Ducati has had a Supersport in their line-up since most of us have been riding, and the 1990’s were good years for the SS with excellent chassis, Brembo brakes, Showa suspension and the easy air-cooled desmodue. This example has miles, and though the owner went lightly on upgrades, maintenance is up to date.
1996 Ducati 900SS/CR for sale on eBay
The carburetted era was winding down at Ducati but the 900SS still sports 38mm Mikunis, helping deliver 85 hp, pretty good for a two-valve air cooled engine. Components were in a sweet spot as well, with dual 320mm disks, inverted forks and lightweight if not quiet dry clutch. A good-sized pillion is available under the beauty cover, and the cafe racer fairing insures easy access for maintenance and cleaning.
This owner has made a few nice mods with the alloy swingarm and wider rear wheel, looks like an updated monoshock though it isn’t mentioned. The oil change schedule has a seasonal sound, so likely not too many recent miles, and for that odometer it looks phenomenal. Generously photographed, there’s also video of – startup – and – walkaround – ( better soundtrack on the startup ). From the eBay auction:
1996 Ducati 900SS with 35,146 miles. Meticulously maintained. Very clean. Always stored indoors (inside basement shop). Oil and filter changed every 500 miles or so. Valve adjusted 34,235. Belts replaced, new Ferodo clutch plates, brakes/clutch bled 34,934. This is basically an SP model (sans the carbon fiber and remote reservoirs) with CR bodywork. Showa 41mm usd 3-way adjustable forks. Aluminum SP swingarm. 5.5″ rear wheel. Regina chain. 41t rear sprocket. Adjustable brake and clutch levers. Napoleon bar-end mirror. Stock exhaust and cans (though mildly jetted to accept slip-ons). Updated (2001+) clutch slave cylinder and rod. Vented 1/2 clutch cover. Lightly tinted windscreen. New Yuasa YTX20HL-BS High Performance AGM battery. Did I mention how clean this bike was?
The later Supersports had a tough row to hoe, second fiddle to the superbikes with the new Monsters breathing down their corner of the showroom. Only a few hundred were imported in ’97-98, and Pierre Terblanche provided a re-styled SS for 1999. Though there is a reserve on this auction, this SS/CR should still be a down payment-sized entry into the sportbike affliction.
-donn
this will be a great way for someone to have the ducati experience without shelling out beau-coup bucks.
I recently bought 96 900SS Sp. It has less miles, but ratty as hell, nowhere near as clean as this one. I definitely overpaid for it, too, but that’s fine, it’s mine and I’m in a process of refreshing up right now. Still, this one is wicked nice.
I still have my 93 750SS. It was affordable to buy, it’s cheap to run, and it makes all the right noises while still looking gorgeous to my eyes. Not to mention it’s been far more reliable than I expected.
Every year I consider selling it and then I go ride it a few times. What am I going to replace it with that will provide that much enjoyment for so little paid…
dc
Engine is not original.
@motoservizio: Why do you say that?
3 phase alt.
“3 phase alt.” Busted!
Sorry, can someone explain the significance of “3 phase alt” on these bikes to a newbie. Thanks in advance!
A three phase alternator has three sets of windings and is more efficient than a single phase. Ducati went to three phase alternators on later air-cooled engines, leading the other posters to suspect an engine swap. Not sure how they’re identified from the case though…
Got it. Thanks very much!