Long Beach Show: Ducati's New Models

Ducati is keeping up the momentum of its growing U.S. sales with three new models. The Monster 696, the first all-new Monster in 14 years, was at the show looking fabulous.

More glamorous is the 1098R, a 368-pound, 180-hp street-legal World Superbike racer. At $39,995, it’s a perfect stocking-stuffer for the recipient of a Desmosedici D16RR,, the $72,000 MotoGP bike you can ride on the street.

Less glamorous, but more of interest to us who ride in the real world, is the 848. At $12,995, it’s got an entry-level price (well, for a Ducati Superbike) while offering 130 hp and the same suspension/chassis combo of the more-powerful 1098. Look for a first-ride web report on the 848 soon.

Ducati also had a little extra flash in the booth: The debut of Roland Sands’ wild-looking take on the Hypermotard, with Performance Machine wheels, stubby exhaust reminiscent of a MotoGP bike’s, custom trellis swingarm and just about anything else you can trick out a Hypermotard with. Sands worked with the designer Pierre Terblanche and Ducati engineers to make sure the modifications jibed with both parties’ missions.

What’s next, Roland, a custom D16RR?