2009 Ducati Fighter

[Beyote]

The new (Monster) Superbike, called the Fighter. All Monsters will be 2V, whilst the Fighter will cover the 4V Superbike engined versions.

http://blog.ducati.com/post/216/comp...e-vacanze#more

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/...er/ke3291.html

[Beyote]

Thanks to information from a company insider, we can exclusively reveal that Ducati will be launching an all-new 1098-powered naked streetfighter at the EICMA show in November. The 2009 Ducati Fighter was presented to dealers last week to "stunned silence to the point of awkwardness." There's apparently a lot of confusion as to where the Fighter will fit in the Ducati lineup as it will be priced above the 2009 Ducati Monster 1100's $12,000 and closer to the Ducati 1198's $16,495. While the pricing has yet to be finalized, the Fighter is estimated to be in the $14-15,000 range.

The Aprilia Tuono, MV Agusta Brutale 1078RR, Benelli TnT rival will be powered by the outgoing 1099cc water-cooled V-twin from the 1098. That model is being replaced with the larger capacity 1198 for 2009. The Fighter will use a smaller airbox than the donor bike, so will make a little less than that model's 160bhp and 90.4lb/ft of torque.

The Fighter will use a steel trellis frame, as on the 1098, but will have a much more upright riding position. It uses a 1098-style tailpiece, but with dual stacked exhausts mounted on one side, shotgun-style.

We expect lower-gearing for punchier acceleration, making the Fighter a much more suitable bike for city riding than the 1098, but it should retain that model's fully-adjustable USD forks and Showa monoshock for excellent handling. We don't know if the Fighter uses a single-sided swingarm.

The Fighter marks a shift in thinking for Ducati's naked range. The Monster will now use air-cooled engines only (the water-cooled engines won't fit in the new frame) and will remain relatively affordable. The high-end segment of the naked market will now be solely covered by the Fighter.

This marks the third new Ducati model that we've been able to exclusively unveil in the last two weeks. In case you haven't already seen it, make sure you check out our coverage of the 2009 Ducati 1198; 2009 Ducati Monster 1100 and 1100S; and our by-the-numbers comparison of the 1198 with the rest of the 2009 superbikes.

The Fighter will be launched at EICMA on November 4th or 5th. We'll bring you official info and images then.

[Raux]

yeah there is a thread below talking about this too.

just talked about the potential of a 4v in the new monster in the hp vs torque thread.

if this is true no 4v monster then.

hopefully the fighter will maintain the ducati 'lighter' theme and stay below the 390lb mark of the S4R.

another thing that confuses me is the price difference between the 696 and the 1100. seems like there's room for a 900 version there now. since no more 4V monster. or maybe they need to chop the price of the 1100 to make room for the fighter.

[desmoworks]

yeah there is a thread below talking about this too.

just talked about the potential of a 4v in the new monster in the hp vs torque thread.

if this is true no 4v monster then.

hopefully the fighter will maintain the ducati 'lighter' theme and stay below the 390lb mark of the S4R.

another thing that confuses me is the price difference between the 696 and the 1100. seems like there's room for a 900 version there now. since no more 4V monster. or maybe they need to chop the price of the 1100 to make room for the fighter.

1100 is the new 900... well 1000DS was the new 900 and now the 1100DS is the new 1000DS. In my opinion there is no reason to have a bike between the 696 and 1100 - it would be too close to one or the other... the 696 is just too good.

I've seen the new bike - pretty cool. I'm sure a lot of Monster owners will pick one up.

[Beyote]

I think I heard that the 2 valvers will have spring actuated valves after 2010 and the new 4V layout will be a GIANT improvement over the 1198.   This is because the Pantah and the 1198 share the same basic layout.   The new Superbike engine in 2010 will not even have accessilble timing belts, as it will be a very reliable chain.  Only the 4V Superbike engines will be Desmodromic.

Some fact, possibly some fiction.  Too hard to tell coming down the grapevine.

[sbrguy]

it would be a travesty if only the superbikes had desmo in it.

that's the whole point to having a ducati.. having those damn valve adjustments for every bike with such short intervals and the click/clack sound of the desmo valves from the 620 all the way up to the d16.

[wbeck257]

it would be a travesty if only the superbikes had desmo in it.

that's the whole point to having a ducati.. having those damn valve adjustments for every bike with such short intervals and the click/clack sound of the desmo valves from the 620 all the way up to the d16.

I thought the whole point was because of the dry clutch?
Oh wait...

Yeah, make the beast with two backs technological advances and longer maintenance intervals. Oh wait, this isn't Harley...
I'm so confused... 

[Big Troubled Bear]

I wonder if there was the same hoo haaa when they moved away from bevel drives

[Raux]

i wouldn't mind lower maintenance. but i think the poit behind ducati is exotic. i mean lamborghini wouldnt be lambo if they didnt shoehorn a 12 cyl into a shoe size car.

but seriously, ducati is a brand not a piece of equipment. if they feel they can give us better bikes then let them. if we dont like the change we dont buy them. then they change to something else. 999 anyone?

[Big Troubled Bear]

i mean lamborghini wouldnt be lambo if they didnt shoehorn a 12 cyl into a shoe size car.

Last time I looked a Murcielago were a pretty big shoebox

[CDawg]

1st link no worky.  Here's the working link w/ a "presumed" photo:
http://blog.ducati.com/post/216/compiti-per-le-vacanze#more

[CDawg]

I don't understand what the big brains at Ducati is thinking.

The top of the line Monster has always been a stripped down Superbike.  I don't understand the desire to rebrand a "new" line.  If I put on my cynical hat, the press release sounds like Ducati is ceding the naked bike category to the MV and Aprillas and instead trying to "create" a new category which is "naked superbike"...I mean come on, who care how the powerplant is cooled.

There's got to be more to this story behind Ducati's rationale that's not leaked yet...

[Chococat]

If that picture is accurate, it looks great!

[Spicoli]

curious to see more photos and details.  Good find, thanks for sharing.

[derby]

i wouldn't mind lower maintenance. but i think the poit behind ducati is exotic. i mean lamborghini wouldnt be lambo if they didnt shoehorn a 12 cyl into a shoe size car.

Last time I looked a Murcielago were a pretty big shoebox

i doubt you'd complain about the v10 gallardo.

(and there are rumors of a v8 running around out there)