Ducati has unveiled the Formula 73, a limited-edition cafe racer that reimagines the legendary 750 Super Sport Desmo blending modern technology with vintage aesthetics.
Produced in a numbered series of just 873 units, the Formula 73 celebrates the 750 Super Sport Desmo: the first Ducati road bike equipped with desmodromic valve timing, which emerged as a replica of the bike Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari rode to victory at the 1972 200 Miglia di Imola.
That historic win marked Ducati’s entry into production-derived racing, a discipline where the manufacturer has since accumulated over 400 victories, sixteen rider titles and twenty-one manufacturer titles.
The Formula 73 features a familiar silver and aqua green livery inspired by the original 750 Super Sport Desmo, complete with a vertical gold stripe on the tank echoing the unpainted fuel-level inspection strip from the 750 Imola Desmo. Period-correct clip-on handlebars with bar-end mirrors, a short tapered fairing and minimalist tail reinforce the cafe racer ethos.
Billet aluminium components, including brake and clutch levers with oil reservoirs, footpegs and a Rizoma fuel cap, add premium details.
Powering the Formula 73 is an 803cc Desmodue L-twin with desmodromic distribution and two valves per cylinder, producing 54kW and 65Nm. The Euro5+ approved engine features ride-by-wire throttle control and a Termignoni-developed silencer.
The steel trellis frame, painted in aqua green to match the livery, teams with 17-inch spoked wheels wearing Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV rubber. At 183kg wet without fuel, the Formula 73 promises manageable weight and agile handling characteristics.
Modern electronics include Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) and two Riding Modes (Sport, Road), all managed through a 4.3-inch full-TFT dashboard. Full-LED lighting with DRL and Ducati Multimedia System readiness with turn-by-turn navigation come standard.
Suspension duties fall to a 41mm KYB upside-down fork and preload-adjustable KYB rear shock, while a four-piston Brembo radial caliper and 330mm disc handle front braking.
Each Formula 73 features the model name and serial number on the steering plate, and comes with a certificate of authenticity plus a collection of period images and sketches from the Ducati Style Centre presented in a special box.
Matching Arai helmets and sports jackets echoing the Formula 73 livery will be available for riders wanting to complete the aesthetic.
At time of writing, Australian pricing and availability has yet to be confirmed.
Spencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his Aprilia Tuareg 660, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
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