In Italy – 2008 Ducati Desmosedici RR

In Italy, Sport by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

The Ducati Desmosedici RR (or Racing Replica) is the epitome of an elite motorcycle. While its 197hp and 188mph top speed are slightly less stunning in comparison to today’s near 200hp/200mph superbikes, it still boasts some of the finest equipment on the planet and when it was first released a decade ago, a road-going machine like the this was unheard of. The Desmosedici RR is a road going – albeit highly track oriented – version of Ducati’s MotoGP prototype that just happened to come out the same year Casey Stoner won his first premier class world championship while riding for Ducati.

A 989cc Desmodromic V4 powered the exclusive Ducati, making a reported 197.3hp at 13,800rpm and 85ft-lbs of torque at 10,500rpm, though different sources make slightly different claims. The suspension on these models consisted of Öhlins 43 mm inverted forks with gas-pressurized cartridges in front and an Öhlins PRXB fully adjustable single shock in back. Unsurprisingly, the Desmo double R is fitted with Brembo dual semi-floating 330 mm discs with dual 4-piston radial-mount monobloc calipers up front and a single Brembo 240 mm disc with opposed 2-piston calipers. In total, Ducati’s GP concept for the street weighs in at 377lbs dry (425lbs wet).

As if this elite scoot wasn’t already decked out in some seriously high-end parts, this example has been further modified to better optimize its performance. A new exhaust system and electronic control unit have been utilized along with a new – what the seller calls – a “electronic gearshift product” from SP Electronics. As if the Marchesini magnesium rims that come stock on the Desmo RR weren’t exotic enough, the current owner opted to introduce a pair of top-shelf carbon fiber BST wheels. The ad also mentions an aftermarket front and rear sprocket kit as well as the swingarm being “entirely coated with carbon”. Having had the pleasure of seeing one of these upclose, I can confidently say the fit and finish and overall quality found on these machines is superb. I can only assume aftermarket parts for this bike are just as impressive, if not more.

In addition to all the upgrades on this almost ridiculously prestigious bike, this example also comes with the rare Casey Stoner kit. Despite other championship contenders like Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden winning then-recent world titles on other factory bikes, nobody was able to tame the Italian V4 beast quite like Stoner. Some of the hands-down best motorcycle racing I’ve ever seen was the Stoner vs. Rossi battles from around this time. No matter how many times I watch highlights from the ’08 Laguna Seca race, it never gets old.

1,500 units were produced, with this example being #392. Being sold from a private collection, this bike has covered about 4,850 miles but it looks like it could have rolled out of the factory yesterday. So until Ducati pulls the cover off of the Panigale’s successor, if you want a V4 Ducati track beast, the Desmosedici is the way to go.

Ducati supposedly produced one unit a day, with priority being given to previous 999R customers. It had a retail cost of $72,500, and that was in the days before the ’08 crash. Along with the epic bike itself, this sale includes front/rear stands, a cover, all of the stock parts that have been swapped out, and a full extra set of bodywork with the Marlboro/Alice livery. The original purchase included a racing kit featuring a track-only exhaust system, a slip-on muffler, and complementary fuel and ignition mapping in a “race ECU” which I assume is included in this sale.

You can find this 2008 Ducati Desmosedici RR for sale here on RaceBikeMart.com in Italy with a price of $69,750 (or €59,000)