DUCATI STREETFIGHTER 1100 (2009 - 2012) Review

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Power: 155 bhp
Seat height: Medium (33.1 in / 840 mm)
Weight: Low (373 lbs / 169 kg)

Prices

New N/A
Used £5,000 - £11,000

Overall rating

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

It might not have the traction control, Ohlins suspension and Marchesini wheels of the more expensive ‘S’ model, but this base-model Streetfighter, complete with its retuned 1098 superbike engine, is still one hell of a machine and a better value package. Super naked machines like these make more sense on the roads than small, uncomfortable race replicas. The Ducati combines high performance, superb handling and stunning brakes with a comfy riding position and hot-and-cold-running wheelies on tap.

Ride quality & brakes

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

Ride quality is excellent and the handling is good enough for fast road riding or trackday work. There’s enough suspension adjustment for you not to wish you had the Ohlins-equipped bike and the twin Brembo four-piston calipers and 330mm discs are top-notch. It’s comfortable enough to ride across Europe, although the lack of wind protection limits top speed to under the ton, which we reckon is a good thing, anyway. Using a tank bag on long journeys acts as a mini-fairing and keeps a lot of the windblast away.

Engine

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

The Streetfighter is powered by a liquid-cooled, 1099cc V-twin ‘Testastretta’ motor, putting out a claimed 155bhp and 85ftlb at the rear wheel. The throttle response is flawless and thanks to a low dry weight of 169kg acceleration is scintillating. If you’re feeling strong and can hang on against the windblast the Ducati will hit a genuine 155mph and returning 45mpg, the Streetfighter is frugal too. The only thing missing from the package is a slipper clutch, which would make the riding experience even smoother.

Reliability & build quality

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

We ran a Streetfighter in our long term fleet in 2009 and it did various trackdays, commuting and touring holidays to Ireland, France, Spain and Ibiza and it never missed a beat. The build quality is outstanding and attention to detail impressive.

Value vs rivals

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

The Streetfighter is far more expensive than its Japanese rivals, like the Kawasaki Z1000, Honda CB1000R and Yamaha FZ-1, but the level of performance, quality and fun-factor is on a higher plane too. It’s pricier than Triumph’s mighty Speed Triple one of MCN’s favourite super nakeds, too, but for Ducati fans it’s worth every penny. Find a Ducati Streetfighter for sale.

Equipment

4 out of 5 (4/5)

You get a multi-function dash, Brembo radial brakes, fully adjustable Showa suspension and a booming V-twin Ducati superbike engine. The ‘S’ model comes with traction control, which is nice but rarely useful on the road. This standard model copes very nicely without it. 

Specs

Engine size 1099cc
Engine type Liquid-cooled V-twin
Frame type Steel trellis frame
Fuel capacity 16.5 litres
Seat height 840mm
Bike weight 169kg
Front suspension Fully adjustable
Rear suspension Fully adjustable
Front brake Brembo four-piston caliper, 2 x 330mm discs
Rear brake Twin piston caliper, 245mm disc
Front tyre size 120/70 17in
Rear tyre size 190/55 17in

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption 45 mpg
Annual road tax £117
Annual service cost -
New price -
Used price £5,000 - £11,000
Insurance group 17 of 17
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance

Max power 155 bhp
Max torque 85 ft-lb
Top speed 155 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range 163 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

Model introduced in 2009.

Other versions

Ducati Streetfighter S - comes with Ohlins suspension, Marchesini wheels and traction control.

Owners' reviews for the DUCATI STREETFIGHTER 1100 (2009 - 2012)

2 owners have reviewed their DUCATI STREETFIGHTER 1100 (2009 - 2012) 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 1100 (2009 - 2012)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Engine: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Reliability & build quality: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Value vs rivals: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Equipment: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
4 out of 5 More bike than you need for the road. Can be brutal.
07 May 2019 by Spondonste

Year: 2010

The bike has grunt and performance by the bucket load. If you're eager with the throttle then it will wheelie pretty much all the time in the first three gears. The seat is extremely high and you feel as if you're sat on a high stool with low handlebars immediately in front of you. The seat height does make the bike a bit ponderous at slow speed where you might want to get your feet down. Speeds much over 100 mph can get tiring very quickly on your neck (not really a surprise) but there's loads more in the tank so you can put quite a strain on neck muscles. It's not a bike to really consider taking passengers on as the rate of acceleration can be pretty fierce. All in all, it's a bike I really like but the high seat height is a bit of a gripe for me (ok I'm not the tallest but I do ride supermotos and have a Ducati Hypermotard 1100s and they're more manageable at very slow speeds).

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

The bike comes with a steering damper and it does need it on UK roads. The suspension is fairly firm and the front brakes are very strong. There isn't loads of movement required on the front brake lever before the calipers start biting. They're certainly some of the strongest front brakes I've had on any bike I've owned. The tank is very thin so I find it comfortable on my hips but the seat is reasonably firm. The handlebars with being a bit low in relation to the seat do put a bit of weight on your wrists so I find that the limiting function to really long runs.

Engine 5 out of 5

Very strong engine with lots of low down torque. There is a very small amount of engine rev hunting at low road speed (eg 30mph and less). The engine is effectively a Ducati 1198 bottom end with 1098 top ends. This means the engine is fairly light but with very strong torque figures and enough power to really get a hustle on should you want. The air inlet tubes are a bit restrictive for the engine capacity so the engine can produce more BHP immediately by just fitting different air tubes with bigger openings.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Bike has been pretty much faultless for me. The only minor niggle is a couple of paint chips on the top yoke but that's easy enough to touch up.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

I do my own servicing so running cost for me is just consumables. Fuel consumption is around 36-38mph in stop start type traffic but I suspect somewhat better on longer runs. Cam belts are meant to be changed every 2 years but if the engine is turned over regularly you might be able to stretch it out a little bit longer if the bike doesn't do many miles. Cam belts cost around £90 and upwards and changing them yourself isn't too arduous a task. If you want a full dealer service stamp history then cost of ownership will be slightly higher than a similar Japanese bike but it's got longer intervals.

Equipment 4 out of 5

Standard 1100 model so it just has the usual compliment of standard clock features. Mine came with a full assortment of carbon add ons. I've changed the clutch slave cylinder for an Oberon one as the standard one is a bit heavy.

Buying experience: Bought from a dealer with 11,300 miles on it and a full assortment of quality carbon add-ons.Typically similar bikes (1099 engine) are selling for around £6500 - 7500.

5 out of 5 True Beast!!
19 September 2011 by MrVM

SF handles like a dream, it has plenty of power to get you into all sorts of troubles and it looks darn right sexy. Coming from riding inline 4s it took me a while to adjust to riding the twin but once your mind adjusts it’s all good. The sound this thing emits especially with the termignoni's on is amassing and as Mr. Neeves has said in his test it does set off car alarms sometimes :). I’ve had the bike for about a year now and I did not have any major problems except from a small leak at the clutch fluid reservoir cap which got replaced immediately under warranty. It is built well and the finish is excellent, no complaints there. I have no issues recommending this bike to anyone. Servicing is bit more than for my K8 GSXR1000 but it has much longer servicing intervals which brings the cost down to equivalent level.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
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