Ducati 900ss as an everyday bike/tourer?

[ram_doom]

Does anybody have experience with these big old Dukes? I'm very tempted to get one as a tourer/every day bike to keep my ninja tidy (and to keep my arse happy, with the soft cuddly looking seat on the duke).
I'm after the sort of 1999 - 2001 models, which are fuel injected, and have decent components.

Any known issues with them? I know their not particularly fast, and vibrate, A LOT, they seem great value for money second hand too.
Seem reliable too from what I've read, so if anybody has real world experience with them, and info on what their like to live with, and how they stand up to abuse, and of course, the way they ride, I'd be grateful
____________________
TL1000s, KDX200

[sickpup]

Is this some Welsh joke us English @@@ts dont understand?

Had me in stitches mate

[woo]

Dont you mean is this some white joke us black cunts dont understand and you white cunts do!

Sorry dont know about the ducati but aint you better off with a hornet as a tourer or someting?
____________________
Elen sila lummen omentielvo!

[killa]

Gutless tin can in sexy looking outfit, prepare to be shown up by anything with the numbers 400 after it.
____________________
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

[sickpup]

[ram_doom]

I'm really after opinions from people who've either owned or ridden em I already have a super sports 600 (well, 636 actually), so not looking for 160+mph top end or shattering performance.

The duke is a bike thats always appealed to me for how it looks (of course, its in the eye of the beholder and that), and now I may have the money for a second bike, these have fallen well in my price range, and tbh I'd much rather a 900ss than a bland budget specced naked bike ie. hornet (no offence).

The duke has 80 bhp at wheel, and a speed of about 140 ish (possibly), brembo brakes and surprisingly good fuel economy makes it just about perfect for touring, and work/general duties.

Seems a capable machine

https://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcducati/mcphotos/ss5.jpg
____________________
TL1000s, KDX200

[Sephiroth]

[The Tot]

Why haven't you considered a used duke ST2/ST4. Now THEY're considered good tourers by ducati's standard. I sat on a 800SS and found the seat numbing. ST4's can be had for cheap i think and are pretty acclaimed tourers.
____________________
The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[ram_doom]

[Sephiroth]

He is a massive tart. Can't you tell?

[skida]

[killa]

I thought you meant the nice looking one, the old skool air cooled thing.

That one you pictured won't do you for what you are asking for.

Get a Jap Tourer and be done with it.
____________________
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

[ram_doom]

[killa]

But a cheap Jap tourer will do everything that SS will but for even less money.
____________________
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

[Cillit-BANG]

AH crap, I just spent 30mins writing you a load of helpful stuff from someone who has actually owned one, and my computer just went down. I HATE THAT.

I'll PM you asap, I need my dinner!

Basically though, they are indeed everything that you have been arguing, and could well be what your looking for. I too have a 636 and can also compare it power/handling wise to my 400.

Just because they aren't common, people automatically rate them as rubbish.

[Sephiroth]

He wants a soft sports bike not a full on tour, everyone.

[sickpup]

[Sephiroth]

That's only cause he's squished suspension.

[Whosthedaddy]

Not a 900ss but a 750

Clicky

[ram_doom]

[Cillit-BANG]

LOL, nice find daddy'o.

I really really still miss the rumble and lumpyness.

Seriously though don't knock them unless you have actually ridden one. They certainly do hussle along, and they have loads more torque than any 400 They have that lovely ducati 'stable' handling. They are certainly far more sports than tourer and as a road bike are a great model to consider.

As you say Ram_doom, the main reason I got mine was because it was the same price as similar spec hornets/sv's,fazers etc but I found the Ducati to be a far superior package for what I wanted.

I'd be looking for a 2002ish fi 900ss. The 2 valve air/oil cooled desmodue was a great well proven engine.

[Zimbo]

I've owned one.
It may only have 80 bhp at the rear wheel but it packs loads more torque than the 636 and carries that torque right through the rev range.
So, it's pretty fast over the ground, superb confident handling and fantastic brakes, fairing is very efficient, as a result it likes doing triple digit speeds and feels pedestrian at anything under about 80. There is weight on your wrists at low speeds but at 100mph it's superbly balanced and neutral. The rubber pad on the tank is useful to lean against in town, and I often used to ride with my left forearm across the tank supporting my weight in town. Steering lock is fairly limited, no problem on the road but can make manouvering a little more difficult. Comfort is good, 300 - 400 miles a day is no problem at all, seat is comfortable, pillion provision is not bad. Stacks of room under the seat for storage, you can keep a decent toolkit, waterproofs, lock and chain etc and still have room for more! Enough grunt to lift the front wheel off the throttle from low revs in 1st and 2nd, runs out of puff after 8000 rpm so you've got to learn to short shift and ride the torque, not a problem as it pulls hard from 3K. They don't actually vibrate much if you ride them between 3K and 8K, it's only at the extremes of the rev range they get a bit shaky.
Build quality is superb, have a close look at all the alloy casting and you'll see what I mean.
Reliability is good, they're mechanically fairly simple and have no real issues. Fuel injection is accurate and glitch free. Headlight isn't great but benefits from a bulb upgrade. Quality showa suspension all round, fully adjustable. Cheap ish to insure and run, servicing is easy, oil changes plus occasional belts and valves.
I miss mine, changed it for a 900 monster cos it was just too fast on the road and I need my licence for work! It has bags of character and soul and I loved it.

[Dan 4RR]

Hi. PM Bazza I think he has one IIRC.
____________________
Humans....the largest form of cancer the world has ever seen!
Speed Cameras - Putting goverment revenue before public safety!

[Cillit-BANG]

Odd how the people that have actually ridden one think they are great, the people who haven't ridden them slate them

I know what you mean about missing it Zimbo, I can still feel that delightfull chug/throb as it pulls up through the range, just from sitting here at the computer! That and the great sound.

Must buy twin again for next bike.

[bazza]

Mine's the pre-98 non-FI version and I reckon it's great. I've had mine since August and have been riding it regularly - weekends and the occasional commute - over the winter.

I echo what everyone else says really, bags of torque, great handling once you crank things up a bit, great brakes and superb soundtrack.

As for being out performed by a 400 - feh. Whoever looks at a 400 going past? Or parked up for that matter?
____________________
"That's it. You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college."
'98 Ducati 750SS, '08 Suzuki GSX650F ©2004-2014, Bazza's Harmless Banter