I've been looking for a few spare parts recently for my 1999 900SS IE and I was surprised that I came across several pretty low-mileage machines being parted out for spares. It seemed that a lot of the time this was because of mechanical failure. So I wonder what the reputation for reliability is really like, if there are any high mileage SS IEs out there and what the secret to a long life is for this engine. Cheers.
My understanding is that the SSie versions don't suffer from the cylinder studs breaking, as was common on earlier models, but that should not usually be a terminal failure anyway. On the other hand, the "Crankshaft oil galley plug back-out" problem might be a potential failure area; I've never seen any definitive statement as to how to check (via engine number) whether you have the risky old aluminium plug, or the later and safer steel plug (I think that's the way it works). There are lots of threads about this (here or at, for instance, ducati.ms ). The only other problem area I can think if which could get nasty is the alternator rotor working loose - something that Ducatis of various types seem to have had trouble with over the years, but I hope fixed in current models. Checking the alternator rotor is easy though, compared to investigating what type of crankshaft plug you have installed.
think the main problems are the same as other ducati's just nobody cared for the ie range so worth more in bits don't think the ie suffers from the crankshaft oil galley plug main problems are probably electrics and the main one lack of maintenance from owners used to jap bikes just my thoughts
I have a very early SS IE and was concerned about the crank blanking plug. Upon advice from Baines Racing I checked the oil screen, as I was at 25,000 miles (if the plug was going to back out it would have by now) for the tell tail 'fingernail clippings' but it was completely clear. Baines inform me they have never seen an I.e. With a plug back out, or for that matter with an aluminium plug. My understanding is that the injected SS is about the most reliable bike Ducati have ever built.
That's interesting Phil, especially as it comes from Baines Racing. I suspect the ones being broken I came across could have been poorly maintained. As with most eBay listings the descriptions weren't definitive but gave an impression. Also I guess they're currently worth more as parts because they're in that funny 'no-man's land' area where they're not new enough for many riders who want the latest kit but not old enough for the classic crowd - although I believe that's where they're heading.
Yes, it's my understanding that they are durable if looked after, I wouldn't expect any Italian bike to shrug off abuse like a Honda though, so a neglected bike can very quickly become uneconomical to maintain or repair. I'm quite particular in my maintenance and haven't come unstuck so far.
I bought a carby SS with 21000 miles last year. Engine was knackered. I also bought an SS IE with 31,000 miles on it. Engine ran like new. Amazing. So I put the top end of it into the carby bike. If your perception is right, (and I am not sure it is) my thoughts are that the bike quickly depreciated as a second hand proposition, as it was not as well liked. And so they may more often have fallen into the hands of people that were not bothered about looking after them as much.
Good to hear your IE is helping your carby stay alive! I disagree that the IE was not well liked but do think it became a 'Marmite' (love it or hate it) bike. The reasons for hating it were that it completely moved away from the classic 900SS lines that purists of the original bike adore. However, it did come with arguably better build quality and smoother running characteristics thanks to fuel injection. Also there were plenty of people that loved it's new curvy lines. I think it appealed to a younger audience who weren't that bothered about the original 900SS but wanted something Italian and different that handled well. This theory has been garnered from reading many press reviews of the IE when it launched, along with road tests. A lot of the old boys that loved the carby admitted the IE ran better but didn't like how it looked, while younger testers weren't bothered about comparing it to the older model and simply took it at face value. With regard to it becoming a future classic I really think it has that potential simply because Pierre Terblanche has worked on some amazing projects and is recognised as being one of the industry's top designers. Regardless of whether or not you like his work (personally I think like any creative he's developed some beautiful bikes and also some howlers) he has currency as a leading designer and bikes that he's created will benefit as a result.
