You know how the DeLorean Time Machine came back from the future as a futuristic, high-tech machine? Well, the Ducati 821 Bespoke Commission by motorcycle builder/customizer Bandit9 is kind of like that. It looks like someone took a Ducati Monster 821 into the future and brought it back. It’s all so futuristic looking. Never mind that it’s still a gas-guzzler—not electric or powered by Mr. Fusion—but man, this thing looks incredible.
Originally a one-of-none commission by a rider, this beautiful two-wheeler that money can buy features components that have been redesigned and hand-fabricated. The most striking design feature is, of course, the Bandit9 unibody design, which boasts a two-tone finish: hand-polished aluminum that seemingly melts into a race ABS/carbon fiber rear. The coolest part, IMHO, is the single beam taillight seamlessly integrated into the latter.
It’s not just the “melting” of sections together that makes this ride a head-turner—it’s the flow, which looks like a horizontally racing teardrop that screams, “Look at me! I’m fast!” And then there’s the headlight, which could easily be missed. Taking cues from MotoGP, the headlight has been designed and positioned like performance air intakes—sitting low and central beneath the fairing. The LED headlight is a custom job, and so are the accompanying DRL, signals, and brake light.
Other customizations include polished aluminum fork covers, custom foot pegs and rear controls, single-sided swingarm, custom integrated exhaust and muffler, aluminum-milled gas cap, high-density polyurethane foam seat, custom mirrors, custom fenders, and even polished screws.
Shoved inside the custom tubular steel trellis and cast aluminum frame of this Tron-like bike is an 821cc 8v V-twin motor producing 110 bhp and 76.8 lb-ft of torque, which affords this 175 kg (386 lbs) shiny beast a 0-60 mph time of just 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 201 km/h (125 mph). It has a 16L tank offering around 145 miles of range.
Handling is via a set of non-adjustable 43 mm Sachs forks at the front and a preload/rebound adjustable single rear Sachs. Stopping power comes from 2x 320 mm discs paired with 4-piston Brembo monoblock radial calipers at the front, and a 245 mm single disc with a Brembo caliper at the rear. Both ends benefit from ABS—MotoGP ABS, if I might add. Rounding up the key specs are 120/70 x 17 front and 180/55 x 17 rear tires.
The Bandit9 Ducati 821 Bespoke Commission is practically art on two wheels—from both a design and engineering perspective. The best part? It’s a ride money can buy. The asking price is a pretty steep US$44,900—but that’s kinda expected. There is a catch, though: it’s limited to just 9 units worldwide. It’s available for pre-order as we speak, so you may want to act fast if you want one.
Images: Bandit9.
