5 Things You Should Know About The 2020 Ducati Streetfighter V4

During the 2019 Ducati World Premier event, the legendary Italian manufacturer introduced all the new additions to its 2020 lineup, including the long-awaited Streetfighter V4. After months of teasing, we finally got the full picture.

Now, with the model just about ready to land in the showrooms, Ducati invited the world to a more technical presentation of the model—the one reviewers would have attended prior to the press ride. Due to the current circumstances, Ducati decided to do a virtual presentation instead and walk us through the new model's features. Here are five things you should know about the new 2020 Ducati Streetfighter V4.

1. The Key Word Is “Duality”

Throughout the presentation, the Ducati team kept referring to the model’s “dual personality”. Jeremy Faraud, the designer behind the Streetfighter’s look, explained that his design was inspired by the Joker’s duality—yes, this Italian beauty was inspired by Batman’s archnemesis.

What they all mean by that is that the model was designed to perform as well on the road as it does on the track. The Streetfighter has been thought out to be aggressive and fun on the track while also being comfortable and user-friendly on the road. No compromise allowed.

2. Improved Comfort

Ducati didn’t want to compromise with the Streetfighter V4. It needed the model to be as versatile as it could be, and to go from track to road and back again without any sacrifices. To achieve that, the team couldn’t simply take the Panigale, strip it from its fairing, and call it a day.

That’s how the Streetfighter became the more comfortable version of the Panigale, if you will. The handlebar is taller and wider and the footpegs sit lower on the frame so that there’s more space for the legs. The rider and passenger’s saddles are thicker and the pillion is slightly lower in relation to the rider’s position to make things more comfortable for everyone.

3. It’s All About The Aerodynamics

Because the Streetfighter’s riding position is different than the Panigale’s, the designers couldn’t apply the same aerodynamic principles. They integrated a set of Formula1-inspired air extractors into the semi fairing and added a set of bi-plane winglets on each side (instead of the Panigale V4 R’s single pair of winglets). This design decision helps keep the bike more compact.

In addition, the winglets create a downforce that not only grounds the bike but also help keep the front wheel down. The higher the speed, the stronger the downforce. They also add weight to the front of the bike during braking, reducing the stopping distance, and keeps the bike steady in the bends.

The Streetfighter also has a slightly longer wheelbase than its fully-faired counterpart, stretched by 15mm and the steering stem has been moved forward by 2mm.

4. The Italian Symphony

The Streetfighter V4 is powered by Ducati’s new-ish 1,103cc, 90-degree V4 engine, the same engines that powers the Panigale and the upcoming Multistrada. In the Streetfighter, the V4 produces 208 horsepower—versus 214 for the base Panigale.

The engine is set up to use a MotoGP-inspired “twin pulse” firing order in which the cylinders fire in order from front left to back left to right front to back front and so on, in an inverted "N” pattern.

The V4 is paired with the Ducati Quick Shift Up and Down (DQS) EVO 2 transmission that allows the rider to shift gears without first engaging the clutch and the system even uses lean angle data to help make the gear changes as smooth as possible while the bike is in a curve.

5. The Safe Performance Package

The Ducati Streetfighter V4 uses a six-axis inertial measurement unit (6D IMU) and comes equipped with the Safe Performance Package that includes cornering ABS, traction control, slide control, wheelie control, power launch, and engine brake control.

It also features three riding modes (Race, Sport, Road) which adapts such parameters as the suspension preload and ABS aggressivity. The controls can be adjusted using the 5-inch TFT color display. The Streetfighter is compatible with the option Ducat Multimedia System that lets the rider manage their calls and text messages, stream music, and adjust audio and voice controls.