Ducati ‘Desmo’ 1974 Single 250cc
Don reviews and test rides a beautifully restored Ducati Desmo 250cc. Design by Dr Fabio Taglioni, this model incorporates his unique Desmodromic valve system, hence the name, and other superb technical components such as Borrani Wheels, Conti Exhaust and Ceriani Forks from its racing history.
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Lucas likes this one.
Great review of a great bike.
Loving the channel!
How about a review of some triples? Maybe the XS850?
Glad you like the channel, will consider some triples – thanks for suggesting XS850 would be an interesting review.
Amazing sound!!!
The final screech at the end of the videos make me jump out of my skin!
Beautiful little bike and a great review . What fell off at 3:09 ?
this channel is awesome can you guys do a review on a 81 gs450
Just discovered your Motorcycle channel from across the pond. These short videos are of the highest order. Quality images and sounds throughout. The artistry is noted, with lush country roads and pan shots often placed perfectly at the shift points when the bikes roar by. I admire Don's passion and his natural ability to be calm and authoritative, yet he easily exudes the fun and "magic" that only motorcyclists understand. Bravo. Dennis, San Rafael California
So I gather you really didn't like it much. Damning with faint praise indeed. You should review the Honda Helix, now that's a proper motorcycle. LOL I have to admit I really enjoy your love for two wheels.
Oh God I want one. Should never have sold my 450 mk3
I remember these from 76 there were a couple in the county one local, they were a 90
MPH 250, but did have problems with bottom end, the cranks could knock out. I can't comment on ducati as I have never ridden or owned one.
Having briefly had a Mark 3 Duke earlier, in early '72 I ordered a "silver shotgun" 250 through a local dealer. One Saturday while checking how the order was going, the dealer wheeled a new Bultaco Metralla onto the floor. I asked if it would be OK if I could buy the Bul instead of the Duke. It was OK, so lunch-time the following Tuesday I rode back to work on a new Bultaco. I never regretted it. My lasting memory of the Mark 3 is that it was a pig to start, although that's probably a reflection of my lack of sympatico and mechanical aptitude. Anyway, the Spanish & Italian 250s of the time were far more satisfying to ride than contemporary Japanese bikes.
I see this bike has had the original Magnetti Marelli electronic ignition system replaced with the Lucas Rita, good idea!
In May of `75 I bought the last 450 Desmo in captivity. £672.
It was beautiful, like a lightweight, oil-tight Manx Norton Engine in a tiny frame,
with big chunky (750) forks and one big disc brake. A toy with real balls
It handled like a dream, sounded like a Gattlin-gun and gradually ate a quarter of its rear wheel spokes.
It needed 12 volts and a little bit of help with some of the "original equipment" it was superb except for the expensive rubbish ignition system which,when it failed, for the 2nd time, led me to sell it in pursuit of the Mk1 Moto Guzzi Le Mans, I just wish I had managed to "Rita" fix it and keep it., the other lost love of my life! :(
I rode mine from FayetteVille, North Carolina to Georgetown, Texas at one long non-stop, mostly raining and carrying my skinny 160 lb ass plus a 75 lb rucksack. Very reliable and pretty fast. Headlight was a little dim. No battery. And it had a cool feature of ignition going through tail light, so if bulb blew, the engine quit. There was a switch to bypass the light and now you knew you needed to get a new.
I rode mine from FayetteVille, North Carolina to Georgetown, Texas at one long non-stop, mostly raining and carrying my skinny 160 lb ass plus a 75 lb rucksack. Very reliable and pretty fast. Headlight was a little dim. No battery. And it had a cool feature of ignition going through tail light, so if bulb blew, the engine quit. There was a switch to bypass the light and now you knew you needed to get a new.
oh my God,, fantastico. nice to meet you,, let me introduce my bikes Ducati Classic Indrajaya
What a great review. I've never heard such eloquent words in a review! Almost poetic.
Great piece of history! Good looking to.
I need one of these in my life.
is this for sale?
I allways looking with pleasure this movies! The gentleman on the movie spoke so clearly english that everyone can understand!!! Thank's and cheers from Romania!