Not my cup of tea but someone will pay up I’m guessing. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2002-ducati-998-4/
Comments are fun. Apparently, marchesini wheels are really brembo wheels if you leave the stickers off….
I worked for Seattle area Ducati main dealers in the late 90’s/early 00’s. About then certain new duc superbikes started arriving with beautiful 5-spoke wheels that said “Marchesini”. We were all impressed! The spokes had this odd relief cut. The finish was very smooth compared to the mag Marchesini wheels we were familiar with. None of that dampened our enthusiasm. Finally it became clear that these new fangled 5-spokers were hardly any lighter than the classic 3’s. When I saw the “Brembo” insignia cast in to the back side of the spokes my reality was ruined. The story we were told at the time was Ducati or Brembo paid Marchesini a licensing fee to have that sticker on there and make a lookalike albeit heavier cast road wheel. Thats probably not even close to what the real explanation was but the story has stuck with me for 2 decades. Yes I am aware that now Marchesini is a subsidiary of Brembo. I associate the name “Marchesini” with true lightweight wheels made for racing. The Brembo-made Marchesini-stickered 5-spokers that came on a 996, 998, 748S-R etc always seemed like pretenders to me.
I certainly wouldn't change the original factory format on my motorcycles, but each to their own and can appreciate the art & time frame form on any individuals bike.
Thanks Sev ^ had involvement with Homologation many times, but never on a Ducati, so an interesting read, will take at least two cups of Tea to take it all on board though.
