2019 Ducati MIG-RR E-Mountain Bike First Look

Among the variety of new models Ducati announced at this year's EICMA show in Italy, which included some immensely powerful machines like the new Panigale V4 R, Hypermotard 950 SP, and Diavel 1260, a more modest two-wheel revelation was made. The Ducati MIG-RR, an e-mountain bike made in collaboration with Thok Ebikes.

For many riders and racers, mountain biking is the perfect cross-training activity to strengthen abilities on the motorcycle. So it seems a natural fit that a motorcycle manufacturer, particularly one that emphasizes a familial bond through ownership, would seek to make an impact in this area. Ducati devotees may well now be in the market for an electronic mountain bike, simply because it exists.

Thok itself is fairly new, founded in 2016, but its effort to expand mountain biking to those lacking strength to pedal in arduous terrain seems to be working. It has a list of people involved with the company, at the very least. Co-owner and founder Stefano Migliorini is a multitime world champion in bicycle racing; Livio Suppo, former Honda MotoGP team boss, is friends with Migliorini and, according to the website, introduced Migliorini to the e-MTB world.

Aldo Drudi, designer for numerous MotoGP liveries, helmet designs, and other motorcycle apparel, had a hand in designing the Thok MIG, the bike that serves as base for Ducati's new offering. And then for good measure they wrangled up multiple championship-winning trials rider Toni Bou, to have him sample the MIG, and he liked it so much that he's officially vouched for the bike and now has a limited-edition Thok MIG made in his honor.

The Ducati MIG-RR was designed by Drudi and Ducati’s Design Center team, and it differs slightly from the base-model MIG. It’s not different wheel diameters and suspension set up to make a more effective enduro-style mountain bike. There’s Fox Factory Kashima suspension components, carbon-fiber Renthal handlebars, Mavic wheels, Shimano Saint brakes, and 11-speed Shimano XT gearset along with a Shimano Steps E8000 motor. The battery is set low on the downtube for better weight distribution. It’s a pedal-assist setup so you’ll still have to do some work, just not quite as much as with an old-fashioned getup.

Ducati plans to distribute the MIG-RR throughout Europe in dealerships starting in spring 2019, or you can order one sooner from Ducati’s website starting January 2019.