Seeking to continue the excitement on the SuperSport side of the showroom as well as try carbon fiber components on a limited production model, Ducati introduced the Superlight in 1992. Though just a few gallons of fuel lighter than a standard 900 SS, the Superlight had some nice tweaks, flashy colors, and a neat name.…
A feature of the marque since 1974, the Ducati SuperSport provides a great deal of sporting performance at a nice price point. While many if not most Ducati SuperSports have been updated from their budget-conscious factory specs, the 1997 model presented here has been well cared for and garaged to boot. 1997 Ducati 900 SS…
Back to a more classic Ducati Superbike look after the 999 years, the 1098 revitalized sales and led to a WSBK win and Bayliss replica. The -S model has upmarket dampers, exhaust, and wheels, and the EVO testastretta engine and revised cooling system were welcome updates. Nicely farkled, this 1098S looks ready for a boat…
BMW developed three variants of their HP model – enduro, sport, and motard, in that order. Each has the 4-valve 1170 cc engine, blue trellis frame, and two-bike price tag – but strangely without BMW’s Telelever front suspension. The Megamoto is more similar to the enduro, with the step-stool-required seat height but smaller front wheel…
The Paso was more revolutionary than evolutionary, with square-tubing frame, full bodywork, and two-barrel Weber carburetor. Despite reviewing well, the Webers had some rideability issues, and the love-it-or-hate-it styling as well as the import price stranded the bikes in the showroom. With sales under a thousand per year, the bikes are now a rarity and…
After bringing Moto Guzzi under the Aprilia umbrella in 2000, the company’s depth was a great help to Guzzi, and build quality improved within the year. The V11 Le Mans was introduced in 2001, the recipient of many special parts and paint schemes. Offered by a Mass. dealer, this example was stored since the buyer…
Aprilia brought the RSV Mille to the superbike segment in 1998, and while sales numbers weren’t high, it was their flagship, the dream bike of 50/125/250cc Aprilia riders the world over. They pursued WSBK with the SP variant, and updated the fairing and narrowed the tank for 2001. With 128 ponies on tap, and nice…
In the Ducati line-up from 1974-2007, the SuperSport has often been the sportiest Ducati, but more lately the second-sportiest. Using the air-cooled Desmodue when the SuperBikes had radiators and four valve heads, and often available in smaller displacements, the SuperSports often had half-fairings and a corner of the showroom away from the window. This SS…