The Ducati Formula 73 has arrived in India at ₹20 lakh ex-showroom, and if you were hoping to book one, you are already too late. Ducati confirmed on October 23, 2026 that every unit allocated to India has been spoken for.
The Formula 73 is a limited-edition cafe racer. Only 873 units are being made worldwide, and each carries a serial number and a certificate of authenticity. It pays tribute to the 1973 750 Super Sport Desmo, the first Ducati road bike with desmodromic valve timing.
So why write about a bike you cannot buy? Because it tells us a lot about where Ducati is pricing its heritage, and because buyers who missed out still have real choices.
What is the story behind the Ducati Formula 73?
The original 750 Super Sport Desmo was a road-going replica of the 750 Imola Desmo. That race bike carried Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari to victory at the 1972 200 Miglia di Imola, the first European race for production-derived motorcycles.
The Super Sport mattered because it brought desmodromic valve operation to a Ducati road bike for the first time. Desmo is still one of Ducati’s defining technologies more than five decades later.
The Formula 73 is a modern reinterpretation of that story, not a replica. It uses today’s engine, chassis and electronics, dressed in period-inspired details.
How does the Formula 73 look in person?
The livery is the giveaway. A silver and aqua-green colour scheme follows the original Super Sport, and a vertical gold stripe runs up the tank.
That stripe is a clever detail. On the Imola Desmo race bikes, a strip of the tank was left unpainted so the team could see the fuel level without fitting a gauge. Ducati has turned that practical hack into a design signature.
Classic cafe racer touches complete the look: clip-on handlebars, bar-end mirrors, a short front fairing and a tapered tail. Billet aluminium parts include the levers, footpegs and a Rizoma fuel cap.
What powers the Formula 73?
The engine is Ducati’s 803cc air-cooled Desmodue L-twin. It produces 73hp at 8,250rpm and 65.2Nm at 7,000rpm. A Termignoni exhaust has been developed specifically for this model.
Those are modest numbers by modern Ducati standards, and that is the point. This is a bike for character, sound and style rather than lap times. The air-cooled twin is also simple compared with Ducati’s liquid-cooled engines.11:48 AM
| Specification | Ducati Formula 73 |
|---|---|
| Price (ex-showroom India) | ₹20 lakh |
| Production | 873 units worldwide, India allocation sold out |
| Engine | 803cc air-cooled Desmodue L-twin |
| Power | 73hp at 8,250rpm |
| Torque | 65.2Nm at 7,000rpm |
| Exhaust | Model-specific Termignoni |
| Frame | Steel trellis |
| Suspension | 41mm KYB USD fork, preload-adjustable KYB monoshock |
| Weight | 183kg wet, without fuel |
| Wheels and tyres | 17-inch spoked, Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV |
| Electronics | Cornering ABS, traction control, quickshifter, two riding modes |
| Display | 4.3-inch TFT, full-LED lighting |
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Is the hardware up to the price?
The chassis uses a steel trellis frame, a 41mm KYB upside-down fork and a preload-adjustable KYB monoshock. It weighs 183kg wet without fuel and rides on 17-inch spoked wheels with Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres.
The electronics are well judged for a heritage bike: cornering ABS, traction control, a quickshifter and two riding modes. There is a 4.3-inch TFT and full-LED lighting. Heated grips and turn-by-turn navigation are optional accessories.
Judged purely on specifications, ₹20 lakh is a lot for 73hp. But this is a numbered collector’s bike. Each comes with a box of period images and sketches from the Ducati Style Centre, and the serial number on the steering plate is part of what you are paying for.
How does the price compare within Ducati India’s range?
It sits close to the top of Ducati’s mid-range pricing. For comparison, the Ducati Hypermotard V2 launched in India at ₹16.53 lakh, with the more focused V2 SP at ₹20.78 lakh.
In other words, the Formula 73 costs about the same as a far more powerful, track-capable Hypermotard SP. That tells you how strongly Ducati believes in the value of limited numbers and heritage design.
What can buyers who missed out consider?
If you wanted the Formula 73 for its looks, the obvious path is a retro motorcycle with a classic style and a far lower price. Our guide to the Triumph Bonneville T4 and the checks to make before choosing a retro bike is a good starting point.
If you wanted big-engine character and are less fussed about cafe racer styling, Kawasaki’s retro-leaning naked is worth a look. The 2027 Kawasaki Z1100 at ₹12.79 lakh offers far more performance for much less money.
Some buyers will also watch the used market. Limited-edition bikes occasionally change hands soon after delivery, often at a premium. If you go that route, verify the serial number, certificate of authenticity and service history with an authorised Ducati dealer.
Who is the Formula 73 really built for?
Three types of buyer drove those quick Indian bookings. The first is the existing Ducati owner who already has a modern superbike or adventure tourer and wants something special for Sunday rides. For that rider, the Formula 73 is a second or third motorcycle, not a daily machine.
The second is the collector. Numbered bikes with a certificate and a clear link to a famous original tend to attract people who value provenance as much as performance.
The third is the rider who simply loves the cafe racer look and can afford to pay for authenticity. Plenty of brands sell retro styling, but very few can point to a real racing win from the early 1970s.
What the Formula 73 is not built for is the first-time big-bike buyer looking for value. The money is going into heritage, finish and exclusivity, not outright capability.
What about long-term ownership?
Air-cooled engines are relatively simple, and the Desmodue has been around in various forms for many years. Even so, desmodromic valve servicing is a specialist job, so budget for authorised servicing and factor in the distance to your nearest Ducati workshop.
Collector value is the other consideration. Limited numbers and a strong story usually help values hold up. But there is no guarantee, and we would never recommend buying any motorcycle purely as an investment.
CarBike Insight Analysis
The Formula 73 is less about performance and more about storytelling. Ducati has built a beautifully detailed tribute that connects a modern air-cooled twin to one of its most important road bikes. It is also a reminder that heritage, when backed by a genuine racing story, remains one of the strongest tools in motorcycle marketing.
That Indian units sold out before launch says a lot about demand for premium, limited motorcycles in the country. It also suggests Ducati may bring more special editions to India in future.
For most riders, though, the Formula 73 is a bike to admire rather than chase. Clip-ons and a cafe riding position are not ideal in heavy traffic, and ₹20 lakh buys a lot of motorcycle elsewhere. If you missed out, do not overpay in a rush. A well-chosen retro alternative will deliver most of the joy for far less.
What is the price of the Ducati Formula 73 in India?
The Formula 73 is priced at ₹20 lakh ex-showroom.
Can I still book the Ducati Formula 73?
No. Ducati says all units allocated to India have already been booked.
How many Formula 73 units will be made?
Only 873 units worldwide, each with a serial number and certificate.
What engine does the Formula 73 use?
An 803cc air-cooled Desmodue L-twin with 73hp and 65.2Nm.
What bike inspired the Formula 73?
The 1973 Ducati 750 Super Sport Desmo, the first Ducati road bike with desmodromic valves.
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