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5 reasons why the Ducati Streetfighter V2 is the perfect middleweight naked sportbike

Let’s take a closer look at this new game changer in the naked bike segment.

EJ Punsalang EJ Punsalang on Oct 24, 2024
2022 Ducati Streetfighter V2

In recent years, Ducati has reinvented itself with new and exciting bikes that fit a variety of riders. When it released the Scrambler model range in 2014, it opened doors to retro enthusiasts and beginner riders to the Ducati experience. This model range has since become the House of Borgo Panigale’s most successful bike in its entire model lineup. While the Scrambler opened doors to new riders, Ducati didn’t lose sight of its up-spec, performance-oriented models. In fact, it went to work to release even better bikes.

Not too long ago, Ducat released the Panigale range of bikes. These supersport machines took on a variety of shapes, sizes, and engine configurations. For the street, Ducati released an upright, specially tuned naked bike based on the potent Panigale V4. The Streetfighter V4, however, was so much more than just a naked Panigale, as it features specially tuned electronics and suspension to make it a suitable street machine. Now, to further build on the Streetfighter model range, Ducati has launched the Streetfighter V2, a smaller, more tractable sibling to the fire-breathing V4. Let’s take a closer look at what we can expect from this middleweight naked bike.

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A versatile engine

2022 Ducati Streetfighter V2

While the Streetfighter V4 presents itself as a handful even to intermediate riders, the Streetfighter V2 serves as a tractable companion that’s easier to grow into. It doesn’t have upwards of 200 horsepower on tap, but it does pack quite the punch nonetheless. It’s equipped with a 955cc SuperQuadro motor which takes the form of Ducati’s famed L-twin configuration. Equipped with Desmodromic valve actuation, electronic fuel-injection, and a sophisticated liquid-cooling system, the Streetfighter V2 produces an exhilarating 153 horsepower at 10,750 RPM. 

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Your everyday hyper-naked

While the Streetfighter V2 has been built off the Panigale V2, it doesn’t put the rider in such an aggressive seating position. Unlike the supersport, the Streetfighter is equipped with upright handlebars, and less-aggressive rearsets. This puts the rider in a more upright, albeit slightly aggressive riding position. It’s comfortable enough to ride it on a daily basis, while providing enough leverage to offer impressive performance on the track or on fast, twisty roads. Plus, the fact that it doesn’t make more than 200 horsepower makes it a lot easier to ride in city centers and tight, traffic-laden urban roads.

Killer looks

2022 Ducati Streetfighter V2

As is the case with all of Ducati’s modern-day bikes, the Streetfighter V2 is nothing short of gorgeous. It employs a design that’s clearly been well thought of. It’s clear to see that Ducati has struck the perfect balance between form and function when it comes to this new, middleweight machine. Just like its bigger sibling, the V2 doesn’t miss out on premium features such as full LED lighting, beautifully sculpted bodywork such as the muscular fuel tank, chiseled front body panels, and a slim and athletic tail section. At a glance, it can be difficult to distinguish this bike from the Streetfighter V4, however, this certainly adds to the bike’s appeal, and ties it in extremely well with the Streetfighter model range.  

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Ready for the street or the track

Given just how versatile the Streetfighter V2’s platform is, it could very well serve as your only motorcycle. It carries with it a similar appeal as other more simple machines, say, a Yamaha MT-09, or even the KTM 890 Duke R. That being said, the Streetfighter V2 is equally at home on the street and on the track. It occupies what you could call the goldilocks zone in terms of outright performance—not too fast, but by no means a slowpoke. Remember, we’re dealing with 153 horsepower here, that’s still more power than you’d commonly find in a mid-size family hatchback. 

Premium components

2022 Ducati Streetfighter V2

The Ducati Streetfighter model range, in its very essence, is a race bike adapted for the street. As such, the Streetfighter V2 by no means compromises on race-ready equipment. For starters, it’s equipped with ultra-premium Brembo M4-32 monobloc radial calipers up front, mated to a Brembo radial master cylinder. Suspension duties, meanwhile, are handled by 43mm Showa BPF front forks, and a Sachs rear shock absorber. The suspension setup features dedicated calibration to make this hyper naked bike comfortable on the road, as well as compliant and engaging on the racetrack. Last but not least, the Streetfighter V2 features the full suite of Ducati’s sophisticated electronics package. This brings features such as cornering ABS, traction control, and three riding modes consisting of Wet, Road, and Sport. 

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