Here’s an interesting footnote in motocross history – it was Ducati’s sole attempt at a MX bike and it was produced for just one year. In addition, it’s the only motocross bike ever built to have desmodromic valves. Though it was available in 250cc and 350cc street-based variants abroad, only the US got the 450cc R/T after its American importer convinced them to bring a big thumper dirt racer to the states.
The R/T stood for Road/Trail, and the bright yellow was your only option. General consensus was the the engine was solid (38 horsepower), but its 300 pound weight didn’t help handling. It sold poorly – varying estimates peg the total number of imports between less than a hundred and a few hundred. For plenty more information, check out this comprehensive write-up from PulpMX.
This example (VIN: 454915) is claimed to run great, though for some reason it has non-OEM lights that aren’t wired. Other non-OEM parts include the fenders and sidecovers, which are claimed to be exact replicas, as well as a steel reproduction tank which was required because the original fiberglass tank leaks. Find this Ducati motocrosser for sale here on Craigslist for $5,500 in Quakertown, Pennsyvlania.
This bike-uriousity brought to you by David N!