The Streetfighter V4 SP2 has a carbon rim that is 1.4kg lighter than the V4 S.
Ducati’s spiritual naked bike, the Streetfighter V4, has received a series of updates for 2023, aimed at making the bike more capable than ever. For the uninitiated, the Ducati Streetfighter V4 is essentially a Panigale V4, except for the starter, the committed driving position and the same power output. However, the bike is still a 200hp+ machine, and it cannot be said that its performance cannot be underestimated.
2023 Ducati Streetfighter V4 / V4 S: design
Ignoring some updates to the 2023 Panigale V4 R, the updated Streetfighter V4 has a 17-liter fuel tank (up from 16 liters) and Ducati says it’s designed to better support the driver when cornering and braking.
However, the bodywork is largely identical to the 2023 Streetfighter V4, although the new Gray Nero paintwork makes the car look quite appealing, as does the Red paintwork.
2023 Ducati Streetfighter V4 / V4 S: electronics
A large portion of updates have been made to the Streetfighter V4 electronics package. Five driving modes are available – Full, High, Medium, Low and Wet. Full, as the name suggests, delivers maximum performance from the Desmosedici Stradale V4, with the most responsive throttle response, except when the car is in first gear. The High and Medium modes are revised for 2023, while the Low mode drops power from 208hp to 165hp, while also reducing throttle response significantly. For 2023, Ducati has also introduced a new ‘Wet’ mode, making it easier to cycle on rainy surfaces and low grip.
There’s a new ‘Track Evo’ display layout inspired by the Ducati MotoGP machine and showing all the relevant information you want when riding this bike around the track.
Other electronic updates include new software for Ducati Quick Shifter (DQS) for smoother gearshifts. The cooling fan operation software has also been tweaked to ensure that the bike runs cooler at slow speeds, such as in traffic.
2023 Ducati Streetfighter V4 / V4 S: chassis
While the main frame has been carried forward from the previous model, there is a noticeable tweak in the form of a 4mm higher swingarm swing point. This, in turn, improves the anti-squat feature, allowing the driver to reduce force when exiting a corner. The swing point of the raised swingarm shifts the weight forward and that helps in situations where the rider is cornering.
Aside from tweaking the swingarm pivot point, the rest of the bike remains the same when using the suspension components. The V4 S and V4 SP2, like before, have Ohlins Smart EC 2.0 electronic suspension.
Another area where the V4 and V4 S differ is their wet weight with the base model leaning towards 201.5kg in weight while the S comes in at 197.5kg. Part of the reason behind the S’ lower weight is that it forged Marchesinis, and in 2023 the S comes equipped with a lithium-ion battery as standard (previously only for SP2), which can only drop 1, 7kg.
2023 Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP2
Streetfighter V4 SP2 is 1kg lighter than V4 S, at 196.5kg. This is achieved by using carbon fiber rims that are 1.4kg lighter than the V4 S rims. Speaking of rims, they are fitted with Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa IV tires, regardless of vehicle model. Plus, the extra money the SP2 commands over lower variants gets you a carbon spoiler and fenders, a dry clutch, and Brembo Stylema R brakes.
2023 Ducati Streetfighter V4: Powerful naked machine
What hasn’t changed is that the ballistic missile Desmosedici Stradale engine makes 208 horsepower and propels the Streetfighter to some serious triple-digit speeds. Helping the bike to a stop is the same Brembo Stylemas kit (R on SP 2) as on last year’s bike.
2023 Ducati Streetfighter V4: Launched in India
Ducati India is expected to launch the updated Panigale V4/V4 S in India in the coming months. As for the SP 2 variant, there is no word yet, but it is likely that a few units will be allocated to India.
