No Stopping the Streetfighter

The new Ducati Streetfighter V4 comes with some changes.We find out if it makes a difference on the road

- Joshua Varghese

IN MY BOOKS, THERE IS NO BETTER NAKED motorcycle in India than the Ducati Streetfighter. Its closest rivals include the BMW S 1000 R/M 1000 R and we have not ridden either of them here. No one was really asking for an updated Streetfighter but Ducati gave it a few improvements last year.

A quick glance at the changes shows us that Ducati have used the launch of the new Panigale to transfer much of the previous model into the new Streetfighter. This "Grey Nero" colour is exclusive to the motorcycle and a few changes have been made to the shape and capacity of the fuel-tank (whose capacity has gone up by half a litre). The revised shape of the fuel-tank has also paved the way for a slightly different seat which is comfortable and marginally better than the previous unit.

Ducati have not done much to the chassis or the suspension and braking componentry. Top-of-the-line electronic suspension from Ohlins continues to do duty here. Although they claim some tweaking has been done, it is difficult to ascertain its effects and certainly impossible to do so on the road.