Couple of questions re: Ducati 400SS 1991

[Mazz Z]

Hi, am a newbie here and am looking to purchase one of these: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=158958034
What I'd like to know is how hard is it to purchase/find a screen for this model bike OR to get one made if that's possible? And also, is it possible to lower the seat even slightly on one of these? Thanks very much, any advice appreciated.

[R6_kid]

Give Adam at Henderson Motorcycles a call. Their number is in the phone book - the shop's in henderson though :p

[FROSTY]

Visual plastics in Hamilton should be able to make you a screen--around $100.
Front tyre wise I'd suggest $150
But PLEASE be very carefull buying a bike like this one.
Theres a bunch of questions need asking with satisfactory answers before buying it
1)fresh import yes/no
if yes --wheres overseas derego papers?

[McJim]

Interesting bike. The frame colour doesn't suggest 1991 to me and the rearsets, pillion pegs look 1995 onwards.

Black brembo wheels and the fairings do look 1991. Ducatispares have bid on this so they will know the value of the bike in parts (each side fairing is worth a few hundred bucks each)

[Mazz Z]

Visual plastics in Hamilton should be able to make you a screen--around $100.
Front tyre wise I'd suggest $150
But PLEASE be very carefull buying a bike like this one.
Theres a bunch of questions need asking with satisfactory answers before buying it
1)fresh import yes/no
if yes --wheres overseas derego papers?

Thankyou, I was so excited about seeing an affordable smaller Duc that common sense questions seem to be evading me at the moment. Will make sure I chill out & ask the proper questions before proceeding further, cheers.

[Mazz Z]

Interesting bike. The frame colour doesn't suggest 1991 to me and the rearsets, pillion pegs look 1995 onwards.

Black brembo wheels and the fairings do look 1991.

"Interesting bike." - as in good OR like you're laughing your head off 'interesting'? In my bike buying ignorance I didn't realise that sometimes you can get 'dodgy bitzas' for sale out there like you get with cars sometimes. Not trying to say this one is, but clearly something for me to consider and look further into, cheers.

[McJim]

In 1991 the Ducati Supersport range had a white frame and white wheels.
The 400s were made specificaly for the Japanese market due to an intrmediate stap between 250 (learner) and full sized bikes (Full licence).

So I would be worried that this is a bitsa. Perhaps it's a 1991 engine with a 1995 frame, 1991 fairings, 1992 wheels and 1997 footpegs.

I'm not actually an expert I just spent 12 months ogling the bastards online while waiting to sit my full licence. (see my profile pic for a genuine NZ New 1997 600ss).

This site has the colour schemes on it:
http://www.bikepics.com/ducati/900ss/91/pics.asp

[JimO]

In 1991 the Ducati Supersport range had a white frame and white wheels.
The 400s were made specificaly for the Japanese market due to an intrmediate stap between 250 (learner) and full sized bikes (Full licence).

So I would be worried that this is a bitsa. Perhaps it's a 1991 engine with a 1995 frame, 1991 fairings, 1992 wheels and 1997 footpegs.

I'm not actually an expert I just spent 12 months ogling the bastards online while waiting to sit my full licence. (see my profile pic for a genuine NZ New 1997 600ss).

This site has the colour schemes on it:
http://www.bikepics.com/ducati/900ss/91/pics.asp



i think its called trainspotting

[Bullitt]

Whether it goes higher is unknown but even at 3k its starting to sound expensive to me...I paid 5k for my 95 600ss almost a year ago. The 400 is a pretty pointless bike, a 600 looks identical, is identical weight, gets close to identical fuel consumption and is faster than a japanese 250 which that 400 wont be.

By the time you get that from wellington to auckland and on the road its gonna be the best part of 4 grand even if the bidding dont go anyhigher. Not much more should get you a better condition 600 with less mucking around getting it sorted.

Agree with McJims comments (though i didnt know about the footpeg changes) except those fairing dont look 1991 to me either as the stickers are like my 1995 and the earlier ones are different (and IMO dont look as good)

See the picture of my 600 Ive attached which has the same frame colour and a 1991 900 I found via google. Ignore the LHS exhaust and front disc which a 400 dont have but notice the different stickers, white frame and white wheels. Ignore the aftermarket seat and Agip sticker too.

[McJim]

See the picture of my 600 Ive attached which has the same frame colour and a 1991 900 I found via google. Ignore the LHS exhaust and front disc which a 400 dont have but notice the different stickers, white frame and white wheels. Ignore the aftermarket seat and Agip sticker too.
Bullitt,

Hey is your frame silver or gold? I can't quite make that detail out from the photos.

Cheers

[Bullitt]

Mine is silver. Im not sure when they changed to gold but must have been after 95

[McJim]

Mine is silver. Im not sure when they changed to gold but must have been after 95

The one in the trademe link looks gold.....I wonder if it's a bitsa.....Good for a trackday bike though. I've seen a few 400ss bikes on tracks before now.

[breakaway]

I'd stay off 400s unless you get a fucking insane deal on it. One important thing to consider to ask yourself "How much will I be able to sell it for?"

[Mazz Z]

Thanks guys, some good advice posted and much appreciated. Look's like I need to sit down and have a blardy good think about this bike, do some more research and maybe go back to the drawing board if I have to. I have ALWAYS wanted a Ducati, but have been checking out the specs on different models and it seems they're all made for taller people(seat heights). Annoying to have to eliminate these from my wish list just because I've got Ducks Disease(tail's too close to the ground). Not to worry, off to have a ponder and thanks again for all the info, cheers.

[jim.cox]

I have ALWAYS wanted a Ducati, but have been checking out the specs on different models and it seems they're all made for taller people(seat heights). Annoying to have to eliminate these from my wish list just because I've got Ducks Disease

Hey Mazz

You may find that a Ducati Pantah is the go - the seatheight is low, and the seat narrow - which makes it easy to get your feet flat.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Hey Mazz

You may find that a Ducati Pantah is the go - the seatheight is low, and the seat narrow - which makes it easy to get your feet flat.

this is very good advice. Whats your budget Mazz?

Mazz, you might like to consider an 848, in white also. Sure its more money, but very "rideable" as a street bike :)

[xwhatsit]

If the 600SS is the same frame/everything as the 400SS, then would it not be just as low as the 400SS? Or at least lowerable to the same height?

The impression I've got from McJim et al is that they're lovely, sensible road bikes which look after themselves a great deal.

[madandy]

go the 600 ;)

[Bullitt]

How tall are you anyway?

Height wise theyre as good (or bad) as any other sportsbike.

Ive never had to lower a bike (Im 5'10") but I dont see any reason why it couldnt be done, the seat is pretty thick and the suspension is already adjustable so It could be modified pretty easy.

What is your previous riding history? Presumably you have a full licence and have riden at least a 250 before. Plenty of people who are 5 foot or less ride sports bikes and other similar things...you just need to be abit more careful and be more comfortable riding.

Theres plenty of threads on here about tips for shorter people. I dont see any reason why you couldnt make a supersport work for you...and as far as supersports go Id recommend one to anyone.