Americans received the “new” SuperSport in 1991 as a 900, however Ducati had actually introduced the model in 1987 in other markets with a 750cc engine. It did not go well, and the next year they tried again with a Pantah-based 904cc engine – this 900SS was produced between 1988-1990 and it sis a rare predecessor to the much more ubiquitous 900SS that Peter Egan would go on to call “the used motorcycle you need.” In 1990, Bob Miller of Miller Specialties imported ten examples of the 900SS to the US – here’s one of them!
This model is an interesting moment in Ducati’s history as the firm barely acknowledges it today and there’s relatively little information available about them online. But the first 900SS pushed 80 horsepower through a six-speed transmission, helped by an improved cooling system and a Weber carb.
This example (VIN: ZDM906SCMLB000906) has 7,160 miles and it was recently given a carb rebuild and new tires. When Miller originally sold this bike, the owner had them install an upgraded exhaust, different bars/mirrors, and a Fox Racing shock.
Find this rarer-than-usual 900SS for sale in Rochester, New Hampshire with an unmet opening bid here on Iconic Motorbike Auctions.
Disclosure: Bike-urious is a partner in Iconic Motorbike Auctions.