Ducati Formula 73: The Iconic Urban Café Racer Celebrating the Centenary and the Desmo Myth
Discover the new 2026 Ducati Formula 73: limited to 873 units, it celebrates the legendary 750 Super Sport Desmo. Technical specs, historic livery details, and availability.
Ducati Formula 73 (2026): Price, Specs, and Limited Series Review
Ducati Formula 73: The Iconic Urban Café Racer Celebrating the Centenary and the Desmo Myth
Discover the new 2026 Ducati Formula 73: limited to 873 units, it celebrates the legendary 750 Super Sport Desmo. Technical specs, historic livery details, and availability.
Ducati Formula 73: Legendary Inspiration for a Timeless Motorcycle
In its centenary year, the House of Borgo Panigale presents the Formula 73, a motorcycle that reimagines a legendary model in a modern key—one that helped build the Ducati myth and continues to inspire its core values today. Produced in a numbered and limited series of only 873 units, the Formula 73 celebrates the 750 Super Sport Desmo, one of the most iconic models in Ducati history.
A Tribute to the Birth of the Desmo Legend
The Formula 73 is a modern tribute to the 750 Super Sport Desmo, the first production Ducati equipped with the desmodromic distribution system. The original Super Sport was essentially a road-going replica of the 750 Imola Desmo with which Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari triumphed at the 1972 Imola 200 Miles. This historic victory marked the first chapter of Ducati’s dominance in production-based racing, a legacy that today counts over 400 victories and multiple world titles.
The Formula 73 captures the spirit of the 1970s—a decade of cultural transformation and intense creativity—reflecting the values of Style, Sophistication, and Performance. It is a model dedicated to enthusiasts who love timeless objects and wish to stand out by riding a motorcycle with an unmistakable personality.
"A Piece of Timeless" with Stefano Accorsi
The Formula 73 stars in the short film “A Piece of Timeless,” where Italian actor and Ducati enthusiast Stefano Accorsi reflects on his first experience riding the bike. Through a cinematic parallel between acting and riding, Accorsi describes the visceral relationship between performance and the world of two wheels.
Unmistakable Personality and Design
The lines of the Ducati Formula 73 are a contemporary reinterpretation of the legendary 1973 750 Super Sport Desmo. Slender and sleek, the bike communicates agility through a minimalist yet elegant aesthetic.
The Livery: The silver and teal color scheme, inspired by the original 750 SS Desmo, is the result of extensive research by the Centro Stile Ducati.
The Gold Stripe: A vertical gold band on the tank recreates the unpainted fiberglass stripe of the original Imola racer, which allowed the team to check fuel levels at a glance without adding heavy gauges.
Café Racer Soul: Low-slung handlebars with bar-end mirrors, a vintage-style fairing, and a short, tapered tail section confirm its bold collector's personality.
Exquisite Details: Numerous components are machined from solid aluminum, including the brake and clutch levers, footpegs, and a bespoke Rizoma fuel cap.
Each bike features the model name and production number engraved on the triple clamp and is delivered with a Certificate of Authenticity and a premium box containing historic sketches and photographs.
Tradition Meets Innovation
While faithful to the technical soul of the 1970s, the Formula 73 is a modern, high-performance machine.
The Engine: The 803cc Desmodue L-twin engine is Euro5+ compliant, delivering 73 hp at 8,250 rpm. It offers a ready and progressive response thanks to Ride-by-Wire technology.
The Voice: A dedicated Termignoni silencer provides an evocative and full-bodied exhaust note.
The Chassis: The signature steel trellis frame, painted in teal, pairs with 17-inch spoked wheels and Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires for nimble handling.
Technology: The electronics package is state-of-the-art, featuring Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Quick Shift (DQS), and two Riding Modes (Sport and Road) managed via a 4.3” full TFT dashboard.
Availability and Lifestyle
Enthusiasts can complete their look with a dedicated apparel collection, including an Arai helmet and a sport jacket matching the Formula 73 livery. The motorcycle will arrive in European dealerships in Spring 2026, with worldwide distribution following by late summer.
Technical Highlights
Engine: Desmodue 803cc, 73 HP
Exhaust: Homologated Termignoni silencer
Weight: 183 kg (kerb weight without fuel)
Brakes: Brembo radial 4-piston caliper with 330 mm disc
Electronics: 6-axis IMU, Cornering ABS, DTC, DQS, Full LED with DRL
Exclusivity: Limited series of 873 units
Price: 16000 Euro