2020 Ducati streetfighter new owner check-in

Andy7 said:

That Silver tank would look great, maybe in time when you can take a week or two off riding it and find someone to strip the red paint off? Either way it’ll still look sweet

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KMY said:

Full Akra will be on next week. She's a blast. Pretty different than a 1290 Superduke R or even the 1098 Streetfighter. Down on torque and need to provoke her to get the front wheel up. But insanely fast for a naked and well planted, plush to ride and great in the twisties. 150 miles on the clock so still figuring her out.

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KMY said:

Full Akra will be on next week. She's a blast. Pretty different than a 1290 Superduke R or even the 1098 Streetfighter. Down on torque and need to provoke her to get the front wheel up. But insanely fast for a naked and well planted, plush to ride and great in the twisties. 150 miles on the clock so still figuring her out.

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DucatiKev said:

I love it. Looking at it in the rear view it’s screaming “get the .... outta my way” the wheels r probably my favorite part, really nice touch.

why do u guys run ur plates on such a hard up angle? Flip that ishh around

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KMY said:

Too many tickets here in CA with any other angle for the plate, unfortunately!

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Hejnfelt said:

I can't say for the 2020 Panigale V4, but I rode my 1299 to the dealership specifically hoping to compare it to the Streetfighter and took the 1299 on a 200km roundtrip after the test ride.

Keep in mind my 1299S is set up for me suspension wise, it's heavily modded w. Full Ti Akra, custom Tuneboy map and -1 front sprocket, carbon wheels, GP shift rearsets, better brakes etc.. It also has the upgraded DTC EVO electronics. It's a missile and I'm very comfortable on it. The Streetfighter was stock.

Because of the difference in seating position, the Streetfighter feels much faster and dramatic under acceleration than the 1299. The 1299 obviously has much more torque and coming out of corners or under acceleration, I often find myself on the back wheel, which arguably feels awesome but it happens even when I don't intend it to. I didn't get comfortable enough with the Streetfighter to pull it out of corners on the backwheel but it's definitely possible.

The torque curves of the 2 bikes are very different but so is the gearing. Torque can be manipulated with gearing, what really matters in the comparison is torque available at any given speed. Due to its shorter gearing through the gears, Ducati manages to give the Streetfighter fantastic midrange feel. Take 4th gear as an example. 125kmh on a stock 1299 is around 5750 rpm. On a Streetfighter it's 7500 rpm. At these rpm the two stock bikes make the same 110nm torque. The big difference is that this is right in the annoying torque valley of the 1299 but it's right in the middle of the torque surge on the Streetfighter. Accelerating from 100kmh in 4th gear on the Streetfighter will feel like a surge of power right away that just keeps building rapidly and also feels more dramatic due to the upright seating position. The 1299 will lurch forward immediately at WOT @100kmh, but then lose its gasp a little as the torque dips and then will come alive again which gives you a moment to brace yourself for the mad rocket ship you're on. Due to the forward leaning body position and high footpegs, it feels much less dramatic although the two bikes are probably equally fast in this test if the 1299 isn't slightly faster.

In the lower gears is where there's a real difference. I can pull the my 1299 on the rear wheel in 2nd gear easily with a slight whack of throttle at 50kmh. It has so much damn grunt in the lower revs that it's like using cheat codes. The Streetfighter did not want to do this in 2nd. In 1st, yes no problem. But in 2nd and up, clutch up is necessary.

The Streetfighter will never feel like a 1.3L V2 stump puller. The old kick in the ass when whacking the throttle, lurching you forward - that's gone. If you like that, get a 1299 - or better - a Superduke. This is arguably the biggest difference from the old Streetfighter, but the new streetfighter is just so much better in every other aspect that I did not feel like I was missing it at all.

As for which bike is a better speedster on country roads, the 1299 felt more special to ride after the test of the SFV4S and I know I am always faster on the fast stretches on a superbike than a naked bike. The 1299 is like the girl who rocks your socks off during specific hours of the night. But taking her grocery shopping would feel awkward. The 1299 is awkward below 100kmh except for the occasional wheelie but incredible at +150kmh. The Streetfighter is only awkward at +250kmh where hanging on is quite literally a battle but incredible everywhere else and makes you feel it too.

Like marriage, choose the one who makes you feel incredible even when grocery shopping. I'd choose the Streetfighter.

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KMY said:

Posted this on another one of my threads but since most streetfighter buyers are on here i figured I’d post my initial impressions here too.


Took the SF out today and put about 70 miles on her. Variety of tight twisties and longer sweepers. Here’s what I learned.

The bike in certain respects feels to me like a more capable hypermotard on steroids with a more planted riding position and stable cornering characteristics. Strange description I know. Maybe it’s the upright bars but I think there’s mto it than just that. It is very comfortable and plush to ride. Not bouncy or too much travel like the hyper could be at times but a great combo of comfort even mid corner on bumpy roads but still very planted and confidence inspiring on the edge of the tire. No issues getting a knee down and ground clearance feels similar to the panigales.

The bike is FAST with a capital F. Surprisingly so. You’re more upright and without much wind protection so it is a bit shocking when you twist the throttle and the bike takes off like a superbike. Takes some getting used to.

Torque. So it’s definitely there. But it’s different than the panigales. I can power wheelie the speciale in second at about 7-8k rpm all day long with a quick snap of the throttle. Clutch ups easy as well in third at anything over 80mph.

The SF by comparison loves to wheelie in first gear (like the hyper) and in second at about 55-60 mph and 8k rpm. Unlike the hyper it’s got a long first gear so you can ride that wheelie out through 60mph in first. In second it’ll take you up through 90mph and doesn’t require any clutch like the hyper did in second. And it comes up EASY at those slower speeds and controllable too. The bike doesn’t seem to like to wheelie in second at higher speeds (say over 70mph) At least not yet with the standard exhaust. I have not tried clutch ups yet.

Based on what I’ve learned so far this bike is more of a hooligan at speeds under70mph. Once on the freeway it’s pretty planted unlike the v4’s panigales which can power wheelie anywhere. It‘s power delivery reminds me a bit of the v4r. Again this thing is FAST!!

I think this bike will be really good at the track due to its mannerisms as long as you can hang on in the straights. It shoots out of corners with the best of them. And don’t need to be overly sensitive with the throttle. The electronics just keep getting better and better.

So kinda the best of both worlds. A hooligan at slower speeds and a superbike as you pick up the pace. Great looks and comfort too.

More to come. But day 2 was a hoot!!! So much fun to ride!

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KMY said:

Anytime man. Hope it was helpful. I think you’ll like it. It’s an impressive piece of kit for sure. More to come once the full system is installed.

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torrific said:

You mention it's a plush ride, is the ride that much more comfortable compared to the Pani V4S?

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Andy7 said:

Don't forget to update your bike list down below too!

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KMY said:

Ha! Thanks man. I’ve tried to update my signature a few times but since the forum was updated a few months back every time I do it says I have 18 too many lines so I’ve just left it. If anyone knows how to update a signature with this many lines let me know!

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KMY said:

Ha! Thanks man. I’ve tried to update my signature a few times but since the forum was updated a few months back every time I do it says I have 18 too many lines so I’ve just left it. If anyone knows how to update a signature with this many lines let me know!

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creakyjoinz said:

Just got my new SF V4S yesterday - only ride was home from the dealer in drizzle. Really excited to get it out this afternoon when the pavement dries ut and put some break-in miles on.
Reading the manual, I am curious about how to adjust fork spring preload. The manual just says to have your dealer do it - anyone know if that is because the ESC has to be recalibrated or is there some other reason (other than having owner-tuners mucking up the suspension balance)?

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