When competitors started to close in on the unbeatable Desmoquattro engine in World Superbike races, Ducati engineers set to work on the original project, which, extensively upgraded, resulted in a totally new engine. 

This led to the creation of the 996 R and an engine that while retaining the traditional 90° V architecture of Ducati twins, also features totally revised thermodynamics, which open up a totally new performance potential. 

In 2001, the 996 R will be available in a limited edition, probably 500 units. 

This is undoubtedly the range-topping model of the Superbike family and is intended for those sports riding enthusiasts who love to own an exclusive machine. 
The 996 R in fact stems from the same concept that gave rise to another high performance Superbike in 2000: the 748R.

THE RANGE
The advent of the 996 R has revolutionised Ducati Superbike top capacity models, bringing performance to unprecedented levels. The 996 R delivers 10% more power than the 996SPS it is meant to replace, reaching 135 HP at 10,200 rpm. 

The 996R has been developed around its extraordinary engine to efficiently tap all of its power potential both in the road version - approved to the most stringent standards - and in the upgraded racing version. 

The Ducati 996R uses strictly hi-tech components, featuring a superbly streamlined carbon fairing developed after extensive testing in the wind chamber and a substantially slimmed down design. 
The Ducati 996R embodies the genuine essence of the Superbike. It is a unique motorcycle intended for purists and professional riders alike, offering unparalleled riding pleasure.

2001 also sees the debut of the 996S, which combines the 120HP+ Desmoquattro engine inherited from the 996SPS 2000, with an accessible road-type chassis design that is also prone to sports-like use as well as a twin-seat option. 

The 996S was created to enable a broader group of enthusiasts to experience the emotion of riding a Ducati twin offering excellent performance, top quality execution and superior fittings. 

The gutsy tradition of Ducati Superbikes made accessible for everyone to enjoy: this is how the 996S writes a new chapter in the history of the Superbikes. 

The range is supplemented with the basic 996, which has been improved in several technical aspects as well as performance by a new Öhlins rear shock absorber (like the 996S). 

The 2001 748 range includes three models, which made their first appearance in 2000. The range-topping model is still the R version, one of the most refined, high-performance motorcycles in this capacity and one of the stars of the Supersport World Championship. 

The 2001 748R has been thoroughly updated to further its sports-like personality and enhance its winning potential in top-level racing. 

The 748S and basic 748 have undergone detail refinements, whereas mechanics and performance are unchanged.

748 colour range is:
748: metallic grey frame and wheels + red and yellow tank and fairings.
748S: metallic grey frame and wheels + red and yellow tank and fairings.
748R metallic grey frame and wheels + red and yellow tank and fairings.

996 colour range is:
996: metallic grey frame and wheels + red and yellow tank and fairings.
996S: metallic grey frame and wheels + red and yellow tank and fairings.
996R metallic grey frame and wheels + red tank and fairings.

NEW FEATURES
ALL VERSIONS
· Styling and finish: engine in metallic silver-grey colour.
· Chassis: enlarged engine-frame connection to accommodate 12mm linkages, lighter sealed-for-life battery.

996 R
· Styling and finish: carbon-fibre fairing in low Cx configuration without side extractors. 
· Chassis: Fogarty Replica frame, Öhlins TIN-coated 43mm upside-down fork, Öhlins racing rear shock absorber, Öhlins steering damper.
· Safety: lighter Brembo braking system, racing type, featuring 4-piston, 4-pad callipers.
· Engine: for a full run-down on the 996R engine click here.

996S
· Styling: solo and twin-seat.
· Engine: derived from 996SPS with a lighter 1.6 M CPU
· Chassis: Öhlins rear shock absorber

996
· Chassis: Öhlins rear shock absorber

748R
· Engine: lighter flywheel, crankshaft balanced with tungsten inserts, titanium valve cotters, vacuum precision-cast Desmodromic gear selector drum.
· Chassis: 1.5 mm thick chrome-moly tubular steel frame, lighter 996R-type Brembo braking system, Öhlins TIN-coated 43 mm upside-down fork, Öhlins racing rear shock absorber.

748
· Styling and finish: metallic grey frame, Brembo hollow three-spoke wheels in "gun metal grey".

THE PRODUCT
ENGINE AND TECHNOLOGY

Never in the history of motorcycle racing has an engine dominated the scene for so long as the Ducati Desmoquattro twin-cylinder.

The Ducati engineers' prompt decision to launch a new engine project when 996R's were still dominating the Superbike World Championship was undoubtedly far-sighted. 

This project resulted in the 996R, a bike that combines the traditional Desmoquattro look and architecture with an extremely advanced technology and thermodynamic concept, making a giant leap forward in terms of performance, even in the road-going version.  Others in the ranger are as follows:

996S
The legendary 996SPS will not quit the scene, but has evolved into an accurately silenced road engine named 996S, which fills a vacant place in the range half-way between the basic 996 and the new 996R power levels. 

It retains the mechanical construction of the 996SPS, except for the use of titanium connecting rods, and the result is a vigorous engine characterised by great vivacity, amazing power response in the low-to-midrange and very smooth progression. 

The new, more compact 1.6M CPU controls the integrated electronic system and takes about 2 kg off the bike in combination with the new sealed-for-life battery. 

996
The basic 996 maintains all the characteristics that made it an extraordinary success among top class motorbikes. 

Its 112 HP coupled with easy-to-tame output capacity and total mechanical reliability make for an attractive combination for those who have no racing ambitions and would be content to join the exclusive top-capacity Desmoquattro club without stretching their budget. 

The new Öhlins rear mono-shock further improves a chassis that is already close to perfection.

748R
Technology has been further improved to assure additional performance enhancements, and, above all, more power for those who wish to enter the competitive world of sports motorcycling. 

The lighter flywheel and crankshaft enhance the overwhelming power response and progression up to unprecedented speeds for a twin-cylinder engine. 

The crankshaft is balanced by tungsten plugs. Being heavier than steel, this material offsets the more compact sharp-profile crank webs for guaranteed perfect balancing. This is all the more important given the significant role played by the aerodynamics of the engine's inner parts at the high rpm that the 748R can reach. 

The piston has also been lightened to allow for greater acceleration and higher speeds. The 748R gearbox has undergone a very important technical enhancement by the adoption of a vacuum precision-cast Desmodromic gear selector drum for significant weight reduction and superior accuracy.

The 748S and 748 engines retain the same construction and performance characteristics as the 2000 model. 

PERFORMANCE
The 996R is the result of the most radical refinement process the Desmoquattro family has undergone so far. This engine offers such a level of power output and progression that it more than qualifies as the top-ranking model in the Ducati Superbike range. 

The 996R has carved out a place of its own in a highly exclusive niche of high performance machines, not only on account of its peak speed but also its acceleration and pickup capacity, further enhanced by hi-tech details that make for an incredibly slimmed down construction. 

The 996R represents the Desmodromic timing system at its best, coupled with a four valves per cylinder induction system, to achieve maximum volumetric and thermodynamic efficiency. This is the result of careful research work in the field of mechanics and fluid dynamics that has led to a totally re-designed timing system and a new, high-efficiency configuration of the combustion chamber.

The 996S sets a new standard for its class, making the most of the inheritance of the 996SPS and maintaining a highly refined engine technology which assures superior performance and reliability.

Finally, the 996 has laid the groundwork for everything that follows: a twin-cylinder bike capable of ensuring blistering acceleration with a very attractive price/performance ratio.

With the advent of the 996R, the 748R has lost its topmost position within the Desmoquattro family in terms of specific power, nonetheless it strongly appeals to the Superbike purist. 

Power delivery is unchanged at 106 HP, but lighter rotating parts provide more forceful progression to reach peak speed. 

The 748S and 748 are unchanged in terms of power at 97 HP.

CHASSIS 
The chassis of all Ducati Superbike models features the new enlarged engine mounting linkages whose diameter has been increased from 10 mm to 12 mm and the related engine attachments. As a result, the engine is more rigidly incorporated into the frame and handles part of the load, adding to the structural solidity of the frame, which benefits the overall stability and precise dynamic response of chassis. 

In terms of component and construction refinement, the 996R chassis can be defined as being of racing quality. 

The frame is made of 2-mm thick chrome-moly steel tubes, with modified Fogarty-type trestle and, obviously, aluminium seat subframe. 

Exclusive Öhlins racing suspensions use 43mm upside-down forks with anti-friction TIN coating at the front end and fully adjustable rear mono-shock. 

The five-spoke wheels are the same as adopted by the official Ducati team. 

In this version, the frame offers an excellent torsion stiffness to weight ratio, a key factor in achieving that incredible handling that makes the Ducati Superbikes so easy to ride both on the road and on the race-track. 

The steering head with adjustable front caster angle is an exclusive plus of Ducati Superbikes, making for optimised response tailored to the individual preferences of the rider and is topped off with an Öhlins steering damper. 

The refinement work carried out on this model has led to a significant weight reduction, resulting in improved weight distribution across the axles.  Aluminium oval silencers aid optimum balance.

The 2001 996S retains the superior chassis quality of the 2000 996SPS, with the prestigious Öhlins suspensions with the same characteristics as on the 996R and 748R. The seat frame, however, is tubular steel to allow for the twin-seat option.

The 996 has taken another leap forward in terms of suspension quality, as the 2001 model is fitted with an Öhlins adjustable rear mono-shock and the traditional Showa 43mm upside-down fork with anti-friction TIN coating.

The 748R chassis is now similar to the 996R, however the 1.5mm thick chrome-moly steel tube frame is a special lighter version. The 2001 range-topper of the 748 series sports the same exclusive Öhlins suspension as the 996R, namely a 43mm upside-down racing fork with anti-friction TIN coating and fully adjustable rear shock absorber. 

The 748 retains the same fittings as 2000, with 43mm chrome-plated Showa fork and Sachs rear shock absorber. A Showa rear shock absorber is fitted on the 748S, whereas its front end is equipped with a 43mm TIN-coated upside-down Showa fork.

BRAKING
The new 996R uses a Brembo racing braking system, whose discs have been lightened thanks to thinner steel braking bands - 4.5 instead of 5mm thick - and fewer floating fasteners - 9 now - connecting the ergal rotor and the braking band. 

Weight is thus reduced by about 400 g per front disc, a significant advantage since this would all be unsprung mass. 

The callipers are new and have four 34mm pistons and four pads instead of two for improved control of friction material wear and less rollback upon release.   The 748R is fitted with the same braking system to benefit from the resulting weight reduction and its superior efficiency. 

On all other Superbike models, the braking systems retain the standard achieved with the 200 models.

STYLING AND FINISH
Ducati styling designers opted for an essential, yet refined styling in order to highlight the superior technical content and performance of the 996R. Massive use of hi-tech materials for every detail, including the carbon fairing, makes for great functionality. 
The extractors have been eliminated to enhance the lean, sleek look of the fairing. 
With a mean, sharp look, it gains 0.02 Cx points. 

The graphics borrow from the previous SPS version, with the metallic silver grey engine matched with "metallic grey" frame adding a stylish touch. 

All Superbike models have received this chromatic refinement. The result is more apparent on the 748, which for the first time sports "gun metal grey" frame and Brembo three-spoke hollow wheels.