2011 Ducati Streetfighter, Streetfighter S, New Ducati Monster 1100 EVO, 796 & 696 series motorcycles.

Ducati is best known for high performance motorcycles characterized by large capacity four-stroke, L-twin (90° twin-cylinder) & V-twin engines featuring a desmodromic valve design. The desmodromic valve design that all Ducati's have, simply put, is the best out there, bar none! Modern Ducatis remain among the dominant performance motorcycles available today partly because of the desmodromic valve design, which is nearing its 50th year of use. Desmodromic valves are closed with a separate, dedicated cam lobe and lifter instead of the conventional valve springs used in most internal combustion engines in consumer vehicles. This allows the cams to have a more radical profile, thus opening and closing the valves more quickly without the risk of valve-float, which causes a loss of power, that is likely when using a "passive" closing mechanism under the same conditions.

While most other manufacturers use wet cluthches (with the spinning parts bathed in oil) Ducati uses multiplate dry clutch systems in the majority, if not all of their current motorcycles. The dry clutch eliminates the loss of power due to the bike's oil viscosity drag on the engine.

Unlike nearly every naked bike I can possibly think of, Ducati has created a stripped-down, super-sporting roadster, with no excuses – no tuning for torque, and no dumbed-down suspension. Simply put the Ducati Street Fighter initially roars into first gear with the power of a bucking bronco that wants you off his back, as it effortlessly launches its front wheel into the air. Just hold on, the fun is just getting started!

The Streetfighter’s engine is ripped with torque and power! The result is 155 horse power at 9500 rpm, and enough torque to surprise the hell out of even the most experienced riders, which is aided by a midrange-inducing exhaust valve. The use of the Streetfighter's Vacural cast-aluminum crankcase shaves nearly 7 pounds from the engine.

Simply put, riding the Ducati Streetfighter is much like riding on 100 liters of adrenaline. The new Streetfighter is now the most hard core of Ducati’s naked bikes, replacing the discontinued Ducati Monster S4RS (may it rest in peace!) that measures up 25 hp short of the Ducati Streetfighter's 1099cc Testastretta Evoluzione powerplant.

 * 2011 DUCATI STREETFIGHTER, MSRP $14,995

* 2011 DUCATI STREETFIGHTER S, MSRP $18,996

Next in Ducati's ectremelly impressive line of naked street bikes is the father of the naked street bike, Ducati's Monster! The Monster began as a styling excersize in 1992. From that point on the bike remained relatively unchanged until 2000, when Ducati added a fuel injection system to the M900 model. Perhaps more importantly, in 2001 Ducati also introduced the S4, which added the liquid-cooled four-valve Superbike engine to the stable. Other technical changes that year included semi-floating front disc brakes with Brembo four-piston calipers, lighter Brembo wheels, and 43 mm Showa inverted forks. A new MONSTER was born!

Currently Ducati's line of Monsters consist of the entry level 696, the more aggressive 796, made for intermediate level riders, and then comes the Ducati Monster 1100 Evo, which is in a level of its own as far as performance is concerned in comparison with its little brother the 796, and little sister the 696.

1. 2011 Ducati Monster 696, MSRP $8599.00 (NEW): The riding position of the Monster 696 has been specifically designed to put the rider firmly in control. Careful attention to every detail has led to a substantial weight saving, making the Monster 696 the lightest in its class at an impressive 161kg (355lb) (dry weight). The 696 engine produces 80hp (59kW) and 50.6lb-ft (7kgm) of torque ensuring a smooth and powerful delivery for a relaxed and enjoyable ride as well competitive and owner-friendly service intervals of 7,500 miles. the Monster 696
definitely provides Ducati’s famous L-Twin sound. Its bold, high-level twin mufflers not only make a striking style statement.

2. The Ducati Monster 796, MSRP $9,995 (NEW): From its stripped-down styling and tubular trellis frame to its exposed L-twin engine and large dual exhaust cans, the Monster 796's road presence is all about elemental simplicity. The fuel-injected 803-cc engine of the 796 produces 87 hp at 8250 rpm and 58 lb-ft of torque at 6250 rpm. In an age where sportbikes are capable of outrunning six-figure supercars, there's a natural temptation to dismiss middleweight bikes as uninspiring underperformers. That notion may even support the theory that motorcycles like the Ducati Monster 796 are good for beginners—though that's a dangerous assumption, considering the bike's responsive handling and acceleration. It's not the best choice for beginners, but it's a nimble and powerful performer that gives intermediate riders something to grow into, while also satisfying advanced riders.

3. 2011 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO, MSRP $11,995 (NEW) : The 2011 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO is lighter and more powerful, now featuring standard ABS and Ducati Traction Control (DTC). The latest EVO to join the Ducati line, the new Monster 1100 EVO wrings extra horsepower out of the air-cooled L-Twin. The Monster 1100 EVO perfectly mixes high engine power, Ducati's Safety Pack (ABS + DTC) contained of advanced electronics, which provides the rider with superior riding pleasure which re-defines the original Monster formula. This makes Ducati's Monster 100 EVO an icon of the naked segment.

* ENGINE: L-Twin cylinder, 2 valve per cylinder Desmodromic.

* POWER: 100 HP @ 7500 RPM

* TORQUE: 10.50 Nm @ 10500 RPM