Of all the “limited edition” Ducatis marketed over the years, this one has me scratching my head the most (well, next to the Needless Markup 748, that is). There is no doubt that Carl “Foggy” Fogarty, demi-God to the knee dragging masses and Ducatisti faithful in general, deserves a limited edition tribute bike. But somehow…
The road-going Ducati 750F1 that was based on their 750cc-class racing machine was the very last bike developed before Ducati’s purchase by Cagiva, making it desirable for that reason alone. Earlier 600cc Pantahs were dominant in TT2 classes, winning championships from ‘81-’84, and although the larger 750 that followed in 1984 wasn’t nearly as successful…
Cagiva Alazzurra models have long since been considered bargain Ducatis. Much as Nissan is to Datsun (hopefully I haven’t lost our younger readers), Cagiva was the parent brand to Ducati following bankruptcy of the Bologna manufacturer back in 1985. But even before then, Cagiva purchased engines directly from Ducati for some models of their line-up.…
The Ducati 851 was the evolution of the Pantah-based “rubber band” motor series that paid out most handsomely for Ducati. Simultaneously adding liquid cooling, a 4-valve desmo head and fuel injection, the 851 significantly raised the performance game for the Italian brand and launched a new all-out attack into Superbike racing. This evolutionary series laid…
Bimota could be thought of as an Italian alternative to Harris, Metisse, or Egli, companies that took the refined engines and transmissions from established industry giants, and then provided frames and new bodywork to create desirable exotics you could service at a local dealer… Although at this point, only Bimota is still building complete motorcycles.…
1987 saw the introduction of a new four-valve, water-cooled L-twin engine in Ducati’s new 851. While the air/oil cooled two-valve motor was and continues to be a motor with impressive tuning potential and durability, it had hit its performance limit in racing, and something new was needed to compete against the four-cylinder bikes from Japan.…
In 1992, Ducati introduced a limited-edition of their air/oil-cooled 900SS called the Superlight that featured distinctive Marvic composite wheels, cast-iron front rotors, a vented clutch cover, bits of carbon fiber bodywork, a solo tail section, and high-mount pipes to increase cornering clearance. Unfortunately, there was no engine performance increase as delivered. Available in yellow or…
No, you haven’t activated a Instagram filter and your computer monitor has not switched over to monochrome, this really is an all gray and black Ducati MH900e. The MH900e is a pretty polarizing bike among sportbike fans. Some naysayers consider it merely a Ducati design and marketing exercise, an affront to the Mike Hailwood name. …