Talk like a pirate day! A collection of Ducati "R" models

This entry has been published on September 6, 2012 and links to eBay may have been updated to point to similar bikes of interest.

With all of the race bikes showing up on the pages of RSBFS, I thought these would fit right in. While not purebred GP racers, the Ducati R models represent some of the most vaunted, most rare, and most expensive of the Italian firm’s line up. Here are three examples, smallest to largest.

For Sale: 2001 Ducati 748 R

The first R bike on our list today is this great looking 748R in yellow. The 748 was first introduced in 1994 as a smaller displacement 916. SP, SPS, L (Neiman Marcus) and R models followed (as did the RS variant), as the 748 was destined for competition.

From the seller:
I was a large Ducati dealer from 1981 through 2002, and I personally sold this bike brand new. List price was $24,995 plus tax, freight, and set-up. The bike remained in this San Francisco bay area and is available again. Clear California title, but no current license plate. It is actually a 49 state bike, with California being the state that was not supposed to issue a license plate. It may have had one anyway, but it has no plate at this time. Present title is good to register it in any state except California. I rode the bike about forty miles a couple of weeks ago to test everything. The higher horse power 748R differed from the street bike with extra strong engine cases, titanium rods, different cams, shower style fuel injectors that sit high above the intake tracts, and other details. Decal kit was added, but not clear coated, in the event that you prefer the look without the stickers. Tires and battery are very recent. The brand new 50mm diameter Termignoni full exhaust system cost $2208 new and I installed a brand new factory Ducati clutch plate kit. Both the exhaust and the clutch have only my 40 test miles from new. The original gas cap with key is included, in the event that you don’t like the carbon fiber/alloy quick release item fitted. The original Marchesini light weight five spoke wheels remain, as do the genuine Brembo radial clutch and brake master cylinders.

Negative points: The original Ohlins forks and shocks went to another race bike, and stock street suspension forks and shock are currently on the bike. They work perfectly. The bike was transported on a carrier at one time, and there are scratches in the left rear side of the gas tank, as shown in the photos. The front discs were changed to include STM alloy buttons that don’t fit very well, and the discs have normal wear, and should be replaced. I can help the buyer with a special price on brand new discs at a huge discount, if desired. My test ride was with a friend on a standard 748, and we traded bikes for part of the trip. The two bikes are very different. The R model is more difficult in slow city traffic, but it pulls like gangbusters on the open highway! It is not the right bike for everyone. No reserve; $6995 buys it NOW!

The seller has represented the bike pretty well, and priced it resonably to boot. The BIN of $6995 is pretty fair money for a 748-era R bike, although this one is not perfect as noted in the details. For more information, click the link and jump over to the auction. For something more recent, read on!

For Sale: 2002 Ducati 998R

Next up is this gorgeous 2002 Ducati 998R. I just love the fairing detail on this one, with the carbon fiber on the fairing peeking out of the unpainted areas. The 998R was a step up from the base 998 model (itself a derivative of the 916/996 line), and offered better suspension, carbon fiber bodywork (not just the fender & mud guard), and uprated engine.

From the seller:
I am offering my very rare 2002 Ducati 998R Superbike for sale. The bike is in excellent condition and has been meticulously maintained. I purchased the bike from a well known collector who has an expansive collection of the rarest most valuable Ducatis. He had two 998Rs and agreed to sell me this one 6 years ago. This is my second one and I am making room in my own collection for another acquisition. I will say this is one of the more rare and elusive Ducatis….even more rare than the much sought after Desmosedici.

The bike comes with the factory plaque of authenticity from Italy that matches the plaque on the bike’s triple clamps to confirm the bike’s pedigree, the Ducati cover for the bike, the tool kit and headlight replacement cover for track use.

Of course the bike runs perfectly and provides an amazing ride. The tires have 1000 miles on them. This bike has never been on the track and has always been ridden by a responsible adult on casual weekend rides. Of course the bike has never been crashed or dropped. No damage other than possibly a minute nick here or the from normal use.

As the bikes become newer and larger displacement, the sums of money requested become larger as well. This rare 998R has been posted before on RSBFS (check it out here), but this time we have a BIN price and all new pictures. This particular bike can be yours for the super steep price of $22,000 OBO. While this makes the 748R look like a total bargain, the 998R is pretty rare and this one is in fantastic shape. Check out more details here, or read on for another!

For Sale: 2004 Ducati 999R Fila

Our final “R” bike on the list is this 2004 999R with striking Fila livery. Meant to evoke the works Ducatis racing in WSBK, this is otherwise a “standard” 999R (which is no minor steed). There are those that deride the Terblanche-styled 999 – and there is no doubt that it is missing some of the grace of the Tamburini-designed 916/996/998 models – but to many it has an appeal all its own.

From the seller:
I am selling my 999R Fila #137 of 200, 1229 miles, I originally set out to collect all 999 Race Replicas and the 998S Bayliss to show at Indy this year. I did that and now I want to change my collection around. I sold the 998S and now hope to sell this one and maybe get a 1098R Bayliss??

Ducati Performance Titanium reservoir covers, yo-yo slipper clutch, Termi full Ti exhaust, race ECU, Moto Corse rearsets, CRG levers, Carbon Fiber Tail section, Corse carbon fiber exhaust cover, STM crankcase breather, billet frame plugs, all fluids changed and new fuel pump installed when I purchased at 800 miles.

The only concern I have about this model is the cracked top tree as evidenced in the pictures. I cannot say if this is normal, or the result of an incident – but the seller has noted it in the pictures and comments. Unfortunately the repair for this will remove the limited edition numbering in that location – possibly de-valuing the bike. I love the cool bike cover too. This 999R is on sale for a BIN of $16,500. You can click here to check it out.

Here is a video of the bike, courtesy of the seller:

Well, there you have it. Enough Italian hardware to have you saying “R R R” all day long! Enjoy your Talk Like a Pirate day, and perhaps you will be lucky enough to plunder some of this fine RSBFS booty!