Ever since we inducted the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S in the xBhp Garage, we have been in awe of it. More than 200 horses, gorgeous design, comprehensive electronics, ballistic performance on the racetrack, mind-boggling performance on the roads, and the Ducati badge; naked motorcycles don’t get better than this. And if they do, even if subjectively, it has to be another Ducati. We got our hands on the new Streetfighter V2 for a while and so we did the most xBhp-thing that we could with it… took it out for a ride alongside the V4! 

Before we dive into our thoughts about the Streetfighter V2, we need a little background. If one was to say that naked motorcycles, or streetfighters, are the best kind of motorcycles out there, we believe that they’d have more than a few backers. These motorcycles combine the power of their track counterparts with the ergonomics and design more suited for the urban jungle. This potent combination makes streetfighters one of the most sought-after motorcycles in the world. 

This is also evident from the fact that every manufacturer wants a part of the naked motorcycle pie. But Ducati, in pure Ducati fashion, takes the cake. Perhaps that is why they named their streetfighter, well, Streetfighter. A motorcycle named after a category of motorcycles has to be category-defining and the Streetfighter V4 does just that and then some. But to be honest, 208 bhp is a handful for even the most experienced riders. That is where the Streetfighter V2 comes in! 

A more accessible and probably a tad bit more usable Streetfighter was what Ducati was going for and they hit a home run with the Streetfighter V2. Like its older sibling is based on the Panigale V4, the Streetfighter V2 is based on the Panigale V2, Ducati’s middleweight (sort of) track weapon. What that ensures is that the Streetfighter V2 is a motorcycle that is usable every day in the city without losing out on the track acumen of its fully-faired twin. 

Riding the Streetfighter V4 and V2 side-by-side, only the most trained motorcycle eyes can make out the difference. The design theme of both motorcycles is the same with a few differences that set each of these motorcycles apart. The easiest giveaway is the lack of winglets on the Streetfighter V2. Another identifier is the exhaust; while the V4 has a chunky underbelly unit, the Streetfighter V2 uses a more conventional pipe that resembles that of the Panigale V2. Finally, among the more apparent differences, there’s the rear suspension. While the V4 gets a centrally-mounted shock, the Streetfighter V2 gets a side-mounted monoshock.

Other than this though, the difference between the two motorcycles is hard to make out. And that is a good thing because if there’s one thing that the Streetfighter V4’s design invoked was an overwhelming sensation of desire. The Streetfighter V2, being so similar to the V4, inspires the same kind of feelings. So be it the fancy fairing or the aggressive headlamp design or the single-sided swingarm, the Streetfighter V2 gets it all. 

While these two motorcycles look similar, their performance cannot be more different from each other. And based on our experience with both, we can say that the difference in power and torque is not the only factor here. It is the character of each of these motorcycles that differs wildly from each other. The Streetfighter V4 is powered by the 1,103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 unit and the Streetfighter V2 is propelled by the 955cc Superquadro V2. The V4 gets 208 horses and 123 Nm torques while the V2 “makes do” with a much tamer 153 bhp and 101.4 Nm of torque. 

We already know and we have already told you how devilishly quick the Streetfighter V4 is. Well, we are happy to report that the Streetfighter V2 is properly rapid as well. While they both weigh the same and therefore the V2’s power-to-weight ratio is inferior to the V4, it rarely feels that way. The Streetfighter V2 is eager to get going and after that, it just keeps on going. It is not as maddening as the V4, but trust us when we tell you that the Streetfighter V2 is also capable of more than enough kicks. 

As we mentioned earlier though, the major differentiator here is the character of both engines. The V4 is all-powerful and honestly fear-inducing, it feels that way only when it is wrung to death and back. Otherwise, it feels very smooth. The Streetfighter V2 on the other hand… yep, this one is properly alive. 

It is brash and a little rough around the edges and that’s what makes it so lively. It may even narrowly beat the V4 when it comes to this particular aspect. Moreover, since it is nearly 50 horses short of the V4, the Streetfighter V2 can be thrashed around a bit more easily when compared to the V4 which may very well fling you into oblivion, with love, of course. 

In terms of outright performance, the V4 has the V2 beat handily for obvious reasons, but in terms of the sheer joy of riding motorcycles, it is rarely left behind. Though there is one slight niggle. The Streetfighter V2 is not particularly happy-snappy when it is not being revved. The Streetfighter V4 is the same but it never feels that way due to its smoothness. On the V2, you can tell that it only really comes alive after say 3,000 or 4,000 rpm. 

Then there’s handling; another department where there are subtle differences between these two very capable motorcycles. The Streetfighter V4 uses the Panigale V4’s aluminium alloy ‘front frame’ while the V2 is wound around an aluminium monocoque. Despite the more premium Ohlins components on the V4 S, the V2 isn’t far behind with Showa in the front and Sachs at the rear. Despite their differences, the Streetfighter V4 and V2 are both very capable machines. 

The bigger and wider handlebars aid the rider in properly utilizing the stellar handling characteristics of both of these motorcycles. In the corners, it is hard to make out the differences between the two, with the delta only making itself apparent when both of the motorcycles are pushed to their limits. Doing that though also reveals another rather significant difference between these two motorcycles; the tyres. The Streetfighter V2 runs on Diablo Rosso IV tyres while the V4 rocks much stickier Rosso Corsa 2s. While it’d take a proper racetrack to really highlight the differences between the two, it is just apparent enough to let you know. 

Now, in terms of how equipped each of these motorcycles is, it is pretty obvious that the Streetfighter V4 S has a more comprehensive electronic suite. Despite the price difference though, the Streetfighter V2 is not too far behind and when it comes to safety, it only misses out on Ducati Slide Control (DSC). In terms of standard equipment though, a few things are missing such as Ducati Power Launch, along with some quick adjustment buttons. 

Overall, we found the Streetfighter V2 to be a very feisty machine. There is more than enough power and because of the gearing, it is eager to have its front wheel in the air all the time. The Streetfighter V4, on the other hand, can do all that and more but isn’t so brash about it. We expected the V2 to be a fair compromise over the V4 in all departments but as we mentioned earlier, both of these motorcycles have very different characters. 

With the massive amount of power it has, the Streetfighter V4 can obliterate anything and anyone but with the electronic muzzles it gets, the power can be somewhat tamed. Other than that though, it is very pliant, very smooth, and it does not feel as stiff. The Streetfighter V2, on the other hand, may have less power but it is perpetually eager to show it and with the monocoque chassis and its overall setup, it demands the riders to do their best to get the best out of it. 

So while accessibility can be a big selling point for the Streetfighter V2, we’d say that it is not as big a deal because the V4 is a gentle giant in its own right. It may seem like a downer but it’s a good thing because, for a lot less money, you get all the madness you can ask for. ‘Lot less money’ though is a relative term here. The Streetfighter V4 comes in at INR 22.15 lacs while the V4 S clocks in at 25.49 lacs! The Streetfighter V2 starts at INR 18.10 lacs. Undercutting the V4 by around 4 lacs and the V4 S by more than 7 lacs, it seems like a good deal. Compared to other motorcycles in the market, it does command a premium but then, you get your money’s worth along with the fact that… Ducatis are rather special, aren’t they?

This article was published in the Dec’22-Jan’23 Issue of the xBhp Print Magazine. Order your copy here, or read it online here.