2026 Ducati Formula 73 Released As Retro-Inspired Cafe Racer

Ducati has just thrown a grenade into the motorcycle world. The new Ducati Formula 73 is a reminiscence of cafe racers in a new form. It is not another retro bike but a tribute to one of the most popular motorbikes by the top Italian motorcycle brand, Ducati.

Previously, we gave you the news about the upcoming Ducati Formula 73, a retro-inspired cafe racer. Today, the bike has finally arrived. Let’s dive deeper into the Formula 73.

The Formula 73 is a tribute to the 1973 750 Super Sport. The bike created waves upon its launch in the streets more than half a century ago. It was the initial road bike by Ducati that utilized their special valve timing system, which became their trademark throughout the decades.

However, the thing is that the 1974 Ducati 750 Super Sport was not only a street bike. It came from the race blood. The origins of the bike are the 750 Imola race bike, which dominated in the 1972 Imola 200 race. Bikes like these were ridden by Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari to a one-two finish that made Ducati known to the world. Today, Ducati is 100 years old, and they have recreated that magic in the Formula 73.

To begin with, this new Ducati cafe racer will not be easy to get. Ducati will only be producing the Formula 73 in 873 numbered editions. That is it! The top clamp has a number mentioned on each bike.

Even the Formula 73’s paint scheme can bring you to a stop. Ducati opted to use aqua marine and silver. There is even a gold strip along the fuel tank. The gold stripe is not only a cosmetic feature, but it pays homage to the bare metal strip of the race bike, which allowed crews to monitor the fuel level by looking at it.

The Formula 73’s frame is a trellis frame, made of steel and painted in the same aqua green tone. It has bar-end mirrors, a smooth front fairing, and a solo seat with a tail cowl, which provides it with the clean cafe racer look. Even when this bike is idle, it screams speed.

Below all the retro-style is an 803cc air-cooled, L-Twin engine. It comes with valve timing technology developed by Ducati that the brand has always been known for. The power output it delivers reached 73 hp at 8,250 rpm. You may not observe, but even the horsepower figure links back to the name, and originally, the year of the old model, the inspiration. 

The 73 hp of horsepower may not sound amazing in the modern sport bikes world. However, it is not what this bike is all about. The Formula 73 is built for pure riding pleasure. It is all about winding country roads, urban freeways, and the sensation of being connected to the machine.

Ducati attached a custom pipe with the motor made by Termignoni; this is as good to hear as to see. A smile will come to your face each time you twist the throttle, thanks to the deep rumble.

The retro style of the Formula 73 is a deceptive one. This bike possesses all the technology riders desire from a modern Ducati bike. There is ride-by-wire throttle control, enabling two ride modes that allow you to tune the bike to your liking. Bosch cornering ABS implies that you can slam on the brakes even during the lean around corners.

The Formula 73 has traction control, too, to keep the rear wheel in check when you feel like you get too excited with the throttle. It also features the Ducati Quick Shift system. It means you can switch between gears without having to use the clutch.

The display on the Formula 73 is a 4.3-inch TFT panel that displays everything riders need to know. It goes as far as connecting with your phone via the Ducati system.

The Formula 73 features 17-inch front and rear spoked aluminum wheels wrapped under Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires. There is a 41 mm inverted Kayaba front fork and a Kayaba single rear shock, which is pre-load adjustable. The single front and rear disc brakes, along with the Bosch cornering ABS, provide a stopping power that you would expect from a bike made by the Ducati brand.

The clip-on bars place you in a sporty riding stance. Being a cafe racer, you feel crouched while riding the Formula 73. However, it is not as harsh as making you hate your life after an hour in the saddle. This retro-inspired cafe racer by Ducati weighs 403 lbs (183 kg) without the fuel. This makes the bike nimble and fun to throw around. The seat height of 31.8 inches (808 mm) also makes it decently accessible to many riders.

The new Ducati Formula 73 will hit dealership stores in Europe this Spring. It will be available to the rest of the world by the end of the summer of 2026. The price of the Formula 73 starts at $19,995.

Talking about the price, it would be high, considering one can buy a base Scrambler for half that amount. However, you are not only purchasing a bike, but you are also purchasing a part of Ducati’s past, present, and future. You are receiving a limited-edition bike that will not be owned by many people.

 Ducati even provides a corresponding gear with the Formula 73. It has an Arai helmet and a sports jacket to reflect the paint scheme of the bike. Every detail about it has been properly thought through.

The Formula 73 is worth considering if you are a cafe racer lover. It is a must-see if you are keen on Ducati’s history. You would want it if you love owning a limited edition bike. Also, if you want something different and remarkable that is unlike other bikes, the Formula 73 meets the mark.

This is not a bike to ride fast, ride long miles, ride around the track, or to carry luggage on trips. It is a bike to enjoy the sheer excitement of riding. It is meant for enjoying rides where you carve corners every minute.

The Ducati Formula 73 teaches us that it is not always necessary to look forward, but to look back sometimes as well. It borrows the soul of an old-fashioned cafe racer and brings it back to life in a new-gen bike. With only 873 units to be made and sold, it’s a great opportunity to have a piece of the 100-year history of Ducati.