Subtle probably isn’t the first word you’d use to describe a 208 horsepower, 1100cc naked bike with aerodynamic biplane wings to try and keep it planted on the ground. But that may change as the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S Dark Stealth arrives for 2021.
It’s not unusual for the Italian motorcycle manufacturer to offer a ‘Dark’ paintscheme for most models it produces. But the new matt black colour really flatters the angular look of the Streetfigher V4 S, so we’re not going to complain that it joins the traditional Ducati Red as an option.
And it’s not likely that you’ll go unnoticed on when the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S Dark Stealth arrives for 2021. You’ll be riding a big naked bike which weights in at a reasonable 178kg dry weight, and puts out 208hp at 13,000rpm, with 123Nm of torque at 9,500rpm.
The main update beyond the colour scheme is that all of the Ducati Streetfighter range will meet Euro 5 anti-pollution rules, with changes to the V4 meaning you get max power slightly higher, and max torque slightly lower, than on the previous Euro 4 version, but you don’t lose any performance.
In addition to recalibrating the engine, the exhuast silencer now has 10mm longer catalysts inside, and the manifolds of the rear bank have been shortened and reduced in diameter. If you’re not into gas flow and pollution technology, it basically means you’re more environmentally friendly without the exhaust looking any different from the outside.
What you might notice is that the 2021 Ducati Streetfighter range will all come with new front brake and clutch pumps which are self-bleeding to remove air from the system, and derived from those used on the Superleggera.
That’s about all of the changing details for the 2021 Ducati Streetfighter V4 S, but you’ll be pleased to know it still comes with Ohlins fully adjustable suspension at the front with Smart EC 2.0 event-based modes for electronic compression and rebound damping (the non-S model has fully adjustable Showas). And at the rear there’s a similarly adjustable Ohlins TTX36 unit (Sachs on the non-S).
Both Streetfighters come with Brembo brakes, but on the S they’re applied to 3-spoke forged Marchesini aluminium alloy wheels. And you get a whole host of electronic gubbins, including riding modes, power modes, cornering ABS EVO, Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Wheelie Control, Ducati Slide Control, Engine Brake Control, Auto tyre calibration, Ducati Power Launch, Ducati Quick Shit, full LED lighting, and auto-off indicators, plus the suspension adjustment on the S model.
The current Ducati Streetfighter is available for £17,795, and the Streetfighter V4 S starts at £19,995. When the Ducati Streetfigher V4 S Dark Stealth arrives for 2021 it’ll be priced at £20,295, which is a fairly small premium for a paint option that really flatters the design of the bike.
Streetfighters have definitely come a long way since people stopped replacing the fairing after dropping their sports bike. But if it’s not your style, then why not check out all of our new and classic motorcycle coverage, here, including everything Ducati.
The Ducati Streetfighter was originally launched in 2009, so there are a reasonable and growing number of secondhand bikes available on eBay and other sites.
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