Ducati, the Italian premium motorcycle manufacturer, has been synonymous with speed, elegance, and engineering excellence for decades. Throughout its storied history, a range of classic Ducati motorcycles have come out of Borgo Panigale, leaving an indelible mark on the motorcycling world.

The ten bikes in this list played critical roles in Ducati’s timeline, doing everything from bringing fun motorcycling to the masses, to introducing and perfecting advanced racing technologies for the street. Over and above all, classic Ducati bikes have either been the stuff of dreams for budding motorcyclists, or apex predators of their segments. These motorcycles represent the pinnacle of Ducati's craftsmanship and engineering innovations. Most of the motorcycles on the current lineup owe something or the other to these classic motorcycles.

As always, classic automobiles are those that debuted more than 25 years ago. At the time of writing this, the classic counter stops just before the year 2000, a period when Ducati was on the rise again.

10 Ducati Scrambler 1962

The original Ducati Scrambler is a symbol of carefree exploration and rugged style. Born in 1962, it went through many improvements, finally bowing out in 1976. But not before leaving behind a slew of models ranging from a 125cc to a 450cc. The Scrambler was the brainchild of an American (originally Hungarian) importer of Ducati, and instantly took off in the states.

This it achieved by enabling enthusiastic riders to gout and explore, roads or no roads. An epitome of single-cylinder simplicity, it was far removed from what Ducati today is known for. In fact, the modern Scrambler holds nothing in common with the classic, in that it is more of a street bike styled to look like the original.

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Related: This Is The Best Scrambler Motorcycle You Can Buy

9 Ducati Paso 750

The Ducati Paso 750 sparked conversations about the future of motorcycle aesthetics back when it broke cover in 1986. It was the first time the world had seen a fully enclosed, seamless fairing on a motorcycle. The engineering marvel that was the bike’s square-tube trellis frame was neatly concealed beneath the wraparound fairing, along with the 750cc L-Twin from the Pantah.

It was not a thoroughbred sport bike, for Ducati aimed the Paso 750 at a broader audience, which included sport touring enthusiasts. Coupled with that slippery fairing and an upright seating position, the bike was more than just a design study. Its significance in the history of Ducati is undeniable, for motorcycles like the Panigale range and the achingly beautiful 916, all happened because the Paso 750 was a success.

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8 Ducati Apollo V4

No, the Panigale V4 is not the first V4 to ride out the doors of Borgo Panigale. A reason Ducati is such a world-renowned phenomenon is their willingness to experiment, to achieve something that sets them apart from other motorcycle makers. That constant push towards innovation led to the birth of the Ducati Apollo, the first V4 motorcycle from the Italian brand.

The sixties were especially significant for Ducati: a time when the Italian brand was trying to crack the liter-plus class of motorcycles. The Apollo V4 was born of the relentless desire to achieve newer heights of motorcycle design and engineering. A 1260cc monster like the Apollo the world had never seen. Not least because of the V4, but partly for the fact it looked quite unlike any other motorcycle available during its time. A 1.2-liter hypernaked with an elongated, streamlined body: now that was the stuff of future back then.

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Related: Why The New Ducati Panigale V4 R Is The Craziest Motorcycle Of 2023

7 Ducati 851

Introduced in 1987, the Ducati 851 is a pivotal model in company history. For one, this was the first liquid-cooled Ducati. It was also the bike with which the Italian brand reentered World Superbike racing. The 851’s success at the racetrack reaffirmed Ducati’s prowess at building sophisticated, race-winning machines, thus rejuvenating their racing reputation.

So far ahead of the curve that rivals had to work furiously to catch up to it, the Ducati 851 set new standards for sportbike design thanks to its distinctive trellis frame, sharp handling, and an aggressive stance that later Ducati superbikes have built upon. Make no mistake, the 851 was a revolutionary motorcycle, unlocking the modern superbike chapter in Ducati’s storied history. Goes without saying that the 500 units that Ducati rolled out are some of the most sought-after classic motorcycles today.

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6 Ducati 996

The Ducati 996 may have been overshadowed by its predecessor - the Ducati 916 - but it is a technological marvel in its own right. Ducati upped their technology game starting with the 916, but it was the 996 that elevated the benchmark to unprecedented heights. Of course, they had to respond to the wave of Japanese superbikes sweeping the market, and the 996 was their weapon of choice.

The arena was racing, and the 916 already had an iron grip on the World Superbike title for two years running. The Ducati 996 dominated the next three - 1999, 2000, and 2001. This race-bred engineering packed into a timeless design is what sends the 996 rocketing to the top of the most desirable bikes to ride from Ducati. Yes, this is the same bike (but in black) that Trinity absolutely thrashed while chasing after Neo - the only time a black Ducati 996 seemed more desirable than red.

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5 Ducati Monster 900

“Il Mostro”, the designers called it, because it looked like a Monster parked next to their meticulously designed 851. The name stuck, and the bike became an inseparable part of Ducati.

The raucous roar of that air-cooled L-Twin from the Ducati SuperSport hinted at the torque that rumbled within, ready to send you into raptures the moment you whacked the throttle open. The more seasoned riders chose the Monster for its frame and brakes - borrowed from a 888. Finally, the 904 and 750 SuperSport lent their forks and monoshock respectively to the Ducati Monster. The end result appealed to a much broader set of audience, bringing Ducati closer to a new generation of riders smitten by the Monster’s rebellious nature and friendly ergonomics. An Italian motorcycle that fuses the best bits from the best Ducatis - who wouldn’t take one of these for a wild spin?

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Related: The Ducati Monster SP Is The Best Thing We Have Seen In A Long Time

4 Ducati 125 GP Desmo

This is the genesis of Desmo. The year was 1958 when Ducati thrilled the onlookers at Spa-Francorchamps with their 125 GP Desmo, at the hands of Alberto Gandossi. The silver rocket brought home the company’s first GP victory. The rest, as they say, is history. Racing is at the very core of Ducat’s essence, and it’s the sleek 125 GP Desmo that got the ball rolling for Borgo Panigale.

Running out of steam at a little more than 80 mph, it wasn’t blazing fast. But the image of it speeding from La Source and up Raidillon at the historic Belgian circuit is enough to give the goosebumps to gearheads. Race-winning machines, like Ducati GP bikes, have this compelling aura that makes you want to experience the rush of motorsport. Ducati subsequently made even more fearsome racebikes, spurred on by their success in 1958 with the 125 GP Desmo.

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3 Ducati ST2

Successor to the Paso, the Ducati ST2 was a major leap in technology, due in large part to the advent of high-tech sport tourers from Japan. Yet, it was unique. The ST2 still delivered the sportbike experience, and yet could munch big miles all day. ‘Sport’ was priority one for Ducati, and the ST2 did not disappoint.

The company pushed its signature Desmoduo L-Twin from the 904 Paso into the ST2, good for 83 hp, and more importantly 62 lb-ft of twisting force. It would not win any design awards, but it did make an easier job of touring with its various appointments. Integrated panniers, room for two, slightly sporty riding position, superb aerodynamics - it all came together beautifully once you allowed the ST2 to stretch its legs on the open road. The Desmo sport touring experience ranks high on the list of classic Ducati aficionados for these same reasons.

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2 Ducati 350 Sport Desmo

The 350 Sport Desmo led Ducati’s second innings into capturing the roadster market after the dismal performance of the GT models. Building upon the same formula as before - desmodromic parallel-twin powered standard motorcycle, Ducati added some top-shelf components to sweeten the 350SD’s proposition. As a result, the bike featured Borrani rims, Marzocchi forks, and Brembo brakes. These are names that instantly evoke admiration in modern motorheads, and they had the same effect when the 350 Sport Desmo went on sale in 1977. It remains a side note in Ducati’s history thanks to being a parallel-twin motorcycle in a sea of L-Twins, but the 350 Sport Desmo’s success allowed Ducati to pour money into what they did best: building and racing some of the most dominant motorcycles the world has ever seen.

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1 Ducati Supermono

There is no space for progress within the comfort zone. This sort of thinking gave birth to the fantastic Ducati Supermono. Dominating the twin-cylinder racing scene wasn’t enough for Borgo Panigale, so they went ahead and built a 220-lb, 75-hp single-cylinder racebike. Italian names sound exotic when you hear them for the first time, but they’re really just descriptions of the vehicle. The Ducati Supermono, then, was one of the highest-performing single-cylinder racebikes of the nineties.

Only 67 were ever made between 1993 and 1995, making the Supermono one of the rarer collectible motorcycles for passionate Ducatisti. Yet, it’s the motorcycle’s fire-breathing performance and excellent riding dynamics that make it irresistible for racebike aficionados around the world. We know we would give anything to pilot it furiously around a racetrack, given the first opportunity.

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