Supersport 800 - Ducati - whaddayathink?

[Gracie Jones]

Guys,

What do we think of this. Am looking for a sporty bike, a twin with a bit more omph than my fazer 6, but without going mental and getting a litre sports bike.

Have considered both the firestorm and sv1000, but neither much appeal.

Second hand ss800 can be had for between 3 and 4K and it fits the bill in terms of a) its a twin - I want low down grunt and b) I like the styling.

Does anybody know anything about them, or have an opinion, good or bad?

Cheers for your thoughts.

Luke

[Gazdaman]

Meh, I don't like that whole SV half fairing thing type look.

I've been out on a Duc 900SS and that was a lovely bike. Ducatis are just full of character, if that makes up for any rumoured lack of reliablilty.

Gaz

[Will87]

Go for it, Ducatis are gorgeous.

[Annabella]

*snip*


Bloomin' computer
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Avast! Pirates ahoy!
I did Cadwell!
www.bikepics.com/members/bella

[Annabella]

It's a lovely looking bike, and apart from the irritating rattle from the dry clutch they do sound wonderful. I don't know anyone who has one personally though.

If you get one, just make sure you look after it.



I'll go and rifle through my RiDE mags and see if there's a review anywhere to be seen.
____________________
Avast! Pirates ahoy!
I did Cadwell!
www.bikepics.com/members/bella

[hugo-a-gogo]

an 800 duke will have less power than a fazer 600 (74 hp for the duke to 91 for the yam) and a lower top speed but a bit more low down grunt
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"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them - but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one. That is why they are dangerous."
Hunter S Thompson
clicky 4 bikey

[Scotsman37]

Here's a review of it via this link;

https://www.powersportsnetwork.com/newvehicledetail/st=WI/VehicleCode=14003/Ducati/Motorcycles/Supersport%20800newvehicles14003.htm

[Kickstart]

Hi

Ducati power claims are generally more accurate than the Japanese ones (Ducati tend to quote a rear wheel figure).

I have ridden a 900SS and it was a nice enough lazy bike. Would be good on a long fast road, easy to just roll on and off the power. Fairly smooth when going as well.

However they are not that smooth at low revs, and at the same low revs not that happy to pull.

To me it would depend on where I was riding it. Round town I would avoid it like the plague.

I would say go and take a test ride and see if you would like one.

Sounds like some of the older style sports bikes (or sports tourers) would quite suit what you want. FZ750 (seat is agony), VFR750, GPX750 (slappy handling), GSX750F, Triumph 900 Trophy (or the Sprint).

All the best

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

[jaffa]

I like them, I have a Monster because I prefer naked bikes and a more upright riding position. I don't regret buying a Ducati at all and I am considering having another.

I find people either really like them or take the piss over reliability (apparently quality was dreadful in 1970s and early 1980s), I can only comment on my own experience and that is very good overall, my bike is now nearly three years old and it has excellent build quality in my opinion.

I really like the engine, I much prefer the 'feel' of a twin to the in-line fours I've ridden and I don't find it difficult to ride around town, I can't imagine the SS would be any different apart from the riding position.


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jaffa - all juice and no pips

[Kickstart]

[jaffa]

[Kickstart]

Hi

His is not a race bike. It is a regular road bike that he thrashes around Three Sisters, and rides it to and from the track. No special preparation, just generally looked after reasonably.

All the best

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

[Gazdaman]

We owned a ducati pantah at one point. Loved that bike.

Gaz

[sickpup]

Ah Ducati's and reliability.

So lets see, a quick list.

1989/90 >95 SS, monstro, Elephant all. reg/rec at every service, generator every 3 services

1989/90 >96 900 elephant, 900ss, 900 monstro front cylinder head studs snap. Clutch slave cylinder failure. Clutch bearing failure due to clutch dust. Swing arm bolts.

All 600 monstro. Abnormal wear front cylinder require rebore by 20k. Generator falls off due to crap threading of crank.

851 everything.

888 + all 916 variants. Shattered crankcases due to torque. D.O.A. fuel injection.

Pantahs had a rep for eating gearboxs and ot changing gear from new.

This is just off the top of my head and I stopped touching them around 95-96.