Although Ducati is now owned by Automobili Lamborghini, the Bologna company is regarded as the Ferrari of the motorcycle world. Since the 1950s, its sporting motorcycles have been a favorite target of racers, tweakers and customizers.
In the custom world, the SportClassic is regarded as the archetypal modern-day café racer. Designed by Pierre Terblanche and launched in 2003, the SportClassic was way ahead of its time and sold poorly until its demise in 2010. But nowadays, values of Ducati models are rising rapidly and the styling is uniquely pleasing to the eye.
The Pantah and Monster have always been popular Ducati bikes with builders, but we’re now seeing the purer sportbikes creeping into the scene—often with ‘retro fighter’ builds—and a huge number of Scrambler customs.
It’s all about nostalgia this week, with a special Brough Superior SS100, a new exhibition at the Petersen Automotive Museum, and a documentary about a single-owner Ducati 750 SS. Plus we have a Suzuki GS1000 restomod from Malaysia, and a Ducati Scrambler flat tracker from the UK.
Read more »
We’re not precious about which motorcycles shouldn’t be customized. But we still feel a pang of sadness when a classic is butchered—and smile big when it’s done right. Most people wouldn’t fiddle with a Ducati 996, but VR Customs aren’t most people. They’ve tackled two already, and turned ’em into a pair of stylish cafe…
Read more »
When a new custom builder hits the scene, there’s no way of knowing if they’re a one hit wonder, or if they’ll be consistently good. And that’s especially true when bikes are just their hobby. But full-time firefighter and part-time wrench Chris Scholtka came out the gate swinging—and has been hitting home runs ever since.…
Read more »
Paint is the last thing that happens on a custom job, but it’s the first thing that people notice. And the livery on this race-ready Ducati Scrambler is unmissable. A zany combination of blue, magenta and reflective silver, it’s about as subtle as a Tarantino flick. Built in Italy, this Scrambler is the product of…
Read more »The custom scene in Brazil doesn’t get much recognition on a global scale, which is surprising. Last year, a whopping 900,000 bikes…
Read more »MV Agusta updates the Superveloce, while Ironwood Custom Motorcycles partners with a US-based shop. Plus we’ve got a handsome Yamaha SR400 from…
Read more »Some would say the 750 SS was not Ducati’s finest hour. The podgy, plasticky styling has always been divisive, and the engine…
Read more »The Ducati Paul Smart 1000 LE is special on so many levels. It’s not only one of Ducati’s greatest hits, but also…
Read more »There are a few motorcycles in Ducati’s back catalog that would ruffle feathers if they were customized. Depending on how much of…
Read more »We’ve been lucky enough to ride most of Ducati’s extensive Scrambler range. Of all of them, the Desert Sled is the one…
Read more »The spotlight falls on Ducati this week, as they reboot the iconic Monster. Plus we have a hot-rodded Buell XB12S from the…
Read more »When Ducati launched the Scrambler line in 2014, it did so promising a template. A kind of 750cc, air-cooled blank slate, ripe…
Read more »
