Why Exactly 73 hp and 873 Examples

The numbers behind the Formula 73 are no coincidence. 73 hp—Ducati deliberately chose exactly this output to embed the anniversary year 1973 into the motorcycle’s engine character. The 803 cc Desmodue engine could have produced more. In the Scrambler-based configuration, the 73 hp output is a deliberate calibration decision.

873 examples: the number combines 803 and 73—displacement and anniversary year—into a three-digit production figure. Each motorcycle carries its individual production number engraved into the upper triple clamp. The historical connection goes deeper. The 1973 750 Super Sport Desmo was Ducati’s first road motorcycle with desmodromic valve actuation. It was itself a replica of the 750 Imola Desmo with which Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari won the 1972 200 Miglia di Imola.

2026 marks Ducati’s 100th anniversary. The Formula 73 is the collector’s piece created for the occasion.

Engine: 803 cc Desmodue—Desmodromic Valve Actuation, 73 hp

803 cc, air-cooled, L-twin—90-degree V-twin—OHC, two desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder, 73 hp (53.7 kW) at 8,250 rpm, 65.2 Nm at 7,000 rpm, six-speed transmission, wet multi-plate clutch with hydraulic radial actuation, chain drive, Euro 5+, ride-by-wire, Ducati Quick Shift Up/Down.

Desmodromic valve actuation—Ducati’s historic technical signature—mechanically controls the valves in both directions without conventional return springs. That allows higher engine speeds and more precise valve timing. In the two-valve Desmodue, however, it is deliberately tuned for a manageable level of performance. This is not a high-revving race engine. It is a characterful touring engine with Ducati DNA.

The silver-colored engine covers with the classic Borgo Panigale logo visually reinforce the historical reference. A homologated Termignoni exhaust system with a gold band comes standard—the same design detail used on the historic inspiration.

Chassis: Marzocchi USD, Sachs Shock, Wire-Spoke Wheels

Up front is a 41 mm Marzocchi USD fork with 150 mm of travel. At the rear is an adjustable Sachs shock with 140 mm of travel. Braking comes from Brembo, with a 320 mm front disc and four-piston radial caliper, plus a 245 mm rear disc with a single-piston caliper.Bosch Cornering ABS comes standard.

The Formula 73 rolls on 17-inch wire-spoke wheels front and rear, fitted with Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires—a choice that underlines the motorcycle’s sporting setup despite its classic appearance. The suspension is well calibrated for everyday use at Scrambler level. With 150 mm of front suspension travel, the USD fork gives the Formula 73 more reserves than the bare minimum required for a retro café racer.

Ergonomics: Clip-Ons, 808 mm Seat Height, Café-Racer Riding Position

Seat height is 808 mm. Dry weight without fuel is 183 kg. Fuel capacity is 14.5 liters. Clip-on handlebars with bar-end mirrors create a forward-leaning café-racer riding position: hands lower than on a naked bike, upper body leaning slightly forward, footpegs centrally positioned. That is the right riding position for city rides and sporty backroad use. After more than two or three hours on the highway, the extended arm position becomes noticeable.

The Formula 73 is not a long-distance touring motorcycle, and that is intentional. A passenger-seat cover comes standard. A passenger seat can be retrofitted as an option.

Equipment: Rizoma, Termignoni, Certificate of Authenticity

Machined Rizoma billet-aluminum components come standard: brake and clutch levers with separate fluid reservoirs, footpegs, and fuel cap. A homologated Termignoni exhaust with gold band is standard. There is a 4.3-inch color TFT display, full LED lighting, self-canceling turn signals, USB, Cornering ABS, DTC traction control, two riding modes, and Quick Shift Up/Down.

Also included as standard are a certificate of authenticity and a Collector’s Box containing historic photographs and design sketches. The license-plate holder is side-mounted. The numbering on the upper triple clamp makes every motorcycle individually identifiable—an important detail for collector value.

No Alternatives: One Color, One Specification

The Formula 73 is available in exactly one color: Silver-Aquamarine with a gold fuel-tank stripe. There is no second color option. There is no optional equipment package. There is no configuration process. If you buy the Formula 73, you buy exactly this motorcycle—or you buy something else. That is a deliberate positioning decision.

The production number on the upper triple clamp carries more significance when all 873 examples are visually identical. A numbered one-of-873 motorcycle in a single color is a stronger collector proposition than a numbered one-of-873 available in any number of configurations.

Stationary Noise and Tyrol

The Formula 73’s stationary-noise figure has not been officially published. The Termignoni exhaust is homologated and therefore street-legal, but it is not an acoustically subdued system. For Tyrolean mountain passes, the rule is simple: confirm the figure with your dealer before setting off. The Tyrol limit is 95 dB(A).

Price, Competition, and Positioning

€15,890 plus €305 destination charges. Two-year warranty. That represents a clear premium over a standard Scrambler 800 at around €11,000, which shares the same basic technical platform.

The approximately €4,900 premium buys Rizoma aluminum components, Termignoni exhaust, Marzocchi USD fork, Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires, wire-spoke wheels, factory café-racer conversion, Collector’s Box, certificate of authenticity, and the serial number on the upper triple clamp.

A Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 at around €7,900 is less expensive, but it is not a special edition. A Triumph Thruxton 1200 RS starts at €16,400 and produces 105 hp and 112 Nm. There is no genuine competitor to the Formula 73 as a limited-production collector motorcycle in 2026.

Verdict

The 2026 Ducati Formula 73 is for Ducatisti who want a numbered collector’s item that remains practical enough to ride every day. 73 hp. Desmodue. Cornering ABS. Quick Shift. Termignoni. Rizoma. 808 mm. 183 kg. 873 examples. No color choice. €15,890.

If you are looking for a touring motorcycle, you are buying the wrong model. If you are buying a motorcycle that will still have a place in the brand’s history 20 years from now, you are buying the right one.

 

Quick Check

+ 873 numbered examples, with 873 derived from 803 + 73; single Silver-Aquamarine color scheme with gold fuel-tank stripe; numbered upper triple clamp; certificate of authenticity; Collector’s Box; Termignoni exhaust with gold band; Rizoma billet-aluminum components including levers, footpegs, and fuel cap—all standard

+ 803 cc Desmodue L-twin; 73 hp at 8,250 rpm; desmodromic valve actuation; 41 mm Marzocchi USD fork; Sachs rear shock; Brembo 320 mm radial front caliper; Cornering ABS; Ducati Quick Shift; Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV on 17-inch wire-spoke wheels

+ 4.3-inch TFT display; two riding modes; DTC traction control; 183 kg dry; café-racer geometry; clip-on handlebars with bar-end mirrors; 2-year warranty; historical connection to Paul Smart and the 1972 200 Miglia di Imola

+ Collector-value argument: limited, numbered single-series production without color variations; Ducati’s 100th anniversary in 2026; inspired by Ducati’s first road motorcycle with desmodromic valve actuation; €15,890 for a fully equipped, ready-to-ride collector’s motorcycle

 

– Stationary noise with Termignoni not published; confirm against Tyrol’s 95 dB(A) limit with dealer; 808 mm seat height limits secure ground contact for riders below approximately 1.68 meters; clip-on handlebars become tiring on long highway stretches

– No color choice: Silver-Aquamarine only. If you do not like the color, you do not buy the motorcycle. No alternative equipment configuration; passenger seat not standard, only a seat cover

– €15,890: approximately €4,900 premium over the Scrambler platform; no wind protection; no top case; no comfort-touring package—the Formula 73 is a collector’s and city motorcycle, not a touring bike

– Limited to 873 examples: once sold out, no additional motorcycles will be available; annual Desmo service intervals typical of the Desmodue; 2-year warranty with no 4-year option; only one globally standardized configuration

 

Technical Specifications: Ducati Formula 73 (2026)

Make / Model: Ducati Formula 73 (2026; limited special edition; 873 numbered examples worldwide; tribute to the 1973 Ducati 750 Super Sport Desmo; Ducati’s 100th anniversary in 2026); manufacturer: Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., Borgo Panigale, Bologna, Italy; subsidiary of Audi AG

Production Limit: 873 numbered examples worldwide, with 873 derived from 803 cc + 73 hp; numbered upper triple clamp; certificate of authenticity; Collector’s Box; no color variations; no equipment options

Historical Reference: Ducati 750 Super Sport Desmo (1973): Ducati’s first road motorcycle with desmodromic valve actuation; replica of the 750 Imola Desmo that won the 1972 200 Miglia di Imola with Paul Smart / Bruno Spaggiari; Ducati’s 100th anniversary in 2026

Engine: Air-cooled 90-degree L-twin, Desmodue; 803 cc; OHC; two desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder; ride-by-wire; Euro 5+; chain drive; 6-speed transmission; wet multi-plate clutch with radial hydraulic actuation

Power: 73 hp (53.7 kW) at 8,250 rpm

Torque: 65.2 Nm at 7,000 rpm

Top Speed / Consumption: Approx. 185 km/h; fuel consumption approx. 5 L/100 km

Fuel Tank / Weight: 14.5 liters; 183 kg dry without fuel; ready-to-ride weight approx. 200 kg

Transmission / Final Drive: 6-speed; chain drive; Ducati Quick Shift Up/Down standard

Electronics: Bosch Cornering ABS; DTC traction control; Ducati Quick Shift Up/Down; two riding modes; ride-by-wire; 4.3-inch color TFT; full LED lighting; self-canceling turn signals; USB

Front Suspension: 41 mm Marzocchi USD fork; 150 mm travel

Rear Suspension: Sachs; 140 mm travel; adjustable

Front Brake: Brembo; 320 mm disc; four-piston radial caliper; Cornering ABS

Rear Brake: 245 mm disc; single-piston caliper; ABS

Wheels: 17-inch wire-spoke wheels front and rear

Tires: Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV; 120/70 ZR17 front; 180/55 ZR17 rear

Ergonomics: 808 mm seat height; clip-on handlebars with bar-end mirrors; short front fairing; passenger-seat cover standard with optional passenger seat; side-mounted license-plate holder; sporty forward-leaning riding position

Standard Equipment: Rizoma billet-aluminum components including brake and clutch levers with fluid reservoirs, footpegs, and fuel cap; homologated Termignoni exhaust with gold band; numbered upper triple clamp; certificate of authenticity; Collector’s Box with historic photographs and sketches

Paint: Silver/Aquamarine with gold fuel-tank stripe only, replicating the 750 Super Sport Desmo color scheme; no alternative

Stationary Noise: Not officially published; homologated Termignoni exhaust; confirm with dealer against Tyrol’s 95 dB(A) limit

Warranty / Service: 2-year manufacturer warranty with unlimited mileage; 2 years roadside assistance; typical Desmodromic service interval 15,000 km / 2 years

Price (Germany): €15,890 plus €305 destination charges; limited to 873 examples worldwide