Posts by tag: 900SS

Ducati July 18, 2021 posted by William

Generational Shift Ducati Super Sport

As time marches on, everything changes. People age, tastes change and new generations enter the motorcycle hobby. Here at RSBFS there are always a plethora of clean first generation Ducati SS bikes. Many have waxed poetic about the sound, simplicity and beautiful ownership experience. It really is hard not to love them, and it is easy to see why finding a good example is hard at any price point. As with most collectable motorcycles it seems that prices are on a constant trajectory up.

2000 Ducati Super Sport on eBay

But what drives that at the core? Is it stories about what Hunter S Thompson thought about the bike or is it a long lasting personal connection to the vehicle? Lets face it, the people that lusted after the first generation SuperSport are at an age where their bodies might not let them enjoy a sports bike any more. We are seeing a new breed of people entering into the hobby and they have a stronger connection to the often overlooked second generation Ducati SS.

Seller’s Comments From eBay:

This is an Extremely Clean, Great Looking, and Running 900ss. Paint, Tires, Chain, Brakes, and everything on the bike is excellent ready to go with many extras. New timing belts 1 yr ago. Marelli Fuel injection trouble free. Bar ends have been flipped for more comfort. Can be easilly flipped back if preferred. This is one of the simple, easy to maintain Ducatis. No red key nonsense. Just push the button, and go.

The example here appears to be in above average shape. It is a latter model with the fuel injection, but still retains that iconic dry clutch. The pictures reveal an aftermarket exhaust that is sure to please the ears. The listing talks about a questionable decision to flip the clip ons for a more comfortable riding position. The new owner would be wise to either replace the bars with an aftermarket riser option, or revert back to stock. It is nice that the bike has had a recent timing belt change

These bikes are a wonderful bargain in the current market. Truly an upgrade over the first in terms of performance and usability. In period many rejected the design aesthetics of Pierre Terblanche, but his bikes have aged very well. Opening bid of $3500 has yet to be made. Results are all over the map with some super low mileage examples pulling large numbers. If you had ever thought about owning one of these bikes, it might be your best time as these are a shoe in for being a future classic.

Ducati July 12, 2021 posted by Mike

Affordable Classic: 1993 Ducati 900 Supersport

We have posted a few Ducati Supersports on RSBFS recently, and there is a good reason for it. As a rider, these are fantastic platforms that give you all the great Ducati vibes and good looks. They are not ultra-fast to be sure, nor are they ultra-refined in terms of creature comforts. These are very basic – and very good – motorcycles that involve the rider in the experience in a manner that few bikes accomplish. And if you are looking at a bike worth holding on to, either to continue to customize and modify with numerous available performance bits or to simply collect and watch it appreciate in value, the 900SS is an affordable entry and willing partner for either plan.

1993 Ducati 900 Supersport for sale on eBay

The Supersport is powered by yet another evolution of the wildly successful Pantah engine. Using toothed rubber belts to drive the 2-valve Desmo system (as opposed to the tower drive and bevel gears in earlier models), the Supersport throbs its way to 80-ish horsepower at the top end. And that top end is not like a Japanese inline four or even a Desmoquattro Superbike wind up rush. Instead, the air cooled twin prefers to ride the fat torque curve more in the middle of the rev range, where skilled riders can make use of the stiff trestle frame and 851 brakes to make swift progress indeed.

From the seller:
Runs and looks great. All original with good service records.

This era Ducati Supersport has much to recommend. Aside from the solid feel and quality construction, the 900SS enjoys a pleasing silhouette – the same which cannot really be said about the follow on design by Pierre Terblanche. The Pantah motor is relatively basic and utterly reliable. Service intervals are reasonable, and a semi-skilled home mechanic can certainly change the belts. Valve adjustments are a bit more tricky in that you need a number of shims on hand, but not beyond the realm of someone armed with calipers, some basic math skills and access to a shop that will sell you the shims you need. At worst the home mechanic can do the fluid service and belts at required intervals and have the local shop run the valves when needed. For exotic Italian exclusivity, ownership is not difficult in any meaningful way.

Today’s bike has traveled a reported 26,000 miles. That is quite a few, but nothing to be concerned about when it comes to longevity. In reality, the key failure point on a Pantah is related to failure to change the belts; with adequate service history this bike is only being broken in. Asking $5,800 in a Buy It Now format auction, this 900 Supersport is a decent buy. However you should compare and contrast with this 1995 Ducati 900 SSCR Featured Listing to see what that sum of money can buy you on the performance upgrade side. Stock (and looking untouched) in this format or performance-tuned in the case of the Featured Listing, you cannot go wrong with a Pantah-engined Ducati Supersport. Check out all of the details here, and Good Luck!!

Ducati June 4, 2021 posted by Mike

Sport of Kings: 1991 Ducati 900 Supersport

The Pantah-powered Ducati 900SS is a stalwart icon in the sport bike world. Devoid of the sewing machine, turbine-like windup of the Japanese inline four competition, the air-cooled, two valve L-twin grunts and booms to a relatively low RPM redline, riding a wave of torque. The trellis chassis is stiff, aiding in handling. Ducati took a page from the dominant 851 and used some of the same components on the Supersport, such as the massive Brembo brakes. The riding position is not too extreme, and the whole package looks timeless. That is a good thing, given that by appearances the 900SS remained relatively unchanged over the model run from 1988 – 2000, even though some tech did change under the covers.

1991 Ducati 900 Supersport for sale on eBay

By the 1990s the Supersport had been solidly supplanted by the mighty 851, however the SS remained true to its original form and intent, providing a lightweight, torquey and simplified (read: raw) riding experience. There is not much in the way of creature comforts on these machines, and while the 80-ish HP is plenty of motivation, it is the lower RPM torque that really shines when riding. Gear selection becomes much less critical than on a two stroke or even a high-strung inline four, and driving off the corners is the Supersport’s forte.

From the seller:
I am relisting this due to an error in the listing on my part. 1991 Ducati 900 SS. This is the first yr for this bodystyle 900, and only yr w/white frame and wheels. It has all the features of the later model 900ss SP model. (Aluminum swingarm, 5.5″ rear wheel and adjustable forks). I bought it 10 yrs ago from the original owner and have put about 500 miles on it only riding to bike nights and shows. In my opinion, this was almost too nice to ride so I bought another and started gathering parts for this one.

More from the seller:
Bike has never been down, painted on or damaged in any way. Upgrades include: Carbon fiber upswept exhaust, K&N air filter, Other Carbon Fiber parts include: Inner rear fender, Clutch cover, Belt covers, Dash surround and front fender. Also added preload adjusters for the forks, steering dampner and tinted windscreen. BIke has been rejetted for filter/pipes and runs perfectly. Also 41t rear sprocket. I also have a Corbin seat for it as well as a solo tail section that has been painted but never mounted and all removed stock bits. Valves adjusted <500 miles ago as well as replacing belts. They still look good but would recommend replacing them before riding much because of their age.

The seller claims a scant 4,960 miles on this beauty, which is a bit of shame. These are great bikes to ride, and as with most things mechanical regular usage helps to keep everything in working order. The seller does note some maintenance that has been completed, but readers should understand that cam belts on Ducatis are a time-based item just as much as miles. This bike does have some performance related farkles added on, which are all reasonably correct mods for the model. The rear sprocket is an especially beneficial upgrade; the factory gearing is way too tall to be useful on the street.

This listing was open for a period of time, and then it was pulled and relisted with the text noting corrections. There are double-digit bids already at the time of writing, and pricing is in the bargain basement territory. There is a reserve in place, so let’s see where this one takes us. The Ducati 900SS has the bones to be one of the all-time greats. It may not be as fast as later Superbikes, it may not be as exclusive as homologation machines, but it remains a fantastic platform and a capable dancing partner. This one looks great and needs a new home. Check out all of the details here, and Good Luck!!

Ducati March 24, 2021 posted by Mike

Desired Duc: 1996 Ducati 900 SS/SP

An affordable way into collecting exotics that you can ride, the Ducati Supersport line is an approachable (and enjoyable) platform on which to begin your journey. Long known for being robust, reliable and a heck of a lot of fun, the Pantah-powered SS models are fairly basic motorcycles that deliver decent performance, great looks and a fantastic soundtrack – without breaking the bank. Today’s example is a 1996 Ducati 900SS SP – the higher spec (and more collectable) of the two seat Supersport models.

1996 Ducati 900 SS/SP for sale on eBay

All Supersports of this era were very, very similar. While introduced with a white frame in 1991, by ’93-’94 all two seater models had a bronze-colored trellis frame, the same 900cc air-cooled, 2-valve Desmo engine with carburetion, a dry clutch and a six speed gearbox. There were a few variations in the line, including full or half fairing, factory carbon bits such as mudguard, adjustable front suspension, aluminum swing arm and wider rear tire. The bikes that had all the options were known as 900SS SP – or Sport Production models – and were affixed with a special headstock plaque indicating such. Think of these as a biposto 900 Superlight, so close are many of the specifications.

From the seller:
Make: Ducati
Model: 900 SS/ SP
Milage: 3562
VIN: ZDM1LC4N4TB021577

For sale is Ducati 900 SS/SP with 3562 miles!!

If not familiar with the SS/SP, some history.
The 1991 Supersports were produced with white chrome molybdenum steel frames and white wheels. The swingarms used needle bearings instead of bushings as in the past. Brakes from the Ducati 851 were used on the Supersport vastly improving braking performance. All new bodywork and a pivoting fuel tank were elegantly shaped.

More from the seller:
The 900 SS/SP (Sport Production) was offered to the North American market only. This model had carbon fiber fenders and clutch cover, sound damping material, adjustable Showa suspension, and an aluminum swingarm.

Displacement: 904.0 ccm
Engine type: V2, Four stroke
Power: 80.0 @ 7000 RPM
Torque: 85.0 Nm @ 6400 RPM
Top Speed 130.5 MPH
Valves per cylinder: 2
Cooling system: Air
Gearbox: 6 Speed
Transmission type final drive: Chain
Dry weight: 410.1 pounds

The bike listed has 3562 miles. Other than a few small issues is in excellent condition (touch up on left mirror, small chip in front fender, paint flaking on left side engine case). bike has been store in a heated room in my collection since purchased. All bodywork and paint is original. No accidents!

Bike will be sold with:
Both sport and regular seat,
Supersport 900 owners manual
(2) keys
Tool kit
Ducati VHS tape

There are few negatives to owning a Supersport. They offer a fair amount of mechanical noise, they vibrate and throb a bit, and the final gearing is very tall making for some interesting clutch work when in traffic. Clutch slave cylinders are usually the first components to fail; replacement is easy and aftermarket options are plentiful. Belt replacement and valve adjustment are probably the biggest deal – the belt change is not difficult on these air cooled motors but the need for shims might make finding a decent Ducati mechanic worthwhile. If you wish to do the work yourself, you will find these are relatively easy bikes to work on. There have been reports of the aluminum swing arm being prone to cracks; this is an area that should be carefully checked.

This very pretty 900SS SP has been housetrained and is looking for a new home. It has some minor mods (Termi cans, the solo tail section, and possibly the brake/clutch lines) but otherwise looks to be stock. It’s nice to see the complete list of what is being offered with the sale, including the original seat. The only real concern I would have is where to find a VHS player to view that Ducati tape! Check out all of the details here, as this is one the Ducati models that will be going up in value in the future. These have been on the cheap side of the market for a long time, but as the well-cared for examples are snapped up, the dwindling stock of good quality bikes will help drive the price curve. Good Luck!!

Ducati November 30, 2020 posted by Tad Diemer

Elemental: 1993 Ducati Superlight #838 for Sale

Until pretty recently, Japanese sportbikes were subjected to a pretty ruthless program of focused evolution, with significant updates to styling and mechanical components every two years. European sportbikes, on the other hand, often hung around well past their sell-by date, and special editions like the Ducati Superlight were often used drum up a bit of interest in a moribund model.

Put simply, the Superlight was a lightly modified 900SS. The engine was bone-stock, but weight was saved through the use of carbon fiber sprinkled here and there and a solo tail section. The biggest performance increase can probably be attributed to a set of Marvic composite wheels that contributed the lion’s share of the 15lbs saved, compared to the stock bike. It wasn’t especially fast then or now, but the 900SS is a simple, charismatic bike with excellent handling.

This particular example looks to be complete, with the lightweight wheels, open clutch, upswept exhaust, and numbered plaque, although the carbon has faded noticeably and the mufflers don’t appear to be original. The bigger issue is the nearly 40,000 on the odometer. That’s no problem for a 900SS, but I can imagine collectors might balk, considering the $9,000 asking price…

From the original eBay listing: 1993 Ducati Superlight #838 for Sale

Limited Edition Number 838. Outstanding condition, and just a bit of weathering, but overall very presentable and nice with 39,767 original miles. In 1992, Ducati took their 900 Supersport and added several choice extras to create a limited edition called the Ducati Superlight – 953 examples were built over 2 years. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, in 1993 they removed almost all the extras, leaving just a fully floating rear brake to differentiate the limited edition from its less exclusive brother. We are proud to have a beautiful example of one of those ’93 models.

It’s easy to see why cynics scoffed at the Superlight a bit at the time it was introduced, since it was basically a just a 900SS with some bolt-on parts that saved a bit of weight. There wasn’t much of the package that was really all that special, other than the numbered plaque and the Ducati DNA already present in the Supersport. Personally, I think these look great, but I’d probably just find a nice yellow 900SS/CR and fit improved suspension so I wouldn’t have to worry about riding a depreciating asset every weekend.

-tad

Elemental: 1993 Ducati Superlight #838 for Sale

Ducati November 14, 2020 posted by Aaron

Featured Listing: 1996 Ducati 900SS/SP

This beautiful 1996 Ducati 900SS/SP is a rare beast, being a yellow half-faired SP. Most of the time, the half-faired bikes were the lesser CR-spec model, which had lower end suspension and just weren’t quite as tasty as the SP. The SP meant you got fully adjustable Showa suspension front and rear, but the 80-ish horsepower engine was unchanged from the CR. The 900 SS/SP was also famously the bike about which Hunter S. Thompson penned the terrified, fawning “Song of the Sausage Creature.”

It’s quaint to think about an 80-horsepower machine invoking the level of terror Thompson expressed, but even in the mid-1990s a powerful motorcycle was a very different thing than it is now, and Ducati’s torquey delivery meant that terrifying velocities were much more easily accessed than they were on a peaky inline four. Theoretically, anyway. The 900SS’s party piece has always been lithe handling, a slim waistline and a certain Italian-ness that makes the big much more than the sum of its bits.

This 900SS/SP has been made even sweeter than stock, with an Ohlins shock replacing the already competent Showa, a gorgeous white powdercoated frame and a low-profile LED taillight to replace the blocky period unit.

According to the seller, whose description was handwritten, the bike was built in 2017 by Moto Motivo in Raleigh, NC. In addition to the Ohlins and the low-profile taillight, it wears carbon fenders and a carbon exhaust, cast aluminum wheels and new Brembo brakes. The seller has added about 1,000 miles since picking it up last year. The bike is on a clean Oregon title, and asking price is $6,200.

Ducati August 17, 2020 posted by Tad Diemer

Featured Listing: 1993 Ducati Superlight for Sale

Update 8.17.2020: This bike has SOLD to an RSBFS reader! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

Putting a numbered plaque and some bling on your moribund sportbike is a time-tested method to generate some buzz. It works especially well if you’re a storied, but slightly skint manufacturer of moribund Italian sportbikes. But parts-bin engineering doesn’t mean the resulting product is necessarily bad, and this Ducati Superlight is proof-positive that the whole can be much more than the sum of the parts.

By 1993, well-heeled sportbike buyers knew that the 916 was right around the corner, and the then-current 888 offered much more performance potential. But that finicky, uncomfortable, and maintenance-intensive machine wasn’t necessarily practical, or all that much good on the road. Assuming you wanted to do more than bench-race or compare lap times, the long-serving two-valve Desmodue-powered 900SS made a great platform for a limited-edition sportbike, and the Superlight was just a 900SS with some bolt-on parts.

To be honest, the list of performance modifications to make a Superlight was pretty short: upswept exhaust pipes in place of passenger pegs that gave additional cornering clearance, a stylish solo tail section, and a few carbon dodads to “reduce weight.” Most significantly, the Superlight featured Marvic composite wheels: magnesium hubs and spokes bolted up to polished aluminum rims. Combined, the changes saved about 15lbs, compared to the stock bike. Considering the price then and now, a gym membership would be a cheaper and more effective way to increase performance. Of course, nobody really bought a Superlight for its performance potential anyway.

This particular bike is a bit different though, and offers a bit more than your run of the mill Desmodue: a tuned 944cc engine. 86hp might not sound like much, but the stock 904cc engine made a claimed and likely optimistic 80hp. Around 70hp at the wheel is more likely for a factory 900SS, so the big-bore kit installed in this Superlight and the corresponding 69lb-ft of torque to go with the 86rwhp is nothing to sneeze at.

Cosmetically, this is a very nice bike, as you can see from the photos in the listing. It’s not completely original, although the 944 kit and Staintune exhaust are certainly period-appropriate upgrades for the performance minded Ducatisti who plans to ride their new acquisition, rather than let it collect dust and appreciate as part of a stock portfolio. The seller is also including all the parts necessary to make the bike appear totally stock so a buyer can achieve stock show appearance if they wanted.

From the Seller: 1993 Ducati Superlight for Sale

1993 Ducati 900SS Superlight. Super clean exceptional performing and running correct (#789/953, Marvic magnesium/aluminum wheels, Brembo full floating iron rotors, carbon fiber front fender, rear inner fender, dash trim, countershaft cover, high pipes, solo tail) example. Excellent original paint, 2 owner bike. Built and tuned by Doug Lofgren. 86 rwhp (944ccc with big valves, headwork and Staintune exhaust – dyno sheet included). Suspension revalved and set up for 200lb rider.Freshly serviced by Ducati master tech (valve clearance check, belts, plugs, oil/filter, flush brakes and clutch). Full Staintune exhaust system, carbon fiber clutch cover, braided steel brake lines, 520 chain/sprockets, lithium battery with special charger. All original parts (except airbox lid) included, along with new belts, factory tool kit, owners manual and Haynes service manual. Tires have aged out and should be replaced, if the bike is to be ridden. ~19,700 miles. No cosmetic defects, except a few minor chips on upper,and front point of lowers behind the front wheel (touched up) and a small rash mark on the edge of the left muffler. Click here for 80 photos of the bike and scans of service and tuning, including close up photos of the mentioned defects.

~~$12,500~~ $11,500

I’ve included the majority of the Seller’s photos here, but there are additional images available at the link, including close ups of some minor blemishes, dyno sheets, and other documentation. I personally prefer Termignoni exhausts on my 90s Ducatis, but Staintune makes a very high-quality product so, aside from tires, this bike is ready to go. The seller includes a video of the bike starting up and running and the asking price is $11,500 which seems very much in line with prices we’ve seen recently. If what you want is a delivery-mile museum piece, this might not be the bike you want. But the would make a terrific bike to actually ride, and it’s pretty enough to park in your living room between weekend rides embarrassing modern sportbikes in the canyons.

-tad

Featured Listing: 1993 Ducati Superlight for Sale

Ducati May 2, 2020 posted by Tad Diemer

Purist: 1992 Ducati Superlight for Sale

The Ducati Superlight is a far-cry from today’s “limited edition” superbikes like the Superleggera that have a performance envelope well beyond most owners’ ability to fully exploit. The Superlight isn’t a particularly fast bike, but it is very collectible, and rewarding to ride at speeds normal humans can enjoy without risking license, limb, or achieving escape velocity… Basically, the Superlight is a 900SS/SP with lightweight Marvic composite wheels with a polished aluminum rim and magnesium spokes, some carbon bits, upswept exhausts, and a solo tail. Combined, the upgrades saved about 15lbs compared to the regular 900SS. So the Superlight wasn’t super light, unless Ducati was referring to your wallet: considering the minimal performance improvements, it was priced significantly higher than a regular Supersport. You did get a nice numbered plaque, though.

They still sold like hotcakes, and Ducati increased production to meet demand far in excess of the original planned 500 bike run. Part of that is down to the usual Ducati mystique, but the basic package has long been viewed as much more than the sum of its parts. On paper, the air/oil-cooled, two-valve 904cc Desmo looks pretty anemic, but a good Desmodue makes around 75 horses at the rear wheel, which really is plenty to have fun with on the road. It’s also relatively simple to maintain, surprisingly durable, and even gets good gas mileage. Fully-adjustable Showa suspension at both ends and a stiff trellis frame meant handling was very good then and still competent now, while very reasonable ergonomics [for a sportbike anyway] means even… ahem, older gentlemen can enjoy all-day rides. It was available in the vivid yellow seen here, although some markets got red instead. Considering how few bikes look good in yellow, I think it’s a great choice, and makes the bike feel more exotic.

The carbon-fiber Ferracci cans seen here are an almost mandatory option for any air-cooled Ducati, since the stock components make the bike sound strangled, and would likely be drowned out by the unfiltered rattle of the dry clutch. Ferracci didn’t make their own exhausts to my knowledge, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing: at various points, they rebadged SilMoto and Arrow parts, so quality should be high.

From the original eBay listing: 1992 Ducati Superlight for Sale

1993 Ducati Superbike, bought new and stayed in same ownership since.

I am happy to answer any questions about the bike via messaging.

Thanks!

So is it a 1992 or a 1993? It’s also odd that the seller calls it a “Superbike” when it says “Superlight” right there on the fairing. They may not know exactly what they have here, since a 300-mile Superlight would normally go for well north of the $9,000 the seller is asking. Although in this uncertain market, maybe it’s just priced to sell? From the pictures, it looks a little dusty, but otherwise as nice as you’d expect a bike with such low miles to be. It’s hard to tell from the images just how nice this bike is.

-tad