RideFast Aug2020

about twins. It’s idling gets even
more twin-like when it gets hot,
and the rear bank of cylinders
stops firing – making it a literal
twin – in an attempt to curb legscorching
heat from the motor
while riding through town.
The looks of the Streetfighter
resemble artistry from a decade
ago when Photoshop design
gurus attempted to predict how
futuristic motorcycles would look.
The angry, robotic headlights glare
out of the shadows of the pits,
accompanied by the silhouette
of double wings spiking out of its
shoulders.
It looks homicidal but not
exactly beautiful. We suspect
some heated negotiations were
going on, accompanied by loud
voices and arm waving as is the
way with effervescent Italians,
between the design department
and the engineers. Engineers are
hellbent on creating the highest
performance possible while the
designers want unrivalled beauty.
Very often, the two are somewhat
mutually exclusive, especially with
a naked bike that displays more
engineering than design.
With that, South African backsides
rested upon its svelte, racing seat
and it set off down pitlane.
Where Ducati has undoubtedly
paid attention is with the
complaint that the previous
Streetfighter tended to leave its
rider permanently disabled, and
have graciously sought to avoid
such things. The handlebars on
the SF V4 are graciously high while
the footpegs have been lowered
slightly compared to the superbike
equivalent, creating a gloriously
“Where Ducati
has undoubtedly
paid attention is
with the comfort
complaint that
the previous
Streetfighter
tended to
leave its rider
permanently
disabled, and
have graciously
sought to avoid
such things.”
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