ducati 900ss?

WULFSTAN · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Sep 2010 Karma :

Ive been thinking of getting one for a while now anyone own one ? opinions would be welcome. Its either this or a moto guzzi i fancy some Italian in my life.
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1198 · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Karma :

As I currently own 2 Ducatis (a 2012 1198 and a very early original Monster) I feel qualified enough to say -

Get AA COVERAGE!

WULFSTAN · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Sep 2010 Karma :

Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Steering lock is worse than awful. Seating position is comfortable if youre made of formaldehyde. Engine is flat, uninspiring and extremely weak for a 900 (although very suited to the Monster). Slipping the clutch constantly or juddering around town and through slower speeds is worse than annoying after 15 minutes.

Handling is considered 'steady and stable'. This translates to slow steering.

I'm sure theres a point to the SuperSport range. Im unsure what it is though. There's better bikes available out there.
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sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

1198 · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Karma :

Please don't let my negativity put you off though.
I had a ride on a BMW k1300 yesterday and I'd say 90% of the time it'd be as good or better than my 1198. All day comfortable, as fast, smoother, very decent handling, far friendlier to ride, blah blah blah. The thing is though it wasn't a Ducati. It didn't sound like a Ducati. It didn't feel like a Ducati, it didn't look like a Ducati and IT WASNT RED!
If I could only have one bike (instead of the four I've got!) I'd look seriously at the K1300, but I don't need just one do it all bike.
The Monster is a horror to be honest. It's last 175 mile trip was conducted on the back of a flatbed. It's got massive electrical snags, the suspension is on the hard side, it's shit for a pillion and it's not that quick. It's the only bike I've had that I've not had on the road. I'd never sorn'd one before this.
However, I've been offered more than I paid for it already and I'm not selling - because on its day it's great, and like the 1198 I wanted one.

TL, DR - you either get them or you don't. Ducatis aren't perfect, but you work around it, and get rewarded when they're on the ideal road. For the 1198 it's either the Mountain Mile or a track, for Il Monstro it's a B road or tight Welsh A road. I imagine that the ss900 would be decent too - yes, a modern 600 has more bhp but you'd have the grunt - and there's not a Ducati on every corner.
This reminds me. Today's job is stripping and rebuilding the Monstro' forks...

Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

garth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

I owned a 900ssie, a 600 monster and have ridden a 750 for quite some time.

Out of the bunch, I'd go for the 750 engine.

It's not a lot down on power and much sweeter.
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Val · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Karma :

1198 · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Karma :

Knacker · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Karma :

I just want a 996 to sit and look at Embarassed

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GSTEEL32 · Traffic Copper Joined: 24 Feb 2010 Karma :

hmmmm..

Personally, I think the 900ss is one of the better Ducati's over the past 15 years or so. Sure, its just a parts bin re-hash. But its so much more than the sum of its parts.

The engine is agricultural... in the same way a 2 stroke has a bit of a "moment" prior to warming up... but I come from 2 strokes, so I used to really like that.

And its bullet proof. Ignore all the nonsense about needing a cheap mechanic, the electrics are very very strong and the engine is so under-stressed, it'll run for ever and ever.

The plastics are also proper thick. Thick enough to withstand me writing mine off effectively twice. It'll re-fill and repaint a couple of times.

Its no 916/748/999, but its not £6000 for a 15 year example either, so you have to work out why the other models are an extra 4 grand for yourself.

It commutes too. Ignore all that , "its can't cope with traffic" nonsense...... genuinely who out there with a full bike license, sits plodding along at 30mph in traffic anyway ?.... isn't it the point of a bike that you don't worry about sitting in traffic ?...

I only sold mine as I badly wanted to see why Aprilia Mille's were selling for sub £2k... I'm still completely confused by that tbh ..... still miss the 900 though.....