Ducati 2025 Streetfighter V2: less power, less weight

To be honest, we understand it, but somehow we don’t at all. The fact that Ducati has exchanged the Superquadro V-twin for a new, much maintenance-friendly and, despite the variable valve timing, technically less complex V2, the very first Ducati V-twin without desmodromic valve control but with simple valve springs, will be sacrilege for Ducatists. And the fact that the new V2 in the sporty tuning only produces 120 hp will not be appreciated by Ducati.

But. And now comes the but. On the other hand, the new V2 is a lot more maintenance-friendly, with a maintenance interval for checking the valve clearance of 30,000 km (compared to 15,000 with the old V-twin with desmodromic valve drive). And not only has the maintenance interval been doubled, checking valve clearance and adjustment is also a piece of cake compared to that desmodromic hassle.

Now, as far as the new Panigale V2 is concerned, we are not very pleased with it, because on the track everything revolves around power and it will be quite a loss for the owners of a superquadro Panigale V2 to have to reduce from 155 hp to 120 hp. And probably won’t do that either. But when it comes to the Streetfighter V2, different rules apply.

Of course, the Streetfighter V2 is also perfect for a day of Gassen on Assen, as we did last year, but the vast majority of kilometers will be traveled on the street by the vast majority of owners. And very different rules apply on the street, as the past has taught us. When Ducati launched the 155 hp Streetfighter in 2009, it was not a storm at the Ducati dealer, because it was perceived as too intimidating. That changed in 2012 with the arrival of the Streetfighter 848, which with 132 hp was much more user-friendly and sold like hotcakes.

And sure, 132 hp is still just under 10% more than the 120 hp that the new V2 manages to squeeze out, but on the other hand, the new 2025 Streeffighter V2 is specified for a curb weight without gasoline of 175 kilos (186 kilos). with a full 15 liter tank), while the Streetfighter 848 weighed 199 kilos ready to drive (with a 16.5 liter fuel tank). Or 12 hp less than the 848, but also almost 12 kilos lighter. And with almost the same maximum torque of 93.3 Nm (93.5 Nm with the 848), which is available at a lower speed of 8,250 rpm (9,500 rpm with the 848).

In terms of power and weight, there are small differences with the Streetfighter 848, which has gone down in history as the best-selling Streetfighter, precisely because it was so incredibly accessible. And so we are convinced that in this case downsizing the Streetfighter V2 could have been a golden move for Ducati. Unless its price tag turns out to be a stumbling block, but that will be in a moment.

First let’s take a closer look at the 2025 Streetfighter V2. The motorcycle has the same engine and frame as the 2025 Panigale V2, with the only differences being the lack of a fairing and the use of wide handlebars instead of clip-ons. The fuel tank, saddle and light aluminum rims are also the same as those of the Panigale V2. And indeed, on the 2025 Streetfighter V2 too, the very nice single-sided rear suspension has made way for an ugly double-sided bridge. Unfortunately.

The Streetfighter V2 is equipped with a 43 mm Marzocchi upside down front fork that is – of course – fully adjustable, and an equally fully adjustable Kayaba monoshock, where the V2 S version has been upgraded to a 43 mm Öhlins NIX30 upside down and Öhlins monoshock, both fully adjustable. It is striking that Ducati has given the 2025 version significantly more rear suspension travel, now 160 mm, compared to 130 mm for its predecessor.

In terms of electronics, the 2025 Streetfighter V2 has the same strategy as the Panigale V2, with 4 riding modes (Race, Sport, Road, Wet), Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Wheelie Control, Engine Brake Control, Ducati Quick Shift 2.0 and cornering ABS with slide -by-brake function. The S version adds Ducati Power Launch and Pit Limiter. According to Ducati, all these electronics can be adjusted with a simple push of a button.

The dashboard is a new 5” TFT display with a user interface based on the Infomode that is conceptually derived from that of the new Panigale V4. The three views – Road, Road, Pro and Track – are designed to allow the rider to focus on riding, highlighting the most relevant information for each context with a rational and complete view.

The rider interface has been streamlined, with the information integrated as much as possible to reduce its density and thus improve readability. For example, the tachometer also functions as a gear shift indicator and lights up green at the ideal speed for upshifting and red when too high a speed is reached.

The 2025 Streetfighter V2 will be available from the end of March 2025 for a price tag of € 18,890 (€ 15,490 BE), for the S version even € 21,790 (€ 17,990 BE) has to be paid and that could well be a stumbling block. This makes the Streetfighter V2 the most expensive sporty Naked in the mid-range segment, much more expensive than the 848 that was put on the market in 2012 for € 13,390.