Hi All, I've been looking around for a while and could not find an answer anywhere for the questions I have, figured I'll try the Ducati forum I have gotten a 2011 Ducati 900ss from a dealer, checked all the paperwork and DVLA and it is in fact a 2011 900ss had bout 5000 miles on it, looks like it's a 2011 visually and feels like it is mechanically. I have though, looking online not been able to find that ducati produced any 900ss past 2002 ??? I got all worried I was scammed somehow... but I can still see a few 2005 or 2008 900ss being sold by dealers... just a little odd? I've been trying to find some specs on my bike, like BHP and best/cheapest mods to upgrade to add hp. If anyone has a link or knows roughly what bhp would my 2011 have that would be appreciated as well. The bike handles amazingly! lots of torque, does lack some power past about 100 mph, would be nice to see what I could do to that, still keeping the handling as it is. I'm really loving the bike, but as I have not had a ducati before this is a little new to me.I'd really appreciate anyone that has any insight into this.
Hi, if I remember correctly Ducati did stop making them in 2002 but a few dealers have been selling "new" ones since then. Nothing wrong with them but they are not new in the normal sense of the word. As long as they have been thoroughly checked over and new belts etc it should be fine. I have had a couple of these although the newest was a 2003 bike. You are right that they dont accelerate so much over 100mph but then they are pretty good for an 80-85bhp bike and the torque is more important I think. The only mods I made was to remove the airfilter trumpets. Doesnt cost anything and sounds good. Neglible increase in any performance though. Maybe try to get an exhasut system that is not too expensive and doesnt need ecu upgrades etc. I quite like Leo Vonce exhausts but plenty of others around. I`m sure some other posters will suggest other ways to get more bhp too. Someone on here posted that the best way to improve performance is to remove weight and the easiest item to loose weight from is the rider. No more pies! Wow, saves money on food too. I sold mine recently but have to say I think they are great bikes, enjoy!
Hello, Thanks for that reply. Can you elaborate a little more on what you mean when you say: "few dealers have been selling "new" ones since then" do you mean that the bike has actually been made in 2002, sitting around and not registered so when they first register it in 2011 they call it a 2011 bike? or do you mean that the model has not changed since 2002 but bikes were still produced here and there? I'm no mechanic but there is absolutely no rust anywhere, engine looks really clear, 6k miles on it when i got it, rode great, done 2k miles since then and no issues at all, so as far as what I can check myself it clears. Thanks for the tip on removing the airfilter trumpets I will have to take a look and see if i can find a guide somewhere on how to do that as far as the rider i'm only 145 punds hahaha if i lost any more weight my wife would not be happy Hope to see more comments and suggestions, Much appreciated.
Hi, as far as I know the last one was made in 2002 so it has been sitting somewhere for a good while before being registered. I wouldnt worry about it, my 2003 one that was in regular use was absolutely fine cosmetically and mechanically. To take the trumpets out you just raise the tank and then you should see the airfilter with the trumpets stickout out on top. They just pull off as far as I can remember. They slot back in easy too. You will notice the improvement to lovely growl when you rev the bike. Whereabouts are you based?
Hi, Thanks for all the responses, hmm.. slightly disapointing however as the bike looks the way ti does and rides the way it does no complaints I will have to take a look at that, I have also been reading that another cheap mod that improves the power on the bike is changing the sprockets to lower the gearing, stock it's about a 15/37 ratio and people swear by changing the end sprocket to about a 41 or even 43, which looses a little top speed but adds a LOT of lower speed power, and as I'm not a speed demon, only got to 135 mph on the bike once and normally dont go above about 110 mph, I dont see this loosing anything I use on the bike and possibly adding power / acceleration. I live in Slough area, my problem is I've riden bikes since I was 5 years old, but as my dad hated mechanics I dont know much about that part of it... I have enjoyed little bits and pieces, learning online how to do them, changing oil, replacing clutch, oil filters and such, but if you're saying that's not too hard to do to remove the trumpets, I'll give it a whirl. Is there any drawbacks from doing this? heating increased or increased wear? my other problems, as probably for all of us, my wallet is quite light :S so I'm looking for just such little things that might help out. let me know and thank you for your tips.
Cant believe the dealer didnt make it clear to you that the model finished production in 2002 and that your bike sat unregistered somewhere. Surely he didn't try and say it was a late production bike?? Stick up some photos.
If it has 5000 miles on the clock it obviously hasn't just been sitting at the dealers......However, what does the V5c say? Are you the first, second or third owner? Some dealers have been known to use a vehicle (usually an ex-demo) as a hack, while still remaining as stock by calling it a demo......in those circumstances, they do not have to notify DVLA of ownership changes and some don't get registered for quite some time either...... Mind you, if you got it really cheap, who cares how long it took to get registered? Here's a late one....http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/ducati/ducati_900ss_ie 00.htm and here's some history.....http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/b...s/Bike-Reviews/Ducati/Ducati-900SS-1990-2002/ AL
The final 900SS came with 5 spoke wheels, the later(rare and desirable) curved section swingarm and ohlins rear shock. There was a lot of old stock around until quite recently, 900Sport(dark) in matt black, which has lower spec suspension. If you can post a pic of the bike we'll identify it for you.
Changing the gearing is quite a popular mod but while I can see a big advantage in reducing lurching etc in first and low speed riding, it doesnt sound as if that is what you are looking for. It basically makes each gear feel like the one below in which case leave it unchanged and dont change up so fast. You will be revving higher and accelerating faster but also using more fuel. Really dont worry about it being a 2002 bike, if it rides great and looks great as you say, it probably is great.
they are a great bike, mine was first registered in 2003 power, free flowing pipes, cut the top off the airbox and power commander and you are looking at around 82hp at the back wheel top end power is down on the likes of 748/ 749 but you will have more torque and real world on the road its possibly a better bike with better bottom end and mid range faults - poor bars that kill your wrists but not a lot else
Hi and welcome, Mine has the open pipes (sounds fab), power commander and open air box and accelerates nicely way past 100. The PC when mapped will also smooth out that dead spot at around 3-4k. The sprocket change is also a good mod as 1st gear is so long, makes town work and roundabouts a bit easier. Enjoy
Hello guys, Thank you for all the advice and info. I think even if it's a case that it was sitting somewhere since 2002, it was a good deal, it was first registered in april 2011 by the first owner, i'm the second owner. The original owner was a lady rider, she had a monster before this one for 2 years brand new, traded in the monster and some cash for this one, had this one for a year I have receipts for a full service and a couple minor upkeep services she has done for this bike within the 1 year she had it, all done at a ducati dealer, and she spent about £1500 on the full service (crazy!!!) and about £500 for each minor service. nothing major done, all belts replaced, she replaced tires just before trading it in again, oil filter changes. like I said bike looks good. She traded this one in again for a triumph this time... I'm attaching some pictures to give you a better idea. The bike is a matt black, 3 spoke wheels. I'm also definitely looking at little bits and pieces to better the bike and sound. I understand what you mean about lowering the gearing maybe not being the best idea, I might lower it a little, as Pat mentioned 1st gear is a little too long i would say for city riding. maybe go from default 37 to a 39 or 40 in the back. I have taken a look as advised (and I apologize I'm really not much mechanically inclined, but I'm learning ) under the tank for the air filter to see If i can remove the trumpets, are they the rubber ones that direct where the air is coming from? I will also attach pictures of what that looks like so possibly you guys can advise what would be best. Does taking those out affect performance at all? As I'm assuming their purpose is to direct the air to flow into the filter more rapidly? Pat you mentioned open pipes? any suggestions links on which would be best? Like I said I dont have much cash at the moment, but if there is something not harshly priced... Also you mentioned the power commander any suggestions? How did you open your air box? just removing the rubber trumpets or even more so? Thanks for all the replies guys. Like I said I love the bike no complaints, just seeing what I can do to it, as a mechanical noobie, and would not mind knowing a little history behind this model and what the specs of my bike are
FYI I have removed the rubber bits from the air filter as seen in pictures above. The bike sounds a LOT better Just wanted a little insight into whether this affects gas mileage, power or anything else. Thanks a lot for that tip, any other ones???
Having removed the rubber trumpets, I would be inclined to check your plug colours after a good run......removing the trumpets may have weakened the fuel mixture slightly..... Also, if you take a note of the complete frame and engine numbers, it is possible to identify when the bike was made......send an email with the numbers to Stefan at Ducati.....he may be able to help. [email protected] AL
Thanks for this tip, weakened the mixture meaning might have lowered the power output? What should I be looking at when I remove the plugs, what colours?
It might have knocked the power slightly if it has weakened the mixture....best way to check is to try with and without the trumpets..... In simple terms, plug colour near light grey to white is running weak; black is running rich; light brown/grey to rust colour is correct.......but take it for a good run first, don't just start it up and run it until it gets hot. BTW, taking the trumpets off only makes more induction noise, not more exhaust noise......that means the only person that really hears it is you... AL
BTW, taking the trumpets off only makes more induction noise, not more exhaust noise......that means the only person that really hears it is you... AL[/QUOTE] Absolutely right but look at the benefit, the rider can hear the lovely noise, the police etc hear and see a standard bike.
Absolutely right but look at the benefit, the rider can hear the lovely noise, the police etc hear and see a standard bike.[/QUOTE] .........and it's only you that goes deaf......................What?......................(mine aren't fitted........because there is a Stage 2 Dynojet kit) AL
re exhausts best bet is fleabay for a good second hand set of pipes that are less restrictive combination fo powercommander / or ecu remap, opening up airbox (cut top so itscompletely open) and freeflowing exhaust will yield an extra 8hp at the back wheel to get around 82hp local independant has done this to loads of 900ss / 900 monsters and has shown me all the power graphs, power difference between termis, sils, remus and any of the other brands of aftermarket pipes is negliable so what ever pipe you get should be governed by what the best deal you can find is rather than getting brand x fitting loud pipes without a remap or power commander will give you more noise and possibly less power ditto any changes to the airbox without altering the fuel / air mixture
