Get ready for a blast from the past with a modern twist! Ducati, the iconic motorcycle brand, has unveiled a limited-edition beauty to celebrate its 100th anniversary, and it's a real head-turner. The Ducati Formula 73 is a retro-inspired masterpiece that blends powerful performance with a nod to the brand's rich history.
Priced at £15,095, this special edition is a limited run of just 873 units, available from dealerships in the spring. It's a true collector's item, and Ducati fans are already buzzing with excitement. But here's where it gets intriguing: this bike is more than just a pretty face.
The Formula 73 pays homage to the legendary 750 Super Sport Desmo, the first Ducati road bike to feature the brand's signature Desmodromic valve timing. It's a tribute to the one-two racing victory of Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari at the 1972 200 Miglia di Imola, a historic event that Ducati has commemorated before with the stunning Paul Smart 1000 LE model.
What sets this bike apart is its stunning aesthetics. The silver and aqua-green livery is a direct nod to Smart's original race bike, with a gold strip running along the 14.5-litre fuel tank, reminiscent of the unpainted section on the fibreglass unit of the past. It's a true retro look, but with a modern twist.
Ducati has also incorporated some subtle yet stylish retro touches, like the gently set clip-ons and bar-end mirrors, adding to the overall charm. Despite its racing inspiration, the Formula 73 is likely to be a relaxed roadster, perfect for cruising through the countryside in style.
And this is the part most people miss: the Formula 73's design isn't entirely new. Ducati unveiled similar concepts at the Bike Shed Moto Show in London back in 2024. One of those concepts, the CR241 café racer, shares many design elements with the Formula 73, including the nose bodywork and tank shrouds. The main differences lie in the colour scheme and the wheels, with the Formula 73 opting for silver spoked aluminium designs.
Under the hood (or should we say, under the tank), the Formula 73 is powered by the 803cc V-twin engine from the Scrambler 800 family, complete with Desmodromics. It delivers a claimed 72bhp at 8250rpm and 48lb.ft of torque at 7000rpm, all while keeping the wet weight at a manageable 183kg. The seat height is a comfortable 808mm, and the engine is held by a tubular steel trellis frame, ensuring a smooth ride.
In terms of technology, the Formula 73 doesn't disappoint. It boasts a ride-by-wire throttle, traction control, a quickshifter, and two riding modes. Braking is handled by a four-piston Brembo radial caliper and 330mm front disc, along with a 245mm rear rotor and single-piston caliper, all equipped with Bosch cornering ABS for added safety.
As a special edition, the Formula 73 is packed with billet aluminium components, from the brake and clutch levers to the footpegs and the Rizoma fuel cap. Each bike is etched with its model name and serial number on the top yoke, and owners will receive a certificate of authenticity and a box of design sketches, making it a truly unique possession.
With the Formula 73 inspired by the CR241 concept, it's not far-fetched to imagine that the other Bike Shed prototype, the RR241, could also make its way into production. This post-apocalyptic-inspired bike features a high-passage Termignoni exhaust, cross-spoked wheels, and Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres, offering a unique off-road look.
To complete the Formula 73 experience, Ducati is offering a special sports jacket and a one-of-a-kind Arai Concept-XE retro helmet, featuring a unique livery and Ducati logos. It's the perfect way to embrace the retro style.
So, why Formula 73? This name pays tribute to the Super Sport 750 Desmo, which made its debut at the Milan Motorcycle Show in November 1973. It was a forerunner to the modern superbike design we know today. The 750's success continued with wins for Franco Uncini in the Italian championship in 1975 and Cook Neilson at the Daytona 200 in 1977.
While the Formula 73 has received praise, some, like MCN, wish Ducati had taken it a step further and added a proper front fairing, creating an even more modern adaptation of the 1972 Imola winner. What do you think? Should Ducati have gone all out with the retro design, or is the Formula 73 just right as it is? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
