Ducati Darmah SS 900 Revisited

If the Bike Show had existed back in the 1970s, this is the type of bike we would have been reviewing; Ducati's Darmah SS 900. Harry used to own one many years ago and still has fond memories of it but will riding a fully restored example live up to those memories or has he got it all wrong?

[@richardbehrle1496]

When I first started out riding in the early 80s, the name Ducati was uttered by all my friends. I saw a Darmah for my first time back then and it always stuck out in my mind. I purchased my first Ducati in 1989, a 750 Sport that was an X- Racer, since that time, I purchased a Pantah and still own and ride that one, I blew the engine after about 200,000 miles in April, it'll be back on the road in a few months. Whenever I park that bike, it draws a small crowd.

[@SONO4B11T]

I was nowhere near alive when this bike came out, I just like watching some of your older content... I get to learn about these retro bikes.

[@cameronwood5177]

Superb. I had a 400/4 and sold it to get a Darmah SD. Absolutely loved it. Harry is right though - miner had so much 'character' that it spent more time in the garage than on the road. Still my biggest regret selling it though. Biiiiiiig Siiiiiiiigh!

[@gustav901]

I still remember the dream bikes from my early 20's. Like the Kawasaki H2 2015 :)

[@LordBirch]

fantastic, great video.you guys should do more like this.

[@paulocarreiro5855]

It's beautiful and it sounds amazing (but I'm biased)! Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@robmitchell716]

The Darmah, I never owned one but I remember clear as a bell the 1st time I saw one. I hadn't heard of them, new nothing about the Darmah, only the desmo singles, the GTS and the 900SS. I came up behind this bike and saw the flat duck tail and wondered what on earth it was,,, until he went back a gear and instantly I knew it was a ducati. It was a black and gold one without the fairing.

[@IgnitionBikeShow]

It is at this point I should correct a glaring error before anyone does it for me. Mike Hailwood did NOT ride a Darmah at the Isle of Man in 1978; it was actually a 900SS specially prepared by Sports Motorcycles in Manchester, England. However, the differences between the Darmah and the 900SS, engine apart, are small and the point I was trying to make was that Hailwood was riding on similar width tyres, with similar brakes and a similar frame and all the horrors - by modern standards, that is - that that entails in terms of handling and grip and stopping power were relevant to his performance. Balls of steel, indeed.

[@soaruk3697]

Actually he rode a Formula I 900NCR quite different from a bog standard 900SS.............

[@jeffhopkins8131]

the Darmah SD (not SSD) was a better bike to ride, it had standard flat bar as against the clip on's on this one. They were fantastic bikes at the time with more than ample performance.

[@MrAndrew1953]

All legendary stuff built for motorcyclists, most of whom didn't have a lot of money ruled by emotions rather their common sense. At 19 I rode my first bike a Suzuki T250R across Australia - Perth to Melbourne - only 19.

[@TheRamsberg]

"Rocking horse poo", great, I havn't heard that one before.

[@silverfoils]

Classic bikes are worth more because the $ is worth less ;^)

[@MIKEGBOGH]

I would really like to contact this bikes owner I am very close by and busy restoring a Darmah SSD.

[@brianperry]

Mike the Bikes Ducati was a modified 900SS not a Darmah. the SS was a different animal altogether

[@roadracingrelics]

Hailwood's TT Ducati might have been a different animal, but the production SS and Darmah were very close relatives.

[@brianperry]

@@roadracingrelics Relatives Yes, I believe Ducati made the Damah to suit a more 'comfortable stance' for riders. The 900SS was a no compromise sport bike....it was a racer with indicators and lights... Everything about it exuded speed....it was a classic of its time...I owned one in 1979/80. it cost 2,200 pounds new..It did have reliability issues, but what hell , what a mean machine.... it was then, still is.

[@trevorlock642]

The Honda CBX broke the 100 hp barrier in 1978

[@roadracingrelics]

Ah, come on! Those "skinny" tires with modern compounds are well up to getting your knee down. Likewise the brakes are more than adequate, assuming the pads aren't 40 years old. These bikes are being raced in vintage events at paces well in excess of anything achievable on the street.

[@jackyrocher3980]

She is one darmah sd only and the color is grey in France !!!!!!

[@ripsnorter1015]

My 1982 900ss would blow that Darmah back to Italy.

[@jetblack748]

The same engine just few extra kg

[@johnmartin6854]

Not my SD78 had SS speic blue printed motor 40 mm only jotos, honda 6 and h2 could come close Straight drag.

[@seekingtruth9182]

Hard to listen to the bike when all I can hear is the Britts mouth running

[@jackyrocher3980]

IT IS NO AN SS BUT SSD STARTER AND SIDE STAND !! SHE IS NOT ONE AN 900 SS Y HAD ONE IN 1979 not starter and not side stand !!!!!!!!!!!! and her color is black an gold

[@jetblack748]

This bikes had beter brakes and suspension than most things on the road that time.