In the 1960s, café racers were created by motorcycle enthusiasts who wanted maximum speed and handling from their bikes. These pioneers of motorcycle racing took factory-made bikes and stripped all unnecessary parts from them to make the bikes lighter. Then, the speed demons would jazz up the engine and modify the body to ensure maximum velocity. In the 1970s, large motorcycle manufacturers sold café-racing versions of their most popular models. However, in the early 1980s, the café racing fad passed, and those who wanted a café racer were forced to buy older machines.
The 2008 Ducati SportClassic is a throwback to those golden years of motorcycle history. Ducati wished to create a motorcycle with a nostalgic feel, but they also wanted to build it using modern technology and high quality materials. This motorcycle is elegant and eye-catching. The fuel tank features classic knee cut-outs, a common feature of the older machines of the 60s and 70s. The Ducati SportClassic also has plenty of shiny chrome, including a pair of chrome exhaust pipes and mufflers.
The original café racers sacrificed comfort for speed, but the 2008 Ducati SportClassic proves that you can have an easy ride, good handling and speed all in one bike. True to the Ducati reputation, all components of this motorcycle are of the highest quality and engineering. Even though this motorcycle looks like a vintage bike, it handles and performs like a modern motorcycle.