added. The adjustable steering head also allowed geometry changes to the steel tube trellis frame making it suitable for different riding styles or race tracks. 996 R In 2001 Ducati introduced the limited production (only 500 were built), 996 R, the suffix standing for ‘Racing’, which featured Öhlins suspension (rear and front), carbon fiber bodywork, a revised and more streamlined fairing, but most importantly the newly redesigned engine, the Testastretta (narrow-head) which actually displaced 998cc. The engine got its name from the narrower angle between the intake and exhaust valves, down to only 25 degrees, which was designed by Ing. Marchetti, coming from Ferrari F1. It featured more aggressive camshafts, titanium conrods and a shorter stroke and wider bore, which allowed it to rev more safely at high RPMs. It produced 98.5 kW (136 bhp) at 10,200 RPM with a maximum torque of 105 Nm at 8000 RPM. Most of the chassis was the same as the 996 SPS, but using a new Brembo braking system, with thinner discs and 4-pad, 4-pot calipers with 34mm pistons. A Ducati 996 R was featured in The Matrix Reloaded. Final updates Ducati updated the bike with Öhlins front forks, which featured a titanium nitride coating on the stanchions to minimise friction. An aluminum rear subframe and other detail modifications reduced the bike's weight even further. References Dowds, Alan (2005). Superbikes: The World's Greatest Bikes. Silverdale Books. . Falloon, Ian (2005). Standard Catalog Of Ducati Motorcycles 1946-2005. Krause Publications. External links Ducati 996 SBK at Ducati.com Heritage. 996 Sport bikes Motorcycles introduced in 1999