Think old-school looks are just for Harleys? Well, one glance at the limited-edition Ducati Paul Smart 1000LE should provide sufficient evidence that retro designs can work for sports bikes too.
For the uninitiated, Paul Smart successfully raced Ducks back in the day and strengthened the image of the manufacturer. Paul Smart is to them what Carroll Shelby is to Ford and what Phil Hill is to Ferrari. Ducati is now paying homage to Smart's 1972 Imola victory by packing heaps of modern technology under a rendition of their classic 1970s 750SS.
That modern technology results in a bike with 92 horsepower and a commendable 67.3 foot pounds of torque, hitting its apex at just 6,000 rpm. It meets the road on spoke wheels, which Ducatis haven't worn for some time, but it's fitting here. And the result looks better than you might imagine. In fact, the whole theme is a hit with us. At a few bucks under 14 grand for the limited edition model, we suggest you race like Smart to your dealer if you want one in your garage.
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