Ducati 900 ss yes or no??

[Jerry74]

Hi, I am looking to buy an injected Ducati 900 SS about 2000 model.

Whats your verdict on:

Reliability?
Comfort?
Economy?

I have always wanted one but would like to know others opinions before buying.

Cheers

[nudemetalz]

The person to talk to is Wannabiker. He has one and knows everything there is to know about them.
I rode his 900SS once and it was a beautiful machine to ride.
But my Moto Guzzi won me !!!

[Jerry74]

Cheers for that

[avgas]

Yes - as far am im concerned all the SS models are the basic, classic ducatis.
Good sound, light, basic.......awesome

[Rob Taylor]

Yes the 900ss is a great bike.Super realiable.Maintaining the rocker shims is very important and best done by the shop if you have not got the proper gear.Other than that..... Go for it....

[McJim]

Well I want one... I just don't have the funds at the moment.

Ducati parts are farken cheap too. I've saved heaps since getting rid of my Honda.

[nudemetalz]

I considered one but was too worried about how a second-hand one may have been maintained before I bought it, ie the Desmo heads being serviced and oil changed etc.

Instead I bought a Moto Guzzi thinking it would be much more reliable.
It shat itself on the day I bought it due to,... you guessed it,..Italian electrics !!
Then the battery fried itself, the front crankseal blew spewing oil everywhere, the rear brake locked on a few times for no reason,...the starter switch has a habit of sticking and it goes out of tune frequently.
But I would not swap it for anything !!
Ah bellisimo !!!

[McJim]

I considered one but was too worried about how a second-hand one may have been maintained before I bought it, ie the Desmo heads being serviced and oil changed etc.

Unfortunately a lot of 900ss bikes get crashed so engine parts and whole engines are often fairly easy to obtain.

[flame]

Go for it Jerry74. Ive owned 3 SS models, loved them all. Prefered the injected models over the carbs, but thats personal pref I guess. Did loads of touring on them (80-90000kms), and they were awesome in every way, performance, comfort, reliability and economy. Like Rob said, keep the servicing up at the indicated intervals and you shouldn't have any probs at all.

Good luck with the purchase.

[AllanB]

Comfort?
Economy?

Ah - sure you don't want a Honda?

I had a laugh - that's the first time I've heard (or read) of someone asking that when considering a Ducati.

Go for it!

[hmurphy]

At the lights yesterday, some guy pulled up next to me on his 900SS and took of in a huge power wheelie down the motorway, flicking through gears. Was awesome as! There was no traffic, he was just showing off a bit. I thought it was great, wish my Hyosung did power wheelies!!!

The bike sounded and looked great too! Good luck bro

[rat biker 08]

Go for it if i had the cash i would have one to

[Crisis management]

Don't buy an earlier than 2000 model!
In the finest Ducati tradition there is an ongoing stream of small improvements and by 2000 all the bugs were worked out of the system, the fuel injection is cleanish and the bars and screen have finally been raised to achieve a "reasonable" seating position.
If you can get an 03 you may be able to get one with the lighter (5 spoke) wheels and Ohlins suspension which is well worth getting.
Comfort? How young & flexible are you? My last 900SS was a couple of years ago now and in the end I was finding it hard work due to old age (52) and the sports bike position but be prepared to fiddle with the suspension and handle bars to achieve something workable.
Overall: Great bikes, lovely sound and nothing beats that flat torque curve for acceleration but it only puts out 80HP, I have to admit it didn't take long to start wondering where some more horsepower was.......916, now theres a classic!

[shafty]

I DID see a poster yesterday which read...

Ducati - making Mechanics out of Riders since 1946

[idb]

I considered one but was too worried about how a second-hand one may have been maintained before I bought it, ie the Desmo heads being serviced and oil changed etc.

Instead I bought a Moto Guzzi thinking it would be much more reliable.
It shat itself on the day I bought it due to,... you guessed it,..Italian electrics !!
Then the battery fried itself, the front crankseal blew spewing oil everywhere, the rear brake locked on a few times for no reason,...the starter switch has a habit of sticking and it goes out of tune frequently.
But I would not swap it for anything !!
Ah bellisimo !!!

That's the character that comes pre-installed in every Italian bike.
Sometimes they accidentally bolt a bit much on to some bikes but it's all part of the experience.