2009–2013 · Hyper Naked · A variant of the Streetfighter
Differences between the standard Streetfighter and the S
Raw Twin, Rearsets, Rage
The Streetfighter is what you get when Ducati pulls the fairing off its 1098 superbike and keeps the parts that matter underneath. The Testastretta Evoluzione L-twin makes 154 hp and 85 lb-ft from 1099 cc, and it pushes a 434 lb (197 kg) wet bike forward with real violence. This S comes standard with fully adjustable suspension at both ends and a steering damper. It has no safety net, though. There is no ABS and no ride modes, and traction control was only an option. In the hyper naked class, that is the point. Raw force comes first and electronics come a distant second.
It feels every bit as sharp as the faired 1098, and every bit as uncompromising. The ride is firm, and a long day asks for stamina. As the bike ages, check three things. The voltage regulator/rectifier is a known weak point on the 1098 platform and can overheat, causing charging problems or electrical cut-outs. Early 2010 bikes were recalled for an incorrectly fitted injector fuel line, so confirm that work was done. A lean flat spot around 3,500 rpm also makes the bike hesitate until an ECU remap or fuel module fixes it. Buy one if you're an experienced rider who wants the kick and accepts those terms.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 154 hp (113 kW) @ 9,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 85 lb-ft (115 Nm) @ 9,500 rpm |
| Displacement | 1099 cc |
| Engine | L-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 330 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 58.1 in (1475 mm) |
| Seat height | 33.1 in (841 mm) |
| Wet weight | 434 lb (197 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 gal (17 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Safety
Thumb the starter and the L-twin settles into a deep, hard-edged beat that owns any parking lot. It's one of the best-sounding engines I've put miles on, and that voice never gets old. Then you reach for the bars. They're wide, the pegs sit high and rearward, and the 33.1 in (841 mm) seat puts you over the front of the bike in an athletic crouch that feels purposeful from the first mile. Nothing sits in front of you but a headlight and the road, so above highway pace your neck and shoulders take the wind. The bike talks to you constantly through the bars and the seat. At 434 lb (197 kg) wet it feels compact and tight under you, and the stripped-down styling still draws looks every time you park it. You climb off buzzing and knowing you worked for every mile.
The Streetfighter S (MY2009-S) builds on the standard Streetfighter: the upgraded hardware, the key spec changes and where its character shifts. The full ride, specs, scoring and verdict are all right here on this page.
| Spec | Standard Streetfighter | S | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Torque | 88 lb-ft | 85 lb-ft | -3 lb-ft |
| Fuel capacity | 4.4 gal | 4.5 gal | +0.1 gal |
What follows is not my riding impression. It comes from the people who own these bikes and have told me about them over the years, at track days, bike meets and dealer evenings, and in the notes readers send me when a bike has earned their loyalty or annoyed them. On the Streetfighter, the owners mostly agree with each other. They bought it for the engine, the chassis and the brakes, and they accept the comfort and running costs that come with them.
The engine comes up more than anything else. Owners describe a big, immediate surge of torque, a strong rush as the revs climb, and a throttle that answers small inputs cleanly. Many bring up the intake and exhaust sound in the same breath. The fully adjustable suspension gets nearly as much agreement. S owners say the Öhlins fork and shock give them clear feedback, high cornering speed and a planted, stable feel. Owners of the base bike say its adjustable Showa setup and stiff trellis frame hold a line just as precisely. The Brembo radial monobloc brakes are praised again and again for strong, consistent stopping and a precise lever.
The riding position draws the most comments on the other side. Owners say the low bars and high pegs suit a fast road but wear them down on a long trip. Several describe a thin, hard seat, suspension that stays stiff on broken roads and almost no shelter from the wind, which makes touring hard going. Heavy traffic is the other sore spot. Riders mention an uneven idle, a dry clutch that bites abruptly and a lot of heat coming off the engine, especially on hot days. Owners also bring up cost: a high purchase price and expensive desmo services at 15,000-mile intervals. One owner found the optional traction control basic and of little use on the road.
Voltage regulator/rectifier failure
A common issue across the 1098 platform; the regulator can overheat and fail, leading to charging problems and electrical cut-outs.
Fuelling flat spot at mid-range
A lean fuelling flat spot around 3,500 rpm due to emission regulations causes hesitation. Resolved with ECU remap or fuel module.
Where this Ducati Streetfighter pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Streetfighter is actually built for.
If refining lean angle and braking precision is your hobby, the adjustable suspension and sharp chassis give you plenty to work with. Just know there's no ABS and traction control was optional.
Made for Barber Motorsports Park · WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca · Circuit of the Americas
A strong fit for weekend canyon runs: brutal acceleration, a sharp chassis, and a voice that fills every pass. The committed crouch will make the LA traffic leg feel long.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
It rewards precise, repeated runs on tight East Coast twisties with feedback and lean clearance to spare. It's firm and demanding, so a long day of back-to-back passes will test your stamina.
Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
