Bostrom and Bayliss 998 replicas ready for Europe

Ducati have already unveiled the Ben Bostrom replica 998 in the US, but now it’s coming to Europe, and so is World Champion Troy Bayliss’s replica. But while we’ll be getting the 136bhp 998S engine, instead of the standard 123bhp version which was used in the States because of American emissions regulations, we’ll be losing the carbon-fibre bodywork they were given to make up for their lack of power. Then again, with 13bhp extra, we can’t really complain. It’s priced at £14,500, so if you want one of just 155 examples built for Europe, you’d better get down to your dealer on December 5.

And if that isn’t enough, there is also a replica of the bike Troy Bayliss rode to win the World Superbike championship. It’s another limited edition, with only 300 being made, and Ohlins shocks instead of the usual Showa ones. It’ll go on sale for around £14,500 over the internet on December 17.