Ducati North America set a new monthly sales record selling 1,782 motorcycles in May, easily surpassing its previous record of 1,394 units sold set in June 2008.

Helping drive sales was the introduction of the new 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale and the Streetfighter 848 last month. The two new models helped Ducati North America see a 49% year-on-year sales increase for the month.

For the year so far, Ducati has sold 4,844 motorcycles in North America, a 19% increase over 2011′s sales in the January to May period and a 98% increase over the results from 2010. Continue Reading »

Ducati is issuing a recall on several 2012 models because of a problem with the rear brake. The models included are the 848 EVO, the Streetfighter 848, the Hypermotard 796, the ABS-equipped versions of the Multistrada 1200, and the Monsters 796 and 1100 EVO.

According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the friction material on the rear brake pads may detach from the backing plate, resulting in a drop in rear braking efficiency and increased stopping distance.

The problem affects a particular batch of rear brake pads from supplier Federale-Mogul. Internal testing by both Ducati and Brembo determined the problem is with the adhesive used to attach the friction material to the backing plate of the affected brake pads. The problem Continue Reading »

The partnership between Ducati and Mercedes-AMG has produced some new fruit, this time a Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG inspired by the Ducati Streetfighter 848′s “Fighter Yellow” color.

It’s been over a year since Ducati and Mercedes-Benz’ performance brand AMG signed a cooperation agreement at the 2010 LA Auto Show. Back in September, the two brands came together to produce the special edition Ducati Diavel AMG at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

The Streetfighter Yellow SLK 55 AMG is a one-off color variant which will be displayed alongside the Streetfighter 848 at the 2011 Bologna Motor Show to symbolize the continued relationship between the two brands.

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Update: The review is now up! Read it here.

Ducati has released a series of photos of the new Streetfighter 848 from the naked model’s European press launch.

Motorcycle.com‘s own Tom Roderick was there and he’ll have a full review for us Friday, but here’s a quick excerpt:

It wasn’t until the second session on the track that I was riding comfortably fast, pushing the Streetfighter closer to its performance envelope. The front end’s nervousness and higher handlebars dictate a light touch — hamfistedness results in a wondering front wheel. – Tom Roderick

We’ll see soon how Tom found the rest of his test of the Streetfighter 848  for now, enjoy the official press photos from Ducati after the jump.

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Ducati is pricing its new Streetfighter 848 at $12,995, the same price as the 2011 848 EVO and $2,000 less than the original 1099cc Streetfighter.

The new 2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848 is equipped with a Testastretta Evoluzione engine similar to the one powering the 848 EVO but tuned to produce a claimed 132 hp and 69 ft-lb. (compared to the s848′s 140hp and 72.3 ft-lb.) In comparison, the 1199cc Streetfighter has a claimed output of 155 hp and 85 ft-lb. With Ducati’s new Testastretta 11-degree engine technology, the Streetfighter 848 can go about 15,000 miles before needing valve adjustments.

The Streetfighter 848 will also come standard with traction control, a feature not available for the 848 EVO or the larger Streetfighter.

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A photograph has emerged of what is reported to be a new, smaller version of the  Ducati Streetfighter featuring the company’s 848 engine.

The photograph, posted by a user on the Ducati.ms forum, was reportedly snapped outside Ducati’s factory in Bologna.

The banana yellow motorcycle sports a five-bolt hub on the rear wheel, similar to the Ducati 848EVO, whereas the current 1098cc Streetfighter has a six-bolt rear hub (pictured below from our 2009 Ducati Streetfighter review).

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