This can be one of many final alternatives any of us must purchase a model new 2002 Ducati MH900e that’s nonetheless in its authentic manufacturing unit crate – having by no means been began or ridden.
The MH900e was first proven to the general public as a sketch by Pierre Terblanche on the 1998 Intermot Bike Present in Munich. The response was overwhelming, Ducati would construct 2,000 of them and it might turn into the primary bike bought solely on-line.
Quick Info – The Ducati MH900e
- When the world noticed the Ducati MH900e for the primary time it wasn’t as a present bike or a prototype, however as a sketch by bike design legend Pierre Terblanche. It was sufficient to generate lots of pleasure, which resulted in Ducati giving the venture the inexperienced gentle.
- The MH900e was supposed as an homage to the Ducati that Mike Hailwood rode to a exceptional comeback victory within the 1978 Isle of Man TT. The “MH” within the mannequin title stands for “Mike Hailwood.”
- Ducati would start constructing the MH900e in late 2000. Manufacturing would common 4-5 bikes per day and it ceased in 2002 after the deliberate 2,000 examples had been constructed.
- The instance you see right here has remained in its manufacturing unit crate since new, it’s by no means been began, and it has 0 miles on its odometer. It’s at the moment being bought in a reside on-line public sale and it’ll be as much as the brand new proprietor whether or not to trip it or protect it as-is.
The First Bike To Be Bought On-line
When Ducati introduced they might be placing the Ducati MH900e into restricted manufacturing they defined that there can be one uncommon caveat – consumers must buy their bikes from an internet site.
It’s not laborious to see why some contemplate the Ducati MH900e to be one of the crucial stunning bikes of its period.
Again within the late Nineteen Nineties and early 2000s the web was clearly a vastly smaller and less complicated house than it’s now, and lots of web customers had by no means bought bodily items on-line earlier than.
Added to this was the swirling worry across the “Y2K Bug” that many believed would shut down the world’s main computing programs simply previous the stroke of midnight because the yr 2000 dawned.
With this in thoughts it was an uncommon resolution by Ducati to promote the bike by means of their web site, however they caught to the idea and launched it on-line for orders on January the first 2000 at precisely 00:01 am GMT.
Thankfully the Y2K Bug was a nothing burger and 1,000 orders had been taken inside 31 minutes, with a worth of 15,000 Euros apiece. All 2,000 can be bought over the next few weeks with roughly 30% going to Europe, 30% going to the USA, and virtually 40% going to Japan.
Ducati’s experiment in on-line gross sales had confirmed wildly profitable, and it’s a mannequin that will be emulated by many different bike (and vehicle) manufactures within the years to observe.
It’s been sealed inside its authentic manufacturing unit crate like this for 20 years and counting, it’ll be up the brand new proprietor in the event that they need to take it out and trip it or hold it as-is.
Ducati MH900e – Specs
The Ducati MH900e is powered by a 904cc L-twin engine with air and oil-cooling, a single overhead cam per cylinder, and a desmodromic valve prepare with 4 valves complete. Energy was rated as 74 bhp at 8,000 rpm with 56 lb ft of torque at 6,500 rpm.
Energy is distributed to the rear wheels through a 6-speed transmission and a sequence closing drive, with a single-sided swingarm within the rear.
Alloy wheels are fitted back and front with 43mm the wrong way up forks up entrance, and a totally adjustable monoshock on the rear. Twin 4 piston Brembo brakes cease the entrance wheel with a single Brembo unit within the again.
The dry weight of the bike is listed as 186 kilograms (410 lbs), and it’s identified for each its aggressive driving place and its glorious dealing with. The household of Ducati SportClassic bikes that adopted would all be based mostly on the MH900e to some extent.
A glimpse by means of the highest of the crate exhibits the distinctive pink livery hidden beneath a layer of delivery mud covers from 2002.
The Manufacturing unit-Crated Ducati MH900e Proven Right here
The bike you see right here is quantity 875 of the two,000 that had been constructed, and in contrast to its siblings it’s by no means seen the sunshine of day, it’s by no means been ridden – it’s by no means even been began.
The bike was delivered new to Rockville Harley-Davidson in Maryland and for causes unknown they opted to protect the bike precisely because it arrived.
It’s now been stored in its manufacturing unit crate for over 20 years, the present proprietor has determined it’s time to half with it so it’s being supplied on the market on Carry A Trailer. It’ll be as much as the brand new proprietor whether or not they hold the bike as it’s now and protect it or roll it out and trip it.
When you’d wish to learn extra about this uncommon Ducati or place a bid you’ll be able to go to the itemizing right here. On the time of writing there are nonetheless a couple of days left to bid.
Pictures courtesy of Carry A Trailer
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