Description
Built to celebrate Mike the Bike’s comeback triumph at the ’78 Isle of Man TT, the Ducati 900 MHR (Mike Hailwood Replica) was initially produced solely for homolgation purposes. As such, just 200 were built in 1979. But demand was so high that Ducati decided to keep production going, and by the end of the run in 1986 the Italian firm had built approximately 7,100 examples – meaning that even though Ducati originally wanted it to be limited production, it ended up being the best selling bevel-drive twin they ever built.
It also means values can vary quite a bit depending on the year of production. Regardless, basic specifications include a 72 horsepower, 863cc V-Twin with a 5-speed gearbox and a top speed of 137 miles per hour.
When the MHR originally debuted, it was basically a 900SS in fancy clothing, emulating Hailwood’s bike that had been adorned in the privateer livery of Sports Motor Cycles out of Manchester, England. Ducati themselves say it was built for “hard-core Ducatisti” as it “was not even fitted with an electric starter.” But just like the average human, as the bike got older, it got softer.
By the last update to the series in 1985, the motor was bored out to 973cc and the model name got changed to MHR Mille as a result. Output numbers went up – 76 horsepower and 62 pound-feet of torque, but it also got Brembo brakes, Conti exhaust, an electric starter, different gauges, folding foot pegs with rubber inserts, adjustable Verlicchi clipons, and more. Between ’85 and ’86, approximately 1,100 MHR Milles were built, and they were the last bevel-drive twins to come from Ducati. For more on the MHR, check out this article on Motorcycle Classics.
This example is VIN: DMR900R903906. The seller states the bike was “imported from Japan about a year ago.”
The odometer shows 15,266 KM which is 9,486 miles. The seller has covered approximately 10 miles.
Maintenance:
The seller states he has “cleaned & rebuilt the carburetors with new seals, changed the oil and filter, deep cleaned & detailed the bike.”
Modifications:
The seller states “intake pods on carburetors, aftermarket fuel shut-offs.”
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Durotour RS310F tires with date codes of 1620 and 2920.
The sale includes three keys.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Bloomington, Indiana, this Ducati is offered on a clean Tennessee title. Have any 900 MHR stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
