DUCATI 900SS (1990 - 2002) Review

Version: CR (half fairing)

Year: 1994

When it’s running, sheer joy. Best handling bike I’ve ridden. (Yes I have ridden the R1, and it’s too small and cramped. I realize that at 6 ft, 180, I’m a huge beast.)

Buying experience: I got this from a good friend, so the price was too low to be useful for anyone else. He knew I loved the machine and would look after it’s “needs.”

Version: IE Senna colour edition

Year: 2002

Annual servicing cost: £100

Underrated road bike that belies its performance figures. The motor is full of torque precisely where its needed in road riding and not screeming at a tiresome gazillion rpm. The Pierre Terblanche design is coming of age. Features like the Ohlins rear suspension, Marchesini five-spoke wheels, the alloy swingarm and Brembo brakes all go to make a very special bike, particularly as there were only around twenty of them sent to the UK in both half and fully- faired guises.

Version: Y

Year: 1996

Annual servicing cost: £100

I still like it after 24 years of ownership, service it myself, great handling and sound, still makes me grin which is what it's all about!

Buying experience: Bought 24 years ago and it's still makes me grin when i go for a blast on it. I cant really remember the buying experience. Amused that it's now worth pretty much what i paid for it so good value for 24 years of motorcycling.

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £150

I genuinely look forward to any opportunity to go for a ride. It's been my everyday commuter for 5 years. Serviced and looked after by an independent garage in Yorkshire and apart from wear and tear I've never had any issues at all. I'm shocked about the reliability rating as mine has been rock solid. The only thing I'd change is increase the handlebar height to reduce back of neck agony when distance touring. I use givi saddlebags when I go camping or touring and it really is brilliantly versatile.

Buying experience: Bought from Alf's down south somewhere and they were lovely folk.

Version: Aryton senna replica

Year: 2002

Annual servicing cost: £100

I've been told I bought the Mona Lisa of Ducati so that makes mine rarer than yours 🤣 only 200 made 🥳 best bike I have ever owned I would highly recommend the 900 supersport it has everything power performance looks respect from all bikers truly a package deal

Buying experience: I bought this beauty from formula 1 Motorsports from a Ducati collector that goes by the name of whitey... He told me I was buying the Mona Lisa of Ducati I didn't realize how true that statement really was

Year: 1995

Annual servicing cost: £70

Looks, handles and sounds absolutely brilliant - none better

Version: 1997 900 SS/SP

Year: 1997

Five out of five for smiles per mile per year. I've had dozens and dozens of motorcycles over the decades that I DID enjoy, but I LOVE THIS BIKE and practically giggle every time I ride it!! I will DIE OWNING THIS MOTORCYCLE and WILL come back and haunt my heirs if they sell it!!

Buying experience: Bought it almost new (8 miles) in 1998 for about $8200 US. Now worth maybe, MAYBE 4500 bucks and I have spent lots of money on it over the years. Now 22 years old and GORGEOUS....I LOVE IT! YELLOW, of course as red ones are a dime a dozen!!

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £100

My Ducati 900SS is odd. All factory carbon, Termignoni carbon pipes, and the Marchesini light five spoke wheels. Everything that should be black plastic is carbon, so the bike is very light.

Version: 900SS IE

Year: 2002

The bike is an excellent all rounder, it has low HP however the torque and usability of the power is excellent on tight roads.

Buying experience: It hasn’t got any!

Year: 1993

When I still had hair, I was racing the Ducati 900SS 3 days a week against Japanese 4 cylinder, 16 valves, 125 hp +, good pilots. The result: I saw all of them pull away from me in the straight, to see them all drop back behind me in the next curve. Brakes, handling and couple from 1500 RPM are absolutely great. As fast as a 600 Japanese, but infinitely more relax. A growl of a lion, instead of an hysterical scream.

Version: 1991

Year: 1991

Annual servicing cost: £300

Fantastic looks and fun to ride. The sum is greater than the parts.

Buying experience: Private

Version: CR

Year: 1996

Engine and looks are unmatchable! The sound angers dogs and startles joggers out of their earphones when this machine approaches. With classic Ducati lines, the intoxicating rumble of the L-twin power plant, and the trampy rasp of the dry clutch, there are few, if any, other bikes as outright sexy as the 900SS. Red... of course.

Version: Reg 2011 - Mike Hailwood LTD

Year: 2002

Annual servicing cost: £200

Having owned Ducati bikes over a 40 year period this 900SS has given me as much pleasure as my 916 and 1098. It might not have the maximum speed or handling but when I do my 289 miles commute from North Devon to Cambridge twice a month I get off and smile, thinking that was wonderful and better than any flash cars I've owned doing the same trip.

Buying experience: Bought from a dealer for 6000 with red, green and white paint job. The bike had been stored for 9 years in its packaging.

Version: 900SS full fairing

Year: 2000

This bike has a lot of character. It sounds awesome and is a real exotic. I've never had any reliability issues with it. 2000 models have EFI. It handles and stops well. Maintenance through reputable Ducati mechanics is notably more expensive than for Japanese sport bikes. The committed riding position makes this bike uncomfortable for long rides. It does not have 170 plus horsepower like the latest litre bikes, but if your street riding requires you to do more than 120 mph, you need your head examined! The engine is very torquey, and it is a lot of fun on winding paved roads. No rust after 15 years, just normal maintenance. The kickstand is horrendous, like many Ducati bikes.

Buying experience: private sale

Version: 900 Sport, matt black

Year: 2002

Annual servicing cost: £400

Well worth the money these days. Much easier to maintain than you may have been lead to believe. Suspension is on the firm side and bumpy roads will though you about. Bin the standard cans and fit some good ones so you can hear it snort and thump!

Picked mine up from KJM also. 2002 ltd edition SPORT model. Really impressed with it for £4000!!! Much rather have it than my mates 600 4's and what a soundtrack... Ducati's really are special and the SPORT and SS models are still brilliant these days. Buy one :-)

Picked mine up from KJM also. 2002 ltd edition SPORT model. Really impressed with it for £4000!!! Much rather have it than my mates 600 4's and what a soundtrack... Ducati's really are speciall and the SPORT and SS models are still brilliant these days. Buy one :-)

Stock bike, 14 years old - Looks more beautiful as time rolls on, sounds wonderful, feels great. Who cares if its out performed by Japanese fours. A bike built with spirit not technology and still plenty fast enough on the road. Only problem in 16 months was a broken throttle cable. Used regulary for commuting

I have owned a 1999 900ssie registered in Mar 2000 for 8 years now, it has Remus carbon race cans and I have replaced a lot of the nuts and bolts with stainless items to stop the rust. I keep the bike clean and I keep to the required service intervals and it has given me over 10,000 miles of trouble free fun, it's been to Germany and Holland doing nearly a thousand miles in a long weekend. As for scalping bigger bikes, as long as you are steaming along at a fair pace the suspension keeps the bike firmly planted and you can take them in the twisty’s, sorry Mr Fireblade owner, Handleys Corner, TT 2008!

briefly before turning it into a sexy seventies SS replica with a Baines frame/bodywork kit.

Should be mentioned that the beautifully styled Tamburini-era SS bikes ended in 1998. After that Pierre Terblanche gave them a good working over his ugly stick. Despite technical improvements under the skin, sales tanked worldwide.

I have a brand new out of the box 900ss matt black. Its a 2002 model from KJM, for what I paid for it which is no more than a Versys I have twin Brembo front discs and Ohlins shocks and tons of smiles. In 10mths I have done 7300miles and its never missed a beat, nothing wrong, no breaks or faults. 4 hours in solid rain to glasgow, nothing, it just keeps going. As my first ever bike I couldn't ask for more, I love it, its full of character unlike the souless Jap bikes. And the sound it makes is up there with a merlin engine. Those who have one know the real truth about this bike.

Every time I take a ride I think it's never been as good as this. Its not sweet like many fours from Japan its just a pure, raw no fuzz sportbike. The SS is like your favourite dog and japanese sportbikes are like dishwashers, you like both but have a better connection with one. Forks are not great and mirrors are for looking at your shoulders. My 97 has not broken down yet after 33000 km.

I have a 97 model 900SS. I bought as a second bike and only really use it for fun and riding to race meetings. When I first got the bike it was standard. My first long trip (400 miles) the clutch started slipping due to overheating trying to get out of Donington. Then on the same journey the regulator failed so I was stranded. Fixed with non Ducati parts all OK. Next long journey (Le Mans) and I suffered carb icing all the way there and all the way back. Changed the carbs for Keihin flatslides...no more problems. Now I`ve sorted all the problems, I love it. The sound, the character the torquey power delivery are all great. No chance against modern sportsbikes on a straight, but when the road gets twisty, you can surprise alot of people. I keep spending money on bits and pieces for it. It`s got Sil moto exhausts, single seat unit, Ohlins shock and steering damper. It`s cost me a fortune, but for some reason I don`t mind. I`ll probably keep this bike forever....even though I don`t trust it!