame, which uses 25.6° of rake compared with the Superbike’s 24.5°, ensures a well-planted front-end, while a fully cast aluminium single-sided swingarm at the rear is new for 2012. The rake, longer wheelbase and cross-mounted steering damper ensure stability even under the extreme acceleration of Ducati’s incredible L-Twin torque.
 

The Streetfighter S pushes the spec way up with 43mm Superbike-spec Öhlins forks that have sliders treated in low-friction TiN. Fully adjustable in spring preload and precisely adjustable in compression and rebound damping, they ensure ‘S’ feeling and finesse when the fight gets rough.

Taking care of the rear of the ‘S’ is a single high-spec Öhlins unit fully adjustable in spring preload with full adjustment and highly engineered control of compression and rebound damping. The unit is also fitted with a ride enhancing top-out spring which helps maintain rear tire contact under extreme conditions. Important attention to performance detail is inherited from its Superbike bloodline with Streetfighter S having rear rideheight adjusters that allow fine correction after setting personalised spring preload.

Part of the weight saving of the Streetfighter S over the 848 is down to the incredible Y-shaped, 5-spoke wheels by Marchesini, forged and then machined in lightweight aluminium. Reducing the unsprung weight for enhanced performance, the wheels are finished in black, and roll into 2012 fitted with the new Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tires.

The Streetfighter S uses Brembo’s powerful Monobloc calliper race technology. Machined from a single piece of alloy, the callipers achieve higher rigidity and resistance to distortion during extreme braking. The result not only delivers planet-stopping brake power, but also gives an enhanced and precise ‘feel’ at the brake lever. The twin Monobloc callipers each have four 34mm pistons that grip huge 330mm discs to achieve their spectacular performance. The weight of the discs has been kept to a minimum by using racingstyle narrow braking surfaces.

Streetfighter S colours

The Streetfighter S continues to be dressed in Ducati red and now introduces the stunning “race titanium matte” into the colour range, with both schemes using red frames and black wheels with red pin-striping.