STREETFIGHTER V2

Last year we did the Homologation Special test on the Isle of Man, where we pitched the Ducati Panegale V4R, BMW M1000RR and Honda Fireblade SP against each other to see which came out on top, and it was a resounding victory for the Duke.

- JOE AKROYD

I'm a HUGE Ducati fan and always have been, having grown up in an era watching Troy Bayliss, Ruban Xaus, Neil Hodgson and Ben Bostrom kicking arse in World Superbikes and John Reynolds, Sean Emmett and Michael Rutter in BSB. So, whenever I get the opportunity to ride a Ducati, I'm like a dog with two dicks. Looking at the Streetfighter was no different: the thing looks like it means business.

The Italians always know how to make their bikes stand out, they certainly aren't afraid of breaking the mould, and I really like the styling of the Streetfighter. Things continue to tick green boxes for me when you start the engine; it sounds the nuts, and despite what some people seem to think, it's a really comfy place to be.

I hear people saying Ducatis are small, so I just want to set the record straight here - they're not. They're spacious, ergonomically they're set up really well, and if you're tall like me, then they're a great rider's choice, if you've got deep enough pockets. Coming in at £16,395, it makes it one of the more expensive bikes in our line-up, which, let's be fair, is what we'd expect with Italian exotica...

I didn't really know what to expect with the Streetfighter round a twisty, undulating and physical track like Cadwell, so I was going into this test with no prior expectations (which I always think is a fair way of doing a test). I'll be blunt after 20 minutes, it was hard work on the Ducati.