By the time an actual `09 Ducati Streetfighter showed up in our garage, I’d already decided not to like the thing. Pictures really didn’t do it for me. And the whole idea of a de-fanged, undressed 1098 sounded like sawing off a Caesar Guerini shotgun: tragically inappropriate and potentially dangerous. But after 144 miles on the thing, I’m not keen on the idea of giving it back. Ever.
Logic obviously isn’t a factor, despite the fact that Ducati did a whole lot more than peel the plastic from a 1098. A new frame and longer swingarm add nearly two inches of wheelbase to keep the front Pirelli in closer to the pavement. I like that almost as much as the shockingly humane riding position: more legroom than the new Monster 1100. Unlike the Monster, this fuel tank feels nice and narrow between my knees. The tapered aluminum bar leans me into the wind at a comfortably sporty angle. The headlight lights up enough pavement to have some fun after dark, even around corners. Despite stock gearing that would be more appropriate for a land speed record attempt, the engine is a straight-up beast above 5000 rpm. With sharper steering and another tooth on the countershaft sprocket, the only thing keeping me from filling the Streetfighter-sized hole in my garage is the $15,000 crater it would blow in my budget. But since logic really isn’t a factor, I’ll be leaving that part of the garge open for now.