In this week’s Speed Read, we’re looking at a Ducati 749 from Romania, a two-stroke KTM flat tracker from the UK, and a Husqvarna 400 Cross that’s just been put back into action. Plus one of our all-time favorite Ducati cafe racers is up for sale, and we close off with a moto and surf film from New Zealand.
Buckle up!

Ducati 749 by Dan Iluta Based in Transylvania, Romania, Dan Iluta’s an economist who also happens to be a big MotoGP fan. And, by extension, a Ducati fan too. Since there’s no Ducati dealership where he lives, he sourced this 749 via a shop in Bucharest?and then proceeded to customize it incrementally, over a three-year period.
The first round of upgrades was done by the workshop in Bucharest, before Dan even took delivery. It included a teardown, motor rebuild, changes to the suspension, a single-sided swingarm from a 996 and Marchesini wheels. Dan went to Bucharest to break it in on the track, and then booked it in again?this time for a software upgrade.
About a year later, Dan decided to change up the Ducati’s aesthetics as well. So he pulled in his friend and painter, Radu Asanache, to pen a fresh design for the 749. Using traditional tools, the guys formed up a new headlight nacelle, fuel tank and tail section from aluminum sheeting. It’s a killer silhouette that takes classic lines, and infuses just a hint of modern aggression.
Other tweaks include a new subframe, custom-made foot pegs and grips, and a one-...