Ducati recently unveiled the Formula 73, a limited-edition model that leans heavily into the company’s racing folklore. Here are all the details of the motorcycle through this image gallery. The inspiration of the Formula 73 is explicit: the legendary Ducati 750 Super Sport Desmo that secured victory at the 1972 Imola 200 and went on to define an era of Ducati performance.
Visually, the Formula 73 adopts a café racer stance that prioritises heritage over outright aggression. Clip-on handlebars, bar-end mirrors and a compact front fairing set the tone, while a pared-back tail section keeps the silhouette tight and purposeful. The effect is deliberate, a modern motorcycle styled to echo a machine from a different competitive age.
The paint scheme reinforces that link. Finished in silver and aqua green, the bike carries a gold vertical stripe running down the fuel tank. It is more than decoration; on the original Imola racer, the exposed stripe acted as a quick visual fuel-level reference during competition. Here, it serves as a subtle but meaningful historical nod.
Spoked wheels underline the retro theme and are shod with Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres, blending classic aesthetics with contemporary grip. Ducati’s signature steel trellis frame remains in place, continuing its role as both structural backbone and defining visual element, a design cue that has become inseparable from the brand’s identity.
Power comes from Ducati’s air-cooled 803cc Desmodue L-twin, producing 73bhp at 8,250rpm and 65.2Nm of torque at 7,000rpm. The output figures are modest by modern superbike standards, but they align with the Formula 73’s character-driven brief. A Termignoni-developed exhaust system completes the mechanical package, promising a soundtrack to match the bike’s historic references.
Despite its classic leanings, the Formula 73 is firmly rooted in the present. Rider aids include cornering ABS, traction control, Ducati Quick Shift and two riding modes, alongside full-LED lighting and a TFT display. The blend of old-world styling and contemporary electronics mirrors a broader industry trend: heritage without compromise.
Production will be limited to 873 units worldwide, a figure that itself echoes the model’s name. Each bike will be individually numbered and delivered with a certificate of authenticity, as well as collector-focused packaging that includes design sketches from Ducati’s Style Centre. In doing so, the Formula 73 positions itself not merely as a motorcycle, but as a curated piece of the brand’s racing narrative.
