900SS - When you want a real bike
Written: Feb 08 '04 (Updated Feb 09 '04)
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Pros: Great looks, handling, torque, simplicity
Cons: Expensive maintenance & parts. Factory clip ons are aggressive
The Bottom Line: Great bike that offers the best of the traditional twin with modern day technology and reliability.
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| lovepipe's Full Review: 2000 Ducati Super Sport |
I have a 2000 Ducati 900ss without a single problem to date (2/8/2004). The 900SS is a great bike for the rider that wants to have something different and enjoys the joy of a great performing air cooled twin.
The bike is reliable and the handling and low to midrange power is amazing. I personally like the half fairing so that you can see the beauty of the engine and it weighs less. Change the exhaust pipes they weigh too much. Put an aluminum flywheel and clutch basket on this bike and get ready to fly. You will not beat Jap bikes on the top end but if they make the mistake of getting on a road with curves with the 900ss it is all over for them. And don't get me wrong with just a few slight mods you will give a Jap bike a run for its money on short sprints. With slip ons, a power commander, open airbox and stock sprockets I managed to get the bike to a respectable 140mph top end. Not bad considering it is a two valve air cooled twin with low compression.
The bike stands out in a crowd because it is considered an exotic. Components are high end and workmanship is top of the line. The sound of the exhaust when you use slip ons is amazing but a little loud but not HD straight pipe loud annoying. One note about the suspension on this bike, it is designed for the track and is not a smooth ride compared to something like the Suzuki SV650. The suspension is fully adjustable but even in the softest setting it is still plenty firm. In the curves, however, the suspension will put a smile on your face. On the first pot hole that you encounter you will feel it from you butt to the top of your head. By the way the front brakes on this bike are great. Brembos up front and steel braided hoses all around. The rear brake, however, requires a lot of effort to stop. Since the bike is a twin it almost stops on it's own with simple downshifting from engine braking.
This bike can draw a lot of attention and with it the problems associated with standing out. You will encounter various kids on rice rockets wanting to race you so that they can brag that they beat the Ducati on the straight line and you will even get some try to race you in their Civic's or Mustang GT's. Trust me that when you put down those 60 plus ft/lbs of torque on good rubber like the Michelin Pilot Race that I have one mine, you are going to have a great time.
Maintenance charges are very steep so take that into consideration. Get ready to spend $500 to $750 every 6K miles unless you do the maintenance yourself and if you don't know anything about desmo valves my opinion is don't mess with it. Parts are also expensive so Ebay is a nice option. The clutch lever from factory is hard and I would opt for a clutch master cylinder from www.evoluzione.net to soften things up. The bike comes with very aggressive clip ons that will hurt your wrists after about 30 minutes of riding and the older you get the worse it is. I would recommend buying some bar risers from FBF (Fast by Ferracci)or Heli-Bars or buying an LSL handlebar kit from Spiegler USA that will give you a Ducati Monster handlebar set up. But then again the bike is a sportbike not a standard or cruiser.
If Ducati would lower the ownership cost of the bike they would sell more but then again if everyone had one then we would go right back to the Jap bike syndrome. Yes who does not own a GSXR, R1 or CBR? And when was the last time that you did 150mph plus anyway? Also the heat from those 4 valve high compression, high rev bikes will make you feel like you are riding with the sun underneath you. Overall if you can afford the maintenance charges I would recommend this bike as a very nice all around sportbike.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 6500
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2000
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Epinions.com ID:
lovepipe
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Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 1 member
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