Ducati’s race replica an early hit with public – July 3, 2006
Ducati unveiled the Moto GP race replica Desmosedici RR on June 1 at the Mugello racetrack in Italy.
The bike, priced at $65,000, is scheduled as a 2007 model, but may prove difficult to obtain for most Corsa enthusiasts — less than five hours after order-taking began, enough buyers had placed orders to cover the entire first year forecast for North American production.
Ducati says the Desmosedici will be powered by a 989cc L-four cylinder 16-valve engine offering more than 200hp with a provided race exhaust kit. It’s further outfitted with a cassette-type transmission, dry “slipper” clutch, 4-2-1 “vertical exit” exhaust, 43mm Ohlins nitrogen pressurized forks, an Ohlins four-way adjustable rear shock with GP6 linkage, Brembo radial front calipers, Marchesini magnesium wheels and a carbon fiber body.
The race replica will come in three looks: 1) in “Rosso GP” red with white number plate on the tail section; 2) in Desmosedici RR “Team Version” in Rosso GP with a broad white fairing stripe; and 3) with a team sponsor decal kit.
The purchase price includes a three-year warranty, three years of scheduled maintenance, a racing exhaust with CPU, paddock stand, bike cover, certificate of authenticity and team sponsor decal kit.
Ducati says 999R owners will have priority status in the reservation process until Sept. 30, but warns that even 999R owner reservations will be fulfilled based on the date and time of reservation.
The bike will make its next appearance at the Red Bull USGP, held at the Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway July 21-23 in Monterey, Calif.
“Although we anticipated a high demand for the Desmosedici RR, we never could have imagined securing reservations for all of the 2007 North American production this quickly,” said Michael Lock, CEO of Ducati North America. “With the tremendous response to the Desmosedici RR, the news of an appearance of the bike at the US MotoGP and our team now leading the MotoGP series, Ducati certainly has a lot to celebrate at Laguna Seca.” psb
