[Jeff Higgins]

Thanks, Noah. Ducati of Seattle has a beautiful '93 white frame SS right now, but they want over $9k for it. Red Label Moto has another early '90's 900 SS that has been extensively modded, but they want $10k for it. I'm sorry, but I don't care if Foggy conceived his first child on it, no 16 year old sport bike is worth that. It seems Seattle area dealers are way too proud of their old bikes. Private sellers are down in the more realistic $4-$6k range for equally nice bikes. I procrastinated and missed a nice '92 for $5k last week.

From what I understand, the CR's have steel swing arms and Marzocci forks that are not only non- adjustable, but also non- rebuildable. The SP's have aluminum swing arms and Showa forks that are pretty easy to rebuild and tune. Brakes are better on the SP's as well.

Apparently, the SP is essentially the "original" SS built through '93. In '94 or thereabouts, Ducati starting making two 900 SS's, the SP that mimics the original, and the cheaper CR. SP's also have higher quality fairings, made from carbon fiber, and the CR's half fairings are ABS. I prefer the look of the CR, really.

I see these things put about 84 hp to the rear wheel. Certainly no rocket ship, but that's not what I'm looking for. I want something light and nimble that outhandles my H-D's. Granted, some would say I could buy an old school bus and get that. But I digress...

I've ridden the latest and greatest superbikes. I don't want that kind of power. I just want a fairly quick, light, nimble, sorta classic machine. I don't need or want the latest and greatest. Sort of like with my old 911.