Here it is – one of the holy grails of motorcycling. In the majestic history of the Italian firm, the Ducati Supermono is one of the greats. Arguably one of the most collectable Ducatis ever produced, just 67 Supermonos were built exclusively for racing in the “Sound of Singles” Championship (a support event for the World Superbike Championship), this incredible bike weighs just 267 pounds!
To help with the inherent vibrations of a single, Ducati engineers had a fake con rod that acted like a second piston. As a ’95 model (the last year of production), this bike got a displacement bump to from 550 to 570cc and the motor was good for 76 horsepower.
Weight was a huge priority, so there was carbon fiber everywhere – the bodywork, subframe, fuel tank, airbox, rear sets, fenders, dash, gas cap, and more.
Ohlins suspension and Termignoni exhaust were complemented with Marchesini magnesium wheels – you also got magnesium on the case covers and triple clamps.
Penned by Pierre Terblanche, the Supermono design was highly influential in the instant-classic 916. Development was led by Claudio Domenicali, an engineer who had recently joined Ducati and is now the CEO.
The Supermono was instantly successful in racing – in the bike’s debut year of 1993, Mauro Lucchiari won the European Supermono Championship and Ducati won the Manufacturer’s Championship. Famously, the bike also won the 1995 Isle of Man Singles TT with Robert Holden.
As Roland Brown notes in this excellent piece on Hagerty, Ducati planned on making two street versions of the Supermono – a race-rep with fuel-injection and liquid cooling and a cheaper model with different bodywork, an air-cooled motor, and a carb. Obviously neither panned out, which means if you want to experience the magic that Ducati created, you’ll have to do it on a track with an example like this one!
This example is VIN: ZDM570R000064.
There is no odometer, true mileage is unknown.
It is #21 of 67.
Iconic knows some previous owners and we have tried to piece together as much history as possible, we appreciate any information that our community may be able to add!
The first owner and racer was Tim McCartney. “Tim had Ferraci build an 888/955 Corse, starting with Tim’s stock 888 so he could form a team to race in AMA SB races. Ferraci talked him into buying one of the Supermonos, which at the time was costly and hard to sell. Tim raced the mono and his GP350..”
One of our clients in the Pacific Northwest owned this in the 1990s, he raced it for a year and sold it to a local collector named Ken McBride. When Mr. McBride passed away from cancer, his collection of cars and bikes was sold off.
The seller acquired this bike roughly ten years ago via an auction – the engine had recently been rebuilt by Ferracci and new cases were installed at the time. “The old cases were not there when I picked up all the bikes and parts at one time.”
Since the rebuild, it has only done two six lap races at Daytona (plus warmup/cooldown laps) with no practice sessions. Pat Bennett raced it on behalf of the previous owner, who had two Supermonos at the time. The seller changed some gaskets and had the front fairing repainted as it had some rock chips.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection, flush the hydraulic fluid, and clean/lube/adjust the chain.
Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Ok
Engine Oil Level: Ok
Engine Oil Quality: Ok
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: No expansion tank
Coolant Quality: Ok, <1.43mV
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New, <1.5% Moisture
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: Good,<1.5% Moisture
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New, <1.5% Moisture
Final Drive Condition: Ok
Headlight High Beam: N/A
Headlight Low Beam: N/A
Passing Light: N/A
Parking Light: N/A
Turn Signals: N/A
Tail Light: N/A
Brake Light (Front Switch): N/A
Brake Light (Rear Switch): N/A
Plate Light: N/A
Horn: N/A
Kill Switch:
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 90%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 90%
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: 49/12 RACE SLICK
Tire Date Code Rear: 49/12 RACE SLICK
Tire % Remaining Front: 90%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 90%
Tire Press. Front: 36 PSI
Tire Press. Rear: 38 PSI
Battery Standing Voltage: 13.43V
Running Condition: Runs on bench
Test Ride Completed: None taken
Test Ride Distance: N/A
Tires Installed:
Front: 120/70-17
Rear: 165/55-17
Modifications:
Holeshot quickshifter.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop slicks from 2012.
The sale includes a FG Gubellini rear stand, spare parts manual, and some spare parts.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, California, (please make an appointment for an inspection) this Ducati is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any Supermono stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
