A little something to brighten your day, this very yellow Ducati 900SS is pretty hard to miss: sell it to your significant other as a “safety feature” when trying to justify a purchase. Very few bikes look good in this color but I think the early to mid-1990s 900SS is one of them. In fact, I actually prefer it in yellow to the more traditional red, especially with a half-fairing fitted.
The SS was Ducati’s bread and butter during this era, keeping the lights on while the 851 and 916 stole headlines. This particular iteration of the SuperSport was built from 1991 through 1998 and powered by the belt-drive Pantah engine, versions of which live on in today’s air-cooled Ducatis. And honestly, considering the number of parts that swap between the air-cooled and early liquid-cooled bikes, I wonder how much Pantah DNA lives on in the Panigale…
The two-valve Desmo v-twin may be safe to an indicated 9,000rpm, but that redline is largely decorative unless the engine’s been breathed on: with a power peak of 80hp claimed at a car-like 6,400rpm, these tend to have a strong midrange, but quickly run out of breath on top. Ironic for sure, considering that the desmodromic valvetrain’s claim to fame is a lack of springs that prevents high rpm float…
From the original eBay listing: 1997 Ducati 900SS for Sale
1997 Ducati 900 SS Low Miles only 9980 Miles
New head gasket, new lines, oil flush, battery.
Factory Standard Equipment Includes:
Aftermarket Racing Carburetor
Marzocchi Suspension
Brembo Brakes
Single Shock Absorber
Tubular Trellis Frame
Brambo Wheels
The seller also helpfully posted a cold start and walk-around video on YouTube, which features a good shot of the top yoke and the plaque that indicates this is a genuine “SP” version of the bike.
I’m really not sure if an “aftermarket racing carburetor” can also be classified as “factory standard equipment” or what that really means: when new, these were fitted with a pair of 38mm Mikuni carburetors. Generally thought to be jetted very lean to comply with emissions requirements, it’s very common to install a jet kit to richen things up a bit. Many folks also install a pair of 39 or 41mm FCR flat-slide carbs, depending on the bike’s state of tune. A pricey option for sure but, aside from the loss of a choke lever, the flat-slide carbs offer up a noticeable performance improvement. I’m not sure which option is in place but here, since the bike appears otherwise stock, I’d assume he’s simply referring to the original “high performance” items…
This bike isn’t absolutely pristine, with some scuffing and dents on the exhaust and some grit and grime and a bit of faded carbon fiber. But these have been very affordable for a long time now and they offer humane ergonomics, good wind-protection, and can be very reliable when properly cared for, so it’s getting difficult to find them with such low mileage. This one has enough mileage on it to guarantee it’s not just been sitting in a shed its whole life, and those cosmetic issues should be easy to rectify with a quick trip to eBay. Or just put the old, worn bits in a box for the next guy, and slap on a set of Staintune pipes and some fresh carbon bits, then go riding! Honestly, for the prices these currently command, they really do represent a real bargain and an ideal way to affordable Ducati ownership.
-tad
As someone who’s owned two 1990’s Ducati 900SS’s, I’ll offer some advice based on experience. While Tad’s comments and overview on the model are accurate, I’d never consider this particular example no matter the mileage or how cheap it may seem.
Why? In one word- condition. 1990’s Ducatis demand care, attention, and maintenance or they quickly go downhill in appearance and mechanically . This poor example has obviously been unloved and neglected- look closely at the pictures on eBay and it’s quite apparent. The level of corrosion everywhere (how bad is it under the fairings?) and dirt, filth, dented exhausts, repaired right front seat corner, missing left rear signal lens speak volumes about how this SS has been cared for. Keihin flatslides and ported/polished heads, and replaced the head gaskets? Great. But not a word about documented maintenance, records, receipts, proof. That’s way more important than any speed modifications.
My advice to friends is to buy any used Ducati in the proven best condition you can find, not the cheapest one- because the cheapest one will be the most expensive Ducati you’ll ever own.
I like this bike, I think this Ducati generation has the looks and decent power to satisfy most enthusiasts. I think they could be had for less than $3k and I find that a very good price for what bike has to offer. I see lots of so called custom/cafe, chopped and customized junks Wanna be part of the cafe racer cult and often wonder why not buying a bike like this one? A little bit of work and money and get yourself a timeless air cooled Ducati, just my opinion. Good luck with the sale.
Cip- this thing is located 20 minutes away from you, and you seem impressed by it… and look -it’s cheap! Can we then assume that you’re going to go ahead and buy it? Good luck to you, my friend.
I own a ’92 and I agree with Sixthgear that this one looks tired. The finish on this era of Ducatis is horrible and unless the bike has spent its whole life in a climate controlled room they corrode easily. The coating on the cases falls off and the fasteners corrode. You can spend a long time and a lot of money trying to make them pretty again. It should make about $3000 but any more would be well sold.
Ok no,my stable I full, was just thinking out loud I guess, I am a sucker for cheap good projects and take it as a challenge to make them look like new, I would turn this tired bike into a show piece over one weekend. I have no interest buying, wanted to chime in, that’s all.
seems to be in reasonable condition for the current price range. square deal all around for the buyer and seller, gl on the auction both parties will be pleased imo
Sold for $3619. Great bike for the money.
I own a 1996 900SS/SP, bone stock except for period Arrow carbon pipes, and jetting. It is a great bike. Really super fun, super comfortable bike with all the power needed to go out and have fun. Do the maintenance, change the belts, keep it garaged/covered in sunny SoCal when not in use, and you’re golden. Yeah, the finish gets old, but so do we!
I can’t emphasize enough: Really, Really Fun Bike.
Plus, even among Ducati’s it has a very distinctive exhaust note – last of that amazing, lopy, lumpy, bumpy, super-thumpy, thumping sound – you can hear it a block away – sight unseen – satnding on your front porch, and you know just from the sound, exactly what it is you are about to see – way before it ever gets in view – but when it does, you’ll still stand there silently, listening, shushing your kid or wife with your hand, just to look (and watch it go by) – just because you know THAT sound.
“WHUM-BUPPA, WHUM-BUPPA, WHUM-BUPPA, WHUM . . . . . .”
Was the oil a quart low?
i had a 97. worst bike i’ve ever owned, and by far. everytime i took it out something broke, literally. and was a 1 owner, cared for, socal bike its whole life. i once calculated what every ride cost me, no matter how long or short…drumroll please…$150 bucks.
Tony- I can believe that. Get the wrong used Ducati, and you’ll be understandably soured on them forever. Get a good one that’s been taken care of, and you’ll love them for life. You bought one under near ideal circumstances, should have been good to go, and still had a nightmare on your hands. Imagine the chances the buyer is taking on this obviously neglected and poorly stored example- I wonder if he inspected it in person before bidding, or just bought it sight unseen. That would be really foolish. Would love to hear how it works out in the next few months.
Is funny, all the rare bikes listed here have flaws and shortcomings, some are listed for unreasonably prices and sellers get killed for it but the reliable, problems free bikes are not welcomed because too generic and lame, quite a predicament I find myself when trying to figure the merit of being listed here. Am I wrong?