The Ducati Desmosedici RR is a limited-production, road-legal version of the Desmosedici MotoGP racing motorcycle. Ducati called it the first true road replica of a MotoGP bike. Production ran from October 2007 to December 2008, and the 1,500 motorcycles were hand-built in Bologna.
Ducati Desmosedici RR at a glance
| Maker | Ducati, Borgo Panigale |
|---|---|
| Production | October 2007 – December 2008 |
| Type | Road-legal replica of the Desmosedici MotoGP racer |
| Units | 1,500 |
| Announced | 2004, World Ducati Week at Misano |
| Final version shown | 2006, Italian Grand Prix press day at Mugello |
| Price | US$72,500 / £40,000 |
| Wheels | forged magnesium, a first for a production Ducati |
| Build rate | about one motorcycle per day |
| Deliveries | from January 2008 |
Facts in this article come from one source, the English Wikipedia page on the Ducati Desmosedici RR.
History of the Ducati Desmosedici RR
Announced at Misano
In 2004, at the Misano circuit during the World Ducati Week, Ducati announced that a low-volume road replica of the Desmosedici would be offered, with reservations opening in June 2006. The plan was for 1,500 motorcycles for public purchase.
The final version at Mugello
Crucially, Ducati showed the production version at a press day before the 2006 Italian Grand Prix at Mugello. Called the Desmosedici RR, for Racing Replica, it was claimed to be the first true road replica of a MotoGP racing bike. Owners of the 999R had priority in ordering, and production was projected at one motorcycle per day at a retail price of US$72,500 and £40,000.
What the price included
The price covered a three-year warranty together with servicing, cover and a racing kit: a race-only exhaust system, a slip-on muffler, fuel and ignition mapping in a “race ECU” and enough sponsor stickers to fill both sides of the motorcycle. With forged magnesium wheels, the Desmosedici RR was the first Ducati production bike to use them; Aprilia had used such wheels in 2002 on the limited-edition RSV Mille SP.
Hand-built in Bologna
Production began in October 2007 and continued until December 2008. The first customer orders were delivered from January 2008. Because every motorcycle was assembled by hand rather than on a moving line, the run took more than a year for 1,500 units.
Design and features
- MotoGP DNA: a road-legal replica of the Desmosedici raced in the premier class, sold with a race kit.
- Magnesium wheels: forged magnesium wheels, the first on a production Ducati.
- Race ECU: fuel and ignition mapping supplied for the race exhaust.
- Ownership package: three years of warranty, servicing and cover in the price.
- Collector status: 1,500 units, one built per day, priority given to 999R owners.
Ducati Desmosedici RR versions
- Desmosedici RR: the road-legal Racing Replica, 2007–2008.
- Race kit: race-only exhaust system and slip-on muffler supplied with each bike.
- Race ECU: alternative fuel and ignition mapping for track use.
The Desmosedici RR was offered first to owners of the Ducati 999R. The racing line behind it began with the 851 and the 888. More Ducatis are in the Ducati collection.
Sources
- Ducati Desmosedici RR, English Wikipedia: announcement, production, price, equipment
