If you were hoping to buy one, you are already too late. Ducati has launched the limited-edition Formula 73 in India at Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom), and every unit allocated to the Indian market has been sold out. Bookings are closed, and Ducati India says no new orders are being taken.
The Formula 73 is not just another special paint job. It is a tribute to the motorcycle that put Ducati on the racing map: the 1973 Ducati 750 Super Sport Desmo, the first Ducati road bike to use desmodromic valve timing. Only 873 numbered examples are being built for the entire world, which makes the Indian allocation one of the most exclusive motorcycles to go on sale here this year.
A tribute to the 1973 Super Sport Desmo
The story of the Formula 73 begins at Imola in 1972, when Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari won the 200 Miglia race on the Ducati 750 Imola Desmo. The road-going 750 Super Sport Desmo that followed became a replica of that race winner, and it kicked off Ducati’s long run in production-based racing, a run that has since grown into more than 400 world championship victories.
The Formula 73 revives that spirit in a modern cafe racer. The silver and aqua green paintwork comes from careful digging in the company’s archives by the Ducati Style Centre, and the vertical gold stripe on the tank echoes the unpainted strip on the original Imola race bike, which let the team check the fuel level at a glance. Clip-on handlebars, bar-end mirrors, a short front fairing and a tapered tail complete the 1970s cafe racer look.
Exclusivity is built into the details. Every bike carries its name and serial number on the steering plate, along with a certificate of authenticity and a special box of period photographs and design sketches from the Ducati Style Centre. Billet aluminium components, from the brake and clutch levers to the footpegs and the Rizoma fuel cap, come fitted as standard.
803cc Desmodue engine, modern electronics
Under the retro bodywork sits an 803cc air-cooled Desmodue L-twin engine with desmodromic valve actuation, the same valve technology that made the original Super Sport famous. It produces around 73 hp at 8,250 rpm and 65.2 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm, and it meets Euro 5+ emission standards. A model-specific Termignoni silencer adds to the soundtrack.
The chassis is classic Ducati: a steel trellis frame, a 41mm upside-down KYB front fork and a preload-adjustable KYB rear monoshock. Braking comes from a Brembo four-piston radial front caliper with a 330mm disc. The bike rolls on 17-inch spoked wheels shod with Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres, and it weighs 183kg without fuel.
Modern electronics keep the retro machine usable every day. The Formula 73 gets Ducati Traction Control, cornering ABS, a Ducati Quick Shift system, Sport and Road riding modes, a 4.3-inch full-TFT display, full-LED lighting with daytime running lights and self-cancelling indicators.
Why it sold out instantly
The Formula 73 arrived in India in Ducati’s centenary year, which added to the occasion. Bipul Chandra, Managing Director of Ducati India, said the company was incredibly proud to secure a highly exclusive allocation for Indian Ducatisti, calling the bike a rare opportunity for collectors to own a piece of timeless Italian heritage blended with modern Ducati performance.
That combination of genuine heritage, a tiny global production run and a numbered, certified build is exactly what collectors chase. With only 873 units worldwide and the Indian quota already spoken for, the Formula 73 will likely be remembered as one of the quickest sellouts of the year in the premium motorcycle space.
- Price: Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom)
- Production: 873 numbered units worldwide
- Engine: 803cc air-cooled Desmodue L-twin, around 73 hp, 65.2 Nm
- Weight: 183kg without fuel
- India status: Allocated units sold out, bookings closed
FAQs
What is the price of the Ducati Formula 73 in India?
The Formula 73 is priced at Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom) in India.
Can I still book a Ducati Formula 73?
No. The units allocated for India have sold out, and Ducati is no longer taking new bookings.
How many Ducati Formula 73 motorcycles are being made?
Only 873 numbered units are being built for the whole world.
What engine does the Formula 73 use?
It uses an 803cc air-cooled Desmodue L-twin engine with desmodromic valve timing, producing around 73 hp and 65.2 Nm of torque.
What is the Formula 73 based on?
It is a tribute to the 1973 Ducati 750 Super Sport Desmo, the first Ducati road bike with desmodromic valve timing, which followed the 1972 Imola race win.
For Indian collectors who missed out, the Formula 73 is a reminder of how quickly genuine limited editions move. For everyone else, it is a handsome nod to the machine that started Ducati’s racing legend.
