Ducati turns a century old this year. And as is the case with birthdays, there are presents. The brand from Borgo Panigale is giving itself its first gift this year in the form of the Formula 73. This is intended to reference the Ducati Super Sport 750 Desmo and thus celebrate the history of the Italians. The Formula 73 is being launched with classic air-cooling – no wonder, after all, it is largely based on the current generation of the Ducati sub-brand “Scrambler”.
Limited series based on scrambler
With the entry-level model from the Bolognese company, which is per se more classically designed, the Café Racer shares the chassis made up of frame and running gear, in which the V2 with a displacement of 803 cubic centimeters is located. It produces 73 hp at 8,250 revolutions. As the engine’s “Desmodue” suggests, it features desmodromic valve control in true style – the historical model was, after all, the first series Ducati to receive this technology. This was presented in series form in 1973 – a year that the Italians also refer to with the name of the special model. The entire motorcycle weighs 183 kilograms, excluding fuel, 7 kilograms more than the Scrambler in the full throttle configuration.
Fresh design, historically inspired colors
What distinguishes the Formula 73 from this is, first of all, a beautiful half-shell fairing that surrounds classic, round full-LED lighting. The rear section has been redesigned and the color scheme and logos cite the historical original. The 17-inch spoke wheels are also intended to create a reference to the original Desmo; they are covered with Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV.
Quickshifter and TFT instruments as well as USB connectivity for smartphones are equipment details without which no state can survive in any segment these days. Accordingly, they are standard on the Ducati.
The add-on parts used should look particularly high-quality, such as brake and clutch levers with integrated oil containers, footrests and tank cap, which are milled from aluminum by Rizoma. The name and serial number will also be milled into the fork bridge; ultimately, production of the Formula 73 will be limited to 873 units. Ducati explicitly says that it was “created to be collected”. To add it to their collection or start a new one with it, customers in Germany need to budget €15,890.
date: 2026-02-13 09:07:00