To celebrate the Fourth of July, Ducati has taken the wraps off of their new 848 Nicky Hayden Edition. An US-exclusive model intended as the market’s best middleweight sport bike, the two wheeler comes with a charming American-inspired paint scheme. Run by the same 134-horsepower (at 10,000 rpm) L-twin Evoluzione powerplant, wet-clutch and six-speed gearbox from the 848 line, the 2010 Nick Hayden edition also features a signed gas tank, an aluminum cam belt tensioner pulleys for improved acceleration and LED dash illumination for superior night visibility. Light, yet extremely powerful, the new Ducati 848 Nicky Hayden Sportbike should be available at authorized Ducati dealerships from July 7 and will cost $14,495. [via Autoblog]

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If fancy cars don’t do it for you, perhaps a two-wheeled alternative will do. Ducati’s Desmosedici GP9 has a lightweight carbon-fiber frame that houses a 90-degree V4 four-stroke engine, generating over 200 horsepower from under 800cc. Shell brings the motor oil and fuel efficiency, lubricating the engine and ensuring an entire race without a pit stop, thanks to a 21-liter tank with V-Power racing fuel. Of course, it takes more than wealth to get a ride in this motorbike. It’s reserved for Nicky Hayden, who plans to race it in this year’s MotoGP. Word is that he digs the chassis and the engine, so here’s hoping it works out. [via Shell]

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Announced late last year in Milan, Ducati’s superbike— the Streetfighter, is finally hitting the roads. Effectively a monster in itself with a claimed 155bhp, it’s actually the most powerful naked motorcycle the Italians have ever built. Created for the race-minded, it’s just been revealed that the 2009 Streetfighter will feature racing silencers, undertank side panels, a swingarm guard, a passenger seat cover and a rear hugger all made of carbon. As for what helps that beast burn rubber, there’s a slipper clutch that prevents the rear wheel lock-up under aggressive downshifting and an electronic shifter that helps shifting faster. With traction control, Marchesini wheels and an Öhlins suspension, Ducati Streetfighter S is scheduled to hit US dealerships in May for a good $19,000 while the non-S version will be available in August for $15,000. That’s pure adrenaline … [via HFLM]

At the Ducati Wrooom event in Italy, Ducati boss Claudio Domenicali has officially revealed more details about their Desmosedici GP9 bike– the model that Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden will use for the 2009 MotoGP World Championship. The most important change is that the bike ditched the tubular steel trellis architecture and now features a radical new carbon fiber chassis. Thought it hasn’t proved its efficiency on track we’re sure the red beast is going to be fast as hell. Count us in for a test drive … [via HellForLeatherMagazine]

This week, the famed Italian motorsports brand Ducati revealed a new cafe in Rome, Italy.  This is a continued focus by Ducati to insert their brand into the eyes of the public in forms other than racing.  Ducati’s familiar partnership with Puma was the first step toward more releases like this cafe, and we’re a bit pumped to see what’s next in Ducati’s pipeline… [selectism]

• Top 10 Arthouse Films to Watch in 2009 [screencrave]
• Arrrgh! — Five Pirates Drown Fighting over $3M Booty [asylum]
• Alison Berger x Blackman Cruz glassworks [coolhunting]
• Solar Decathlon Sustainable House in Ithaca, New York [freshome]
• Her best friend is a guy.  How do you handle that? [askmen]
• 10 Porn Stars who Twitter [coedmag]

At first glance, its hard to imagine that this chunk of terror is street legal.  This isn’t a secret military project, its not Batman’s next tumbler, its Ducati’s latest superbike released today, the Streetfighter.  Its easy to recognize this beast as a Ducati, the patent monoshock side swingarm gives it away in an instant.  On top of this and Ducati’s trademark lattice frame is a 1099cc liquid-cooled L-twin engine, producing 155hp at 9500rpm.  Those dual exhaust pieces show that the Streetfighter means business.  When it hits in the Spring of 2009, you can expect to get one in your garage for around $15k.  Be careful on this one, its got enough muscle to melt the pavement below its treads… [ducati]

With a flick of the wrist, you’re flying.  The latest naked street bike by the famed Italian bikesmiths at Ducati is hungry for the pavement in your local urban environment.  The Ducati Monster 696 is a 696cc asphalt eater fit for daily commutes, weekend free rides and everything in between.  Its naked design is held together with a trellis style frame, appearing like a red skeleton holding together guts of steel.  If you’re so inclined to pick one up for yourself, don’t pass on the Ducati Data Analyzer.  The DDA gathers data from your rides and stores it in a USB thumb system that you can pull up on your PC, allowing you to tailor your performance for the best ride possible.  Fast, smart and techy, just how we like our bikes and our women… [ducati via coolhunting]