MotorbikeNews

DUCATI'S DUBLIN DEBUT: Ducati Dublin launched the dazzling new high-priced GP replica Ducati Desmosedici RR road bike last Friday…

DUCATI'S DUBLIN DEBUT: Ducati Dublin launched the dazzling new high-priced GP replica Ducati Desmosedici RR road bike last Friday at their Dublin showrooms.

"It's a very special machine," said Ducati Dublin's Kim Farrelly. "It was built to celebrate Ducati's success in the Moto GP. The set-up is the same as the set-up for the 2006 Moto GP braking system, which was used for the wet, so it should be really good for dry roads." he added.

Ducati has decided to build only 1,000 of these machines. "This bike is of limited production and claims over 205bhp with 165kg in weight and it looks amazing," according to Claudio Tamburrini of Ducati Dublin.

The high-priced €53,350 989cc L-four cylinder road bike boasts spectacular Moto GP performance. So far Ducati Dublin has sold six of these motorcycles and according to Mr Farrelly, "it's looking like we might even sell 10 by the end of the year."

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ISLE OF MAN CENTENARY: There's good news for road racing fans that plan to invade the Isle of Man for the 100th TT races next year. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has just announced that it is to add a second speedy craft to its fleet for 2007. The twin-hulled fast craft Sea Express 1 will provide extra capacity on the Liverpool route and on the Company's summer season Irish routes from Belfast and Dublin.

"The year 2007 will be a tremendous one for the island as we host the Centenary of the TT Races, surely the greatest ever motorcycle spectacular event held here and we will play an important part in its success," said Steam Packet managing director Hamish Ross. For further details see steam-packet.com.

SLIGO BIKE WEEKEND: Sligo Emerald Motor Cycle Club will be holding their seventh annual Christmas Charity weekend on December 9th and 10th. All proceeds will go to Cregg House - a much loved Sligo charity which cares for mentally and physically handicapped people - supporting two specific projects, STEPS and IONA, mainly for day-care clients. On Saturday, Santa Claus will be arriving on a classic sidecar, and on Sunday a run will take place to Donegal Town, through Grange, Cliffoney, Bundoran and Ballyshannon. It departs at noon.

- If you have bike news contact motorbikes@irish-times.ie