We’re expanding our horizons this week, starting with a World Superbike-spec Yamaha R1 and finishing with a stunning Métisse Steve McQueen Desert Racer. Wedged in between them two very different Ducatis; the brand new Ducati DesertX Discover, and a 1972 Ducati 250 Scrambler.
Yamaha R1 WSBK Series by Crescent Yamaha Thanks to its famous ‘crossplane’ crankshaft, the sonorous thunder of a Yamaha R1 at full noise is a sound rejoiced by all of motorcycling. The iconic YZF-R1 was first released in 1998—and although the crossplane engine didn’t debut until 2009, the R1 has always been a critically acclaimed machine. And with a recipe of low weight, fantastic power, and good suspension, it’s easy to see why.
However, all good things must come to an end. Thanks (in part) to new EURO5+ emission regulations, the last road legal R1 will roll off the production line in 2025. To commemorate one of Yamaha’s greatest sports bikes, Crescent Yamaha has decided to build a series of special editions.
If the Crescent Yamaha name sounds familiar, it’s because they’re the dealership behind the Pata Prometeon Yamaha World Superbike team. Suffice it to say, they know their stuff. If you’ve ever fancied a World Superbike machine parked next to your minivan, that’s what Crescent Yamaha is offering here (the bike, not the minivan).
The first package from Crescent is a Jonathan Rea Race Replica, designed to be the ultimate Yamaha R1 for the street. The second package is a full-blown track bike, and the closest thing money can buy to a World Superbike-spec machine.
The road-legal Jonathan Rea Replica [above] is available in the official Prata Prometeon colors, or in a stealthy grey and white ‘Winter Test’ livery. The wheels are from Marchesini, the suspension has been upgraded with top-shelf Öhlins parts, and the brakes have been improved with the option to upgrade them even further. The soundtrack gets a boost from the full Akrapovič exhaust system.
The Yamaha R1 track bike [below] is where things get turned up to eleven. Only available in the grey livery, its engine has been upgraded to the moon with a combination of WSBK and World Endurance parts. Along with the Akrapovič exhaust, the whole package is good for over 230 hp.
The electronics, clip-on bars, and switchgear are all WSBK-spec, as are the induction system and BMC race filter. Suter supplies the clutch and the swingarm, and the suspension is all-Öhlins. The Marchesini M7RS wheels are shod with Pirelli slicks, and the bodywork is all carbon fiber, naturally.
65 road-going versions are being made, with prices starting at around £29,995 [about $38,000]. The track-only machine is far more exclusive—numbers will be limited to 10 units, with the price close to an eye-watering £65,000 [about $82,200].
If you can see yourself on what is basically a factory WSBK bike, get in touch with Crescent Yamaha. But be quick—their last special edition run sold out in 36 hours. [Source]
Ducati DesertX Discovery Ducati has just unveiled a handsome new option in the ever-expanding DesertX range—the DesertX Discovery.
As the name might suggest, Ducati has improved the touring chops of their off-road-focussed adventure bike. The paint job is the first major change—named ‘Thrilling Black/Ducati Red,’ it uses adhesive graphics that protect the bodywork when out on the trails (or if you’re a bit clumsy in the garage).
Out front, the windscreen is taller than the standard DesertX model but, like the standard model, it is not adjustable. Even so, the extra height will protect the rider against wind a little more, which can add up to a big advantage over days in the saddle.
Heated grips come standard on the Discovery model, and cooler weather is further negated with new reinforced hand guards. Turn-by-turn directions are built into the TFT dashboard and are piped into the screen through the Ducati Link smartphone app.
The protection continues lower down the bike, with the upper crash bars included in the package. The radiator guard is new, as is the heavy-duty sump guard. Convenience is key on a long-distance tour and the center stand on the Discovery helps with easy chain and wheel maintenance.
Any long adventure includes a good amount of storage space and Ducati has come through with the goods here as well. Lockable aluminum hard cases can be outfitted to the DesertX Discovery as the ultimate touring accessory. While we prefer soft luggage for off-road forays, there is something fantastically convenient about hard cases when riding on the road.
Combine the above with the dirt-friendly 21-inch front wheel, 5.55-gallon fuel tank, and brilliant 937 cc Testastretta engine, it paints a very adventure-friendly picture. Any bike is an adventure bike—but we like that Ducati is giving their customers even more options. [Ducati]
For sale: A 1972 Ducati 250 Scrambler Fresh out of the thirty-motorcycle-strong collection of Alan Wilzig comes this stunning example of a 1972 Ducati 250 Scrambler.
The Scrambler’s history goes back to the 1960s when American Ducati importer Joe Berliner convinced the Italian company to develop a scrambler that could go anywhere and appeal to younger riders. Ducati took their 250 cc Diana road bike, removed the sporty accouterments, and replaced them with more rugged items.
The road-going suspension was upgraded with longer-travel units and the seat was made longer. The generously padded seat has a distinctive swoop design that eagle-eyed motorcycle aficionados will recognize as an element that has been carried over to the current Ducati Scrambler lineup. The tank design is beautiful, as all Ducati tanks were in the 1960s, and the tall handlebars, large headlight, and chunky tires are as nice to look at today as they were back then.
The spirited 250 was brought to America, with a lot of bikes finding a good life in dirt circuit racing. The engine itself is a work of art that we’ve always loved. The sloping cooling fins, the curvaceous engine cases, and the sculptural cylinder head all come together in a delightfully coherent and simple way.
This bike in particular has an especially lovely patina that can only be made with time. It’s had a very easy life, with a mere three miles showing on the odometer. Everything is original except for the battery, ignition coil, and ignition switch—items that the seller has recently replaced.
The bike is being offered for sale through Iconic Motorbike Auctions, and as such has gone through the Iconic workshop. The Iconic team had two new keys made, rebuilt the carburetor, and repaired the spark advancer.
Sadly, the Pirelli tires are well past their use-by date, so the bike is unable to be ridden in its current state. But a simple change of rubber and a tune-up should have this Italian beauty thrumming with life, as it should be.
Sold: Métisse Steve McQueen Desert Racer Started in the 1950s by Derek and Ron Rickman, Métisse Motorcycles built their reputation by fabricating lightweight, sturdy frames for customers who wanted to give their bikes a performance upgrade. The frames could house all sorts of engines, from Triumph twins to Honda inline-fours.
Métisse soon started offering complete, ground-up custom bikes with a customer’s choice of engine. One of the most popular Métisse models was their desert racer, which was essentially a heavily modified, heavy-improved Triumph TR6C. Steve McQueen famously owned, rode, and loved his Métisse, saying it was the best-handling motorcycle he’d ever ridden.
The bike you see here is one of a strictly limited 300-bike series produced by Métisse that bears the name and signature of Steve McQueen (thanks to the McQueen family). Starting with a nickel-plated and brazed 4130 chromoly tube frame and swingarm, the chassis is paired with a pair of 35mm Ceriani forks. The rear shocks are reproduction Girlings and the brakes are from Triumph.
The McQueen-approved battleship grey bodywork is all made from fiberglass and is very lightweight. The engine is a 1967 750 cc Triumph twin which has been freshly rebuilt from the ground up. The dry weight is, incredibly, less than 300 lbs.
Originally built in 2017 (but registered as a 1967 model, like the bike McQueen owned), this bike recently popped up for sale via Collecting Cars with just 550 miles on the clock; a very rare thing indeed. It sold for £16,500 [about $20,900], which is £3,250 more than a brand-new Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE.
We know which one we’d pick though. [Source]
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