1995 Ducati 900SS SP Owner's Overview and Review Featuring Ducfan! What is it Like to Own One?

[@DorkintheRoad]

Would you like to hear more about Ducfan's bike? Reply to this comment and let him know!

[@hobzsgarage6130]

Es pee 😂

[@captsam54]

Nope... not interested in a custom one of those things. but that's just me... Not into Ninja Style bikes...

[@connivingcactus539]

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!1!11!!

[@ducfan9546]

Yes. I kind of babbled on about anything and everything as it popped into my head. I could do more about specifics (modifications, issues, positives, comparisons, Ducati trivia/lore/evolution, other?) if there is interest. I can also do impressions of other bikes.

[@keithdeshong9612]

YES more 900ss sp please

[@Desmo904]

The "SP" in 900SS SP stands for "Sports Production" and the CR is "Cafe Racer". I owned a 900SS for 10 years. Mine was a '91 with white wheels and frame which (biased) me thinks is the best option. Great bikes, I wish I had never sold mine!

[@MJP3055]

Love the 900SS-SP. I have the very same bike, which I have heavily modified. This is when Ducati still had some soul.

[@emberducati9237]

The trellis frame was outdated, but iconic and aesthetically superior.

[@thecman26]

Ahhhhh nineties analog suspersport bikes were the best! No traction control! No electronics! Just pure power and sweet looks!

[@jdsalinger73]

Your scream actually does mimic the response of a 900SS. Well done! The first time I cracked the throttle on a 900SS was pure joy. Never heard or felt anything like it before or since. A DEEP guttural, sexy growl.

[@artmchugh5644]

I had a 1991 loved that thing to the tune of 195.000 miles !!! I modified the clutch case like yours , but with a hacksaw and a file !!! Just for fun ! Put soft bags on it and rode to California from Pennsylvania! 😄😄🍺🍺

[@tempest411]

That's amazing. I've owned mine for 12 years and have only put a few hundred miles on it. I just don't trust it. I have FCR41s on it as well, and an aftermarket ignition (Ignitech) and it still does goofy shit, like not wanting to start very easily when hot. It'll fire right up after sitting for two years, but try and restarting after going inside a store or something and it's a pita. It also seems to run lean at highway speeds, and I have no clue how to tune those carburetors. There are both fuel and air adjustments(???).

[@richardwhitehead4684]

I owned two of these. A ‘91 and a ‘95 (like one you’re on). One of the sweetest engines of all times. A quirky chassis, tho. Prone the the death head shake whe ridden over bumps at speed. Ass hole clenching scary. Both bikes did it. Friends of mine owned these bikes, and theirs did it, too. That’s why we all sold them. Handling quirks aside, no other motorcycle I’ve ever ridden (and there have been many) has had the raw, visceral fun factor of these bikes. Also, adding the Wei so high comp pistons completely transforms the bike. Perfect GT riding position. The stock Mikuni carbs on these bikes are not problematic at all. Some very minor jetting tweaks and you’re good. Very minor. Anyway, be mindful of the head shake issue over bumps, and you’ll be fine. Near perfect power/weight ratio. Perfect throttle response. And, of course, lovely to look at.

[@Desmo904]

One good thing to do is to replace the battery cables with ones for a car. Beefier cables stop the hesitant starting that is such a problem with the standard weedy cables.

[@ducfan9546]

I installed a cable kit from motolectric. I “feel” like it made a big difference.

[@rogercamp2910]

Never remove the belt covers and ride, also they quieten the noise from the belts. There is a mod for the clutch as the lugs on the plates wear pretty quick in comparison to the clutch basket.

[@emberducati9237]

This was my first and only motorcycle I’ve owned. I’m also kind of a sociopath, and it definitely hasn’t been easy, but I love my 900SS CR.

[@jdsalinger73]

Stick with it. I rode a BMW R1100S for 10 years and 80,000 miles. It did it all, touring, grocery getter, carving, comfy. Duc 900SS were the only other bikes that made me consider trading. But then I got a Guzzi Breva and scratched the Italian itch.

[@emberducati9237]

@@jdsalinger73 I still got her!

[@sjorswouda6865]

CR stands for CaRenata (full fairing) Half fairing is called Nuda.

[@stuffhappens5681]

If you bought one of these new it was necessary to immediately rejet the carbs, replace the rear sprocket with a 39 tooth steel sprocket (torque and driveline lash ate aluminum sprockets) and put on a set of open mufflers. It didn’t hurt to swap out the rubber brake lines for braided stainless or Kevlar, and open the air box w/K&N filter. Doing these things really woke these bikes up. The difference is like night and day. Mirror extenders are nice as the rear view mirrors are essentially useless unless you like staring at your shoulders. An AGM battery is a plus. Hotter ignition coils help. As does a better seat.

[@stuffhappens5681]

@Jeff Greenspon I’ve owned three Ducati 900SS’s. A red ‘93 I bought new. A red ‘95 SP and a yellow ‘97 CR. First I will congratulate you on your purchase. These bikes are full of character and great low-end torque. They’re like an American muscle car in the sense they make a great noise and go like hell stoplight to stoplight but top end is only about 128mph. Still, for running around town I greatly prefer it over a typical sport bike. It’s funny because of the three I actually preferred the CR. First, with the half-fairings oil changes don’t require removing them like on the full fairing bikes. Second, I like seeing the engine. Third, the bike handled better than the other two because it has a skinnier back tire. Whatever you do please resist the temptation to put on fatter tires. It totally ruins the handling. These bikes do sweepers better than tight turns. A magazine once quipped the 900SS turns like the Queen Mary. Wider tires make the turn-in slower. Michelin Pilots in the stock OEM size will serve you well. The OEM brake master cylinder isn’t great. So for better brake feel dump the rubber brake lines for braided stainless. You’ll notice the difference. Also the OEM clutch is a pretty stiff pull. A larger diameter slave cylinder is a nice investment. Makes the clutch pull a little easier. Otherwise install a Factory Pro jet kit with titanium needles. Why? Because the steel needles bounce around at idle and will oval the brass seats making for a too rich idle condition. Titanium are lighter and create less wear. Hotter ignition coils help it idle better, but the big difference in acceleration will come when you switch out the rear sprocket for a 39 tooth STEEL one. As far as exhausts go, I had Staintunes on my ‘93. They are absolutely beautiful but they get really REALLY hot. Hot enough to melt your shoes or fry your ankles. So be careful. My carbon fiber Termignoni’s on my CR were much cooler to the touch and in my opinion sounded deeper. Both are nice though. Also there were some reports back in the day of frames developing cracks in the welds near the head tube, also issues with engine head studs. I never experienced these problems though. Anyway, these bikes when properly sorted are a blast to own and ride. But you gotta know what you’re getting into. I hope this helps. Have fun!

[@stuffhappens5681]

@Jeff Greenspon - By now people might be rolling their eyes and wondering why anyone would buy such a troublesome vehicle? I get it and for the people that do not like to tinker the ain’t the bike for them. Try to understand Ducati was a tiny cash strapped company with more passion than resources. Developing the 916 literally broke the company. But what an accomplishment! In the 90s there were a certain amount of DOT regs that were different than Europe at the time. Hence the carbs are too lean, exhaust too quiet, some had California emissions that included a heavy charcoal canister fuel evap system. The canister is under the headlight on those and the gas tank vent hose wraps under the tank instead of directly into the steering head. Also, the bikes are geared for European riding with relatively slow acceleration but higher mid to top speed. Not too much fun here in the USA. Ducati didn’t even bother to put on a U.S. license plate bracket. Fabrication to fit your plate was on you. 😂 And mirrors? They’re a complete afterthought. None of the things I’m talking about comes as any surprise to those familiar with Italian cars and bikes. More passion and beauty than quality and practicality was a thing with everything coming out of Italy for a long time. That’s why if you have an Italian vehicle that’s sorted. Looking and running as intended. It’s a beautiful thing!

[@harleysurfer]

@Jeff Greenspon Haha, me too. I took a screenshot of it. Should have picked up a 1999 (50.000km) one yesterday, but damn, the shop closed early....

[@22NL22NL]

Analogue in a digital world, like music, vinyl always sounds better than mp3

[@alechull4300]

Dig it, thanks for the video. I always wanted one. Hunter S Thompson rode one

[@p6x2]

I am curious to understand why you think a carbureted bike is a Con? I think it is a Pro. No hiccups because of the castrating emission protection. My Moto Guzzi V11 from 2004 can't stand 3500 rpm. Tuning carburetors is not as difficult as it seems, providing you have the proper equipment to do it.

[@nickw22689]

You had me convinced this was Dork with your intro line. Nice bike though, you got me thinking about a used Ducati as a second bike.

[@ducfan9546]

Excellent 2nd or 3rd bikes.

[@trishk446]

So SP doesn’t stand for sport, CR doesn’t stand for cruise however, FE stands for final edition lol

[@bradjacobs1844]

Excellent review, a lot of information here that someone planning on buying a 900 SS-SP should be aware of. No, it’s not a Honda, it’s an entirely different experience. It’s a bike that is probably better suited to a rider with experience that is into vintage bikes or how bikes used to be before the influx of technology. It’s different mindset but very rewarding if your your into that.

[@bradjacobs1844]

Brad Jacobs Have to add - if you’re mechanically inclined and like to work on motorcycles, your experience with this bike will be much better than someone that doesn’t know the difference between a crescent wrench and an Allen wrench. But….you can learn! 0 seconds ago

[@michaelhevezi7273]

1996 900sssp was my first bike. It came with a steep learning curve but I say "yes, it is a great first bike if you have balls". Riding motorcycles is about having balls (or lady-balls #2019). Hence no seatbelts, the existence of mo-peds, fanny pax, and ATGAT. A comprehensive "no" will come from everyone except someone who actually saw this machine in the flesh and decided "I've done enough of the things I wanted to do in life to make this my first bike". Hearing this thing thump and rattle and deciding to buy it as a first bike is something which mirrors the grit one would need to handle this beast in the first place. It's decisions like this in life that shape a future with wider opportunities under unsupervised, unexpected, without permission circumstances. This isn't calculated structure, and neither is it squatting above your weight capability at the gym. This is the first dive off the diving board. Yeah, sure you should start from the 5 foot board but at that rate you might as well have started with a 1972 Honda CL100 and call yourself a cafe racer with the striped leather jacket and leather gloves. Taking this leap as a first bike is something which escapes the analytical prowess of society altogether. It brings one first into a world which one wishes was absent of people and full of roads, and second into a world which is absent of obstacles to make decisions for the sake of the soul, just filled with advertising, taxes, and dullards. I'm not saying this bike is a great first for everyone, only that the value of a decision of such magnitude couldn't possibly be interpreted by anyone but the palm-sweaty knee-heavy testosterone bag that would dare enter the cave of wonders.

[@emberducati9237]

The 900SS CR is my first motorcycle too. I have no point of reference to other bikes, so I don’t know how it compares Even as a novice though, I can tell this machine wants to go fast. So much character and aggression.

[@emberducati9237]

At the end of the day, it comes down to your temperament and throttle control. I don’t ride like an asshole. It is jerky, but I don’t mind it at all.

[@joes7329]

Had a 95 SP miss it terribly

[@THELUCKYROOKIE]

Just ended up buying one of these because it was pretty cheap. And I'm a first time rider...

[@ducfan9546]

Be gentle on the throttle and run non-ethanol gas if you can find it.

[@FabianRomano1]

Nice video man ! Just got a 1996; same bike. But the tail looks like a superlight single seat. I love it; it feels like a race bike and more aggressive compared to my previous V-twin sport; a Honda VTR 1000 Superhawk 1998 also carbed 110 hp. The Ducati feels lighter faster and nastier overall. On paper is only 10 pounds lighter and way less HP. Must be one of the bikes with most character out there. Only mod I want to do is make a front end with a round headlight like an older 900ss (using a track fairing and cutting a hole).

[@michaelscott1060]

Ok my belt cover off experience.. 1991 900ss, keihin 41mm flat slides on short malossi manifolds.... then the battery overflow tube got caught on the centre belt pulley and hey presto full 4K top end rebuild... DONT DO IT....

[@DorkintheRoad]

That sounds awful. Thanks for sharing ;)

[@ducfan9546]

I am aware my right mirror is wonky. The easiest fix is to buy a Honda.

[@connivingcactus539]

Just shoot a couple sheetrock screws in there.

[@ducfan9546]

@@connivingcactus539 There is a "ball and socket joint" in there that needs to be disassembled and "roughed up" so it holds better (it's 24 years old!). Probably a 1/2hr job that will last a couple years. Some people literally stick a screw in there or use glue to make it permanent, but no longer adjustable. Another fix is aftermarket mirrors, but they aren't red...

[@dienstuhr]

@@ducfan9546 The stock mirrors on this '95 SS/SP weren't red, either. These were either painted or from an earlier model SS.

[@FabianRomano1]

Yea my 96 SP has black stock mirrors.

[@Lopez_67]

I have been a Ducati fan since 1996 when I saw Lawrence Fishbourne and Stephen Baldwin riding a pair of 916's in Fled. It was love at first sight.

[@mk2wonder]

i have 900cc 1991 werdbike, import fron Dutch to finlan,, like over12 years ownt the bike..

[@DorkintheRoad]

Do you love it?

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Not diminishing anything Ducati did in those days, but goodness it makes one appreciate the modern Supersport S.

[@ducfan9546]

It's the same idea (a "Ducati Superbike" with more road friendly ergos and power). Even the motors are awfully similar, and directly related (an oil cooled 904 2v versus a water cooled 939 4v, both 90 degree twins). I have not ridded the new SS, but I have ridden Ducs with that motor. The difference is like comparing a 60s muscle car (Mustang, Camaro, Charger, etc.) to it's modern version, except the performance isn't massively improved. I hate to use this term, because it's soooooo cliche, but it has a different "soul". I was disappointed when I rode the 950 Multistrada because it was very similar and familiar, but not in a good way. Sure, it started right away and didn't complain, but it was sort of bland in comparison. The difference is really just old-school vs modern. It's a different experience.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@ducfan9546 Probably due to the fact the mechanical noises from air cooling, the 2v instead of 4v heads, the wet clutch instead of dry, and some less refined buckin' and snortin' at lower rpms. Most of those things have been tuned out of the new Ducatis. I rode a late model Monster 1100 back when they were still for sale, with that 2v 1078 engine and a set of Termi slipons. Very character rich, but vibrated like a paintcan shaker until about 4,000 rpm where it smoothed out. Had a sort of old school muscle car powerband, easily loft the front wheel in the first couple gears with a quick flick of the wrist. Very controllable. But unrefined. Not something I'd ride for any lengthily distances.

[@tempest411]

@@ducfan9546 I'd be worried about the ECU. They can go on the fritz and cause all kinds of headaches, and the dealerships seem not too well equipped to diagnose them.

[@NYCZ31]

@@ducfan9546 the water cooling muffles much the noise the engine makes

[@sportify4849]

Is the position more upright and can you ride for hours without hurting your wrists? Is it more a sporttouring machine?

[@NYCZ31]

more sport touring. Bars are above the triple clamp, but you will be leaned forward a bit

[@tonylawson9319]

Well that was fun.

[@giuseppemaenza9255]

Fantastic bike

[@Francey4782]

People are spoiled these days, if they have the money to buy modern superbikes that is. 85 hp sounds plenty to me.

[@emberducati9237]

That’s because it is. These new Ducati’s have 212 HP on a thing smaller than a horse. Just absolute insanity.

[@hobzsgarage6130]

#1 ducfan 👍

[@wandersofp]

interesting, I like the review vids

[@jesserice9100]

Looks like you have a blinker out..

[@aaronharris8245]

What carburetors please

[@rickhindle7516]

keihin fcr 41

[@benoitm9227]

Magnifique

[@giofrasa]

top

[@EricSajid]

the bike problem

[@michaelhevezi7273]

Carbureted is a con...... where do you find these people? (and they are the FCR's!). Italy: Makes the last carbureted supersport for the sake of creating a piece of art that will stand the test of time. This Goon: "Here's everything that's wrong with this bike I own that I tried to fix with every aftermarket upgrade I possibly could to make up for a hole in my heart completely unrelated to the technical specifications of this bike." Me: "Michael stop trying to invalidate every nimrod's criticisms of this bike. The more people there are out there that think this bike is less than perfect, the less that will buy them, and their value will drop, and you can buy another, and another, and another, and then give one to each of your grandchildren and let selective pressure weed out the winners."

[@ducfan9546]

I’m sorry. You’re right. This bike is absolutely perfect in every way from the factory. The frames don’t crack, the oil galley plugs don’t back out, the tanks don’t rust, the starter wires aren’t garbage, the head studs don’t shear off, the swingarms don’t crack, the carbs don’t like to get stuck open and fill the case with gasoline, they never develop oil leaks, the regulators never fail, and they always start right away even when it’s cold.

[@michaelhevezi7273]

This is exactly the selective pressure I'm talking about! Keep it coming! You forgot the abnormally dim dummy lights, the crap factory clutch cylinder, the rattle-off mirrors, and the daintiest turn signal switch. Tell them how the bike requires dexterity and gusto simultaneously. That'll keep them from buying one that hasn't had all the problems fixed by a "sad to see her go" craigslist Ducatista.

[@ducfan9546]

In that case, one more flaw to throw on the pile: Supersport meetups and group rides are regularly attended by insufferable pricks.

[@michaelhevezi7273]

Take away supersport.

[@p6x2]

@@ducfan9546 I was considering adding a companion to my Moto Guzzi V11 Le mans 2004, but you have cooled down my desire with all these problems. I love air cooled bikes, but I have enough issues with the Guzzi electrical and injection issues to take more...

[@michaelhevezi7273]

"Sport oriented touring motorcycle" ??????? Cafe Racer anyone? anyone? Bueller?