Ducati Reviews

This is the book to have when you either need to check on the authenticity of a Ducati "bevel drive" twin cylinder motorbike or wish to restore one. (If the latter, and you wish to do it properly, bring mucho lire.) For such low production numbers, it's surprising how many variations of gadgets Ducati used to build these beasts. If you wish to make certain that your bike has all the proper bits for its serial number, you'll need this book. Incidentally, though Mick Walker writes (lots of) good books about motorcycles in general and Ducatis in particular, this book by Mr. Falloon is both more thorough and detailed than Mick's books on the same subject. I would compare this book in quality and utility to the excellent "Original..." books intended to carefully document collectable automobiles -- except that the photos aren't as lush.

Mick Walker has been into Ducatis for as long as I can remember. He had a dealership in the 60s and 70s, as well as being involved in the racing side. Now Mick and his brother Rick spend their time giving advise and supplying those hard to get parts at reasonable cost from Wisbech, Cambridge UK. Yes he is still at it. This book (I borrowed a copy) is a very comprehensive reference guide. It is not a workshop manual, it is a history book and a technical book in one. Chapters on various cycle parts, electrics, engine, carburation etc. Hints and tips abound ( did you know that there are 3 different types of Lucas Rita I did not - I bought the wrong one ). There is a half page devoted to petrol taps (petrol cocks) for example. This is a very comprehensive guide for anyone with a bevel twin it has an abundance of photographs (B/W) and much technical data. Excellent bedtime reading from a leading authority on things Ducati, Buy it,read it, and then keep it by your bedside .

I found the book a touching and beautiful archive to the passion and history that has made Ducati the global success that it is today. The book is neither a technical book nor a minute chronology of the motorcycle's every intricacy, but a marvelous coffee table book tat can be picked up by Ducatisti and non enthusiasts alike, even if you just pick out your date of birth or the year you started college etc. The archive photographs suppied by Motociclismo are exquisite and the quality of the print and ease of design make for a book which is truly a delight to behold. I am sure that the cover alone would sell as a photographic print in its own right. For a trip down yesterday, today and tommorrow's roads, it cannot be beaten.

This is by far the best book I've seen on Ducati history. Being a Ducati enthusiast, I found it very interesting. I can see that it would be very helpful to anyone restoring a classic Ducati. It is full of beautiful photographs and acurate information.

Great manual, easy to follow with handy tips to help me out. There's not to many words and lots of pictures (a picture says a thousand words!)which make it clear what is being refered to and how things are done. It has ratings for each job so you know if youre up to the challange or if it'd be over your head before you even start! Using Amazon is excellent, easy and helpful! Recomend the manual and Amazom to anyone.

I originally planned on buying the factory manual from Ducati for my Duc907, but quickly found out that even the Ducati mechanics recommend using the Haynes manual over the factory one. Good thing, too, because the factory manual costs $80 (if they even have it in stock) vs. $29 for the Haynes manual. To top it all off, Amazon offers if for just $19 and can get it to you the next day. Such a deal, I just bought another one for my brother!

I purchased this book to help with the restoration of my '66 250 Monza. I have found it to be extremely helpful. Though this book does not have any color pictures, the photos are clear. There are 25 pages of specifications, 3 for colors of paint, and 3 for carbuetors. The rest of the book is stuffed with info on factory race bikes and year to year changes of the production bikes.

The fact that it may be the one and only is beside the point! Anyone attempting to maintain or restore one of these Ducati models would be well served to buy Walker's book. The price is steep, but the money will be very well spent.

The author, Mick Walker, is unusual in that he is a well respected expert, yet he avoids the slavish PR blather common to many Ducati writers. He paid his dues as a long time dealer and rider, and his approach to the bikes is respectful but pragmatic. Walker writes in a clear, easily readable style. He comes across as someone to spend a few hours drinking beers with in the garage while wrenching on that old Ducati.

The book is also full of excellent photographs, exploded diagrams, and a comprehensive technical specifications section. The text includes exhaustive detail on and the strengths and weaknesses of everything from paint colors to the various electrical systems. More important, it includes useful insights and practical recommendations derived from years of hard work, trial and error. Based on the age and increasing rarity of these machines, Walker's book is an invaluable resource.

One of the most appealing aspects of the book is that it depicts a dollarwise approach to restoring or owning a Ducati. Most motorcyclists may find that laughable, but, if so, they haven't read Walker's book. This is gem.

I bought this book at Amazon.com because I just had to have it. I'm no Ducatisti, but I can appreciate Ducati racing history and I'll check out a Duc when I find one to look over the carbon fiber, expensive gold bits, and the chicken strips on the tires. And the famous Ducs are all here in this book for me to eye whenever I want. You get the usual development and racing history of each model in this book, but best of all, you get great pictures of vicious old Italian racers in black leathers and big 2-page layouts of the famous racers like Mike "The Bike" Hailwood's 900, Lucky's 750 F1, Doug Polen's 888 Superbike, and Foggy's 916. These pictures let you really get in there to inspect honest rock chips, race scrapes and battle scars. I took one star away from my rating because the text reads like a corny, congratulatory sales brochure, but it is the "Official Racing History" from the constructor so what do you expect? This book is pure motorcycle porn. If you love sportbikes or motorcycles in general, you need this book. It's worth every penny. Enjoy the ducs, but Ride Red.

This book is detailed and high quality. Excellent for a coffee table piece. It is an inch thick, lot of content. Great value for the price.

Even if you own every other Ducati book ever written, this is THE book to own! In association with the Ducati factory, this book shows their bikes in the factory museum. Well written with new information and exceptional photographs unlike any other Ducati book I own. Features the factory race bikes with some excellent info and photos of the standard bikes. Text is in English and was printed in Italy. EVERY motorcycle enthusiast should own this book. The best book bargain out there when purchased on Amazon. I was so impressed I bought two of them!

The book is for you if you're interested in the history and development of Ducati's from one model to the next. It also has a fair amount of technical information about how each model varies from the next. What I didn't like was that it had only a few color photos and very little information on more recent models (1995 and up)....

A very thorough and detailed history of Ducati with a model by model, year by year breakdown. Great to get a general history of Ducati or if you are considering buying one of their bikes. The model specifications at the rear are handy though need to be read in conjunction with the book to get every detail on a particular model in a particular year. Focuses more on the last 20 yrs of Ducati, but could still be considered the definative book on Ducati. A few more pictures would be nice.

I bought this book out of curiosity, and because I am interested in Ducati motorcycles. And I would say that this book fulfills any need for information about Ducati and the story about the bikes and the men behind it. Great book ! Recommended!

Large format, entertaining copy and great photos make this a must for Ducatisti. A broad look at everything Ducati from the beginning.

I don't think that I can put my praise any better than Peter Egan does in the forward - "...you can never have too many good Ducati books to read or too many good Ducati photographs to ponder".

There is a complete history of Ducati in the book but the best part for me are the photos, from the very first models of the fifties to the latest race winners.

Great book but I can't seem to find any mention of the 916 model other than the title and the photo on the cover

I love Ducatis, they make my heart sing as my mate Rod says "Made by the hand of God" I was so thrilled to read this book that was written by someone who really loves and understands the soul of Ducati. There is so little written now-a-days that comes from the heart and this is a welcome change. Oh and there is a lot of really cool stuff about Ducatis in this, yum yum.

This series of books on motorcycles and cars tends to be pretty good for the money. It has color and black and white photos. Ducati in particular is a bike best seen in color, though, and the book could have used more color. The text is short, sweet, and useful. The book will give you a good education and is a worthy addition to your Ducati library.

... it's all illustrated beautifully in color. I bought it used here for $$$ and would gladly have paid new price. Of all the books I've read on Ducati, this one was the only one to tell it like it is regarding the poor business practices of the Italians and the shoddy build quality of Ducati motorcycles. A fresh perspective that wasn't sugar coated or mired in myth. Truly a great read, or worth it for the pictures alone.

This book is an excellent addition to the library of any motorcycle enthusiast, especially Ducati. But anyway, it has very good photos and very interesting text.