Features

This is a very special Ducati 999. It's the 'R' model (for 'Racing'), it costs a knee trembling 20 grand and it is possibly one of the most stunning bikes ever made.

When the 999 first replaced the legendary 916 three years ago, many questioned its looks, but this new model has come of age and flourished into a princess; it's exquisite.

Every piece of bodywork (except for the lightweight aluminium fuel tank) on the R is crafted from carbon fibre. Underneath this skin lies a booming, short-stroke, rev-happy, 150bhp, V-twin, racebred engine. Packed with titanium and magnesium engine internals, it has enough shove to get this lightweight thoroughbred searing its sexy way to a ground-shaking 175mph.

The brakes are the very latest radially mounted Brembo items, although to be honest you rarely need to explore their explosive speedretarding qualities; the 999R handles so ridiculously well that you barely need to slow down for corners.

And that's because the Ducati's chassis has been developed in World Superbike racing, tested to the limit and beyond by British legends and World Champions, James Toseland, Neil Hodgson and Carl Fogarty.

Chassis components are as you would expect of such an exotic superbike. Top-shelf wheels are from Marchesini, suspension is courtesy of Öhlins, and tyres are the latest dual-compound Michelin Power Race rubber - with just enough tread cut into their slick faces to be road legal.

The 999R is basically a homologation special, which means only limited numbers of them will be built, so they can be run in productionbased national and World Superbike racing. Only a handful will be brought into this country by Ducati UK, so you'd better be quick if you want one.

You'd also better have a mate who works in an insurance shop, as Norwich Union doesn't even quote an insurance group. Best start handles so ridiculously well that you barely need to slow quote an insurance group. Best start saving!