Aircooled Crazed..911 and Ducati 900SS??

MotoSook · 10-23-2003, 11:07 AM

Aircooled Crazed..911 and Ducati 900SS??

Moderators, I know this is OT, but I wanted to try to get as wide an audience as I can. So, please let it ride for a little bit before you move it to the OF Forum.

OK! I know there are some Ducati owners here. SO! I am considering a 1996 900SS CR, with some mods, including the 944 big bore kit.

I currently own a Kawasaki 1993 ZX7(L), and will have to get rid of the ZX7 to get the 900SS as the Princess will not be happy about two bikes and the 911 (THERE! 911 Content!

)

My thinking:

If I can only own one bike, I want it to be more special than my Ninja. A 900SS CR has the look I like, and the V-twin desmo is an engineering treat. The V-twin torque will be better for my riding needs these days. I love my ZX7, but I want to try a V-twin. And if I like it, the Duc is a keeper that will look go on a bar when I'm too old to ride (it's eye candy, just like the 911..again! 911 content)

With the 944cc kit and 39MM Keihin FCR's, the bike should have plenty of power right?

What is the HP and TQ rating for a 944 kit?

So what's wrong with a 900SS? Does it lack the engineering that my ZX7 has? (Suspension compromised?)

I can't find any web based reports on the engine (specs) or test info (1/4 ET etc..). I'm going to order the MotorCycleReport package, but it'll be snail mailed! I need to know NOW! (I'm too impatient for my own good)

I think it was reported to do the 1/4 mile in 11.8 secs, in stock form. That's only 0.3 seconds slower than a stock ZX7.

The really big question is, will I regret swapping from a 750cc inline-4 to a 944cc twin?

TIA!

Scott Clarke · Scott Clarke's Garage

Souk-
I just sold my '93 750SS. I hated to do it, but I've got a 911 that is in a milion pieces, and no time to ride anyway. I never got tired of looking at that thing. It is just right. The new SS series looks mediocre in comparison. It was great to ride, but I've never ridden a big-HP Japanese four, so can't compare. I'd find a bike with aftermarket exhaust. That wonderful exhaust note was only evident during very agresive acceleration with the stock system.
-Scott

Bruce Huling · 10-23-2003, 11:52 AM

Souk-
Leaving the ricer 4's behind for a v twin was the best thing I ever did motorcylce wise, almost as great as my first 911s porshe. Like the 911, there is something mesmerizing (desmo-izing) about the beat frequency of a big twin that is missing from a 4 banger. Also gone is the electric motor when you wick it open, instead you get these big impulses that you can feel in your family kit (smile). Also, like the porsche 911, you can sit and admire evolutionary development that is pure art to look at. Yes you will miss the sheer acceleration and top speed, but you will be having soooo much fun and grinning so much you will never miss it.
bh Here are my wheels:

BlueSkyJaunte · 10-23-2003, 11:59 AM

"Friends don't let friends buy 1996 and newer CRs.":

http://www.ducatitech.com/2v/sp_cr_faq.html

Try to find an SP.

MotoSook · 10-23-2003, 12:13 PM

I saw that comment on ducatitech.com "blue", but it seems the differences between the SP are not that great (SP; alum swing arm (I can make the swap later), marginally adjustable shocks (as a Pleican I should be able to fit modern front shocks on there, and the rear has been upgraded on the bike) and full fairing). I think the big bore kit and race carbs will make up the differences. Plus I'm partial to the cafe racer fairing. The SP full fairing looks a bit like a half attempt.

Thanks for the commments guys..keep them coming, 'cuse I"m going home with flowers in hand tonight to butter up the Princess.

MotoSook · 10-23-2003, 12:18 PM

Thanks Brian. Any performance numbers for the 944 kit? The bike is owned by a dealer (his private bike), and it has the upgraded oil cooler (re-location?). With the 39MM Keihins, there should be no lean running issues that some of the stock bikes seem to suffer. I'll also be getting all receipts and the stock parts that were removed. I think I'm just trying to talk myself into 100% commitment (I hope the florist has lots of flowers!

)

MotoSook · 10-23-2003, 12:28 PM

Here's a listen (900cc desmo joy!)

http://www.asandiego.com/mp3/M900_0_100.mp3

motion · 10-23-2003, 01:32 PM

Buy the Duc and love it. You'll never go back to a Japanese bike.

See my Duc link below... I'm currently installing steel boilerplate and drop halogen in my dining room, the new home of my Duc!

Andras · 10-23-2003, 01:52 PM

Okay, here's a thought,

I own a 1983 911SC, as well as two motorcycles - a 1982 Honda Sabre and a 1991 Honda Interceptor.

Both of those Hondas were made in the same spirit as the 911; namely high quality, great finish, and made to ride. Just look at a Ducati, and you'll get the same impression as you do looking at a Lamborghini - nice, fast, impressive, full of soul, etc. But not of the same quality as a Porsche. Ducatis not of the same quality as a Honda.

Again, you have to look at them in person, in the metal, not just pictures. AND THEN RIDE THEM!!!!!

You'll know what I'm talkin'................Andras

motion · 10-23-2003, 02:32 PM

Hey Brian... didn't know you rode a Duc! A group of us with Ducs, Guzzis, MVs, etc. are up at Ortega Hwy almost every Sun morning if you're interested! Let me know.

thabaer · thabaer's Garage

...MONSTRO...

( an S )

That's if you're stuck on Ducs...I have great memories of the thunder coming from a friend's M900 on a ride from the vintages at Steamboat. ( but also remember wondering if it was going to suicide when we were stuck in traffic, talk about loading up! )

me, I'm picturing a Blackbird w/ FI, should make the 750 mile, 12 hour runs less painful than the CBR1000 when I unfold my legs to avoid pissing off the local constabulary when I come up to traffic control devices.

The first time I drove from Boulder to the bay area, I was amazed at how comfortable the 911 was after a 16 hour drive. The big CBR-XX was so comfortable when I sat on one, it seemed like the bike version of my SC.

BlkBird · 10-23-2003, 03:19 PM

I'd love a Duc if I could find the place to park it.

As a confirmed airhead I already have:

- 1993 HD FXDWG (Dyna Wide Glide)
- 1977 HD XLCR (Cafe Racer)
- 1968 BMW R60/2 with Sidecar

And of course, the Blkbird.

Maybe I could find a place for a Duc. But if my wife found it... well my life would be measured in seconds.

andyu911 · andyu911's Garage

Brian, that Monster is beautiful. I'm just waiting for a good excuse to get one. Just wonder, how reliable is Ducati? Is it DIY-able?

esther · 10-23-2003, 04:28 PM

1996 Ducati 900 SSCR

Before:

After installing after-market seat and pipes:

If you get it, can I take it for a spin? oh wait, never mind - darn my 25" inseam

MotoSook · 10-23-2003, 04:42 PM

Sure Esther..I'm sure we can figure a way to get you on it!

I didn't know you guys had a 900SSCR! I guess I wasn't paying attention.

nigel911 · nigel911's Garage

Porsche - Duke, same rules apply.

Unless you are really taken with the older models buy the newest you can afford.

96 900SS - 77bhp'ish, add a few more for 944 kit - perhaps 85bhp on a good day.

-s: Electrics not great - can be unreliable, long frame and shallow rake make it harder to turn and less responsive than later models. Harsh ride. Quality control not as good as later models.

+s: Sound. Termi's a must. Red. Italian.

Lots of maintenance, can be $$$s. Regular valve adjusts and oil changes needed. Sound familiar?

greglepore · 05:56 PM

Souk, one thing that you should know is that the turning circle on a Duc is REALLY big-ie turning one around on a two lane can be an adventure, as you're up against lock, and the bike is very unstable that way. More Duc riders than will admit it have fallen over in low speed situations (not me, but I did drop my 93 900SS on wet grass while putting it away last week, at about 2mph-some stud behind the fairing punched a nice hole in it down low, winter repair project, along with timing belt replacement).

Other than that, I love mine. The main thing I notice after a history that was mostly Asian 4 cyl is that its such a torque monster. Not much hp compared to those bikes, but over the road it might actually be faster at 8/10ths or so where most of us ride. I've heard good things about the carb conversion, but the Duc is more an over the road all day sucker than a squirt/wheelie bike.

Downsides? Electrics suck, little stuff tends to break, tanks are very corrosion prone (but Kreem etc works, or go carbon). Some feel brakes are inadequate, but the stock full floating Brembo's on mine seem up to my relatively conservative style. Oh yeah-the stupid autoretracting sidestand is a pain, but yours might have already been disabled.

MotoSook · 10-23-2003, 05:57 PM

Thanks for your input guys (and gal). I have the nod from my Lovely Heather (notice the change in the term of endearment)! So now I have to convince myself that Souk will be happy with giving up my ZX7 for the Duc.

Rot 911 · 10-23-2003, 06:22 PM

Souk, you and I chatted bikes for a bit so I know what you like. The Duck is eye candy, but your Z is faster and handles better. Ride a Z and only the ricers will talk to you. Ride a Duck and you will fit in with any crowd. Same thing if you ride a Triumph. You already heard about the HUGE turning radius, but I think your bigger problem will be more in the area of an inseam problem. The Duck is tall!

MotoSook · 10-23-2003, 06:46 PM

Yeah Kurt, my ZX7 is a lot of fun, and I can make less seasoned riders on their newer Japanese bikes look like they are on a Goldwing when the road is not so straight.

I not sure I ever thought about fitting into any crowd with a Duck, but now that you mentioned it, I have to say that I do a lot of my quality riding alone. I enjoy the rid more when I don't have to worry if the guy in front of me or behind me is going to do the right thing.

So I'm not looking for a crowd, I just want a more unique bike. Besides, my Porsche friends and my non-Porsche friends are already thinning my time.

I'm getting tired of waiting for 9000RPM before my ZX7 starts to feel like a roller coaster. The the 944 Duck has gobs of torque from what I understand. I'm getting too old to sustain triple digit runs anyway, so carving curves with a torque monster seems to be where an aging punk-rocket-rider ends up.

And my ZX7 is heavy! It was tits in '93, but since the 900 CBR came out the light weight revolution left it behind. I'm getting too old or it IS heavy, because it's not so easy to move around in the garage!

If I do pick the Duck up, I'll have both bikes in the garage for a while, so it'll be comparison time. I'll delay the sale of the Ninja long enough to piss of Heather

Or unload the Duck.

I'm 5'11" with shoes on...do you really think the height is going to be an issues?

Maybe I'll sell the 911 and keep both the ZX7 and the 944SSCR!