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Originally posted by bradders 97-99 sps with showa as it is a true classic with same power as later ones - later sps is R wannabe IMHO |
Have to agree with you there Bradders. I rode both '99 and '00 SPS with Showa and Ohlins front respectively and went for the '99 model.
Why?
Couldn't tell the difference between the front ends on the road, despite giving them both a good go.
Ohlins forks look way too bling for my taste - the SPS is a 'bareback' bike by nature and the Showas just look more 'bareback' to me.
I was told from some 'reliable' sources that the Ohlins forks on the '00 model are prone to blowing seals much more than the Showas on the '99.
If Showas were good enough for Foggy they are good enough for me ;-) - as you say ... "classic"
The price - I got my W reg '99 SPS for £6K with 6,500 miles on the clock and a good full service history. It is damn-near mint. All the others I saw were worse condition and much more expensive - and the '00 models were more expensive still.
My advice? Take your time. Get yourself a nice, clean, '99 SPS. Deck it out with a few understated extra bits of carbon and some rear-sets, get it set-up properly (dyno and suspension) and enjoy probably the purest-Ducati riding experience there is.
Mine still makes me tingle every time I open the garage. Beautiful.