I'm looking at getting a carby (91-97) Ducati 900ss. My lust just can't be restrained anymore. I'll have to let a bike go unfortunately, I'm a bit Guzzi heavy at the mo, so I think I'm going to pick one.
Anybody have experience with these Ducs?
Ive ridden one, almost bought one way back. would still get one if i found one at right time/place/price.. ducati > guzzi. you know what to do. :bacon:
That bike in red is one of the sexiest bikes I have ever seen.
Yeah. They sure are sexy.
@M, I'm struggling ditching my lone FI bike. You only get one spin round though, right?
i fail to see the struggle here.
:whatever:
:whistle:
Two strokes and Italian bikes! Strength in numbers!
The 90s Ducs are better than :bacon: I've been lusting after an 851/888 for years.
And they sound almost as good as a two stroke ;)
Quote from: SoCal250 on November 09, 2020, 02:57:02 PM
The 90s Ducs are better than :bacon: I've been lusting after an 851/888 for years.
And they sound almost as good as a two stroke ;)
yep. you can hear them and know what they are before you see them.
My personal opinion is that the 900SS, till '96, was a high water mark in the land o' motorcycling.
The last Duc with any Taglioni in them.
I currently own a '93, done up like a CR. Used to own a '95
From memory:
The later frames would crack up by the steering head.
The early aluminum swing arms would crack
Be sure the heads are stamped "V2"
You'll want an aftermarket clutch, the stock one weighs a ton ana half. The Barnett setup offers a "quiet" clutch with a thicker steel plate that gets rid of the AWFUL rattle
"Desmo" isn't that hard to deal with, and is a waste of time and effort...but HEY that's what makes it a Duc RIGHT?
But I think Ducatis are one of the easiest bikes to work on... not two stroke easy but I would rather do the valves on a Desmo than a shim on bucket I4.
All the horror stories you've heard about Ducati servicing were about the bevels. The 'rubber duckies" are dead simple.
If you've never ridden one of these: they're NOT fast or powerful. These are traditional Ducatis: one of the lightest, best handling bikes available, that are just insanely easy to ride... which makes them a LOUSY street bike and a potent track weapon.
i agree, maintenance is a breeze. (and most of the other stuff he said too). :toot:
My advise is get one! If it comes with Keihin FCR flatslides and open slip- ons, then it is even better.
For good technical info go to: www.bikeboy.org
For the top Ducati guru in Germany, go to: www.ducati-kaemna.de
And for super nice custom built Ducatis, google Walt Siegl. Pure porn.
It's not looking like the deal is going down. But if anybody knows of a nice rider 900ss or a 900 monster (v2 heads of course) near southern Wisconsin. Let me know.
If you want one looked at in the Twin Cities message me. I used to own a 900SS SP and currently own a Bimota which uses the 900SS motor. I've got a number of Ducatis and am pretty familiar with these. I also know pretty much all the service techs in the area and if they've serviced the bike I can usually get their take on the bike.
Awfully nice offer Ray. I grew up in the Twin Cities and have people out there, so i may hit you up on that offer.
I've got a local shop that does a lot of Duc work that is trying to do a Johnny Cash special 900ss for me with all there shelf stock.... we'll see.
Quote from: Czakky on November 12, 2020, 12:30:22 PM
Awfully nice offer Ray. I grew up in the Twin Cities and have people out there, so i may hit you up on that offer.
I've got a local shop that does a lot of Duc work that is trying to do a Johnny Cash special 900ss for me with all there shelf stock.... we'll see.
If building one from parts, look for later model wheels and brake discs. There is some unsprung weight to be saved there.
The 900SS is why I am 'DesmoDrew" (a nickname given to me by friends). Bought a new one in 1992. Paid $8k (a huge sum at the time) The first bike I ever had to get a loan for. First 'motorcycle' loan my bank ever did. Banks loaning for motorcycles was uncommon at the time, since it was before the Harley/mid life crisis/ I want to be a 'biker', craze took off for all the middle age dip-shits, and banks started to capitalize on that.
A few thoughts:
*If you can find an 'SP', get it. Has some genuine (period) World Superbike spec parts on it. Brake calipers, cast iron brake rotors, carbon fiber.
*Kiehin FCR carbs are a MUST. The Mikuni CVs work well, but FCRs are as close to fuel injection as you can get.
*Get one if you can. They are the best example of an air-cooled Ducati you can get, and bulletproof!
I'm still waiting to hear back from a local shop that does land speed stuff with Ducs and therefore has a huge parts supply. They are going to essentially sell me everything I need to roll my own. Hopefully I'll be able to afford some of the tastier bits but at this time it's about having a rolling, working bike and a cool project for the winter. FCRs are at the top of the list although they are ridiculously expensive!
The frustrating thing about these bikes is the frame crack issue.... That does dampen my enthusiasm a bit.
Thanks for the input guys.
Add me to the list of SS fans. Rode one once, never owned but always admired. Hope you can make it happen and tell us all about it. Good luck!
Coincidentally there's a low-mile SP on Bring a Trailer right now
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1996-ducati-900-supersport-ss-sp-7/ (https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1996-ducati-900-supersport-ss-sp-7/)
Will watch. Any volunteers to pick it up for me? Ha!
dead center of the country. Used to live out in that area. Plan for a boring ass drive :eek:
455 miles from me. After van rental, hotel, etc cheaper to ship it.
:vroom: ride it home! ;D
Ya, I own Ray's old 900 SSSP. Fine bike. Added a 888 SPO to the mix a few years later. I like 2 stroke kawis and Suzuki's in half of my garage, and Ducati's in the other. Have a 78 Ducati too. Give me a L twin anyday over an in-line 4. :celebrate:
Agreed! How about some pics?
Let's see what I got........888SPO
Details....Bevel Darmah
900SSSP and Vespa. Horse needs a duck..........I know, I know.
888SPO for the win!
Hey everyone. Happy New Year!
This came up on the local craiglist. It seems like there is quite a bit of knowledge out there on these 900ss.
https://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/mcy/d/honolulu-ducati-supersport-ss900/7255973195.html
How was this year? Any info. would be helpful.
Thanks
The later FI 900ss seem a bit less collectible. They have different cams (more high hp less mid), the styling is polarizing. I don't mind the styling I think they look better in person. $1600 is a steal if it's as good as it looks.
Thanks for the information.
I emailed this guy yesterday. I was hoping to go look at it today. The person has not responded to the email yet.
Yesterday there was a phone # and an email option. I just looked again for the phone # and it is not listed anymore, just the email. Not sure what that means, if anything.
Thanks again for your response.
Russ