The newer (3-phase) ones aren't bullet-proof by any means.
Mine went pop the other week on my 748, taking the battery with it. And it chose to do it when I was on holiday in the Scottish Highlands
(as posted elsewhere on DSC).
Luckily, prompt work by Ducati Glasgow saved the day.
The mounting position on the 748/996 doesn't help, though. I can't remember where they're mounted on the SS (although I used to have a 750SS
)). Ideally they should be in the wind-flow for best cooling.
[Edited on 18-8-2004 by moto748]