So what happened to the Supersport?

[RichD]

Man, I wish I never sold my 97' 900 SSSP. Hi Comp. pistons with FCRs and a Nichols flywheel to boot.  what a ride!

+1 there!   

My '97 SS/CR  has the same motor goodies...
-with 14/40 sprockets it'll keep up with most anything to 100mph.

If I had to keep just one bike that would be the one.

[ducatiz]

The ergo differences in the SS and Monster lines is a matter of taste, IMHO.

My monster killed my back and wrists until I swapped the factory bars with clipons.  I now have about  2" lower hold.

I found the SS's tank shape also helps because you can use your stomach muscles to rest against it.

They are very different bikes:  the SS comes from Ducati's racing heritage (851 and 888 had SS frames) whereas the Monster is a parts bin special.

[ducpainter]

<snip>

They are very different bikes:  the SS comes from Ducati's racing heritage (851 and 888 had SS frames) whereas the Monster is a parts bin special.

The SS does have more racing heritage, but the frame is not the same as an 851/888.

More like the other way around.

SS uses a cantilever shock like a TT. Monster has a linkage like the 851/888

[ducatiz]

The SS does have more racing heritage, but the frame is not the same as an 851/888.

More like the other way around.

SS uses a cantilever shock like a TT. Monster has a linkage like the 851/888

Gotcha, I knew the 851 frame was based on the SS but I thought the shock was direct connect.

[krista]

Actually, the first Monsters used 851/888 frames and swingarms. SS was its own bike. 91+ SS came from the 90 Sport, which some would say came from the F1.

[krista]

My 1992...



One of (something like) 18 black SSs sold in California. I kept it fairly standard looking but polished the wheels rather than re-powder coat them. They were white from the factory, like the frame.

The 91~98 carb'd SSs are tremendously fun for canyons and back roads. They are NOT great as track day bikes. Well, not after the 2nd or 3rd track day. You pretty quickly find out that the pegs, sidestand, and exhaust will readily bury themselves into the pavement once your pace picks up. Also, the front end is pretty well raked out. I put about 29,000 miles on that one. Bought it used and sold it with 35,000 miles.

I loved that bike, but oh man, did it break my heart! swingarm broke. Twice. Crankshaft oil gallery plug went loose. Transmission gears fell apart, like they delaminated, soft valve guides, and the straw that broke the camel's back: the frame cracked.

Chris

[PizzaMonster]

I loved that bike, but oh man, did it break my heart! swingarm broke. Twice. Crankshaft oil gallery plug went loose. Transmission gears fell apart, like they delaminated, soft valve guides, and the straw that broke the camel's back: the frame cracked.

Yeah..   but is sure was pretty..

They could probably build one today without all those little "annoyances".  I think I'd buy one if Ducati started building them again.

[jftoha]

I think about this topic very often. I am glad other people feel the same. I would love for DUCATI to make a new SS. I would design it so that the riding position is between the 1198 and the ST3 but with the styling way more sporty than the ST3. Of course I would use the new 1100 DS and would make accessories for it so that people can take it in the touring direction or the sporty direction. This would most likely eliminate the need for the ST3 but that bike hardly sells anyway.

Adjustability would be the key in a bike like this. If the pegs, clip-ons, height, and even the seat was adjustable, this would be my dream bike. Granted, it has to look sporty though, just like the original SS. I wish Ducati would do this!!! It seems like you have to be a Racer who only rides 10 minutes at a time, or an older tourer these days. Ducati should bridge that gap. Where is the equivalent of a BMW M6, Merc CL55, or Jaguar XKR these days. It seems like we only get the equivalent of Ferraris Enzos and Porsches 911 Turbos from Ducati.  I often think that Ducati does not offer a bike in which one can go for a 3 day ride with friends to look for the best twisties or explore out of state race tracks. A bike one can take touring with the girlfriend or wife, or for a fast sunday ride. I would think that most people over 30 would at least cosider something like that at one point or another. Don't you think?? I would, and would gladly pay more than I did for my s2r 1000.

my 0.2

[DucNrun]

The ST3S kinda fit that bill, but nobody bought it so they quit makin' it.  Now you have to go the Multi route if you wanna tour.

[DesmoTull]

The ergos of the SS really do vary person to person.  I sold my M620 for a 900SS.  I thought I loved it, till last week when I rode my buddies S2R to our basement for winter storage, I realize that I miss the monster platform way to much, and I want another monster. 

Anyone interested in a 1996 900SS?  haha 

[TiAvenger]

The ergos of the SS really do vary person to person.  I sold my M620 for a 900SS.  I thought I loved it, till last week when I rode my buddies S2R to our basement for winter storage, I realize that I miss the monster platform way to much, and I want another monster. 

Anyone interested in a 1996 900SS?  haha 

Oh, oh, me, ME!

[DesmoTull]

PM me. 

(sorry for the thread jack!) 

[ducatiz]

The ST3S kinda fit that bill, but nobody bought it so they quit makin' it.  Now you have to go the Multi route if you wanna tour.

Or buy a Guzzi.  Ducati was interested in buying Guzzi a while back, mainly so they could have a separate name for touring bikes (despite Guzzi also making some sick sport bikes). 

I can't imagine touring on a Ducati nowadays, it just doesn't sound right!   I loved the Desmotre engine though... 

[DrDesmo]

PM me. 

(sorry for the thread jack!) 

FYI, not to continue the jack ... but ... Anyone interested in a super, duper clean SP that's all sorted out and ready to rock can't go wrong with Sean (DesmoTull)'s bike.

If I was in one of my legendary bike buying moods I'd have bought it 2 months ago ......

Adam

[Desmo Demon]

So what is Ducati's current version of the supersport, i don't like the Multi (sorry just does not appeal to me) and that sportclassic touring is too 80's for me.  Is my hope a used ST? or is theresomething else on the horizon.

Supposively, the Sport Classics are the "replacement" for the SS. If you want an SS, buy a used SS. I used to own a '99 SS750F, and it was not very comfortable, but it was a lot of fun for the short time I owned it. I've heard that the pre-'99 models are more comfortable, but not as well handling. Plus, with the pre-'98 models, you can run across such potential issues as cracked frames, cracked swingarms, pulled/stripped head cylinder studs, and a couple of other things that I cannot remember right now.

What I would do is buy a used ST2 for $3000-$5000....




Pull the panniers off the bike and add some SBK clip-ons with Helibar adaptors....




Add a lower windshield.....




Then find a rear seat cowl.....




If you plan a trip, simply slap the panniers back on...




Either way, the ST is a very capable bike to have fun with....






You can even still have fun with the panniers on it (sorry for the crappy video quality)...

http://www.desmodemon.com/misc_pix/ST_drag.mov