Ducati Streetfighter V2 Delivers 120 HP in a Lighter Package

The 2025 Ducati Streetfighter V2 combines the performance-focused hardware of Ducati’s Panigale V2 with the more upright riding position of a naked motorcycle. Designed as a street-oriented version of the sportbike, it pairs an 890cc V-twin engine with a lightweight chassis and sophisticated electronic controls. The motorcycle has a listed top speed of 150 mph and starts at $15,995.

Ducati’s approach is straightforward: take the Panigale V2’s engine, chassis and performance characteristics, remove its extensive bodywork and install a taller, wider handlebar. The result is a motorcycle built for everyday road riding while retaining much of the character associated with Ducati’s sportbike range. Its styling also makes it difficult to overlook, attracting attention and questions about its performance, price and model year.

At the front, the Streetfighter V2 features a sharply styled full-LED headlight accompanied by daytime running lights. Braking comes from two 12.6-inch front discs paired with Brembo M50 monobloc calipers. At the back, the seat and tail section form a smooth, race-inspired shape influenced by Ducati’s MotoGP motorcycles. Under-seat exhaust silencers continue a design approach Ducati has used on several of its sportbikes. The six-spoke alloy wheels feature a Y-shaped pattern that draws inspiration from the traditional three-spoke Marchesini wheels associated with Italian performance motorcycles.

Weight is one of the biggest changes with this generation. The Streetfighter V2 S weighs 386 pounds without fuel, making it the lightest Streetfighter Ducati has produced. It is approximately 40 pounds lighter than the previous-generation model, a reduction that contributes to easier maneuvering, turning and overall control.

Power comes from Ducati’s new 890cc, 90-degree V-twin. The engine produces 120 horsepower at 10,750 rpm and 69 pound-feet of torque at 8,250 rpm. At approximately 120 pounds, the engine is also around 20 pounds lighter than the Superquadro engine it replaces. Ducati says roughly 70% of maximum torque is available from 3,000 rpm, giving the motorcycle useful low- and mid-range response for road riding without requiring the engine to be kept at high revs.

For track-focused riders, Ducati offers a racing exhaust that raises output to 126 horsepower while reducing the motorcycle’s weight by about another 10 pounds. The system is intended for closed-course use rather than regular street riding.

The Streetfighter V2 uses a lightweight monocoque frame in which the engine forms part of the motorcycle’s structural architecture. Its double-sided swingarm is derived from the design used on the Panigale V4, with Ducati aiming to combine stability during acceleration out of corners with the quick responses expected from a performance motorcycle.

Electronics play a major role in the bike’s operation. A six-axis inertial measurement unit monitors the motorcycle’s behavior while it is traveling, leaning, braking and accelerating. The system supports cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, engine-braking management and Ducati Quick Shift 2.0, which enables clutchless upshifts and downshifts.

The motorcycle offers four riding modes: Race, Sport, Road and Wet. Each mode alters engine response and the intervention levels of the electronic systems. Riders can also adjust the settings themselves rather than relying exclusively on Ducati’s predefined configurations. Information is displayed on a 5-inch color TFT instrument panel with layouts designed for both road and track use.

Ducati also provides a range of optional equipment. Track-oriented customers can add the racing exhaust and Lap Timer Pro, which records lap and split times and can show performance improvements while riding. Road-focused accessories include cruise control, turn-by-turn navigation, a USB charging outlet and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

On the road, the Streetfighter V2 demands some familiarization with its combination of power and responsiveness. Acceleration, braking, turning and low-speed maneuvers require the rider to build confidence with the motorcycle’s controls. Once settled in, the bike is capable of handling everyday traffic as well as faster highway and mountain-road riding.

The engine’s character is also a notable part of the experience. Its exhaust produces a distinctive “snork” sound when the throttle is opened, giving the motorcycle a recognizable acoustic character. The bike can keep pace with traffic while providing the performance and braking capability expected from a Ducati derived from its sportbike platform.

There are, however, some areas that could be improved. The foot controls could benefit from larger brake and shift levers, while upshifts can sometimes require a firm movement from the rider. The test experience also included a stall while accelerating through an intersection in fifth gear, illustrating that the engine can be less forgiving of an overly high gear at times.

Overall, the Ducati Streetfighter V2 combines striking styling, a 120-horsepower V-twin, reduced weight and extensive electronic assistance in a naked-bike package. Its combination of Panigale-derived hardware and a more upright configuration makes it a highly engaging motorcycle for riders looking for strong performance in a street-focused format.