Testastretta engine, hand tuned in this homologation special. Sporting the new Testicular engine, the R is the next step on from the SPS and produced for homologation of the factory racers in WSB. Suspension is improved and the bike is lighter, but the big news is the Testastretta motor. It's a short stroke design, upped slightly to 998cc, larger valves with narrower valve angles, and more compact cylinder heads. These mods allow the engine to rev more freely and punt out an extra 12bhp.

Suspension is upgraded, with full Öhlins kit now front and rear, which helps handling but doesn't do much for comfort - this is a homologation race special after all.

Weight saving is achieved with copious use of carbon fibre for main fairing panels and trim, plus magnesium wheels and a shave off the motor and the front brake discs. Steering is a shade sharper, helped by the lighter front end, but still on the slow side compared with modern Japanese fours.

Lift the seat and you'll notice the computer's gone. It's now small enough to squeeze under the right fairing panel, so you've lots of room in the back for sarnies - though they'll be toasted sarnies after a ride thanks to the underseat exhaust.

So is it worth £17,000? Probably not, but if you're a Ducati fan and want the top dog model then this is the one to get - unless you like the looks of the new 996 replacement. Perhaps it'll grow on us ...

John liked his 996R so much he chopped it in for a GSXR600 - seems the Duke couldn't steer quickly enough for his liking. Going from the gruntmaster booming twin to a screaming four with the torque of a Magimix was a revelation too far for John and it all ended with a '03 Gixer 1000.