Staff Rides
John's Ducati 900SS
Yes, it's Springtime and our thoughts have turned to daffodils, baby birds and motorcycles. We wonder what lovely, or otherwise, machines our illustrious staff will turn up on this year and what follies, or otherwise, they have indulged in while online shopping over the dark Winter months.
Well six months ago as it was all closing down and the rain, which lasted for the whole winter, was starting, John went shopping on ebay with about - oh - £1,800 burning a hole in his pocket...
"what can I buy for this" he wondered? ...Some snacks? Or perhaps a
nice red Ducati 900SS would be nicer ...oh here's one!
Obviously when you look this good you don't really
need a Ducati to enhance your image -
but:
"Why not gild the lily John" his workmates said to him!
Details?
It's a 1997 Ducati 900SS - the last of the carburettor models before they went over to fuel injection - you might say
"the last of the good ones". This bike handles
'like a dream' although the ride is a bit firm and the steering can be a bit lazy. It is a very comfy ride for a sports bike - perfect for the more mature gentleman rider.
It does about 50-60 miles to the gallon - excellent! Its other noticeable feature is that it is very, very loud...it has to be pushed down the road before starting so the neighbours, like the car alarms, don't go off!
It has Superlight cans and front mudguard (the front mudguard cost £400 alone) which is made of carbon fibre but the edges are not sealed so when it rains - yes - condensation!
John made the single rear seat himself as it came with a dual seat.
What's it like to ride?
"Well it's great fun and it feels alive, and it even looks great in the garage!"
As he rides down the road all the car alarms go off and fellow Ducati riders nod, smile and cover their ears!
Anyone else got or had one of these? Let us know at:
[email protected]
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