Ducati Formula 73: a limited-edition retro tribute to the 750 Super Sport Desmo

In the 1970s Ducati built the 750 Imola Desmo, a racing motorcycle that won the Imola 200 with Paul Smart at its controls in 1972. This European production-derived motor racing event was the seed of what is today known as the World Superbike Championship. The 750 Super Sport Desmo was derived from this motorcycle for the road, and it also inspired the new star we bring you today, the Ducati Formula 73.

To create the new Formula 73, Ducati used the Scrambler as its base, resulting in a beautiful café racer which, as the brand itself puts it, combines “style, character and riding pleasure”. As we mentioned, it is based on a Scrambler and therefore has a chassis made up of a tubular steel Trellis frame, along with front suspension featuring a 41 mm inverted fork signed by Kayaba, which also handles the rear shock absorber with adjustable preload. Continuing with the axles, the front is fitted with a single 330 mm disc with a four-piston radial caliper, while the rear uses a 245 mm disc and a single-piston radial caliper.

This assembly houses the L-configuration twin-cylinder engine with Desmodromic valve timing and 803 cc displacement, which delivers 73 CV at 8,250 rpm together with 65.2 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. This engine is linked to a six-speed gearbox and an oil-bathed multi-plate clutch with anti-hop function and Quickshift for both upshifts and downshifts, the latter so that, as you know, the clutch does not need to be used. So that this engine can deliver its best performance and its best sound, the Ducati Formula 73 features an exhaust line developed together with Termignoni.

All of this, as is usual across Ducati’s models, is wrapped in the latest technology, such as Riding Modes for the engine, Ducati Traction Control and Bosch Cornering ABS. To this we must add other standard equipment, such as the full-colour TFT information display, an full-LED lighting system with DRL daytime running lights, indicators with automatic cancellation and a USB charging port. Optionally, it can be fitted with more technology such as an immobiliser, Ducati Multimedia System, heated grips and a Turn-by-Turn navigation system.

This modern technology is complemented by a fully café racer aesthetic, as shown by elements such as the clip-on handlebars with the rear-view mirrors mounted at their ends, the beautiful fairing that blends perfectly with the fuel tank and leaves the engine exposed in all its splendour, or the rounded tail unit just behind the straight seat. This aesthetic is also decorated with the original 750 Super Sport Desmo colour scheme in silver and green, created by Ducati Style Centre itself.

If you too find the new Ducati Formula 73 a beauty and want to get your hands on one, don’t hesitate: it will be produced as a limited edition of 873 units for the whole world, which will undoubtedly make it a coveted and interesting collector’s item.