2000 Ducati 750 SS ***Update***

[bazza]

Anyone got one/had one? I'm off to test ride one in 30 mins, and I can probably see me buying it unless there are really, really good reasons not to.

Bear in mind I'm not a trackday god, kneedown king or performance artist, so things like top end power or the ability to beat the legendary 98 R1 aren't really major concerns...
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"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

[Zimbo]

They're good, not that powerful but they are reliable, handle well, stop well, sound good, look good. Make sure it's been serviced, belts should be changed at least every 2 years / 12000 miles, valve clearances should have been done too, otherwise they're mechanically simple and easy to maintain.
good luck!

[Cillit-BANG]

Yeah I had the fully faired version up until I part-ex'ed for my B2 Ninja. To be honest I wish I had saved 2 grand and kept the Ducati.

Great bikes. Wonderful sound, classic ducati handling, easy to service, parts are cheapish (genuine indicator and mirror - usual requirements if dropped, are about £40 all in) plus they can be had for as cheap as chips. Power isn't huge but it will pull up to 110-120 with plenty of gusto and will be quicker to 70-80 than most cars on the road. They are about 65bhp but have a similar torque figure so have plenty of grunt.

As a road bike the SS range is supurb. You also get loads of room under the seat.

There's nothing really to look out for other than as mentioned. If it's not had a service or been ridden for a while then it would be worth getting it checked over buy a specialist. The cam-belts are cheap to replace so would be wise to get them done.

Personally I wouldn't get too hung up of the dealer service history as they are very simple engines to work on, as long as the work has been done to schedule then you'll be fine. If it hasn't got FDSH then it does give you a bit of room to haggle though.

I did have problems decking out the side stand when really cranked over but this was very infrequent.

FFIW they sound incredible on the over-run with aftermarket cans, trouble is you need 2 and the costs double

In 7000 of miles over 12 months, rain or shine, the only work I had done was a rectifier which played up after a couple of weeks and was replaced under the shop warrenty anyway.

They rumble and vibrate at very slow speeds (10mph or less) but you get used to it.

Thinking about it now, I really wish I still had it

[bazza]

Well I took it out for an hour and loved it. It's got 9k on the clock and Carbon Can Co. aftermarket cans. You can see people looking round and going "WTF?" a hundred yards up the road...

I does need some minor fettling though - the tickover was so slow it kept cutting out when stopped at lights.

On first getting close to it, I thought it looked a bit high but sitting on it cured that. Once moving though, my knees just slotted into the curve of the tank and I felt locked into the bike, very secure.

The clutch feels a lot stiffer than the GSXF, but the gears are positive and didn't cause any dramas. Strange to have the redline down at 9k, but as everyone says, there's bags of torque available from about 3k onwards.

Once out onto the open roads, the riding position comes into it's own - expressions like "being part of the bike" didn't mean much till this one - you really do feel that way and it just goes where you want it to. Look through the bends and the bike is right there, feeling balanced and daring me to crank it over more.

Coming off a roundabout and hitting the dually section with a sweeping right/left/right at the start and I'm at 90 before I'm out of the first bend. On the GSXF, I usually reach 80 by the end of this series, and I wasn't pushing it, I tried to ride the route like I do every night. The Duc was having none of it though.

Of course this was also where the soundtrack whacked everything up to 11. Cattle stampeded away from the road and any small child within half a mile of the bike was left crying in a puddle of its own wee.

Being the sensible type of chap that I am, I never cracked the ton. That will be done at a time of my choosing when I own this Italian hooliganista.

Now that's what I'm talking about...

https://www.ochainn.ath.cx/images/2000-750ss.jpg

Oh. yeah.
____________________
"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

[instigator]

Hmm...didn't realise it was that model in 2000. Didn't the revamped model come out before 2000?

Anyways, much prefer the look of the updated model myself:
https://www.motorcycletours.to/gallery/main/images/Ducati%20750SS.jpg

What price is the one you're looking at? Even the newer models are still pretty cheap for what they are. Quite fancy having a shot on one myself. You converted to the v-twin family then?

[Kickstart]

[ram_doom]

Lovely bike bazza, might consider one myself next summer
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TL1000s, KDX200

[Mister James]

Hmmm Keith's model is much better looking, although the first looks more brutal.

Look like nice Sunday bikes, especially if they can be had for so little.
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>Soultrader Mister James, I bet you are a copper
>Bazza Wow. Eyes like a shithouse rat, you...

[Kickstart]

Hi

I prefer the early shape ones like the one Bazza is convincing himself to buy.

Some of the more Ducati inclined member can probably help more. Don't think the 750 has any major engine issues. Think that they can suffer twisting the frame where the footrest bolts on if dropped. Think they had a few issues with swinging arm cracking (does that one have a steel swinging arm?).

All the best

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

[JonB]

[bazza]

[Cillit-BANG]

I have to admit I suprised to see that pic. I'd assumed it was the curvey later model.

What sort of price are you paying?

[bazza]

[Cillit-BANG]

Seriously that is way way over the odds. Plus even in 1995 they were onto the new shape

A quick look on auto trader has brought up loads of 2002 models with similar millage and condition. These are both private and trade ads too. This is for the new shape and will be fuel injected.

For the old shape you wouldn't want to pay much more than £1900. The lowish millage isn't really a selling point as at over 6 years old it hasn't really been used enough to have been looked after. Ducati's work much better if used regularly.

Personally for £2500 I'd be looking for an average millage 12-18K 2002 900ss, in mint condition. Identical bikes to look at but the 900ss has just that bit more poke. PLus there are loads about in that price bracket so you can pick and choose a minter.

https://it.geocities.com/tutto_motori/images/Ducati-900SS-1999.jpg

[instigator]

I did actually think it was over priced too but not too familiar on how common that version is and if there are a lot of very tidy one's about. People will pay more for a model that looks like it's been kept well.

No point in getting the 900 if you don't need it. Especially if you use it to commute, the 900 may be a little thirstier*

* - Total presumption

[Cillit-BANG]

Your probably right, as an all round road bike the 750 is more than capable. I got rid of my 750 for something more powerful but in the real world it hasn't made a blind bit of difference.

Although the 900 is a bit more common and so finding a nice example is easier. The insurance difference won't be a lot either.

[bazza]

Thanks guys, I think you're right. Compared to some of the other 750s and 900s it's well overpriced.
____________________
"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

[Zimbo]

The 900 isn't thirstier than the 750, they should both return mpg in the high 40s, and as said there are a load more 900s about that 750s, the 900 has a LOT more grunt as well - will lift the front wheel just off the throttle in 1st. Having said that, there's nothing wrong with the 750 either, personal preference / finding a good one at the right price I guess.
The new shape gained fuel injection as well as the new bodywork, they make a little more power as they rev higher due to easier breathing, the power curve in the low to midrange is prety much identical though.
Handling, as you've found, is very very secure, slow turning but hold a line through corners like next to nothing else, ghreat road bikes. I sold my injected 900ss last year ('98 bike) for just £2300, that's all it was worth, replaced it with a monster.

[kwacky]

Is that the one at Action Motorbikes?

[bazza]

[Cillit-BANG]

I'd say £2300 was quite fair considering the amount of '02 models up for sale for around that figure.

Classic Ducati character for peanuts. They are the sort of engine that carries the bikes speed rather than creates it. No wrenching the arms off but you get to the end of the ride with suprising gusto with very little effort.

[kwacky]

I saw it yeasterday when I picked my bike up. If you noticed a blinged up Red Daytona 600 then that was mine.

[bazza]

With the added bargaining power...

...I pick it up next Tuesday.
____________________
"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

[NickD]

it's supposed to be one of the least comfortable bikes ever produced, but the old shape rocks.
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I was only doing what it said on my licence officer....
Tear along the dotted line!

[bazza]

Well, I spent an hour on it and it wasn't uncomfortable for me. Given that I rarely ride for more than an hour at a time without a break, I'll risk it...

They're sorting out the couple of minor faults I found before I pick it up (idling and mirrors) while I get it added to my inspol.
____________________
"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