This next car comes as a tip from Hugh who writes: This is a pretty amazing bike, a Ducati tuned to be slow and reliable for the Swiss army. Cheap too! Find this 1972 Ducati Condor A350 Swiss Military Motorcycle offered for $3,500 here on eBay buy-it-now in Middletown, RI.
In 2015, Ducati reached back to its past and revived the Scrambler name for a retro bike they call an "Urban Enduro", or something you might be able to ride on an unpaved forest road, but not much farther off the pavement. The original 1960s Ducati Scrambler was a bike in a similar purpose. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Find this 1969 Ducati Scrambler for sale in Portland, OR for $8,000 via craigslist.
In the late 1960's and early 1970's, the sport of motocross and the off-road motorcycle market was on fire. The big four plus the nuts at Hodaka from Japan along with niche Europeans Bultaco and Husqvarna were selling dirt bikes like gang busters. The American importer of Ducati convinced the Italians back in The Old Country to build a purpose-built MX-er. They came up with the 450 RT Desmo. Find this 1971 Ducati 450RT for sale in Spokane, WA for $7,900 via craigslist.
The British came up with the Cafe Racer in the late 50's blending American Rockabilly with the British pub culture. Rockers or Ton-Up Boys tricked out their Triumphs and BSA's in the spirit of Isle of Man racers and challenged each other to "do the ton". They would drop a 45 Rockabilly single in the jukebox, run out of the pub, race up to 100 mph and then try to get back before the record finished. The cafe style died out in the 1970's but has made a comeback with a vengeance at the turn of the century with even continental brands such as Ducati has adopting the style. Find this 2007 Ducati SportClassic Biposto for sale in Bothell, WA for $12,100 via craigslist.
If I say Italian motorcycle, chances are the first word that springs to mind is Ducati. Sure, there are other Italian brands like Moto Guzzi and MV Agusta to name a couple, but Ducati is what most people think when they think two wheels and Italy - and its just so much fun to say with an Italian accent. Find this 1973 Ducati 750 GT for sale in Half Moon Bay, CA for $26,000 via craigslist.