Ducati 1000 SS
Might not look or feel like a classic yet but this bike is rare, desirable and affordable.
Have a look what the reviews said about this bike in 2004..http://www.mcnews.com.au/ducati-1000ss/ ..then ride it and you’ll understand. Ignore Pierre Terblanche’s marmite syling (it grows on you every day and will emerge as a classic look in years to come, just like the 999) and look at the underlying power, weight and specification to appreciate what a super bike Ducati produced immediately before the launch of the Sport Classic range. The Supersport 1000 headed the Supersport range from 2003 to 2006 and although production numbers aren’t to be found in the usual places a good estimate around 6,000 worldwide, and that’s very small for a production motorcycle. The new dual-spark (DS) 992cc L-twin engine is the same as the Monster 1000 and Multistrada of the time and with increased power the SS was all about weight saving. So many components were re-engineered to shave grams of weight here and there: even the headlight lens was polycarbonate instead of glass (800 grams saved) allowing a lighter front subframe. Massive but light alloy swingarm, Ohlins rear shock, new electronic and analog instrument panel (similar to Sport Classics). Read the article linked above and you’ll see that comparisons with the 900ie predecessor are like night and day!
This example is a UK machine in better than excellent condition inside and out. Pretty standard except those rare and beautiful oval Termi’ exhausts which sound so…LOUD. Full service history, just had a full service including belts and shims with Baines Racing Ducati at Silverstone, low miles and owners, all the books and keys blah-de-blah-de-blah ticks all the boxes etc etc etc. Think I’ll keep it.