DUCATI STREETFIGHTER V4 SP2 (2023 - on) Review

Highlights

  • The highest-spec naked bike in Ducati's range
  • A follow-on to the Ducati Streetfighter SP
  • One of the most hardcore super nakeds out there

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Power: 205 bhp
Seat height: Tall (33.3 in / 845 mm)
Weight: Medium (433 lbs / 196 kg)

Prices

New £30,595
Used £29,000

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
5 out of 5 (5/5)

Following hot on the heels of the ’22 special edition Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP super naked motorcycle comes the SP2 version. It’s based on the reworked 2023 Ducati Streetfighter V4 S and like the SP, has a bundle of mouth-watering upgrades to help it go faster around a track and give it a tougher look.

The Streetfighter V4 is already one of the most hardcore super nakeds out there and in SP2 trim promises to be closer to a full-blooded superbike than ever, but it comes at a price: a whopping £30,595. That’s £7700 more than the V4 S.

If you don’t that kind of cash burning a hole in your pocket, don’t worry. The cheaper Streetfighter V4 S and even the base model are 99% as exciting, capable and drop dead gorgeous as the new V4 SP2.

Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP2 knee down on track

You’d need to ride them back-to-back to notice the differences between them and lap times would be similar, but that would be missing the point. Upgrades to the suspension, its lighter wheels and dry clutch all offer a small hike in performance and a big difference to the way you’ll feel when you open the garage door to see it staring back at you.

It has the evocative look of a half-stripped WSB racer and it sounds, goes, stops and handles as deliciously as it looks. It still won’t be as easy to get on with as some of its less powerful rivals, but in terms of the pure drama it delivers it’s worth every penny.

Watch MCN's Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP2 video review here:

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
5 out of 5 (5/5)

The 2023 V4 S is already one of the sharpest handling super nakeds, but the V4 SP2 has a more track focussed set-up. Semi-active Öhlins suspension runs the stiffer springs and internal damping settings from the Ducati Panigale V4, albeit with slightly less front preload (reduced from 11mm to 6mm) to suit the Streetfighter’s more upright layout that pushes the rider back from the front wheel.

Here at Imola during our first ride, the Ducati is sharp, precise and dispenses with corners with the serenity of a superbike. But like all super nakeds, it’s easy to get the bars shaking slightly in your hands under hard acceleration and with no fairing to hide behind, you need a fair deal of strength to hang on at full pelt.

With its wide bars, stiff superbike chassis, semi-active Öhlins suspension and a more spacious riding position for ’23, it’s easy to churn out quick laps on the standard Streetfighter V4 S. The job is simpler still thanks to the SP2’s split five-spoke carbon fibre wheels, first seen on the Ducati Superleggera V4.

Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP2 right side track action

They’re 1.4kg lighter than the V4 S’s forged ali wheels, 3.4kg less than the base V4’s cast ali wheels and assist the handling in every which way. With less unsprung weight it takes less effort to flick the Ducati from side to side, lets the suspension track more effectively over the track surface and sharpens braking and acceleration performance. They’re slight gains you’ll only notice riding back-to-back with the V4 S, but they’re there.

We got to ride the V4 SP2 on the same day as a Ducati Panigale V4R. The superbike is markedly quicker thanks to its full fairing and more front-biased riding position, but the Streetfighter is more of a laugh.

There’s more room to move around and there’s less pressure to break lap records on a naked, leaving you to savour the majesty of its 205bhp engine, unstickable handling, polished mapping and fool proof electronics (all unchanged from the V4 S), including a useful wheelie control that’s much needed on an undulating track like this. The V4 SP2 also comes with adjustable rearsets to give you the perfect leg position and can be set in a road or race shift gear pattern.

Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP2 Öhlins shock

Engine

Next up: Reliability
5 out of 5 (5/5)

The Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP2 uses the same 205bhp, 1103cc V4 motor as the V4 S, which in turn remains mechanically unchanged since its 2020 inception. Engine mapping and electronic rider aids for all the ’23 Streetfighter V4s have been refined making them easier to ride…relatively speaking, of course. It’s still wickedly fast and is all you can do to hang on at full throttle.

Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP2 engine

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
5 out of 5 (5/5)

Build quality, paint finishes and attention to detail are everything you’d expect for the price. There shouldn’t be any problem with durability, either. Owners’ reviews for the Streetfighter V4 S and previous SP, are glowing.

Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP2 aero wing

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Costing north of £30k the Streetfighter V4 SP2 costs way more than its super naked rivals, except for MV Agusta’s ultra-exotic Brutale 1000RR and Rush. Is it worth over seven grand more than the Streetfighter V4 S, or nearly twice a Yamaha MT-10? No, but if you’ve the cash it’s a very special machine that won’t disappoint.

The Ducati also costs more than £5000 more than a BMW M1000R in its fanciest competition pack clothes - including carbon wheels - too, but the BMW can't compete in the wall art exotica stakes like the SP2.

Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP2 reviewed by MCN's Michael Neeves

Equipment

5 out of 5 (5/5)

As well as its slipper clutch and carbon wheel, the Streetfighter V4 SP2 has an even more serious ‘factory’ look with its satin black ‘Winter Test’ livery, exposed brushed ali tank, V4 SP2 logo stitched into the seat and carbon fibre wings, front mudguard and dry clutch cover. It’s a numbered machine (proudly printed on the bars), although isn’t a limited edition special.

Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP2 headlight

Specs

Engine size 1103cc
Engine type 16v V4
Frame type Aluminium ‘front frame’. Engine stressed member
Fuel capacity 16.5 litres
Seat height 845mm
Bike weight 196kg
Front suspension Öhlins NIX 43mm forks. Semi active damping, mechanically adjustable preload
Rear suspension Öhlins TTX36 shock. Semi active damping, mechanically adjustable preload
Front brake 2 x 330mm front discs with four-piston Brembo Stylema R monobloc radial calipers. Cornering ABS
Rear brake 245mm rear disc with twin piston caliper. Cornering ABS
Front tyre size 120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size 200/60 x 17

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption -
Annual road tax £117
Annual service cost -
New price £30,595
Used price £29,000
Insurance group -
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two years

Top speed & performance

Max power 205 bhp
Max torque 90 ft-lb
Top speed 175 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range -

Model history & versions

Model history

  • 2022 – Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP introduced, based on original Streetfighter V4. Winter test colours, brushed ali tank, carbon wings, front mudguard, clutch cover and wheels, dry clutch, Stylema R calipers, adjustable Brembo master cylinder, adjustable rearsets, lithium battery.
  • 2023 – Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP2. Based on 2023 Streetfighter V4 S with SP upgrades.

Other versions

  • Ducati Streetfighter V4: full electronics, Stylema calipers.
  • Ducati Streetfighter V4 S: lighter forged ali wheels, lithium battery, Öhlins semi active suspension.

Owners' reviews for the DUCATI STREETFIGHTER V4 SP2 (2023 - on)

1 owner has reviewed their DUCATI STREETFIGHTER V4 SP2 (2023 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your DUCATI STREETFIGHTER V4 SP2 (2023 - on)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Engine: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Reliability & build quality: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Value vs rivals: 3 out of 5 (3/5)
Equipment: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
5 out of 5 The Ultimate performance naked
14 August 2023 by William Brown

Version: SP2

Year: 2023

It's probably fair to say that this is the most pointless bike i've ever owned, over 200hp on a naked bike, you'll be lucky to use half of that on a public road but.....to open the garage door and see it knowing you own it, the feeling you get from owning a high end Ducati is not like any other bike and I've owned several including R1M, M1000RR, RSV4 etc, they all pale in comparison with the feel good factor. If i had to criticise it, I would say it's quite a harsh bike especially on bumpy road surfaces and can make the ride lively to say the least. I love my bikes feeling like that, was always a Gsxr1000 , EARLY zX10R fan for the same reason, it makes you feel like you're alive and controlling the beast. Truth is, all of the above bikes are way better than most of us could hope to be. If you can afford one, buy it, it's not my only bike, I have a Z900RS SE and a BMW R1200GS TE as well which makes going out on the Duc, even more of an ocassion. My Mrs has the V2 Streetfighter, we don't drink, smoke, do drugs, no kids, no mortgage, no fancy holidays so we treat ourselves to the best of the best in motorcycling terms.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Realistically it has eye popping braking power with superb impressive feedback, no wooden abs pump vagueness, the retardation forces are initially powerful with very much feedback the harder you squeeze. Again, the best of the best.

Engine 5 out of 5

Absolutely bonkers quick, more than anyone could ever hope for if used on a public road. Extremely easy to lose your licence without even trying. This 23 model year mapping has improved it so much over the previous two updates, there is virtually no longer a comparison. I think even the Tuono Factory may have a run for it's money this year in MCN awards against the latest V4S.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Absolutely goes without saying, this is my 3rd V4 Streetfighter but hopefully has avoided the notorious water pump seal failure, time will tell.

Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

You don't buy one of these as value for money, what you get is feeling for money. The cost of servicing, replacing dry clutch plates, the rate it drinks fuel at, nobody could ever say it's value for money.

Equipment 5 out of 5

If i wanted to be hyper critical, i would say at the price, it should have a fuel guage, heated grips and cruise control but if i'm honest,the only one i miss is fuel guage, why there's not one on a £30k motorcycle is beyond me but i'm nitpicking with the hoard of electronic wizardry this thing has.

Buying experience: Bought from J&L Motorcycles in Carlisle, the dealer could not have been more helpful , understanding, informative if he tried, almost like Remington, i liked the company so much, I bought 3 bikes all this year on 23 plates from them. A very hard act to follow and we will be back.

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