You are here: Home — New 2006 Models — 2006 Ducati Motorcycle Models
2006 Ducati Superbike 749S
Back to 2006 Ducati Motorcycle Index Page
Click photos to enlarge.
They make great desktop images.
2006 Ducati Superbike 749S
2006 Ducati Superbike 749S
2006 Ducati Superbike 749S
2006 Ducati Superbike 749S
2006 Ducati Superbike 749S
– 2006 Ducati Superbike 749S
2006 Ducati Superbike 749S
The 749S Testastretta is one of the highest performance, middleweight Superbike Ducati has ever built, establishing a new approach and vision of the interaction between man, machine and the elements.
The bike features a fully-adjustable suspension system. The front fork rake is adjustable between 23.5 and 24.5 degrees via a specially designed eccentric in the steering head – a Ducati feature that allows tuning for individual tracks or riding style.
The 749S has a 748 cc Testastretta engine that supplies 116 HP at 10,500 rpm and 61 ft-lbs at 8500 rpm, allowing for maximum performance without compromising reliability.
2006 MSRP $14,795 USD
Features:
2005 has been an exceptional year for Ducati Superbikes, the range having been completely revolutionised with a series of stylistic and functional refinements and, above all, with a general upward shift in terms of power ratings and performance in both engine displacements and all versions. The 749 and 999 machines have been made more aggressive, edging closer to the dividing line between the street bikes and the official machine used on the world’s racetracks.
For the Superbikes manufactured in Borgo Panigale, 2006 will be dedicated to digesting the generational shift, which has taken place just two years from the launch of the new series, with the numerous innovations and refinements introduced in 2005.
The decision to revolutionise the machines was driven by the return of Ducati to the North American AMA Superbike Championship, which has more stringent rules than European championships with regard to modifications to mechanical parts and chassis: the new model is a result of the efforts aimed at creating a machine that would be race-ready straight off the production line, with a large number of adjustments for attitude and riding position, while also being suitable for use on the road. The result is a superbly contemporary range that is highly sophisticated and able to meet the most demanding sports rider with the basic equipment of the 749 and 999, and gradually approaching the S and R versions in a series of evolutionary steps. This brings us to the current state of the art, with the top of the range position occupied by a 999R packing a massive 150 HP, proposed for 2006 also in a Xerox replica version, sporting the colours of the “official” SBK ridden by James Toseland and Regis Laconi.
The Ducati sports machines share aesthetics based on the concept of racing aerodynamics, with fairings that are highly effective also at extreme speeds. That’s the thinking behind the development of a new upper fairing, designed to protect the rider’s head and shoulders and eliminate air turbulence. The fairing, which is higher and wider than its predecessor to increase the level of protection, joining a tapered lower section of the body, equipped with a pair of sweeping wrap-around and highly effective deflectors. Protection of the rider is one of the key concepts of the latest generation of Ducati machines: the absence of air turbulence makes the cockpit more comfortable – an important factor when riding in traffic and offering significant benefits on the racetrack because stress and fatigue levels are reduced, allowing riders to achieve consistently fast lap times for longer. The unforgiving stopwatch has amply proved this theory.
The styling and aerodynamic strategies adopted are just two of the factors used to achieve the close relationship between competition and series production machines. The box-section swingarm – very light and with very high torsional strength – comes from the world championship experience in the Superbike class and is the most evolved solution for road riding and for the racetrack, apart from adding to the already mean appearance of the 749 and 999. Style and function are also reflected in the exhaust silencer, which is integrated into the rear fairing and protected by a black anodised aluminium cover, and also in the ergonomics of the machine and the multiple possibilities for adjusting rider position. Since their introduction in 2002, the current Ducati Superbikes have been characterised by the ability to modify the positions of the handlebar levers and footrests, and also the facility to adjust steering head rake to two positions, a feature that is unavailable on any other sports machine on the market.
There’s also one final detail worthy of note: fore-aft adjustment of the seat-tank unit on single-seater versions of the machines. These unique features make the 749 and 999 the production machines that, of all the bikes currently on the market, are the closest to the thoroughbred race versions.
The sports personality of these machines are also reflected in the engines, with the impressive twin cylinder engine bringing sheer performance prowess to all equipment versions. These results have been achieved while keeping a close watch on environmental concerns: all the twin cylinder engines, including the 150 HP mounted on the 999R, comply in full with stringent Euro2 regulations.
749S
An exclusive version equipped with top quality components. A transitional phase between the R version and the basic version, designed to meet with the approval of demanding and informed customers. More powerful than the 749, with more sophisticated chassis and running gear, that make it possible to achieve very fast lap times, all combine to make this machine a highly interesting classic proposal in the purest Ducati style.
Style
All bodywork parts have exactly the same shape on all the Ducati Superbikes, so the only distinctive elements on the 749S are details that make a difference to the ergonomics of the machine, which although they may go unnoticed at first glance, offer easily perceptible advantages in race conditions. This is the case of the footpegs, which offer several alternative positions to enable the rider to find the ideal posture, and the tank-seat combination, which on the single-seater version, can be moved fore and aft to find the preferred weight distribution. The styling of the bike is also influenced by the professional type suspension making the overall appearance of the 749S meaner and more aggressive.
Chassis
Homologated for road use although designed primarily for use on the track, the 749S features a top quality chassis and running gear, with advanced suspension systems and the ability to find the ideal set-up that are even more sophisticated than those provided for the basic 749. The top of the range Showa production was chosen for the suspension, with a 43 mm upside-down fork and TiN coated stanchions, and with a professional rear monoshock. The steering damper on the 749S is equipped with an eccentric terminal, a solution imposed by the presence of an adjustable rake steering head. Ducati allows riders to choose between a rake of 23.5 and 24.5 degrees depending on personal taste and road or track conditions. But that’s not all: the 749S can be personalised for each rider, thanks to the five footrest position options.
Powerplant
The 749S twin cylinder engine was developed by exploiting the experience gained with official race machines. Important details, such as the connection system between the valve stem and the closing rocker shim, come directly from the Borgo Panigale race department and have made it possible to achieve extreme valve timing. The result is 116 HP at 10,500 rpm, but this excellent value was obtained without detracting from flexibility of the power band (torque is 8.4 kgm at 8,500 rpm), which is one of the main qualities of this model, and while maintaining the utmost reliability.
Chassis:
Frame: Tubular steel trellis
Wheelbase: 1420 mm / 55.9 in
Rake: 23.5° – 24.5°
Front Suspension: Showa 43 mm upside-down fully adjustable fork with TiN surface treatment
Front Wheel Travel: 125 mm / 4.9 in
Front Brake: 2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, 4-piston 4-pad caliper
Front Wheel: Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy 3.50 x 17
Front Tire: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear Suspension: Progressive linkage with fully adjustable Showa monoshock
Rear Wheel Travel: 128 mm / 5 in
Rear Brake: 240 mm disc, 2-piston caliper
Rear Wheel: Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy 5.50 x 17
Rear Tire: 180/55 ZR 17
Fuel Capacity: 15.5 L / 4.1 US gal (includes 3 L / 0.8 US gal reserve)
Weight * : 186 kg / 410 lbs
Seat Height: 780 mm / 30.7 in
Instruments: Speedometer, rev counter, high beam indicator, turn signals, oil pressure warning light, low fuel warning light, neutral light, water temperature, immobilizer system
Warranty: 2 years unlimited mileage
Tank and Fairing Colours: Red
Frame and Wheel Colours: Red w/Black wheels
Versions: One Seat
*=* = The weight excludes battery, lubricants and, where applicable, cooling liquid.
ENGINE
Type: L twin cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder Testastretta Desmodromic; liquid cooled
Displacement: 748 cc
Bore and stroke: 90 x 58.8 mm
Compression Ratio: 12.3:1
Power: 85.4 kw – 116 hp @ 10500 rpm
Torque: 8.4 kgm – 61 ft-lbs @ 8500 rpm
Fuel system: Marelli electronic fuel injection, 54 mm throttle body
Exhaust: Single steel muffler with catalytic converter
Emissions: Euro2
Transmission
Gearbox: 6 speed
Ratio: 1st 37/15, 2nd 30/17, 3rd 28/20, 4th 26/22, 5th 24/23, 6th 23/24
Primary drive: Straight cut gears; ratio 1.84
Final drive: Chain; Front sprocket 14; Rear sprocket 38
Clutch: Dry multiplate with hydraulic control
Colors:
|
Be the first to comment