As lovely as that resto is I've always found the 860's styling a little err... odd. Different strokes & each to their own mind.
I couldn't remember which one you had, I thought - surely it's not the V raptor?! I might as well give you a spade!
I don't think all 860s looked a bit odd. This was my 1976 860GTS fitted with Conti silencers and Laverda bars.
Just seen this again as I got a like for it. Just want to be absolutely clear that, despite the picture being taken in Kent, that is not a cross of St George on my screen.
I love a matte black bike. Ducati definitely nailed it with the aesthetics of the OG Panigale, which IMO, is the best looking bike they've ever made.
It has to be said that I also though the rear end stylistic shenanigans were awful which is why I shed no tears when selling that bit of 'fairing' on. And it does look a darn sight better without it.
Yeah, as you say that looks so much better with Contis along with it's lower bars, colour scheme, steel mudguards and oem seat. It was a style they did still drop for the subsequent Darmah mind. Although that did have a small nod to pretension what with it's tiger logo... grrr
It was an 860 GT I found in California and seems like in order to shift stock the original supplying dealer added stainless front and rear mudguards and the GTS style tank to a number of their original unsold bikes. It was a great thing to ride, kind of like a Harley without the stigma I suppose, but weighed as much as a small moon. The weight was a factor in getting out of the bevel twins. Delighted to have had the opportunity to enjoy them but when that time was done I was at peace with letting them find new homes.