DUCATI 749R RED ROCKET...

Just under a decade ago, Ducati pulled the covers off a very special supersport bike. Here's Timmy's take on the iconic 749R.

- TIM NEAVE

t's midway through the Noughties and the Japanese manufacturers are running away with the World Supersport Championship, dominating the middleweight sportsbike market... a red rag to a bull, if you ask any Italian, but of course Ducati had something up its sleeve to put a stop to that - the 749R. This old-school Duke is far more than just a pretty face or a dancing beauty in a red dress; it is a distinctive machine hosting a whole accolade of goodies and features derived from a long-lasting bloodline, and I'm here to tell you why I thought the riding experience was just as special as it looks.

Before I jump the gun, I'd best put up my hand and own up to the fact that this was my first time riding a Ducati 749R, and with very limited knowledge on this particular model, I had to do some fact-finding to educate myself. The model first hit the scene in 2004 and was basically designed to be a more affordable version of the 999R, Ducati's top-tier machine at the time; you could call it the little brother, if you like. It was built using many of the same components as the 999R but with a smaller engine and a lower price tag, thus maintaining the class while appealing to a much wider audience.