Redefining “Race Replica”: 2008 Ducati Desmosedici D16RR for Sale

So-called “race replicas” have always been popular amongst the sportbike crowd, an expression of the “race on Sunday, sell on Monday” philosophy that drives the motorcycle economy. Most have just been paint and graphics packages designed to make the bikes in question more closely resemble their racing counterparts. A few were actual homologation specials, created to improve the competitiveness of production-based racing machines. And then there’s the Ducati Desmosedici D16RR, which sits in a bit of a class all its own.

In spite of all the hype and a name that was obviously a reference to Ducati’s MotoGP bike, what buyers of the Desmosedici got wasn’t technically a MotoGP bike with lights. Naturally, a MotoGP bike doesn’t have any practical fripperies like a starter, a functional charging system, or the need to go more than 21 laps of Mugello between teardowns. So what buyers got was almost cooler: a nearly 200hp V4 superbike that strongly resembled Ducati’s racebikes, but shared almost no parts whatsoever. That might not sound impressive at first, but think about it: in order to give their well-heeled buyers a taste of the MotoGP experience, Ducati designed and engineered a bike that had almost nothing in common with either the race bikes, or with any of Ducati’s other production models.

So if you didn’t get a detuned MotoGP powerplant for your $72,500, what did you get? You still got a 989cc 90° V4 with gear-driven cams, the expected Desmodromic valve actuation, and a “twin-pulse” firing order that gave the Desmo a bit of v-twin thump compared to the inline fours of the time, backed by a cassette-style gearbox to allow for quick gearing changes at the track. And before you think “nobody is gonna take this bike to the track,” some people most certainly do. Luckily suspension was top-shelf as well, with legitimately race-spec Öhlins FG353P gas-pressurized forks up front. You also got a 16″ rear wheel that makes tire selection pretty difficult, although many owners fit a 17″ item instead.

From the original eBay Listing: 2008 Ducati Desmosedici D16RR for Sale  

2008 Ducati Desmosedici D16RR. Number 248 of 1500. As close to perfect condition as you can get. It’s been stored in climate controlled environment and has just had a 4200$ full service by the best in the business. Everything was gone through and tested on the with perfect results. It has covered less than 400 miles a year from new. Never raced or abused.  

This bike is as good or better behind the bodywork as it is with it on. Buy with absolute confidence and drive or race anywhere. 

Comes with paddock stand,extra unused rear tire still in the packaging.All its books and everything else that it came with from the factory including cover and the racing decal kit still in box. The photos show it all. 

The seller is asking $67,000 OBO for this clean, recently serviced Desmosedici. As mentioned, these were $72,500 when new, so current Desmo prices represent a bit of a bargain, although you’d want to factor in the servicing costs before running down to the dealer to plunk down your credit card… 197 claimed horses and a 425lb wet weight aren’t especially impressive today, but were pretty eye-opening in 2007 when the bike was introduced. But numbers alone don’t tell the whole story, and the Desmo was raw and uncivilized in the best possible way and completely in keeping with the bike’s racing heritage.

-tad