Ducati introduced this nameplate for the 2003 model year as part of its then-new Superbike generation, replacing the 748 in the middleweight slot of the company’s sportbike range. It was developed alongside the larger 999 and shared the family’s angular styling, underseat exhaust concept, and race-bred positioning, but in a more accessible displacement class. The model was aimed at riders who wanted the look and character of Ducati’s flagship superbikes without stepping all the way up to the largest version in the lineup.
Across its run, the nameplate was offered in several closely related variants, including standard road versions, the higher-spec S models, the blacked-out Dark derivative, and the more exclusive R version. That lineup gave the motorcycle a wide spread within Ducati’s sportbike family, from entry-level exotic to track-focused special. The model became known for combining the company’s characteristic trellis-frame design, desmodromic twin-cylinder layout, and sharp handling with a more compact and approachable package than the larger superbikes of the period.
Production ended after the 2006 model year, when Ducati moved on to the next evolution of its middleweight superbike concept. The model did not return as a later revival, so its history is a single continuous production period from 2003 through 2006. Among Ducati enthusiasts, it remains an important bridge between the earlier 748 era and the later generation of mid-capacity sportbikes, and it is often remembered as one of the most distinctive and visually striking superbikes of its time.