Performance Par Excellence

The Streetfighter V2 is a performance-oriented naked bike based on the Panigale V2. We put it through its paces in the country of its origin, Italy, to bring you this first ride review

- Azaman Chothia

AFTER A SUNNY MORNING WITH THE DESERTX, it was time to head back to the Ducati factory quickly and what better way to do that than astride a Streetfighter? Launched internationally last year, the Streetfighter V2 is essentially a stripped-down Panigale V2. The design is almost identical to the Streetfighter V4's, the distinguishing elements being a slightly different tank, the exhaust unit, and the missing biplane wings, although wings are still available in either plastic or carbon-fibre as accessories if you wish to go crazy on a track-day. They are said to produce 27 kilograms of downforce at 265 km/h.

When it comes to looks, the Streetfighter ticks all the boxes, especially because of the menacing V-shaped LED DRL at the front, a single-sided swing-arm, and a sharp tail section just like the baby Panigale's. The unit we were riding had a pillion seat but there is an option to go for a cowl to get an even sleeker finish. Additionally, there is a new and unique Storm Green colour scheme that was introduced recently.

The riding position is less committed than on the Panigale thanks to the wide handlebar unit and the pegs are set slightly lower and forward. This is still an aggressive motorcycle but it makes more sense for riders who are not going to visit the track too often and plan to carve up the nearest mountain instead. The 200-kilogram kerb weight of this motorcycle is hardly felt and, at 845 millimetres, I did have to tiptoe around because of my short stature, but it was not something that bothered me too much; I was able to manoeuvre the bike easily.