A fire-breathing Ducati
We’ve been spending some time lately kicking tires around the garage and thinking about how much we miss Radical Ducati. Their way of building modern cafe racers—stripping everything unnecessary and just focusing on the essentials—really struck a chord with us. They took the cafe racer spirit of the ’60s and gave it a modern twist, using Ducati superbikes to push the limits even further.
Take the Matador Racer, for example. It’s an exceptional build, even by Radical Ducati standards. At its core, it boasts a tuned Ducati 1198 SP engine, supported by a slew of custom, lightweight RAD components that truly justify its name. The frame, subframe, swingarm, and bodywork were all crafted by Radical Ducati themselves.
But building the Matador Racer was more than just putting together some high-quality parts—it was about creating something truly special. This wasn’t just about assembling a bike; it was about pioneering a design and engineering masterpiece that stands out from the crowd.
Here’s what the Matador Racer packs:
- Custom RAD 02 aluminum frame, subframe, and swingarm.
- Top-notch Ohlins suspension and Brembo calipers for superior handling.
- Discacciati brakes for sharp stopping power.
- Lightweight setup with RAD 02 ergal triple clamps and carbon fiber mudguards.
- Powerful Ducati 1198 SP engine, enhanced with ported heads and a light flywheel.
- Advanced cooling with a Febur race radiator and RAD 02 carbon fiber airbox.
- Unique Super Mario 2 into 1 exhaust system ending in a RAD “tail fish” megaphone.
- Sharp looks with a RAD carbon fiber bellypan and a Corsa Evo solo seat on ITX aluminum forged wheels.
- Precise RAD 02 electrical wiring and an Aviacompositi race dash, powered by a Baylistic LIPO battery.
Weighing in at just 138 kg (303 lbs), the Matador Racer isn’t just any bike—it’s a piece of Radical Ducati’s legacy, showing off what made them a legend in the custom motorcycle world. This bike is a perfect example of how Radical Ducati wasn’t just about building bikes; they were about pushing the envelope and setting new standards in motorcycle design and performance.
Matador Racer full specs:
– RAD 02 Aluminium frame
– RAD 02 Aluminium subframe
– RAD 02 Aluminium swingarm
– RAD 02 ergal triple clamps yokes
– Ohlins front fork
– Brembo calipers
– Discacciati Brake and Clutch radial pump
– Discacciati rotors
– Domino quick open gas throttle
– RAD 02 ergal clip ons
– RAD carbon fiber front mudguard
– RAD carbon fiber rear mudguard
– Discacciati rear brake kit with support, 200mm rear rotor, and four piston caliper
– Ohlins rear shock
– RAD 02 Ergal regulable rear height rod
– Rizoma rearsets
– Ducati 1198 SP engine: ported heads, light flywheel, EVR anti hopping clutch
– Febur race water radiator
– RAD 02 carbon fiber airbox with Jet Prime air intakes with holders for injectors.
– Super Mario 2 into1 exhaust system
– RAD “tail fish” megaphone
– RAD carbon fiber bellypan
– NGK race spark cables.
– RAD 02 electrical wiring
– Aviacompositi race dash
– Baylistic LIPO battery
– ITX aluminum forged wheels
– RAD 02 aluminum fuel tank
– RAD 02 carbon fiber Corsa Evo solo seat
– RAD front plate number
– Weight: 138 kg (303 lbs)
Photography: Del Perro
