Would you swap your SS for a SBK?
 

I'm lucky in that I own the bike I've always wanted but I'm curious as to whether other SS riders would swap their bikes for a SBK (9*6, 999 etc) all other things being equal (cash to make up the value and so on)?

Obviously SSie riders could be excused for wanting to swap their "attractive" machines for anything else :frog: but how 'bout carbed SS owners?

I must admit I'd like an 851/888 at some point in the future but I certainly wouldn't get rid of my SL to get it. I can't see it happening anytime soon though.

Best solution is.........

........one of each !

(also gets around the red vs yellow debate)

This could start something - you don't seem to like the SSie shape fiscus ?
Personally i think the old SS shape looks just that - old. The SSie is a great looking bike.:sing:

[Edited on 22-4-2004 by STEVE M]

I've had a SBK for years and have recently got an 'old' SS,but then I've always done things back to front.
Does this mean I'll be getting an old pantah next?:lol:

No mate I'm not what you'd call a big fan.... ;) Saying that I used to think the Supermono was gorgeous until I saw one in the flesh when I changed my mind.

I guess I must be weird anyway though 'cos I don't think the 9*6 series is particularly attractive either. S'probably 'cos you see just so many of them, familiarity and contempt and all that.

Didn't answer the question though?

Darren

I would not swap my SS for a 7/9**, I would keep it cos' it is my first Ducati, I have also an ST2 I dont think it's as bland as More Crap and Nonsense say...mind you I'm blind in one eye and the other is on the blink
:lol::lol::lol:
I also like the 851/888 shape.... and the new Classics are right up there on my wish list.....
:sing::sing:

Nope, I'll stick with my carby SS thanks.

With parts that are harder to get and fewer aftermarket goodies available, I suspect for most other carby owners it is also a choice, not a compromise.

I used to think that my parent's generation were nuts for preferring 60's music to 80's, bobby robson to bryan robson, and bonnevilles to bandits - but now I find myself having the same debates with teenagers who say Hendry is better than Higgins.

Make no apologies for owning something that you love - there will always be something newer/faster/better handling, but nothing that will make you smile inside in the same way.

(Ignore all of the above if you lust after an SBK but can only afford an SS!)

I wanted a genuine \'enthusiast\'s\' bike...
 

...and since nobody makes one any more, the SSie was the nearest.

I love the 8-valve bikes, particularly the 851, but the extra complication and weight are not worth the performance increase.

I never liked the looks of the nuovo-SS ('91-'98) even though I bought a 750 brand new in '91. My Morini 3 1/2 is a much better bike than that 750 was, but it is getting on a bit, with crude suspension and not much in the way of power (though it has seen off many a Ducati at Cadwell- not on the straight, obviously!) I decided to add something a bit more modern to the collection.

What I really want is a small capacity V-twin, Italian of course, with 60-70bhp and quality suspension. Not a budget bike, which is all the manufacturers think an enthusiast deserves nowadays.

1000 V-twins are just a safe bet, I suppose, but I like bikes to rev and steer...

:lol:

Swap me Blooooduke for a 9*6, not on yer ...
 

...Nelly (apologies Neil, Im sure you know what I mean)
Nope, its mine, individualised!!!!!!!!! personalised and all mine
Must admit to havin strange thoughts of a 748 fer a trackday bike though, must of been in a sober moment
SSie
is alwight for me
rgds
a trepidatious mort (waiting fer Cadwell, OH YEA bring them other beasties on):roll::roll:

Different kettle of fish really arent they?? Owning a 2V & 4V I love em as much as each other..for very different reasons. I enjoy the DIY servicing, simplicity and low running costs of the 2V...I dont enjoy £900 service bills for the 4V's !! (only the once though!)

All I would say is that now the 748/916 series has become more affordable..your actually a good chance of being a bit more different owning an SS/SL !!

You can also do a massive amount of modification (as Frank has seemly demonstrated!!) relativley cheaply..ie; for about the price of a set of ohlins forks on a 916 !!!

Dont get me wrong..I love the 916 series..if some T****r hadnt written mine off for me Id still own it now (since new)...but I also love the pre TPG graphics and understated styling of the SS series....

Er..ill get of that fence then shall I ??!!!!!

Cheers
nat

for fiscusfish first - just joking about the pre 98 ss shape, I love all SS's from the bevels to the MHe, always been an SS fan and the FE is one of the best.
As for the original question - I'm perfectly happy with my SS, it has plenty of real world performance. People are usually suprised at how well they go, that low down grunt making them so easy to use, they are even pretty usefull on a track, just those anoying 8 valve things tend to blitz it down the straight. (give 748's a hard time though):sing:

[Edited on 23-4-2004 by STEVE M]

Just as an aside...
 

...I was blasting around the Peak all weekend, hundreds of bikes everywhere.

Other than a stickered-up 'race rep' 900SSie (which looks a right tart's handbag) in Matlock Motorcycles, I didn't see a single other aircooled SS.

Saw an 851/888, a Multistrada, an ST4s and shed loads of 916etcs.

Now you know what to buy to be REALLY exclusive!

PS chasing a Lambourghini Diablo was fun- I bet he didn't pay £2650 for it!

:lol:

Interestingly I saw a dyno graph that compared a 900ss with a 996, and the only difference was that at 8000rpm the 996 kept climbing in power. But up to that point the power curves were exactly the same!

For me I like to use mid-range in my road riding, so I probably don't really need the extra power of an 8v. I'd like more torque for two-up riding, but I don't really need it.

Nik

i dunno . . . i tried a mates 748, and it felt nimble, tight and the motor was much quieter, but it just wasn't as 'ducati' as my 900SS . . . nice bike though

Vancouver
 

What a fantastic place.

You lucky b*stard.

Mine is my first Duke... I do like it V much but I secretly would love a 916...
At the moment I just need to learn to ride the one I've got!
I just have always loved that shape...it is so feminine.

I've also wondered what a 4v would feel like...
Price wise I think I probably will end up with a 7**
(with a respray of course!)
:P

750Sport & 999S
 

I've got one of each and love both dearly.
I was about to post to say "I know which one I prefer!", but yesterday I was in two minds about which one to ride to work ... I chose the 750!
I still cannot understand how I made that choice :puzzled:
Motorcycles ... it's a funny old game, Saint.:roll:

After my day getting blown away at Cadwell I was a little disheartened with my little Duke but after going out for a ride with mt ex-racer buddy on his TL1000 down the local Hemsley 'TT' route I feel much better now....

I was able to keep up with him easily by using the creamy midrange on my mocheen.

I forgotten what a usable bike she is on 'real' roads - and I'm glad to say that my recent spate of mods has finally paid off as she is just so comfy to ride....

(But I'd still love to try an 888 sometime :lol: )

2V V 4V
 

It would have to be the T8 for top end rush and fast riding and the SL for a more comfortable riding position and relaxed ride.
I cant say that either one is better only to say that looks wise I would never sell the T8 before the wife/kids etc.

I owned a couple of 900ss before buying my first 888. The most immediate difference is in the extra weight carried by the 888 (Strada). Because of this, and from very low revs, the SS has the more immediate throttle response - but when the SS is rattling your teeth @ 8,ooorpm, the 888 is still fairly smooth and accelerating hard. Handling too is more composed on the 888. It feels a lot more 'planted' at all times. The SP is another beast altogether. It could almost be a different bike. Very fast, light & responsive - the best of both worlds. It's not a relaxing ride though. It's brash / loud - and very much 'in your face'!

yeah, it's a great place to live. nothing like the UK for biking though. i much preferred the UK scene plus the easy access to the continent.