Ducati Streetfighter V2 India evaluate: value, efficiency, options, rivals – Introduction

The Ducati Streetfighter V4 stays some of the intoxicating sportbikes I’ve ridden on our roads: 208hp, 14,500rpm and Italian exotica wrapped with affordable consolation is a mixture you’ll battle to seek out within the motoring world. Nevertheless, it may be a bit excessive, each by way of energy and value, and that’s the place the Streetfighter V2 steps in. It guarantees to supply the identical attractive fashion, the identical consolation and practicality, together with a extra smart energy determine and price ticket. Can’t assist however marvel, is that this the Goldilocks sporty Ducati?

Ducati Streetfighter V2 evaluate: design

To try to reply that, I repeated precisely what we did with the V4 final 12 months – commute via Mumbai and canopy far in quest of nice driving roads. Within the metropolis, this bike is each bit the celebrity the V4 was, just because it appears to be like nearly precisely the identical. The attractive/scowly face, beautiful Panigale tail, single-sided swingarm – they’re all there they usually by no means stop to draw countless consideration. It’s not simple to inform at a fast look whether or not you’re a V2 or a V4, however there are some giveaways. The primary is that the V2 doesn’t get the loopy side-mounted wings, the second is that it has a small exhaust pipe as an alternative of the underbelly system, and at last, it has a side-mounted monoshock rather than the V4s’ central unit.

Ducati Streetfighter V2 evaluate: engine and efficiency

Whereas they could look almost similar, the V2 has nothing to do with the SFV4 beneath and is as an alternative based mostly on the Panigale V2’s distinctive monocoque chassis and 955cc L-twin motor. And in the end, this bike is all concerning the engine, as a result of with all the large Ducatis transferring to V4 energy, that is successfully the final of the sporty, high-output Ducati twins. 

The motor makes 153hp and 101.4Nm of torque, and whereas that may be a little down on the Panigale V2, it will get a bigger (by two enamel) rear sprocket for extra low-end kick. Ducati twins are often fairly tall-geared, as is that this one, so the bigger sprocket all the time helps make the engine a bit extra prepared to run at decrease speeds in increased gears. Nonetheless, this isn’t a straightforward engine to stay with in a spot like Mumbai – it’s jerky and clattery beneath 3,000rpm, the clutch is heavy, and the warmth is intense. Fortunately, the suspension set-up within reason plush for a motorbike this sporty, and whereas on the agency facet, it isn’t painful. You do must be cautious over tall velocity breakers, although.

To its credit score, the V2’s cooling system works fantastically and the bike by no means overheats, however this bike is finest unleashed on open roads. The mid-range punch extends all the best way to 11,000rpm and with the booming exhaust observe, this motor is each wild and completely addictive. It definitely made me misbehave, and when you get pleasure from a uncooked, aggressive engine, you’ll completely love this twin, but it surely’s not for individuals who like a easy and calm expertise.

Ducati Streetfighter V2 evaluate: options, experience and dealing with

Surprisingly, the smaller Streetfighter is extra wanting to carry its entrance wheel than the V4, and it’s a motorbike that may have you ever continuously laughing in your helmet. It does take a bit of labor, although, and I recall the V4 being a better bike to experience – not simply due to its smoother, extra versatile engine, but additionally as a result of the chassis felt just a little simpler. The SFV2 isn’t sluggish by any means, however you do must be agency along with your inputs. And, at 200kg, it feels simply as huge and heavy because the V4, so it positively doesn’t have the light-weight, playful feeling you’d get from a middleweight like the brand new Monster or the Road Triple RS. 

Brembo M4.32 brakes are good, however not excellent.

The bike runs on Pirelli Diablo Rosso 4s, which had been greater than sufficient for the highway, and there’s the standard Ducati suite of electronics. Though, in contrast to the Panigale V2 and SFV4, this one doesn’t get a devoted Race mode. It’s additionally annoying that (just like the Panigales and SFV4) there is no such thing as a gas gauge and you must handle with only a low gas warning mild.

Ducati Streetfighter V2 evaluate: verdict

At Rs 18.10 lakh (ex-showroom, India), the SFV2 prices Rs 2.17 lakh lower than its faired sibling and Rs 4.05 lakh lower than the bottom SFV4. Within the Ducati universe, that’s fairly respectable pricing, however in the true world, that is nonetheless a really costly bike, extra so than the likes of the Kawasaki ZX-10R and the Suzuki Hayabusa. So far as rivals go, the closest could be the Rs 17.95 lakh, 180hp Triumph Velocity Triple RS, which is quicker and extra affordbale, however you possibly can argue that the Ducati feels a bit extra involving and particular. Since we’re on the subject, the SFV2’s construct high quality and end are completely lovely, however a number of of the black plastics had edges sharper than I’d like. It’s a small nit to choose, however at this value, I believe that’s honest to level out. 

In the end, the Streetfighter V4 nonetheless feels just like the extra particular bike, in addition to the better one to experience. If you may make the stretch, the V4 is the Streetfighter to have, but when not, the V2 continues to be a wonderful, intense, unique and deeply fascinating bike.

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Ducati Streetfighter V4 S evaluate