The Ducati Streetfighter lives for another year, as Ducat is showing off the Ducati Streetfighter 848 as a 2015 model year machine at the EICMA show in Milan.
There had been doubts about the Streetfighter 848 continuing to be a part of the Ducati lineup going forth, especially as the Italian company has moved away from the 849cc v-twin platform, favoring the 821cc engine variations for the Hypermotard the Monster lines, and the 899cc Superquadro for the Panigale.
The Streetfighter was never a big hit in the world market, becoming more of a cult classic machine amongst riders. Combined sales with the Hypermotard account for roughly 20% of Ducati’s annual sales, with the Hypermotard doing the majority of the heavy-lifting in that regard.
Because of that weak sales performance, it’s expected that Ducati will ultimately retire the Streetfighter line, rather than update it with the Superquadro engine found on the Panigale, or the Testastretta 11° DS / Testastretta 11° DVT engine found on the Ducati Diavel and Ducati Multistrada, respectively.
That might be a shame, because the streetfighter segment is just now starting to see some good competition. The KTM 1290 Super Duke R has blown away many riders with its raw power and approachable riding style. The new Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR also impresses, with its 175hp and class-leading electronics.
Whether those machines encourage or discourage Ducati is a matter of debate, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see 2015 as the last year of the Streetfighter 848. The venerable naked bike is already on borrowed time.
Photos: Ducati
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