05 Ducatis go on show

Ducati rolled out a host of stunning new bikes on Tuesday morning as it debuted its 2005 line-up at the Munich Bike Show in Germany.

MCN was on hand to witness the world unveiling – which follows hard on the heels of our first test of the 05 999 – which you’ll be able to read all about in our issue out tomorrow (September 15).

The new line up includes a cut-price version of the Multistrada using the engine from the 620 Monster making 60bhp. The chassis is virtually the same as that used on the 1000cc version but the seat has been lowered and it has a double-sided swingarm instead of the single-sider on the 1000. The bike also gets an APTC slipper clutch and Marzocchi upsidedown forks.

A ‘Dark’ version could be available at £5250 but Ducati is unsure about bringing that particular version to the UK. The standard 620 will cost £5495. If you think the Dark should be sold in the UK, email us and we’ll pass on your feelings. Click here

Ducati also added an S version of the larger Multistrada that comes with full Ohlins supension and should be available in the UK next month.

There are a number of other minor changes to the whole Multistrada range – which you’ll find detailed in tomorrow’s MCN (out September 15).

Ducati also showed the S2R, a smaller version of the Monster S4R -using the air-cooled motor from the M800 with the styling of the S4R. The bike puts out 77bhp and a Dark version will also be available.

The Monster 620 gets colour changes but there will also be a budget single-front-brake-disc version, the 620 Dark, for around £4500.

The 749 is getting the same updated fairing as found on the 05 999 (as previously shown by MCN) and the 999S is uprated to put it ahead of the uprated 05 999. The 999S now comes complete with a Termignoni race pipes to raise power.

The firm also announced that the ST3 and ST4S tourers will both get wet clutches for 2005, and the Paul Smart replica Sport Classic will be avilable for the first time at the end of 2005.

Read more about all these bikes in MCN out Wednesday, September 15.