Ducati Streetfighter V4 2025 Review

With more power, less weight, and cutting-edge electronics, it achieves an outstanding power-to-weight ratio of 1.13 hp/kg, unmatched in its class. With its MotoGP DNA, it combines track performance with remarkable everyday usability.

The engine of the new Ducati Streetfighter V4 is the legendary Desmosedici Stradale V4 with a displacement of 1,103 cc, now delivering 214 hp at 13,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 120 Nm at 11,250 rpm. Ducati has refined the engine for the 2025 model, equipping it with new camshafts to optimize power output. The revised intake system with variable funnels ensures an even better balance between peak performance and rideability.

Despite the Euro5+ regulations, Ducati has preserved the thrilling and signature sound of the V4 engine. For riders seeking maximum performance, Ducati offers an Akrapovič racing exhaust system that reduces weight and boosts power to 226 hp.

The Ducati Streetfighter V4 benefits from a revised chassis directly inherited from the Panigale V4. The new aluminum front frame is not only 950 grams lighter but also features a 39 percent reduction in lateral stiffness, which aims to enhance cornering handling. The brand-new hollow symmetric swingarm is also a technical marvel. It is 3.27 kilograms lighter than the previous single-sided swingarm, including linkage, and offers 37 percent less lateral stiffness, thereby improving traction at corner exit and optimizing acceleration.

Additionally, small yet crucial changes have been made to the geometry. The steering head angle has been increased by 0.5 degrees and the trail extended by 1 millimeter to further enhance stability.

Ducati has further refined the suspension of the Streetfighter V4, employing different solutions depending on the model. While the standard version is equipped with a fully adjustable Showa Big Piston Fork (BPF) with a 43 mm stanchion diameter and a Sachs shock absorber, the Streetfighter V4 S features a high-tech suspension system from Öhlins.

The S version features an electronically controlled NIX 25/30 (SV) S-EC 3.0 fork and a TTX36 (SV) S-EC 3.0 shock absorber. This suspension utilizes the Öhlins Smart EC 3.0 system, which automatically adapts to riding style and track conditions. A standout feature is the new "Cruise Detection" function, which softens the damping at a constant speed to significantly enhance comfort on longer rides.

The braking system of the Ducati Streetfighter V4 2025 has been further developed to offer maximum control both on the road and the track. Up front, it features two 330-mm discs with the latest Brembo Hypure® monoblock calipers, which are not only lighter than the previous model but also dissipate braking heat more effectively. At the rear, a 245-mm brake disc with a 2-piston caliper provides the reliable stopping power.

The new Race eCBS system further optimizes braking performance and includes a Slide-by-Brake function, which allows for controlled drifting while enhancing riding stability.

The new Ducati Streetfighter V4 is equipped with state-of-the-art electronics derived from MotoGP. The new Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO) simulates over 70 sensors to control all electronic systems with greater precision. This system is complemented by an enhanced traction control, the eight-level adjustable Ducati Traction Control (DTC) DVO, a sensitive Ducati Slide Control (DSC), and a new Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) DVO.

The new Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) 2.0 technology enables particularly precise gear changes by eliminating the micro switch and instead using an angle position sensor, making the shifting feel even more direct.

As with the Panigale V4, riders can choose from four riding modes:

In Race mode, the bike unleashes its maximum performance for the track. The Sport mode offers dynamic tuning for winding country roads, while the Road mode optimizes the bike for everyday use. The new Wet mode enhances safety on wet surfaces by reducing torque for smoother power delivery. Additionally, four power modes (Full, High, Medium, Low) are available to adjust the engine's throttle response.

Ducati has also further improved the ergonomics. The handlebars have been moved 10 mm closer to the rider, which should facilitate better control in corners. At the same time, the footpegs are positioned 10 mm further inward, lower, and more forward to allow for greater lean angle clearance. The tank-seat unit offers more freedom of movement and better anchorage, which facilitates less tiring riding during deceleration and hanging off in curves, while new air channels ensure that hot air from the engine is more efficiently directed away from the rider.

The new 6.9-inch TFT display with an 8:3 aspect ratio ensures improved readability and offers various views for road and track. Optionally, "Turn by Turn" navigation and the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS) for smartphone connectivity can be added.

The new Ducati Streetfighter V4 stays true to the aggressive Ducati DNA while presenting an even more modern look. The new LED headlight enhances the distinctive appearance, while the rear with its "double-C" LED taillight adds another visual highlight. The new biplane winglets generate 17 kg of downforce at 270 km/h, further improving handling at high speeds.

In addition to the previously mentioned suspension difference, the V4 S features forged aluminum wheels instead of cast wheels and a lighter lithium-ion battery, resulting in an overall weight saving of 2 kg.

The new Ducati Streetfighter V4 will be available from March 2025. The standard version is priced at €30,795 in Austria, while the S version with the Öhlins Smart EC 3.0 suspension is priced at €34,995.

Even though the new V4 Streetfighter is heavily based on the Panigale, it's not easy to carry over the superbike's riding characteristics. Factors such as the wide handlebars, upright seating position, and lack of wind protection create a completely different dynamic compared to the supersport domain. However, the adjustments made in comparison to the Panigale hit the mark. Most impressive is the extremely stable handling, even at very high speeds. There aren't many naked bikes that run smoothly beyond 250 km/h. The new frame construction and swingarm with significantly more flex also contribute massively to calming the bike around the vertical axis. The slightly flatter steering head angle and longer wheelbase generate a certain supersport feeling, even in an unfaired bike. Only the wind pressure at top speed reminds you of the missing fairing. Remarkably, there are no noticeable turbulences around the helmet or upper body, allowing for an undistorted visual perception. Only the slightly strained neck muscles remind you of the brisk pace and the opposing gale that occurs. The new electronic Öhlins suspension 3.0, with new valves and software, also contributes to stability. Despite the 214 hp, you can fully throttle out of corners while leaned over without causing much movement. This allows for very tight corner exits despite massive acceleration. The grip is exceptionally high, nearly at superbike level. Furthermore, the suspension offers a wide range of adjustments, providing plenty of riding comfort on country roads in addition to occasional track use. In automatic mode, the system independently detects a leisurely ride on a straight stretch and autonomously opens the damping settings, creating a very comfortable impression as long as extreme lean angles are not reached.

The now shorter gearing helps keep the engine in an engaging RPM range on country roads. Despite the high power, the engine needs at least 5,000 RPM to really get going. If you want serious thrust, you'll need to hit 9,000 RPM. At that point, the V4 pushes so powerfully that the full power is barely manageable in the first two gears. Thanks to the switchable intake funnels at 12,000 RPM, the thrust continues to increase right up to the limiter. The 2 hp missing compared to the Panigale due to different intake configurations are negligible. The new and more effective winglets also help keep the front wheel down during acceleration, providing up to 45 kg of downforce at high speeds. The counter-rotating V4 further assists, as the reactive torque from the rising RPM also opposes the lifting front wheel. Any excess is managed by the electronics. Here too, Ducati draws from the rich offerings of the new Panigale, implementing the complete system including the 6.9" dashboard. The increased width allows for much better display of important data. Depending on preference, the right edge can show either the settings of the rider aids and their interventions, or information such as lean angle, etc. The switches can also be easily operated even with thicker gloves. After years of development, the rider aids now intervene smoothly, skillfully reducing power in necessary areas without the rider noticing much. Nevertheless, the system allows a lot of slip with lower intervention settings, enabling experienced riders to extract plenty of drive even with worn tires. The new combined braking system, which engages the rear brake when the front is applied, helps maintain stability during heavy braking. The major advantage is during hard braking into corners, where additional rear brake force pulls the bike into tighter lines. This system, also borrowed from the Panigale, goes a step further by keeping the rear brake active during high lean angles even after releasing the brake lever, allowing for even tighter cornering—a behavior inspired by MotoGP, where riders manually use the rear brake (often a thumb brake) to better pivot the bike at the apex. If additional braking interventions aren't desired, they can be easily deactivated through the ABS settings. That's why there are now five different ABS modes, one of which even allows for complete deactivation of rear ABS, enabling the bike to be drifted entirely sideways. The brake itself, with new Hypure calipers from Brembo and 330mm discs, is beyond reproach and decelerates impressively even with minimal hand force.