DUCATI

Ducati Formula 73: a modern tribute to the 750 SS Desmo at a surprising price

Ducati is celebrating its centenary. In 1926, the Bologna-based company manufactured radios and electrical components, soon establishing itself in Borgo Panigale. After World War II—during which its facilities were destroyed by bombing—the company returned, but this time producing something far better suited to Italy at the time: small combustion engines designed to be fitted to ordinary bicycles. The initiative was a success, marking Ducati's transition into a motorcycle manufacturer.

To mark its centenary, Ducati is launching a very special motorcycle that revives one of the happiest moments in its history. It embodies the spirit of a bike and an era that helped forge the Ducati legend and inspired the principles that still guide the company today. The Ducati Formula 73 pays tribute to the Ducati 750 Super Sport Desmo, the first street-legal Ducati V-Twin equipped with a valve actuation system that positively controls both opening and closing—meaning the closing phase does not rely on spring action.

This prevents unwanted valve float—a phenomenon occurring at high RPMs where the valve fails to return to its seat in time and is literally struck by the piston during its upward stroke. One can easily imagine the resulting engine damage.

The name "Desmo" is short for "desmodromic," a term derived from two Ancient Greek roots: *desmos* (meaning bond or link) and *dromos* (meaning course or track). The Ducati 750 Super Sport was, in fact, a road-going replica of the Ducati 750 Imola Desmo ridden to victory by Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari at the 1972 Imola 200—the first European race for production-based motorcycles, a formula that would eventually give rise to today's Superbike racing in the 1980s. That historic victory at Imola—with Smart finishing first and Spaggiari second—and the subsequent birth of the 750 Super Sport Desmo marked the first pivotal chapter in Ducati’s saga of production-based motorcycle racing, a journey that has since achieved a world-record tally of over 400 race wins, sixteen riders' titles, and twenty-one manufacturers' titles.

The Ducati 750 Super Sport Desmo emerged during a decade of great change and contrast, defined by intense cultural creativity. It was a period marked by societal transformation and a widespread desire for renewal. Extraordinary artistic vitality influenced music, cinema, fashion, and thought, making the 1970s a complex and deeply significant era.

The Ducati Formula 73—a contemporary reinterpretation of the legendary 1973 750 Super Sport Desmo—was created as a tribute to that era and that motorcycle, embodying the values ​​of style, sophistication, and performance that have inspired Ducati ever since. The Ducati Formula 73 is dedicated to the brand's enthusiasts. Its silver and teal livery draws inspiration from the original 750 Super Sport Desmo; the vertical gold stripe on the tank echoes the unpainted strip found on the Ducati 750 Imola Desmo—a transparent section of the fuel tank that allowed the team to quickly check fuel levels during endurance races without complicating the bike or adding extra instrumentation. Like all limited-edition Ducati motorcycles, the Formula 73 features its model name and serial number on the upper triple clamp; each bike comes with a certificate of authenticity, as well as a collection of period-style images and sketches created by the Ducati Style Centre, presented in a special box.

The new livery revives the silver and teal color scheme of the 750 SS Desmo, along with a vertical gold stripe on the tank inspired by the 750 Imola Desmo. Rounding out the package are clip-on handlebars with bar-end mirrors, a small windscreen, a sporty tail section, and various machined aluminum components—such as levers, foot controls, and the fuel cap—manufactured by Rizoma.

The Ducati Formula 73’s 803 cc Desmodue engine is an L-twin—effectively a 90° V-twin—featuring desmodromic valve actuation and two valves per cylinder. Euro 5+ compliant, it remains true to the technical standards upon which Ducati built its legend during the 1970s and 1980s. Delivering 73 hp at 8,250 rpm, this authentic engine defines the Formula 73’s character, serving as a fundamental element of both its styling and the riding experience.

Buyers of the Ducati Formula 73 who wish to complement their look with technical gear inspired by the collector bike's original aesthetic can choose a helmet and sports jacket that echo the Formula 73’s livery. The Ducati Formula 73 will be produced in a numbered series limited to 873 units; it will be available in Europe within a few months, reaching the rest of the world shortly thereafter.

Each unit will feature an identification plate with its serial number and come with a certificate of authenticity, as well as a special box containing historical images and sketches created by the Ducati Style Center. The brand has also developed a helmet in collaboration with Arai and a sports jacket featuring the same livery as the motorcycle.

The Ducati Formula 73 will be produced in a limited run of 873 units and priced at €17,290; it is set to arrive in Europe in the spring of 2026, with sales in other markets beginning later that same year.

Autonews