Opinions on a Ducati 600ss
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From: Karl (karl_tang@hotmail.com) Subject: Opinions on a Ducati 600ss Newsgroups: uk.rec.motorcycles Date: 2000/08/04 This bike is out of production, and I can not find any info on this bike. What are peoples opinion on this bike. ie bhp, top speed. Thanks. Karl
From: Waldorf (morbid.fascination@btinternet.com) Date: 2000/08/05 Quoted bhp is around 59-60. I had one a while back, it was good for 120mph, don't know if this is typical. Handling is great, if you know what you're doing you can upset a lot bigger bikes. Mine had Dunlop D204's on, recomended but front life was 5500ish miles, rear only mad 3000m. I loved it brilliant ride and not outlandishly uncomfortable. Not as powerfull as jap 4's, but great fun. Problems; the usual Italian electrical problems notably, front cylinder cutting out in the wet when running slow, headlight kept going off at the most dificult times. Riddenthrough the winter in N.Yorks, with no corrosion (so long as you keep it cleaned). Louder than the 750ss, due to a freer flowing 2-1 exhaust. Look out for rattles from the left side of the engine, some idiot at Ducati, or Carnells didn't tighten up the generator nut on the end of my crankshaft and it sheared off a section of the gen keyway after 5500miles. New crankshaft, 6 months in the workshop-expensive. Regular servicing is a must, make sure it has been serviced regularly and properly. I've never had the sparkplug problem that our regular Gentleman on the 750ss is reminded of so often. Waldorf Yoshimura Zephyr550
From: Alan W. Frame (alan.frame@acm.org) Date: 2000/08/06 Claimed 53 bhp - mine was dynoed at exactly that with dynojet/K&N/free-flowing exhaust. Claimed top speed of ~120 mph, mine has done a GPS-claimed 118 (IIRC with 2 extra teeth on the back), but power drops off above 8,500 revs (500 below red-line). It's the cheapest way to join the Red Side, and better on motorways and less of a pain to keep clean than a 600 Monster. Mine has done 86,000 mainly trouble-free km, including track days, commuting, touring and going to the Bol d'Or. Remember that performance is more on a par with Jap 400s, but if you like twins and bit of noise, then you might prefer it. HTH, Alan