Ducati’s SportClassic line made a big splash when it was introduced in 2005 and included today’s Paul Smart 1000LE. Powered by Ducati’s torque-rich L-twin with modern suspension at both ends, they were mature sportbikes for riders with a sense of history, an eye for design, and an appreciation for accessible performance. Many will complain about…
Lovely as they are, and sweet to ride, the 2006-only Ducati Paul Smart commemoratives are in a funny corner – too collectible to be riders, but the urge to customize can be irresistible. Many times they appear after a few years on the display stand, generally asking serious bucks, this one with some premium bits…
Just 500 of the classically-proportioned Ducati Paul Smart 1000LE bikes were imported to the US, with silver half-faired bodywork and a blue-green frame intended to recall the bike ridden to victory by Paul Smart at the Imola 200 in 1972, a win without which Ducati might not exist. Modern retro-styled bikes often use their throwback…
In one quick transaction, you could have two venerable Ducati air-cooled twins, rare and collectible with low miles. The first of Pierre Terblanche’s tribute designs, the 2000 MH900E has only 1900 miles, with a nice selection of memorabilia. With 7,800 miles, the 2006 Paul Smart 1000LE is signed by Paul Smart ( he may have…
After the retro-styled MH900E of 2001-02, the Pierre Terblanche-led styling department had another epiphany in 2005. The SportClassic series used the air-cooled 992cc dual-spark engine, and a steel trellis frame, with up-to-date brakes and suspension. Most of the 2006-09 production was the naked GT1000, with single or dual seats. The gem of the series was…
While the world is quick to deride designer Pierre Terblanche for what he possibly got wrong at Ducati (arguments over the 749/999 series come to mind), the creation of the Sport Classic line was something he certainly got right. Invoking Ducati’s rich history with modern mechanics and the utter ride-ability and reliability of the fabled…
For all the grief he received for his redesign of Ducati’s superbike, it’s still pretty clear that Pierre Terblanche had some great ideas for Ducati. Aside from the iconic but rare Supermono, he managed to evoke Ducati’s classic style in modern machinery with his line of SportClassics and, while the style of the original MH900e…
What we have today is a trifecta of Sport Classic models: A 2002 MH900e, a 2006 1000 LE Paul Smart, and a 2007 1000 LE. Both 1000 LE models have never been registered, and all three bikes claim to have no mileage on them. This is one of those “instant collection” sort of deals. Why…