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Ducati's Intermot stand reveals full 2005 line-up Ducati has announced its full line-up of 2005 models at the Intermot motorcycle expo in Munich, including three entirely new models and a host of updates for existing machines.
Ducati Monster range
The Monster S2R has the 803cc variant of the long-lived and air-cooled SS motor descended from the 1977 Pantah in a frame derived from the original 888 World Superbike winner. It carries the same eye-catching graphics as the Monster S4R, in black, black with tangerine red stripes, yellow with black stripes, Ducati red with white stripes and tangerine red with black stripes. Ducati Multistrada The Multistrada was intended to be all things to all riders; it wound up being hailed as Ducati's most practical motorcycle yet. The concept has been expanded for 2005 in two directions: the more powerful 1000 S DS with a more sophisticated chassis to satisfy the most demanding riders and two new entry-level model to bring it to a wider audience. The 2005 Multistrada range has redesigned seats, better shaped and more comfortable, and with a new anti-slide pillion. The fairing has a taller screen and the mirrors have been moved outwards by 40mm so you can see more than just your elbows. There's also an improved, more stable, side stand. The 1000 S DS gets special handlebars, fully adjustable Öhlins suspension and carbon-fibre body parts to reduce weight. The Multistrada and Multistrada Dark share the same 620cc engine with the APTC "slipper" clutch and six-speed gearbox as well as a number of dedicated components that set them aside from the 1000 DS but maintain the same personality and versatility of the Multistrada concept. The list of options for the 2005 Multistrada models includes panniers, rear luggage rack, GPS navigation and a racing exhaust system. Supersport Ducati's SS machines can trace their heritage back to the 1977 Pantah and the Verlicchi-framed TT1and TT2 race bikes. They are proof that, in motorcycling, less can be more. Despite the outdated motor's distinct power disadvantage, the bikes' agility, superb road-holding and stonking mid-range have made them a favourite with sports riders. Only the fully faired 1000DS fitted with the same engine as the big Multistrada is retained for 2005. It now has Brembo Serie Oro (Gold Series) brakes with two 320mm discs at the front and a single 245mm disc at the rear. All hoses are braided stainless steel. Standard equipment includes a totally electronic instrument panel and engine immobiliser. Sport Tourers 2004 saw the debut of the ST3 with its innovative three-valve motor; for this year the ST range of all-rounders gets a host of detail improvements. Most important among them is a new clutch with new dampers that is claimed to make cog-swops smoother and easier on the left hand while extending clutch and transmission life. Feedback from riders who have clocked high distance on ST models has resulted in the fairing fasteners being improved, sensibly reducing the time needed for maintenance such as checking the battery and topping up the oil. This is a blessing not only for Ducati mechanics but also for the many touring riders who look after their own machines. A new double-beam headlight has also been added. It has electric beam height adjustment from a control on the instrument panel. The ST4s retains its 996cc liquid cooled, four-valve engine and gets all these updates as well; the ST4s ABS, as its name suggests, adds anti-lock brakes to Ducati's range-topping kilometre-eater. Superbikes For most people these are the essence of what the Bologna brand is all about: road-going versions of bikes that have won more World Superbike races than all other makes combined; bikes that combine Italian style with class-leading performance. For 2005 the 999 and its 749 stablemate (identical except for bore/stroke) get a new centre fairing that's higher and wider with the upper air intakes closed off for better aerodynamics (and greatly improved looks!). All 999 and 749 variants also get the later streamlined lower fairings with their more protective spoilers, previously fitted only on the exclusive and sophisticated R models. The box-section swing-arm is now exactly the same as those on the works F04 race bikes to cut weight but add torsional strength, while a new heat shield in black anodised aluminium neatens up the silencer box under the seat. The 749 models have kept all the updates made early in 2004 but the 999 has seen considerable improvements. The basic 999 now gets the engine used in last year's S model while the S gets a two-kiloWatt power boost from more sophisticated internal components as well as host of uprated chassis and suspension components. The 112kW 999R, designed for racing, now has the most powerful Testastretta engine yet offered in a production bike as well was the best chassis components. The 999R street bike – a championship-winning Superbike with lights originally built as a homologation special for American Superbike racing (a formula that allows only very limited modifications) - is now available to (wealthy) enthusiasts anywhere. Sport Classics The three retro classics designed to commemorate Paul Smart's victory in the 1972 Imola 200, which started the Ducati L-win racing tradition Imola 200, have survived practically unchanged from concept to production. The PaulSmart 1000 replica with Öhlins rear shock-absorber and front forks, is due to begin production in mid-2005 and is already sold out. Production of the Sport 1000 café racer will start in March 2006 with the GT1000 street bike scheduled for September 2006. The 2005 Ducati models will be available in South Africa in November. Prices will be confirmed when they get here. Additional Resources: |
