Ducati 600ss '94-98' - any good?

[bmwsport]

Guys,

What are these like? I've noticed they seem to have a pretty low power output for a 600 and only one disc on the front, but are they considered good bikes? Love the look of them... plus cheap to buy/insure.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Depends what you want it for. Performance wise they are not quick, nor are they really intended to be that quick. Rolling chassis is pretty much shared with the 900SS. Engine is pretty much the same as the 600 Pantah from the early 1980s.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[bmwsport]

Thanks Keith, well i'm actually looking at it as a first bike, hadn't looked at one before but £300 less a year to insure than a srad and the lack of power doesn't worry me too much as it'll still seem bloody quick to me! (i was also considering an nc30)

I presume they handle like a sports bike should though? still fun to ride?

Woops, just found another post pretty much the same as this one on here.. apologies before people start sulking about not using the search option any info is welcome though.

[Kickstart]

[RVF_Mark]

Hi, my old man owned one for 3 years (94 model). Performance wise it was lacking, it didn't do much for him and he's not a particularly hard rider. He didn't have much to say for the handling neither, but that was probably because he rode the NC35 at the same time. I'm sure if I asked him he would choose the little 400 over the 600SS, in both engine performance and handling. They're very out dated in comparison to the 600's from the late 90's and early 00's not only in components but the fact the almost weigh a tonne They have a lot of character though, but it's all show and no go unfortunately.

I'd definately reccomend a decent sports 400/600 over one.
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- Kawasaki ZX636 2005 -
- Aprilia SXV 550 2008 -

[bazza]

Here's what I had to say about my '98 750SS:

[Ichy]

I brought one on a whim about a year ago, sold it 3 weeks later. Nothing really wrong with it, it was just not exciting. Fine as a commuter but you might as well get a GS500.

Despite that they still generate a fair bit of interest when you park up.
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https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[garth]

I have a 583 DD Monster and a 900ss.

I personally like them both. My 583 with a full system and open airbox / jets makes about 52 rwhp.
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[bmwsport]

Cheers Garth, i was wondering what difference breathing mods/jetting would make, i read somewhere you could extract about 70 reliable hp out of this engine.. was wondering if that was true or not Love the sound of these engines though.

As i new rider though i think 50hp is acceptable, the biggest draw is £150 a year insurance with 0 excess and third party cover on any other bike! Compared with £550 for a zx6r..

Should £1400 get you a mint one? it's the book price for a top one from what i can tell anyway.

[Gazdaman]

Rode my mum's 750SS around for a while. And jesus christ it was horrible.

Steering was sluggish, the bastard thing had the turning circle of an oil tank and it vibrated so much you look like an alcoholic with the shakes when you get off.

And that's before I get onto how pig slow it was. And that's the 750!

They're not even pretty!!

SRAD is a better bike in every single way.

Gaz

[rac3r]

Me being a new rider as well i would probably get one for the looks and sound. Have you thought of the 900? My favourite one is like a greyish colour with red wheels
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[bmwsport]

Yea i would expect the srad to be a better bike.. thanks for the input.

Yea i've looked at the 900, insurance is only £270 but i'd have thought they are not quite as simple to maintain as the 600.. not seen the grey with red wheels before!

[Kickstart]

[bmwsport]

so they are like the 600/900 monsters with full fairings then in terms of pace/steering?