Ducati Streetfighter V4

208bhp at 13,000rpm. 123Nm at 9250rpm. 1103cc, V4 engine. These aren’t merely figures you’d find on the specification sheet of the Ducati Streetfighter V4. They are also a kind of forewarning. To tell you that the Streetfighter is not to be taken lightly. To remind you that what you are straddling between your legs is the definition of an insane motorcycle. One that will leave you in splits with the sheer lunacy it brings to the table. And while at it, change your perception about what motorcycles are capable of in today’s times.

The very sight of the Streetfighter V4 will induce a hint of trepidation within you, and for good reason. Words like angry, menacing, and brutal are what erupt in your brain when you look at the headlight, DRL, and the cowl around it. The ‘Joker’ and his mean smile are the inspiration behind that design and I can’t think of a more befitting correlation between the two.

There’s a bit of visual heft in the shape of the new fuel tank as well. It also has a very functional purpose to allow riders to hold on to it while braking hard or cornering. And then there is the tail section that is stunning to look at, especially with its omega-shaped tail light. But that’s not all.

The attention to detail, as is so often expected from a Ducati at this level, is astounding, to say the least. The single-sided swing arm puts up those gorgeous Marchesini forged wheels in full view for the world to admire. The biplane wings add to the drama of the Streetfighter’s appearance and all the control switches, wirings, and aluminum bits feel superior grade.

Even the grey/black colour of our bike looks great and goes with the sinister design of the Streetfighter V4. It’s no surprise that it was the cynosure of all eyes wherever it went.

The Desmosedici Stradale V4 is an engine that has earned reverence for the sheer firepower it packs. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that four pistons can rev so quickly. Or that 200-plus horses are tamable because of the advancements in electronics that are nothing short of wizardry. And there are a plethora of electronics that the Streetfighter packs.

It has multiple levels of traction control, cornering ABS, and wheelie control among other electronic nannies to keep you and your bike pointing the right side up. There are four power modes with a new Full mode that unleashes the full fury of the V4. Ride modes like Race, Sport, and Urban temper the power delivery and responsiveness with the new Wet mode dropping peak output to 160bhp.

Besides that, the V4 S has electronically adjustable, Ohlins semi-active suspension that is incredible in the way it works. The scope of fine-tuning it is immense and it also works in conjunction with the ride mode that one selects. In Wet mode, for instance, the suspension is softened for better grip and stability. 

All the settings for the aforementioned systems are done by jogging through menus displayed on a five-inch colour TFT display. While the interface is neat and easy to understand, a more intuitive switchgear would make a world of a difference in elevating the experience of making selections.

The moment the Streetfighter V4’s engine comes to life, you get a sense of what’s going to happen next. The sound coming off the exhaust pipes was equal parts intimidating and soul-stirring. And I hadn’t even gotten into first gear! 

The deep, angry tone when you blip the throttle still rings in my ears. And as you begin to roll off and feed in the revs, this engine switches on that mean streak within you. After this point, you’ve signed a pact with the Streetfighter V4 to engage in one of the most riveting motorcycling experiences you’ll ever encounter.

In Full power mode, the Streetfighter V4 is an insane animal. The acceleration, the eye-poppingly quick jump in the numbers on the speedo and the evocative sound coming off the exhaust culminates into a theatre that you’d keep buying tickets to.

I’m guilty of finding empty stretches of tarmac in the middle of the night and indulging in the wholesome, exciting and laugh-out-loud performance of this bike and consequently raking up a big fuel bill. The Streetfighter drinks when ridden in the manner it should. But, would you care about a few extra thousand spent on fuel in exchange for indelible memories?

For all that performance, I was impressed by the engine’s ability to manage commute duties with equal aplomb. Switching to Urban or Wet mode makes it rather simple to manage this mad motorcycle through city traffic. The throttle response is calmer, the bike isn’t intimidating and there’s no sign of protest from the big V4. You do feel the heat around your legs in choc-a-bloc traffic in the middle of a summer afternoon but full credit to the rear cylinder bank deactivation system and the heat management of the bike to cope with the ordeal.

It never shut off the engine even once and that’s commendable for an engine of this size and power. One, however, must be mindful to stick to fuel that’s 95 octane or above or else the V4 grumbles a lot.

While the engine deals with Indian road conditions impressively, the Ohlins suspension is like the cherry on top of the package. It is so easy to set up as per the road conditions and then the way it deals with bad roads would even put some Indian bikes to shame. At the same time, the suspension does a brilliant job of keeping the wheels planted on the road when you go around corners.

There’s a finesse in the Stretfighter’s chassis that allows riders of different skill levels to push the envelope of their potential. It is only possible because of the immense confidence that the bike’s handling provides. The traction control is seamless in its intervention, and the ride modes, wheelie control and other electronics have your back. Adding to this sense of reassurance are the superb Brembo Stylema brakes. The Streetfighter V4 has a ride and handling setup that is truly, par excellence.

The Streetfighter V4 is like that shot of adrenaline to your system without which life would only seem like a mundane chore. Every single minute I spent with it was one that I’ll always cherish. Whether it's the performance from the V4 engine, which by the way, deserves the highest accolades possible, or how the chassis works to deliver a sublime motorcycling experience. It is a reminder of what is possible when engineers and designers are given free rein to come up with a motorcycle one has to experience to believe.

The bike, at Rs 28 lakh, ex-showroom, is expensive, what with India’s bizarre taxation on big motorcycles. But, if you have got the pockets to bring the Streetfighter V4 S home, you must. That big wide smile on your face while riding this machine can’t have a price attached to it, no?

Images by Kaustubh Gandhi