2001 Ducati 748RS

Designed by the inimitable Massimo Tamburini, the 916 took the public by storm. A design triumph with everything to back it up its eye-watering beauty: power, handling, and braking. So, it was no surprise to learn that Ducati would soon offer a “baby 916”; they already had the basic engine design, but was quite a different motorcycle from the 916. With less internal reciprocating engine weight, a lower profile front, and narrower rear tire, many raved about superior steering and handling to its big brother.

The ultimate offering of the 748 was the non-street-legal RS, a homologation special built in very limited numbers, supposedly fewer than 20. As part of this exclusivity, you got carbon fiber bodywork, which shrouded a slightly smaller size and gauge of Chromoly tubing for the frame, 54mm Termignoni exhaust, upgraded cams, and no pretenses for street legality. In fact, even the wiring harness was set up for race only work. The engine internals and components were vastly different from any road-based Ducati, using a variety of lightweight, high-strength materials making them extremely expensive to purchase, run and maintain.

Troy Bayliss

In the late 1990s, Ducati were participating in the World Superbike championship battles with varying success. Then, in 2001, the last SBK season for the firm’s 996R, part of the family that began with the 916, equipped with the new Testastretta, smaller in size than the illustrious Desmoquattro. Two years after its last title, Ducati took the Riders’ title once more, this time thanks to the natural talents of Australian, Troy Bayliss, a rookie who had scored two wins during the previous season. Bayliss snatched his first of three World Superbike titles.

The motorbike offered

The 2001 Ducati 748RS on offer here was exported to Ducati Japan, the only one. Japan received 1 each for 2000, ’01 and ’02. The engine is reported to have been rebuilt with all genuine RS parts. The bike is accompanied by a second engine, a large box of spare parts and titanium front and rear stands and a spare wheel.

This genuine 748RS is shrouded with a full set of bodywork from Troy Bayliss’ 2001 Imola Superbike 996 Ducati. All panels were purchased from DUCATI-CORSE at the end of the race and are signed by Bayliss.

• Side cowling L&R Used for qualifying and free practice.
• Undertray, used for qualifying and free practice.
• Tank, used in qualifying and free practice.
• Front wings, L Side cowling, at final race crashed.
• Front nose and seat cowling are spare parts.
• Also included is a Pit shirt, signed.