Having been with its original owner until 2022, this 1981 Ducati 900SS is said to be a survivor, wearing its original paint that shows some wear and nicks here and there. Despite that, or maybe because of that, it would draw a crowd of motorcycle fans at almost any gathering, or even at a gas station. It’s listed here on eBay in Elmhurst, Illinois; the current bid is $2,100, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
There’s a local coffee shop where I hang out every once in a while, and it’s known for having motorcycle groups show up and park in front. They open the overhead door in the summer, and it’s pretty cool to see a bunch of motorcycles backed into the curb in front. This type of cafe racer-style (not really the official type or style) has to be the most popular type of bike I see parked there. Here’s a photo of one of the walls in the coffee shop showing a Ducati 900 poster!
Ducati’s Super Sport series was produced in the first round from 1974 through 1981, and this is the last year of what is commonly known as the square-case models. Made in 750 and 900 versions, many reviewers wondered why Ducati took it away once they finally got it right. The V-twin engine was different, with a new and improved oil pump, better, more reliable electronics, an improved cam drive, and the shifter moved to the left side. The U.S. had recently regulated that motorcycles had to have the shifter on the left side. Hagerty is at $7,800 for a #3 good-condition example and $11,500 for a #2 excellent bike.
You can see that this example isn’t ready for Concours duties, but is instead said to be a nice survivor that was recently refurbished. It could use new tires for serious riding duties, as the ones it’s wearing now are well past the decade-long safety deadline. I would absolutely want to ride this one, so new tires would be a must. The gas tank and other painted bits are showing some honest wear and a few nicks here and there. I think it’s a great look; I would not repaint this bike.
The engine is more of an L-twin, basically two single cylinders grafted together at the crankcase, and it’s an 864-cc model with around 65 horsepower. Power is sent through a five-speed manual, and at just under 500 pounds, this isn’t a lightweight, but they were fast in its day, with a 130 mph top speed. The seller says it starts easily and rides superbly. With a couple of modifications (Koni shocks, electronic ignition, etc.), I’d want to put this one back to as bone-stock as possible. Have any of you heard of this model or owned a similar-era Ducati?
A friend had i believe it was a 1983 S2 Ducati That i was able to ride a few times that did everything quite well that it was designed to do. I never owned a street bike but was lucky to have friends that besides the Ducati there was two Honda CBX 6 cylinders, two Kawasaki Z1R and one Suzuki 1100. I was lucky enough to ride all of them multiple times the Ducati on twisty roads was my favorite the Honda CBX just scared the hell out of me but it did have the sweetest sound with a header.
Every time I hear or read about Dacatti I go back to the age of 13 in the summer of 71. After working for my dad I bought my first dirt/ trail bike a blue Suzuki TS 125 Duster. I was in heaven and had graduated from Boy’s Life to motorcycle mags. I remember salivating over the 71 Ducatti Desmo RT 450. The straight exhaust and how it curved in and out of the frame still sticks in my mind. I still to this day think it was one of the most Bad A$$ bikes I’ve ever laid eyes on.
Life was so simple then…go to work, earn money, buy what you wanted. Didn’t care about running out of room, spending too much and losing money, or the wife not approving!