Street Fighter has become recognized as one of the motorcycle genres both in Japan and abroad. Simply explained, they are ultra-sporty and aggressive naked sports motorcycles. In recent years, more extreme street fighters than ever before have been released by various domestic and foreign manufacturers. So which of these motorcycles are the most amazing? Here is a comparison based on maximum power output.
What kind of motorcycle is the Streetfighter?
Streetfighter, or Stofi for short in Japan, has its roots in 1980s European customization that removed the fairings of the current Supersports racer replicas. Developing from there, the Ducati Monster 900 debuted in 1993, followed by the Triumph Speed Triple in 1994, opening up a new genre of mass-produced vehicles.
So what kind of motorcycle is a streetfighter? There is no clear definition.
To begin with, a public road is not a track, so even if it is called a motorcycle that fights (competes) on a public road, it is not a streetfighter. In fact, the current street fighter motorcycles range from the 250cc class at the bottom to the over-liter class at the top, with a wide variety of displacements, engines, and frame types.
But first of all, one criterion is that they are almost naked in style, with almost no fairings. Another is the single-shock rear suspension, sporty chassis configuration, and aggressive looks common to many street fighters.
Which street fighters are amazing?
Streetfighter can be thought of as a category that is more sporting while still focusing on the subject of public road riding. So, the natural question is, which motorcycle is the fastest? or the most extreme?
In this article, we have selected the best five streetfighters that major Japanese and foreign motorcycle manufacturers are planning to release in Japan in 2022, based on their maximum power output. Of course, horsepower does not always equal speed, but it should at least serve as a reference.
Incidentally, this time, vehicle weight is also compared as a reference. Lightness is a weapon is a common saying, and the lighter the motorcycle, the better it is for athletic performance. The ranking is based on horsepower only, but please pay attention to the vehicle weight as well. If there are multiple variations of the same model, the higher grade is basically chosen, except for limited edition models. There is no difference in maximum output among the variations of any of the models picked up this time.
In the maximum output competition, Ducati, with its "Streetfighter" name, came out on top. The ultra-expensive MV Agusta Brutale also lined up with 208 hp, followed by Kawasaki's Z H2 with 200 hp. Third place and below were a mixed bag, with Triumph and KTM tied at 180 hp. In second place among Japanese motorcycles was Yamaha's MT-10. Note that Honda's CB1000R is not included because its development concept is a neo-sports cafe.
Based on information as of August 10, 2022.
●Ducati Streetfighter V4S ●MV Agusta BRUTALE1000RR ●Kawasaki Z H2 SE ●Triumph SPEED TRIPLE 1200RS
●KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R EVO ●Aprilia TUONO V4 Factory ●Yamaha MT-10SP ●Ducati Streetfighter V2
●Suzuki GSX-S1000 ●Kawasaki Z1000
| Maximum Output | Engine Type | Vehicle weight | Price (Approx.) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Streetfighter V4S | 208ps/13000rpm | V4 cylinder | 199kg | 21600 USD |
| BRUTALE1000RRR | 208ps/13000rpm | Parallel 4-cylinder | 186kg (dry weight) | 40400 USD |
| Z H2 SE | 200ps/11000rpm | Parallel 4-cylinder + SC | 241kg | 16500 USD |
| SPEED TRIPLE 1200RS | 180ps/10750rpm | Parallel 3-cylinder | 199kg | 15250 USD |
| 1290SUPER DUKE R EVO | 180ps/9500 rpm | V-twin cylinder | 198kg (excluding fuel) | 18750 USD |
| TUONO V4 Factory | 175 hp/11350rpm | V4 cylinder | 209kg (with 90% fuel loaded) | 17325 USD |
| MT-10SP | 166 ps./11500rpm | Parallel 4-cylinder | 214kg | 16400 USD |
| Streetfighter V2 | 153 ps./10750rpm | V-twin cylinder | 200kg | 15300 USD |
| GSX-S1000 | 150 hp/11000rpm | Parallel 4-cylinder | 214kg | 10725 USD |
| Z1000 | 141ps/100000rpm | Parallel 4-cylinder | 220kg | 8900 USD |
Extreme #1 - DUCATI Streetfighter V4S
Not only the engine but also the chassis and electronic controls are super sports-compatible.
The fairing was removed from the supersport Panigale V4 and a wide bar handle was installed. The Ducati Streetfighter V4 series is a re-set of the 1103cc liquid-cooled V4 engine with almost no loss of maximum power and is armed with a biplane wing that consists of two upper and lower stages.
The V4 is made to order in limited quantities and includes the basic grade V4 and the more gorgeous V4SP, but the standard version in Japan is the V4SP equipped with Öhlins electronic control suspension. Electronic control systems, such as cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, and slide control, are also from the Panigale, which has a reputation for precision.
Incidentally, the bi-plane wing will generate 28 kg of downforce when traveling at 270 km/h.
The published figures make you think, "How can an ordinary rider with no cowl endure wind pressure of 270km/h?
Extreme #2 - MV AGUSTA・BRUTALE 1000RR
The horsepower is awesome, but the beauty and the price are pretty awesome too!
The Italian MV Agusta is an advocate of motorcycle art. The Brutale 1000RR debuted in 2021 as the latest addition to the Brutale series, which has come to represent beautiful naked models and is powered by a 998cc liquid-cooled, parallel-4-cylinder engine that inherits the traditional radial valves (radial arrangement valves). The engine features titanium alloy connecting rods, intake and exhaust valves, and DLC-coated tappets, and has a maximum output of 208 hp, in line with Ducati's Streetfighter V4 series. Only the dry weight of the motorcycle is announced, and this is 186 kg, 6kg heavier than the Streetfighter.
The main frame is of steel trellis construction, but there is also a full range of electronic controls, including an 8-step + off traction control, a third-generation, two-way up/down quick-shifter, and ABS for cornering. While the RS has a mechanical suspension, the RR is equipped with an electronically controlled Ohlins suspension.
Extreme #3 - KAWASAKI Z H2 SE
Supercharged engine with 200 horsepower!
It is powered by a supercharged engine completely designed in-house through ongoing in-depth joint research not only with the Motorcycle Division but also with the Aerospace Division and the Energy and Environmental Plant Company. While calling itself a "balanced type" optimized for public road use, it is powered by a 998cc liquid-cooled, in-line 4-cylinder engine with a supercharger that delivers a maximum output of 200 horsepower.
The motorcycle is not derived from a supersport, but a specially developed tubular steel trellis frame. The SE, the advanced version, is equipped with a semi-active suspension made by Showa. Of course, there is also extensive electronic control, utilizing information from the 6-axis IMU (inertial measurement unit) for control. The motorcycle's suppleness is also important, so its potential on the circuit may be a step behind its rivals, but there is plenty of radicalism, including the sound emitted by the supercharged engine!
Extreme #4 - TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE 1200RS
The 3-cylinder with good mid-range torque and moderate extension at high rpm
The British Triumph Speed Triple has been a pioneer in manufacturer-made streetfighters. The latest model, the 1200RS, features a 1160cc liquid-cooled, parallel three-cylinder engine with a maximum output of 180 hp. Although not directly related to a supersport, the chassis is constructed with an aluminum twin-spar frame and cantilevered swingarm, and also features high-grade Ohlins front and rear suspension and Brembo front and rear brake calipers. Compared to the 4-cylinder, it has more mid-range torque, more upper extension, although not as much as the 4-cylinder, more electronic control, and lighter vehicle weight, making it considerably more combative in a real-world driving environment.
Extreme #5 - KTM-1290 SUPER DUKE R EVO
It squeezes out 180 hp at a slightly lower RPM range!
The 1301cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine with a 75-degree angle of incidence has excellent instantaneous power in the mid-to-high RPM range and a maximum output of 180 horsepower. The frame is constructed of KTM's traditional Chromoly steel tube trellis, but the rigidity has been considerably increased for the 2020 model year and beyond. EVO was added in 2022 and is armed with WP front and rear semi-active suspension. Its maximum output is the same as that of the Speed Triple RS, but it is a step behind in terms of body lightness. Incidentally, the DUKE series started its history in 1994 as a supermotard-like model with a 620cc single-cylinder engine, but later shifted to a street-fighter type. We are successfully riding the global trend.
