Considering upgrading/trading my SS. Mistake?

I really love my '95 900SS SP so much that I'm wanting more. Would upgrading to something in the "superbike" series be an "upgrade" or a whole different feeling and ballgame?

What do I love about my SS? Handling obviously, it seems to know what I want to do before I do. Torque is awesome, speed is enough.


On a side note, has Ducati always made the distinction between "supersport" and "superbike" or was that recently?

Jim
http://www.crawfordfamilia.com/ducati.htm

I'd say the 1000ss wuld be more of everything you love about your bike, only better. The transition would be seamless, and you would be grinning. It is only a small jump in power though.

The 749 is worth the test run, it is quite a bit better than the 748 for a street bike. I'd want to spring for a 999 if I went the superbike route. I ride a 1000 supersport for now though.

Lou

The 2 valve air cooled are more reliable IMHO and they cost less to do any valve adjustments if you dont do them yourself. If what you have is plenty of power, then why sacrifice more comfort, more reliablity, and less money to maintain? If you want more power, then it is a different story. If you want the comfort AND the reliability, then the 1000DS would be a great choice. If you want alot more power, then consider the superbikes.

All the bikes are great bikes, but it depends what you like and what you intend to use it for. (Track days, weekend twisties, commute, etc.)

Well, I'm using it now for weekend twisties with an occasional commute. I beat my previous speed record today on the freeway. 130mph in the carpool lane. It got there quickly and hummed along as if asking for more.

After sitting around reading motorcycle mags I think I want to trade my '95 900SS. Then I get out and ride up the mountain where I live and I forget all that nonsense. My SS does everything I need it to do, it's still fun, and it's paid for. If I get the inkling for more power I'll pickup a BCM 944 kit.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Red900SS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well, I'm using it now for weekend twisties with an occasional commute. I beat my previous speed record today on the freeway. 130mph in the carpool lane. It got there quickly and hummed along as if asking for more.</TD></TR></TABLE>

605???

keep your '95. it looks better than the new ones and has carbs. for more power go with the 944 kit as mentioned above and a set of 41MM keihin FCR's. it will make you smile.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mikeinwi. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">keep your '95. it looks better than the new ones and has carbs. for more power go with the 944 kit as mentioned above and a set of 41MM keihin FCR's. it will make you smile. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Ditto- the first thing I did when I picked up my SS was throw on a set of 41 FCR's. They absolutely rock- this is the second 2 valve Duc I've had them on. Pick you up a set from Chris at ca-cycleworks.com.

sounds like I"m going to keep her!

Seems like the 41mm carbs are a def must. Should I go for the 944 kit or will the drop in 11:1 pistons be ok?

If I spread the work out, which should I do first?

should probably also mention what I've done so far:

-K&n air filter
-Slip on Ferracci Forza carbon round pipes
-15/39 sprockets
-Soon to be installed: DynoJet Stage II jet kit with open top airbox.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Red900SS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">should probably also mention what I've done so far:

-K&n air filter
-Slip on Ferracci Forza carbon round pipes
-15/39 sprockets
-Soon to be installed: DynoJet Stage II jet kit with open top airbox.</TD></TR></TABLE>

My ? Skip the Dynojet kit and the 944 kit for now and just get the 41mm FCR's. Those will keep you entertained for a long time. When they get old then drop on the big bore kit.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TnDuc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

My ? Skip the Dynojet kit and the 944 kit for now and just get the 41mm FCR's. Those will keep you entertained for a long time. When they get old then drop on the big bore kit.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree. I did 12:1's a jet kit and head work. It was really nice except I was told it did not need but 92-93 pump fuel. It detonated on pump fuel a lot. I changed them to 11:1's and it works fine. If I was doing it all over again(which I am) I would do the 944 kit with the split 41's and short malossi intake manifolds. If I get real ambitious I'll put pankl ti rods and I'll be all set for another 10 years. By the way, carbed SS's are really easy to put on a diet and make 'em really light. Mine is at 350lb(oil, no fuel) and it can go a lot lighter. Handles GREAT!

Cheers,
Ricky

Hey Desmospeed, since you are redoing yours, how about selling me your 11:1 kit?

I've already purchased the dynojet and can't yet afford $800 for 41mm carbs...

i just sold my 02 900 sport to buy an 00 996 mono.
they're not comprable bikes, at all; the ss is higher, softer, more comfortable and simpler. it's a great commuter and it's a great all around bike. i loved how simple the SS was and how (once you got the fairings off) accessible everything is in the engine bay; the only nuisance is the removal of the rear shock to do valve adjustments, but hey, whatever.
my ss was pretty much stock w/ the exception of termi slipons, and 998 forks. it did well on track, handled great and worked well but it was and is a compromise; where the ss starts to run out of steam at 110 the 996 is just waking up.
for me, the decision was based on numbers and what i'd spend to bring the ss up to the spec i wanted; i quickly realized that i'd be better off buying a sbk rather than converting an ss into a ss-sbk hybrid.
in my mind, the bikes are so different that it would be an almost fallacious comparison; both are great bikes but they're aimed for different purposes - i couldn't imagine daily commuting on the sbk (while you could) and i couldn't bring myself to spend the money to make the ss as quick and track ready as a sbk.
it really depends on what you want but in my opinion, if you're just looking for more power then that's the wrong reason to switch because while the sbk has more power, it also comes with its own character and it only really makes sense if you need a whole new package.

i'm quickly coming to the realization that I'm going to need more than 1 bike to fulfill my needs

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Red900SS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i'm quickly coming to the realization that I'm going to need more than 1 bike to fulfill my needs </TD></TR></TABLE>

go out and ride a sbk, you'll know exactly what i mean. my next bike will be a monster S2R.

unfortunately, I don't know anyone that owns one, how open are dealers to letting you test drive superbikes if you are thinking of trading up?


Modified by Red900SS at 5:12 PM 5/31/2005

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Red900SS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">unfortunately, I don't know anyone that owns one, how open are dealers to letting you test drive superbikes if you are thinking of trading up?


Modified by Red900SS at 5:12 PM 5/31/2005</TD></TR></TABLE>

depends on the dealer. if you're serious, i don't think they'll have a problem with it if it's their bike(eg, not on consignment) and you have a history with them. i'd solicit your local dealer and see what happens.

Well, I found a local repair shop and one of the owners has his own 749 he said I could try out. Pretty nice of him. I hope to make it over there soon.

I'm just afraid the ride will make me appreciate my 900ss less

I own a 95 900ss and love it, that low rpm torque is crazy. I went from a 750SS to the 900 with 11:1 FBF pistons and FBF cams, stage 2 jet kit; WOW what a difference in power! Im planning on buying 41 Keihin's this month! Then I can focus on suspension and trimming some weight. I read that FCR's and proper gearing will get you 155mph, that's not much below a 916 or 748/749 top speed.