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Ducati Streetfighter... any opinions?

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Whoopazz1

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
So I've been lurking on a couple of ducati forums lately because I seen the bike at the dealer and it planted a seed in my mind. The bike just looks like a bag of fun... pure hooligan bike with a 1098 engine. From what I have read it kills at the track and is pretty fun on the street as well, because of the raised handle bars and no clipons... everyone says you don't need the clipons and that its just an adjustment of riding...

I realy regret not taking one out for a demo ride when I had the chance in june during ducati's demo day. Took the 1198 instead and didn't realy give too much attention to the SF.

Any input? I know this is a R1 forum, and everyone will be biased to the yammy, but I hope to get some open minded opinions here... good or bad, bring it on...

I think this will be my next bike (I thought it would be the 1098 or 1198), love the yammys, but I think it's time to try something else.

Cheers

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#5 · (Edited)
Love the streetfighter!!! It just says grrrrrrr all over it! :thumbup

From a Ducati forum---

***A thread for those considering a Ducati, what to expect

First things first, just because they cost more $ doesn't mean they will be perfect, they are still man made and they are assembled by hand in Bologna Italy by people who live, love and breath motorcycles (Ducatis specifically). These folks do a great job, but they are not robots, they drink wine and they celebrate life. There are some Ducatis that never have a single issue, there are some that need to be dialed in. Don't fear or assume your new one will be flawed.

What about my new bike when I pick it up?

Sorry, but it won't be like a Japanese bike, those things feel ready to go at mile one. A Ducati is going to feel tight because it is, the motor won't loosen up til at least 2,500 miles and it will be a progressive seat of the pants difference, the same goes for the transmission, after a 1,000 miles or so it will settle in to being as precise as a Swiss watch and you'll notice much less driveline lash than Japanese bikes too. (they tend to start out feeling great and then once settled in feel loose and sloppy by comparison)

I just want to ride my bike and never touch it.

A Ducati might not be your best choice, become involved with your bike, you'll actually becomes more comfortable with it. It's not a bad thing to check a exhaust sniffer plug or fairing screws or heat shield screws. What many forget to mention is once a Ducati settles in, things don't continue to settle, they are good for years of riding. The second year on are usually just oil changes and riding.

But the mean man on the internet said Ducati valves had to be adjusted every ten miles.

OK so the ten is obviously not right, but what isn't said is the tolerances and the materials are very good and after the valves are done once at 7,500 miles there is a good chance they won't need to be done again for years of riding.

Why should I have to do anything but ride the bike, that all my GSXR1ZX10RCBR asked of me?

Maybe you shouldn't buy one, try as they may, and they are much better, Ducatis will never be for "the masses", now some may view this as a negative, but the enthusiasts never give it a thought. A Ducati owner tends to be OK with being independant and being different. If you expect dirt cheap accessories, parts, spares on every corner, you will be disappointed. For some Ducati ownership is much more than they expected and will never go back (that would be me), for others they are just frustrated and probably never should have tried.***
 
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#6 ·
This one doesn't really grab me, but maybe I'm just more of an Aprilia fan for this type of bike. I've owned 3 Ducs and 2 Aprilias. One of the Apes was a Tuono (similar to this Duc SF in styling and riding position). It was a great bike.

My only problem was my brain telling me to ride it like a dirtbike (due to the bars). Dirtbike technique is completely opposite from a sportbike (weight outside peg instead of inside, etc), so it takes a little getting used to if you jump from one to the other.

I'm also considering a second bike lately (I usually have more than one). For some reason I'm finding myself attracted to the Triumph Thruxton 900. I think it would offer a nice option to the R1 for those days when I just want something different. Who knows...
 
#7 ·
definitely a cool lookin bike. but from what i have heard this is bike is all show and no go if you know what i mean. i feel like its kinda hypocritical to say this thing is good for the track when you point out the riser bars and the lack of a fairing. lets not try to get fancy here this bike is made for the street, hence the name, "streetfighter." i know things can get confusing when the fog of ducati hype is all around you but lets be realistic here. if you use your R1 for what its meant for, which is going very fast not only in a straight line but also around corners, (some people tend to forget about that second bit) and are looking to replace it with this then i am sorry but you will be very disappointed. if you are looking for a machine that rules the stoplight gp and looks mean when parked outside the (insert your preferred hangout spot here) then this is the bike for you. im sure what i have said here will put me in some hot water with some folks around the forum but im just callin it like i see it.
 
#8 ·
Having owned a Sport Classic for a couple of years, and having ridden the SF along with a 1198 I have an opinion on Ducati.

The Good:
Beautiful motorcycles. The attention to detail will keep you in your garage late at night just to eyeball all the tasty bits. You'll be amazed at how "hand-built" it looks. Killer sound. The sound they make with pipes is so addictive that blipping the throttle becomes a habit just to hear that thunder. And it is a beautiful thunder. Solid handling. Handling is what you can make of it. If you want to drag knee and scream in the upper range of the motor, you can. If you want to aggressively bend into corners at sane speeds it'll do that to without complaints. Compliments. Seems most everybody will compliment your bike. Still not a lot of them around compared to the Japanese. They are rolling pieces of art.

The Bad:
The Monsters, Hypers and others in the Ducati line are air cooled. The SF has the water cooled engine. That is a good thing, because it makes a S#!* load of power. In fact that bike hates to be ridden at a slow pace. It sucked in traffic, but out on the open road it was heaven. Everyone including myself puts pipes on a Duc and a fuel controller. Really makes the bike a lot easier to live with. Along with a smaller front sprocket. And if you put more than 7,500 miles a year on your bike it can get expensive real fast. Maintenance is every 7,500 miles and will cost close to $1,000 if the dealer does all of the work. If you can do a lot yourself, obviously you'll cut that amount way down. Your right foot will get hot. The pipes are very close to the foot peg.

Like the man said, they aren't for everybody. I sold mine and got a '07 R1 with 400 miles on her. I put on about 10M miles a year on my bikes so the maintenance (the Ducati Tax as my friend calls it) was too much for me to deal with. Maybe it's a good fit for you.:)
 
#9 ·
I'm seriously considering this bike too for next year. Test ride one and let us know how you like it.

My short list for next season is an APRILIA RSV4 FACTORY, DUCATI HYPERMOTARD SP, or the DUCATI Streetfighter.
 
#10 · (Edited)
nice looking biek... looks mean man.!!

mileage DUC tax would absolutely kill me... as a 2nd bike.. sure..

but i have to agree w/ a couple of y'all here... the apes look tasty.... RSV4 Fac. is on my list as welll :)



unrelated question.. somewhat... who makes those grips??

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Discussion starter · #18 · (Edited)
ron68coug said:
remember the maintenance $$$
Click to expand...
Maintenance cost I'm not too woried about, its part of owning a bike... they aren't as bad as they used to be.
Chingo Bling!! said:
definitely a cool lookin bike. but from what i have heard this is bike is all show and no go if you know what i mean. i feel like its kinda hypocritical to say this thing is good for the track when you point out the riser bars and the lack of a fairing. lets not try to get fancy here this bike is made for the street, hence the name, "streetfighter." i know things can get confusing when the fog of ducati hype is all around you but lets be realistic here. if you use your R1 for what its meant for, which is going very fast not only in a straight line but also around corners, (some people tend to forget about that second bit) and are looking to replace it with this then i am sorry but you will be very disappointed. if you are looking for a machine that rules the stoplight gp and looks mean when parked outside the (insert your preferred hangout spot here) then this is the bike for you. im sure what i have said here will put me in some hot water with some folks around the forum but im just callin it like i see it.
Click to expand...
Good input, but I've heard the exact opposite... I think this bike is very track capable, especilly the S version with ohlins suspension... The raised bars will not allow you to put as much weight over the front wheel, but it is a riding adjustment for sure.

As far as power goes, close to 150Hp and 80 tq to the wheels?... I'd say that's pretty good, espceially since you're getting about 70 ft lbs of tq around 4 K rpm, makes ofr a fun ride!

Here is also the types of bars that you can put on them to put you on a more aggresive riding position and help put more weight over the front wheel.
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