New to forum and Ducati

[Odin]

Hello all. I'm new to this forum and to Ducat's. My name is Marc and I'm in south Texas. I've been doing some lurking and searching and have found most everything to be very informative.

I do however have a question for those that have experience with Ducati's. I am looking at a 1995 SuperSport 900 (red) that has 13k+ miles on it. Has just been serviced, has a couple of extras on it, like Micron slip ons, open air box, open clutch etc... Anyway, I've got a price of 3800 going for it right now and I was looking for opinions on both the bike and the price.

Pros and Cons would be very helpful and greatly appreciated. Also, what should I look for and what questions to ask (specific to Ducati) about the bike.

Thanks in advance for any information the group may provide.

marc

[bobducati]

One thing to look for on these bikes is frame cracks at the steering head, but they are basically bullet proof.....good for lottsa miles (there's a thread on that on this forum too.) Not having seen the bike, the price sounds good especially if a service (valves and belts) has just been completed. Check ebay and you'll see the average price these bikes are going for.

[Odin]

Thanks, I appreciate it. I'll look into that today.

[duc97sp1]

If this is the SP model, with fully adjustable suspension it will also have an aluminum swingarm. Check it for cracks also. Over torquing the axle nuts can crack it. If it's the CR model it will have a steel swingarm and non-adjustable forks.

The SP is the better model to go for, imo, because of the suspension and full floating cast iron rotors, carbon fiber goodies are a nice extra too. Not that I'm biased or anything.

Check out Chris Kelly's site for good info http://www.ducatitech.com/

[Odin]

I just talked to the guy with the bike this morning and this is what it's got on it. Micron Exhaust, polished heads, flatslide carbs, Barnett clutch plate, titanium clutch housing, counter shaft sprocket, deluxe counter shaft guard, stainless steel front brake lines (something about racing equipment... I couldn't write that fast). Belt has been changed, valves adjusted, sparkplugs and sparkplug wires changed, and of course the brembo brakes and cylinders and wheels. Oil change done. carries Agip 20/50 Synthetic. Yes, it's the SP model with fully adjustable suspension and Aluminum swing arm. I'm on my way over there to check the swing arm and frame for possible signs of wear or cracking. Thank you guys for helping a noo-b out.

Marc

[Crow]

Sounds like a steal at 3800

[QWK QWK]

Take cash with you, that sounds like a deal.

[Jeff H.]

Wow! If you can verify that the service was done as stated and it has all those goodies then grab it. You will love the response from those Keihin FCR flatslides. Not that I'm pessimistic, but just to make sure he has those installed, I would look for the idle adjuster knob hanging from the left side of the bike. You will need to make adjustments to the knob when you start the bike cold as the flatslides don't have a choke.Enjoy your new ride!

Jeff

[Odin]

I just realized that I never posted again after I got all that advice from the few that responded, so here is the deal, the bike is mine, has been for about 2 months. I took cash with me that day and got it.

I have to say, I'd never ridden a Ducati before, and wasn't very familiar with sportbikes (been on a cruiser for the longest time) but damn, you guys weren't kidding. This thing is a dream and way too much fun to ride (but I still do )

Now let me see if I can attach some pics of it.

[Odin]

Here are three more that I took

[Bill]

When was the last service done?
The 12K service would probably be the only time the belts were changed and this is an 11 year old bike! If the service wasn't done in the last year, please consider changing the belts immediately - even if they've barely been used. They are items that will get brittle and dodgy with age.

[Odin]

Bill, thanks for the tip. I will look into that as soon as I can. From what I understand all of that was taken care of before I got the bike, but I will look into it again.

Again, thanks

[916WI]

I would also verify the service history. The SP model(adjustable suspension/aluminum swingarm) was also fully faired. The CR model had the smaller half fairing like the one on your bike. Are you sure that yours is actually an SP model?

[DesmoEd]

Originally Posted by 916WI

I would also verify the service history. The SP model(adjustable suspension/aluminum swingarm) was also fully faired. The CR model had the smaller half fairing like the one on your bike. Are you sure that yours is actually an SP model?

Does not look like an SP, you can see the steel swingarm in the first photo. An easy way to tell is to check the rear wheel- SP's had 5.5 and CR's 4.5 inch rears. Even so, it is still a nice bike. Enjoy.

Early 900SS bikes (before the SP and CR designations) could be purchased with the half fairing. They are not very common but I do have one. They still have fully adj suspensions, alum swingarms, and 5.5inch rears.
Below is my original '92 900SS ('92 was the only year with white frame and black wheels)

Ride On, Ed.
2005 GSF1200SZ
1992 900SS
1983 GS750ED

[Odin]

Well I just did all the looking I had to do. No, unfortunately (or not, depends on your opinion) this is not an sp model. it's the cr. Steel swingarm an non adjustable front suspension. Oh well, as much as I'm slightly pissed about being given false information, I've been having a lot of fun on this bike and plan on having some more. I will be having some choice words with the individual that sold me the bike (as in my re-research I found out from a guy I know that this tool is rather shifty)

Anyway, on the 95, can the front suspension be changed to an adjustable one? The other mods I've looked into, it has the open air box, the k&n filter, flat slide carbs (polished heads I will have to wait on, and I'm definetly getting the service done again as I am now kinda sure he was full of it on that count.

Being an explosive kinda guy, I'm going to bide my time and think of exactly what to tell this guy, but oh well, live and learn, this is my first experience with sportbikes. They can only get better, seeing as I love to ride them now.

Thank you gentlemen for speaking up and helping a newb out, I greatly appreciated.

[stefreem]

At $3800 it's still great bike. I'd park it until it got new belts though. The price is in line with CRs. The carbs alone are an $800 mod I think. Check out the Haynes manual ( Haynes Ducati 600, 750 and 900 2-Valve V-Twins Service and Repair Manual, 1991 to 1996 models ) . $23 at amazon. Well worth it to help you learn about your bike. Enjoy!

[916WI]

+1 on going through the belts ASAP, regardless of what the previous owner says. If you get the proper manuals, it is definitely something that you can take on and the cost will be minimal. I would also recommend the Haynes manual along with LT Snyder's manual. I just did the belts on a 916 I recently bought--and yes, it was running with the original 10 year old white letter belts. LT Snyder, as well as ca cycleworks stocked the aftermarket bucci red letter kevlar belts that were 1/2 the cost of OE--I don't know if Bucci makes belts for the 2V as well? I actually prefer the looks of the CR over the SP--that white frame SS that Ed posted earlier would be my idea of the perfect supersport. Throw some carbon on there(belt covers/fenders) and that would be it. Enjoy them, they're great bikes........

[Odin]

stefreem: you're absolutely right, at $3800 it's not a bad deal at all. I'm going to leave it in the house until I get the belts looked at which might be this weekend (this means that my BMW R60/5 is going to get a much needed workout ) and thanks for the heads up on the manuals, will be getting those pretty quick as well

916WI: I will be looking into the LT Snyder manual (do you have a website?) as well. I had been planning on doing the belt covers and the front fender cf anyway so this is just another step in the process.

Thanks again guys for your help and valuable input

Marcos

[916WI]

http://www.desmotimes.com/

[Odin]

thanks