Ducati has punted its 959 engine and introduced a new 890cc V2 powerplant, with significant changes, and installed that engine into new Streetfighter and Panigale models.
The new V-twin engine doesn’t use Desmo-style valves, the first V-twin from Ducati like this. It does, however, have a new cam phasing system and lots of other internal trickery that gets the weight down to under 60 kg for the engine itself.
The drop in displacement (about 70 cc) and the other changes mean this makes less power than Ducati’s previous 959-series engine. But the new V2 still makes a max of 120 hp at 10,750 rpm (126 hp if you add a Termignoni exhaust) and 68.8 lb-ft of torque at 8,250 rpm. Ducati includes its second-generation quickshifter to help you row through the six gears sans clutch. Of course, cornering-sensitive traction control, anti-wheelie control and the rest of those electronics that keep you safe from yourself are all included as standard.
Both the new Streetfighter V2 and Panigale V2 come with essentially the same chassis design, with the double-sided swingarm bolted directly to the engine case. A plastic sub-frame holds the forward-mounted bodywork, headlight and gauge cluster. A light, light 4-kg main frame unit attaches most of the rest of the bike, made of cast aluminum with a sort of monocoque design, allowing it to function as the airbox as well as the frame. Very, very trick.
Both bikes also have the same suspension, more-or-less, with Marzocchi up front and a Kayaba shock, all fully-adjustable. Both bikes also come in an S version that shaves a bit of weight and offers the Ohlins NIX30 suspension package instead, which is also fully adjustable. Both the standard and S versions of these bikes come with Brembo M50 brake calipers and can be outfitted with an Ohlins steering damper.
The new chassis means Ducati has shaved a lot of weight off these bikes from their previous iterations. The Streetfighter V2 weighs 177 kg without fuel; the Panigale V2 weighs 179 kg in the same state. The S version of the Streetfighter is 175 kg, and the Panigale V2 S is 176 kg.
Obviously the seating position is somewhat different between these machines, as the Streetfighter has you more upright, and the Panigale is more of a crouched-down racebike with more bodywork. Which one works best for you probable depends whether you plan to focus on trackdays or whether you want to enjoy riding the real world. We expect both these machines in Canada in coming weeks; see more details and specs at Ducati’s website.
