Nevertheless, after a few clunky shifts, the sounds eventually became rather reassuring.The rear suspension is adjustable for preload and features a progressive direct linkage. The “clunks” from shifting were amplified and transmitted throughout the bike by the stiff trellis frame. Furthermore, the transmission was a bit notchy.

The clutch required acclimation, but even when broken in, we still found it grabby. However, we attribute this more to the small shift lever in conjunction with the aforementioned heavy boots and lazy up-shifts than a design flaw. The transmission exhibited some unique characteristics, namely, the transmission would occasionally shift into a false neutral.

The shift lever is particularly small, but this did not seem to cause problems unless the rider was wearing obscenely heavy boots. What is not odd for a Ducati is the off-pivot design of both the transmission shift lever and the rear brake. While this may seem odd for a sportbike, it is not close-ratio and it takes advantage of the power band that the Desmo twin delivers. The engine is linked to a five-speed gearbox. Notice the forward pivoting rear brake lever, forward canted engine and trellis frame.

1999 ducati supersport 750 0 60