The Ducati MHR Mille is a racing
legend. In 1978 a many times World Champion named Mike Hail-wood made a
fairy-tale comeback aboard a beefed-up street bike and against all odds won
one of the most prestigious races of all time - the gruelling, six lap, 226
mile Formula One TT on the Isle of Man.
Hailwood's bike was a
hastily-cobbled together factory Ducati which beat much more powerful
fully-fledged Japanese racers on its way to the chequered flag. Ducati were
so pleased with the success, they released a limited edition of Mike
Hailwood Replica (MHR) machines shortly afterwards. That bike was a 90
degree, V-twin of 864cc capacity, a design essentially unchanged since 1975.
A lot of troubled water has flowed under Ducati's bridge since then. They
were taken over by Cagiva and their 500, 600 and 900cc engines and frames
have been updated and restyled, and are now sold under the Cagiva banner.
In 1984 however, a bike was
launched to thrill every Ducati lover the world over - a 1000cc MHR, a bored
and stroked version of the popular 900MHR, bigger and better than ever.
The big V-twin's calling card has
always been massive torque. The bike has tall gears and long legs while the
motor sports two of the biggest pistons in captivity. It is not a
high-rewing engine but makes plenty of power low down, in a relaxed,
unhurried manner. The new 1000 machine has been substantially updated and
comes with revised bevel drive, Nickasil barrels, a hydraulically operated
dry clutch and a new, one piece, nitrided crankshaft running in plain
bearings. In perfect primary balance, the 90 degree V-twin still features
Ducati's original desmodromic valve operation with rockers that both open
and close the valves.
The frame is a delicate-looking
but immensely strong and rigid open spine type cradle using the crankcase as
a structural member.
The large full fairing hides the
skeletal, rather elemental profile of the bike though nothing can disguise
its thunderous performance.
There is nothing frantic about
riding a Ducati even on an open road. The low frontal area and a very long
wheelbase give excellent stability and roadholding.
The Ducati is a pure,
unadulterated thoroughbred; a lean and hungry racer, one of the last real
motorcycles. Many have described the essential Ducati experience as
being akin to riding God's own motorcycle. Despite its considerable charisma
and the myths and folklore that have sprung up around it, it is a fact that
in the real world, a large Ducati is as fast on a tar road, point-to-point,
as any comparable bike. Long may Ducati continue to flourish.
NOTE: Some of the photos on
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