The Ducati 860, 900 and Mille Bible: 860, 900 & Mille All Models 1975 to 1986 - Tapa dura

Review by Ian Kerr for inter-bike.co.uk, 2008 UK biker website What can you say about any book written by Ian Falloon, other than it does exactly what it says it will do, give you lots of information in a very readable style and you never end up disappointed. In 2006 Fallon (and Veloce publishing) gave us the 'Ducati 750 Bible, ' now two years on he has turned his attention to the larger machines. You could of course argue that this book is purely for the owner of these now iconic motorcycles. However, like many of his books, despite it giving all the facts and figures an owner requires, it still ends up as a good, general read as well. You learn about the development, the people behind it and the racing heritage. Twenty-plus books to his credit, the Antipodean motorcycle historian knows how to put across the story, helped by using superb color and period black and white plates to illustrate the text. Even if you have owned one of these bikes, or just read every word about a particular bike you have lusted after, such as the Hailwood Replica, you will still learn a lot from the 160 pages. A with all Veloce publications it is a top quality hardback that is well worth the $59.95 cover price. great ... a pretty reliable, does-what-it-says-on-the-tin, reference, Benzina

The bevel-drive 860 and 900 was one of the most significant motorcycles of the late 1970s, providing a unique combination of power and handling that was unequaled by other motorcycles at the time. When Italian car stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro penned the 860GT in 1973 few would have believed it would evolve into one of the greatest Ducati line-ups of all time. The square-case 860 become the legendary 900 Super Sport, Darmah and eventually the Mike Hailwood replica, built to honour Hailwood's spectacular comeback victory at the Isle of Man in 1978. The square-case Ducati engine eventually lasted more than a decade, sustaining the company through a downturn in the early 1980s. This book covers every incarnation of this great model, from the first 860 through until the final Mille. Illustrated with 200 pictures and with complete appendices of technical specifications this book is a must have for any motorcycle aficionado.