Ducati kicked off its Ready 4 Red Tour in San Francisco before rolling into Los Angeles last week, as the Bologna-based builder of ballistic bikes showcased its new models for 2023. Featuring six updated motorcycles, highlights of Ready 4 Red 2023 included the new Panigale V4 R, billed as “The closest production model to a competition bike ever,” and the Next-Gen Nightshift Scrambler, a modern take on the classic café racer. One of three “Next-Gen Freedom” Scramblers debuting this year. And making its first U.S. appearance, the latest Diavel, sporting a new powerplant and eye-catching design.
Downtown LA’s bustling Arts District is home to the first US Bike Shed Motorcycle Club, which hosted the Ready 4 Red show, numerous Ducatisti, and an abundance of journalists, as Ducati unveiled its latest selection of stunning motorcycles. The new sister location of the original Bike Shed in Shoreditch, Central London, opened in Los Angeles last year and made an ideal backdrop to the gleaming machinery on show. The Bike Shed models itself as the "Soho House for Bikers," although club membership is not a prerequisite for enjoying its restaurant, bar, motorcycle apparel store, and barber shop.
Next-Gen Freedom –The New Ducati Scramblers
Jason Chinnock, CEO of Ducati North America, took to the stage to introduce the new models, starting with the 2023 Nightshift Scrambler. The Nightshift is one of three Next-Gen Freedom Scramblers that Ducati is introducing this year. The updated Desmodue twin-cylinder engine is lighter, and thanks to some nifty chassis modifications, the new Scrambler has shed nearly nine pounds. Weight saved despite adding a new suite of ride-by-wire electronics, which includes two rider modes, cornering ABS, adjustable traction control, and a quickshifter.
The $10,995 Icon Scrambler, which comes in three base colors and six interchangeable accessory cover options, aims its sights at the more expressive end of the market. The sporty aesthetics of the Full-Throttle celebrates the 1962 launch of the first Ducati Scrambler and shares the same $12,195 price tag with the more subtly configured Nightshift, which bears the thoroughly Ducati-esque tagline, “Next-Gen Classy.” In fairness, it is rather classy, thanks to its Nebula Blue color scheme and chestnut-brown seat.
Monster SP–The Maddest Monster
“Mad for Fun,” the new Monster SP, made a splash at the Ready 4 Red party, adding some extra spice to an already spicy concoction. Maximum power remains a healthy 111 horses, so what do you get for the $2,600 premium added to the $12,995 MSRP of the Monster Plus? A race spec NIX30 fork, Termignoni homologated silencer, Brembo Stylema front calipers, and Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires.
Tweaked technology also includes a sportier engine map and additional Wet riding mode. Not that there was much to complain about with the fork, silencer, or brakes on the Plus model, but if you’re mad enough, there’s a Monster SP for you.
Street Fighter V4 SP2– The Italian Track Star
Also unveiled at the Ready 4 Red Tour, and another recipient of the SP treatment, the new track-only 2023 Street Fighter V4 SP2. Effectively a naked Panigale with a flat handlebar, the SP2 shares the semi-active Öhlins suspension with the V4 S, but comes with carbon fiber wheels, Brembo Stylema R calipers, a race-spec dry clutch, and the benefit of some advanced electronic shenanigans.
The 208-horsepower Street Fighter V4 SP2 weighs under 400 pounds–just let that sink in for a moment–and, with its MotoGP-derived technology, promises to improve even the most accomplished weekend warrior’s lap times. Still, all that bling comes at a price, and the SP2 has an MSRP of $37,995.
Diavel V4–La Bellezza Bolognese
The updated 2023 Ducati Diavel turned heads at Ready 4 Red. The recent recipient of the “Most Beautiful Bike” award at EICMA adopts the V4 Granturismo engine, helping it drop nearly 30 pounds, which promises to improve handling and agility. The Diavel uniquely combines the relaxed ergonomics of a cruiser with the performance of a naked roadster and equally singular design elements.
Giant air in-takes frame a modern/retro LED headlight and a distinctive new LED array at the rear, and short, side-mounted, four-into-four exhaust can are some of the stunningly stylized aesthetics. Now weighing less than 500 pounds, the $26,695 Diavel should handle as well as it looks.
Mutistrada V4 Rally – A Continent Conquorer
Ducati’s globetrotting adventure bike has come a long way since its introduction twenty years ago. The 2023 Multistrada V4 Rally also shares the Granturismo engine and bristles with the latest technology, including forward- and rear-facing radar for adaptive cruise control and blindspot detection, Marzocchi semi-active Skyhook DSS EVO suspension, and a comprehensive suite of rider aids and modes. Ready for a long weekend or crossing continents, the $29,995 V4 Rally comes equipped with aluminum side cases, heated rider and pillion seats, heated grips, an engine guard, and a center stand.
Panigale V4 R – Barely Legal
Weighing little more than a lawnmower, with a claimed 240 horsepower and a contact patch the size of a handkerchief, the Panigale V4 R is, in the abstract, completely ridiculous, even by fast motorcycle standards. Although priced beyond the means of most, and with a performance envelope only a gifted few will ever truly explore, Ducati’s $45,000 (barely) road-legal sportbike is nevertheless, beautiful to behold and a worthy addition to the lineup. The V4 R is a road-going testament to Ducati’s achievements in MotoGP and MotoAmerica, utilizing cutting-edge materials and technology usually reserved for the track.
Each individually numbered Panigale V4 R uses a race-tuned version of the Desmosedici Stradale R engine, which Ducati claims, in its track configuration with the racing exhaust fitted, produces 240.5 horses at 15,500 RPM. A dry clutch, DLC-treated piston sleeves, titanium rods, carbon fiber wings, and an advanced electronics suite are just some of the V4 R’s race-spec features. Fully adjustable and customizable to suit track and conditions, the latest, top-of-the-line Panigale is the closest any of us mere mortals will ever get to riding a MotoGP bike.
Ready 4 Red – At Cities Across The US
The Ready 4 Red Tour is in full swing and has events planned at another ten cities across the US before wrapping up in Portland, OR, on March 18. Ducati fans interested in reserving a spot at their local event can apply online and join the team for a complimentary drink and a bite to eat while they gaze at Ducati’s latest machinery. The 2023 Ducati lineup will be in dealerships in early spring and is available for preorder now. One absentee from the Ready 4 Red show was the DesertX, which remains the same, except for the addition of a bold black and grey RR22 livery option inspired by the four-stage Dakar-winning Audi RS Q e-tron.