PICS : JOE DICK
I ’ve had this bike from new, back in 2005.It was actually on the Ducati stand at the NEC that year.I bought it, sorted out all the small scuffs and so on, then started to play with it.It’s actually a tribute to my dad “ who passed away.His initials sit on the bike, in fact. So, for me, I’ll never sell it for that reason, whether it’s worth a million quid or fifty pence, never mind that it’s such an amazing thing too.I’ve actually added an HM seamless quickshifter since the pictures were taken, but it’s hard to choose a favourite part on her.I did fit the larger fuel tank, but mostly because the missus was getting so fed up with having to stop so often for fuel!It’s been measured at 153bhp at the wheel, which is decent even now.I still think it’s the best ‘R’ version Ducati has ever made, and one of the last ‘proper’ Ducatis too.”